Glamping experiences close to Burkesville, Kentucky provide direct access to Dale Hollow Lake and Cumberland River, two significant waterways in south-central Kentucky. The region sits within the Highland Rim physiographic area at elevations between 500-1,000 feet, creating diverse terrain for camping. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with higher humidity levels, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures between 50-75°F.
What to do
Trout fishing at Kendall Campground: Located below Cumberland Lake dam with access to Wolf Creek Fish Hatchery, the location creates prime fishing conditions. According to Tom B., "The National Fish Hatchery is beside the campground, along with the Trout Stream, which is a really neat man-made stream and wetland from the hatchery down to the Cumberland River."
Kayaking at Dale Hollow Damsite: The campground runs parallel to the Obey River, offering multiple water access points. Kenny P. notes, "Plenty of fish opportunities from boat, kayak, wading and shoreline. Campsites have plenty of shade but restroom/shower houses could use some repair/updating. Also bring plenty of ice as there is no ice machine on site. Nearest place to get ice is 2 miles away in Celina TN."
Cave exploration at Mammoth Cave National Park: About 2 hours from Burkesville, this national park offers unique underground adventures. "The cave is very big and cool. Reserve the all day guided tour with crawling about in small spaces for the best experience. Make sure your boots have enough tread or you won't be allowed to do the tour!" advises Dan X.
What campers like
Privacy on tent islands at Lillydale Campground: The dedicated tent camping area offers a different experience from RV sections. "I appreciate that while there is an RV section of the campground, there is a whole island of just tent camping, that has a whole different vibe. So if your tent camper or RV camper, you will find your place," writes Jenna L.
Clean facilities at Kendall Campground: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained facilities. Paul M. reports, "This campground is tremendous. Very clean nice camp host, flush toilets and showers."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Camping near Burkesville offers excellent wildlife viewing. At Kendall Campground, T S. notes, "We had daily deer visitors at our site and went trout fishing too. The walking trails around the brooke and campground were easy enough even for someone with limited mobility."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited connectivity. At Deep Valley Campground, electrical service is limited to 30-amp, according to Leslie G., who mentions "Very friendly staff. Nice and quiet. 30 amp service only."
Seasonal operation: Most glamping options near Burkesville operate seasonally. Deep Valley Campground runs from April 1 to November 1, while Holmes Bend operates from April 18 to October 26.
Shower facilities vary significantly: Some campgrounds like Kendall have limitations with shower facilities. One camper noted, "Be prepared to keep pressing a button every 55 seconds to get water. In addition, there is no way to control water temperature for your shower."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access at Holmes Bend: This campground offers good facilities for children. Thomas R. confirms, "Playgrounds are cleaned everyday. Walking around you will find wildlife. Lots of deer and turtles and birds."
Educational opportunities: When glamping near Burkesville with kids, take advantage of educational sites. At Kendall Campground, Paula H. says, "This campground is well maintained, quiet and beautiful. You can fish, hike, kayak or just relax. It's great for the whole family and the snack shack has great burgers & ice cream for those times you don't want to cook."
Bring carts for tent island access: If planning to camp on the tent island at Lillydale, be prepared to transport gear. Andy K. advises, "Nice sites all are lakeside, only drawback is that you have to park in the parking lot and use one of their carts to haul all your camping gear onto the island which can be quite a chore."
Tips from RVers
Electrical safety at Blue Heron Campground: Check electrical connections when arriving. Tom B. warns, "My electrical post at Site 001 showed reverse polarity, so I had to move to site 004. Don't let that discourage you. Great campground."
Site selection for shade: When booking glamping sites near Burkesville in summer, prioritize shade. At Dale Hollow Damsite, Crystal C. notes, "Sites were level and there was a nice mix of RV campers and tent campers at the facility."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on parking. At Holmes Bend, Thomas R. advises, "They won't let you park in the grass so boats have to parked out front of campground."
