153 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lake Cumberland forms the backdrop for camping destinations around Burnside, Kentucky, with several established campgrounds nestled along its shoreline. General Burnside Island State Park Campground serves as a central option with full hookups, lake access, and a golf course on the grounds. Additional camping areas include Waitsboro Campground, Fishing Creek, and COE Lake Cumberland Fall Creek, all providing waterfront sites with varying levels of amenities. The region primarily accommodates tent and RV camping, with some locations also offering cabin rentals and glamping options. Most campgrounds maintain seasonal operations, typically open from April through October.
Camping availability in the Burnside area follows clear seasonal patterns, with most facilities closing during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer and holiday weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. "This campground is built between a steep hillside and the Cumberland River. Most sites don't offer much privacy, but the views of the river are so nice," noted a visitor to Waitsboro Campground. The terrain throughout the area presents challenges at certain campsites, with some locations featuring steep access to the water or uneven ground. Most developed campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, while amenities like showers and dump stations vary by location. Cell service is generally available near established campgrounds, though signal may weaken in more remote areas.
Campers consistently rate waterfront sites highest among available options, with several reviews highlighting the peaceful atmosphere of falling asleep to "the sound of the gentle lapping of the water." Lake Cumberland's recreational opportunities form a central part of the camping experience, with boat ramps available at multiple campgrounds. Fishing for trout, catfish, and striped bass attracts many visitors to the area. While most campsites offer some shade, the level of tree cover varies significantly between locations. Several campgrounds feature clean, well-maintained bathhouses, though primitive areas may have limited facilities. Noise levels remain relatively low at most sites, though some campers note that the nearby Lake Cumberland Raceway can create significant sound disruption during race events.
"There are hiking trails near the entrance of the camp. There is several different types of camp areas ranging from primitive to cabins."
"The trails are varied and pretty cool. They twist and turn and cross creeks and hill tops."
"A nice quiet campground on Lake Cumberland in the Burnside area. Nice RV sites and tent sites"
"Nice place, close to amenities but still feels like you’re somewhere very far."
from $16 - $42 / night
Check Availability"Perfect area in Burnside close to Daniel Boone National Forest and Lake Cumberland. It also has a nice golf course on the grounds if you’re into that!"
"General Burnside SP campground is large and can accommodate most rigs. My site, 14 was smaller than most, but right across from the bathhouse."
from $22 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Sadly, there is a massive amount of trash at the bottom (as you can see in the pictures posted here) which takes away from the natural appearance of the falls."
"It’s has many (12) trails and many falls. Would definitely recommend shopping before camping, it’s several miles, and mountains, to get to stores."
from $28 - $40 / night
Check Availability"This Corp of Engineer campground is a small quiet lakeside getaway. Our site was $25 per night with water and electricity hookup. No full hookups here and several tent only sites."
"Access to the water is not so great. You have to go down steep inclines between campgrounds. "
from $22 - $36 / night
Check Availability"It's located on the Kentucky side of Big South Fork. The campsites have a picnic table and a firepit. Our campsite was very nice and private with a big grassy area."
"The sites are well maintained and old , probably CCC built with wood steps leading up or down to your site."
from $30 - $35 / night
Check Availability"It is quiet and away from towns. Some sites are close but not bad. The shower/bath house is fairly new and clean. Being on the hill, to get to the lake is a steep walk."
"Clean bathrooms with showers in walking distance. Helpful staff. Stunning views. Great hiking paths. Bring you boats, bikes, kayaks, fishing poles and bathing suits. The water is fantastic!"
"Swim next to show, bring your pets, tie up you're boat, be around friendly people or private, primitive to big pull thru, clean, great staff, prettiest lake in KY, best camp sites with poles, shady, level"
from $46 - $92 / night
Check Availability"I loved the views of the lake and the fact that the campground is very secluded. Great place for family fun!"
from $22 - $50 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis was the creepiest place I have ever stayed. I had all kinds of strange vibes from it. Maybe because it was raining. I don’t know. The guy who worked there was super nice. I won’t be back though.
GuideI only got to stay here one night passing through. I usually never use the bathrooms/showers when traveling. But when I went to check them out I decided to try them. Very clean. I’ll definitely stay here again. There weren’t many people when I stayed on a week day. So it was very peaceful and quiet. They had a nice pavilion to have a gathering at.
ScoutLovely 5 site park on the family farm. 30/50 amp water and sewer. Exrtremly quite park
Enjoyed our stay. Debbie and Ernie were wonderful to work with. Had a cloudy night so didnt get to see sunset. But heard they are marvelous.
ScoutVery clean and well cared for, the store is well stocked with nice extras. Shannon is very sweet.
ScoutWhether you’re in a tent or an RV, it’s tough to find a bad spot to Grove Campground in Daniel Boone National Forest. Sites are both spacious and well spaced. They are paved and mostly level with a gravel pad for the fire ring and picnic table - well laid out in classic USFS fashion. Located near Corbin, KY, Grove serves as a great staging location to explore the area including Laurel River Lake and Cumberland Falls State Park. Time well spent!
ScoutFriendly people very nice quiet atmosphere
GuideThere's 20 RV campsites at Ridgeline Campground. Each campsite includes 30 amp electric and water hookup. The campsites are spacious but small, not suitable for big rigs. The road and campsite are paved. Trails are present in the park for humans and horses. Playground located in the center of loop at the end of road, directly across from RV sites 17 - 20. Grocery/Camp store, laundry, bathhouse, and dump station on premises.
TravelerLockRidge Park is a beautiful hidden gem with stunning views, unique accommodations, and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the natural beauty of Kentucky.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
GuideOverall I had a great one day get away at this sight. Two issues, Both of the primitive spots are by the road, and the other park goers are some of the least respectful, loud and and plan mean people I have ever been around. In contrast, the park managers are very nice and helpful.
But for example, a car wrecked really close to my campsite at 1 am, people blasted music well past midnight, a car alarm went off around 2 am and then, the family of said car alarm, starting loudly arguing for 30 straight minutes at a volume that everyone could hear. This all happened in one night.
I bet if you go on weekdays it wouldn’t be that bad, however if you want to sleep, I don’t recommend going on weekends. Which sucks because besides being a nice spot with good staff, other people kind of ruin the vibe.
Lake Cumberland provides the backdrop for multiple camping sites near Burnside, Kentucky, located at an elevation of around 723 feet. The area's humid subtropical climate creates warm summers and mild winters, with camping season typically running from April through October. Water levels in Lake Cumberland can fluctuate significantly throughout the season, affecting shoreline camping conditions and boat launch accessibility.
Hiking trails: 0.8 miles from Cumberland Falls. At Ridgeline Campground, campers can access Cumberland Falls via a short trail. "The trail from the campground to the falls viewing area seems like it has zero trail maintenance," notes one camper, highlighting the need for proper footwear. Beyond the falls, nearby attractions offer more hiking options: "After a short drive, we hiked Natural Arch and Yahoo Falls."
Golf: 18-hole course on site. General Burnside Island State Park Campground features a golf course that attracts many visitors. "I stayed here because I wanted to play the on-site golf course, which was also well taken care of," writes one reviewer. Another camper adds, "The golf course is apparently well known and quite pretty, but we spent the weekend hiking in nearby Daniel Boone Park while the guys golfed."
Mountain biking: 10+ miles of trails. At Pulaski County Park, mountain bike trails offer varying difficulty levels. "The trails are varied and pretty cool. They twist and turn and cross creeks and hill tops," notes one visitor. Another camper mentions that "the disc golf will take you on quite a hike and to another parking lot and trailhead totally outside the park."
Beachfront swimming: designated areas. Pulaski County Park provides beach access for swimming during summer months. As one camper notes, "There's many places for kids to play, a basketball court, volleyball court, disk golf, and a small beach area." Another visitor simply states, "Great beach access. Quite and very clean."
Fishing from shore: multiple species. At Fishing Creek - Lake Cumberland, anglers enjoy shoreline fishing options. "Nice lake views. Family friendly," says one camper. The area offers opportunities to catch various fish species, though reviewers recommend bringing appropriate gear for bank fishing.
Spacious sites: large wooded areas. Holly Bay campground receives high marks for its site layout. "The sites are spaced out, large and completely shaded," reports one visitor. Another camper elaborates: "Large, secluded, full-shade sites! This is a fantastic campground. Literally the only thing it lacks is sewer hookups but the dump station is convenient."
Variable site layouts: challenging terrain. Many campgrounds around Burnside feature uneven terrain. At General Burnside Island State Park, "Sites are big but not level. We put one side of the RV on the pad and the other in the gravel just to be level. Sites are also awkwardly diagonal in places so the back ends get pretty close."
Seasonal closures: limited winter access. Most facilities close during winter months, with primary camping season running April through October. Facilities at Holly Bay operate "early apr-mid oct" according to their season information.
Noise considerations: racetrack nearby. Some campgrounds experience noise from Lake Cumberland Raceway. "There's a racetrack across the highway (Lake Cumberland Raceway) and it is LOUD. The race continued from 6pm-1am. Highly recommend you check their schedule before booking here," warns a camper at General Burnside Island.
Playground access: multiple facilities. Family campers appreciate the recreational areas at Waitsboro Campground. "There's a short nature trail and a playground, plus the whole area has a lot to do," mentions one visitor. At Pulaski County Park, "There are several play ground areas close by for the kids to play."
Water safety: steep shorelines. Many Lake Cumberland camping areas feature challenging water access. One Waitsboro visitor notes, "This campground is built between a steep hillside and the Cumberland River. Sites 1-4 are closest to the water, but do not have easy access to the river."
Evening activities: ranger-led programs. Some campgrounds offer organized evening activities. A Cumberland Falls visitor mentions, "Staff was great - lots of activities for the kids to do through the State Park - Archery (free), Swimming Pool (free), and more free activities, horseback riding ($20pp). Camp host led scavenger hunts, lazer tag, capture the flag, etc in the campground in the evenings."
Size limitations: 25 feet or less in some areas. Larger RVs have limited options in certain campgrounds. For Ridgeline Campground, one RVer advises: "Don't expect to bring your 30' RV here, I can't imagine something bigger than 20' would fit. We squeezed our 15-footer into a spot though."
Hook-up positioning: bring extensions. At several campgrounds, hook-ups may be poorly positioned. One Ridgeline camper warns, "Also, the water and electric hookup for this site is very far away from the actual site - we had to use a regular 110 extension cord to get the hookup to our van and we couldn't use the water at all because we only had a standard length hose."
Dump station access: challenging at some locations. RVers should note dump station challenges at certain facilities. At Fishing Creek, one camper reports: "The biggest drawback would be the dump station. The switchback turn at the top of the hill to get to it was too daunting for me to try. We started to try and backup the hill, but the shoulders were drop offs and narrow road. I didn't chance it. Brought it home to dump."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Burnside Island Campground located?
General Burnside Island State Park Campground is located on an island in Lake Cumberland in the Burnside area of Kentucky. The campground is situated close to Daniel Boone National Forest and serves as a great base for exploring Lake Cumberland. The park features a golf course on its grounds and is conveniently positioned for those wanting to enjoy water activities on the lake.
What amenities are available at Burnside Island Campground?
General Burnside Island State Park Campground offers large, paved sites with full hookups, gravel side lots, and fire rings. The campground features meticulously maintained bathhouses that are cleaned daily. Some sites provide more shade than others. The state park also includes a golf course for recreation. Nearby, Waitsboro Campground - Lake Cumberland provides both RV and tent sites for those seeking alternative accommodations in the area.
Do I need reservations for Burnside Island Campground?
Reservations are recommended for General Burnside Island State Park Campground, especially during peak seasons. The campground is large and can accommodate most rig sizes, but securing your spot in advance ensures you get an appropriate site for your needs. If Burnside is fully booked, consider alternatives like Cumberland Point Campground near Nancy, which is also reservable and offers water and toilet facilities.
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