The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Calvert City, KY

885 Reviews

Calvert City, Kentucky provides camping access along the western shore of Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, with both privately operated and state-managed campgrounds. The Paducah-Kentucky Lake KOA and Cypress Lakes RV Park offer full-service camping within city limits, while Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park provides a more natural setting just a short drive east. These areas support a range of camping styles from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV pads, cabin rentals, and glamping options with amenities like electricity, water, and sewer connections.

Most campgrounds in the region operate year-round, though peak season runs from March through November when facilities like pools and organized activities are fully available. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park campsites typically feature picnic tables and fire rings, though visitors should note that hookup locations can be inconvenient at some sites. The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, offers additional camping opportunities with varying levels of development. One camper noted, "Our site was a bit hilly but we had a nice view of the lake and close proximity to the playground."

Water access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Calvert City area, with multiple campgrounds positioned along Kentucky Lake shorelines. Several facilities include fishing ponds, boat ramps, and direct water access. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, swimming pools, and planned activities during summer months make the area popular for multigenerational trips. Hillman Ferry Campground and Canal Campground receive consistently high ratings for their water proximity and natural settings. Some campgrounds closer to Interstate 24 experience road noise, as one reviewer mentioned: "Close to roads so there is lots of road noise. Clean. Very super friendly helpful staff." Despite this, the region's abundant water recreation opportunities and well-maintained facilities make it a reliable destination for lakeside camping.

Map showing campgrounds near Calvert City, KentuckyExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Calvert City, Kentucky (147)

    1. Hillman Ferry Campground

    37 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 924-2000

    "Hillman Ferry is the northernmost full service campground in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and is an excellent base camp for exploring the LBL and other recreation opportunities in"

    "This campsite is located in beautiful Land Between the Lakes. Many sites are by reservation, but many more are first come first serve. Sites are big and open and some provide views of Kentucky Lake."

    2. Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE

    21 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 362-4840

    $20 - $256 / night

    "Canal campground is right on the canal that connects Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake at the north end of Land Between the Lakes."

    "Grand Rivers KY Canal Campground at Barkley Lake COE Site 111 This is a great COE campground located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with views of the Barkley Dam."

    3. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

    13 Reviews
    Gilbertsville, KY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 362-4271

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Set just a few miles off of I-24 in Kentucky, just two miles down the road from the Kentucky dam Village Resort Park, this is a great effort at trying to accommodate campers and RVs who don't want to stay"

    "It's not in the quietest spot but well located to do and see things in the area. There is boating, fishing, swimming and more on Lake Kentucky nearby."

    4. Eureka

    16 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 388-9459

    $20 - $35 / night

    "Only a 26 site park & only sites in the 20's are away from the water. Very hard to get reservations & when you can sites are limited. Locals book wasy in advance."

    "Just 4 miles from highway 62 in Kuttawa, KY and it feels like another place in time. You can fish Lake Barkley from your campsite or just enjoy the waves washing up."

    5. Paducah-Kentucky Lake KOA

    11 Reviews
    Calvert City, KY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 395-5841

    "Paducah is a cute little city in Kentucky that my family and I love to visit whenever we get the chance. The town is really cool, and has that "old" town vibe. The buildings are beautiful."

    "When we arrived, the lady who checked us in gave me a coupon for the drive-in movie theater that was literally down the road."

    6. Nickell Branch Campground

    12 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 924-2000

    $10 / night

    "Nickell branch is a Backcountry area in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky. This is a very primitive camping that is first come first serve."

    "Nickel branch is the first campground on the north end of Land between the Lakes. the sites are maintained fairly well. There is a boat ramp, a basic outhouse, and good place to swim or fish."

    7. Cypress Lakes RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Gilbertsville, KY
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 395-4267

    $49 / night

    "Interstate 24 is half a mile from this campground and some of the best restaurants in the area are within walking distance."

    "There is a small lake to fish in. Nice play ground for the kids. Also has many activities for the kids.
    Will be going back, I really enjoyed it. The staff is very welcoming and friendly."

    8. Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Hillman Ferry Campground

    9 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 924-2000

    "Great campground with beautiful nearby walking trails. A short drive to the observatory and bison prairie. We would go for a lake view site next time."

    "And, after driving through the entire campground the next day, we decided it was the best site in the whole park for our size rig!"

    9. Fern Lake Campground

    15 Reviews
    Paducah, KY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 444-7939

    $45 - $65 / night

    "Located on the edge of Paducah, Kentucky this is the perfect place to stay if you are going to the quilt shows or visiting the National Quilt Museum."

    "This is a convenient and pleasant campground, just off exit 3 on I24 in Paducah. The staff was friendly and walked us to our site and showed us the hookups."

    10. Pisgah Bay - DFWR

    7 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 525-7077

    "We were able to pull right up to the lake and secure our own private area, major score there. Road leading into the camp does have a few dips here and there one needs to be aware of."

    "The lake is just down the road from our campsite and there is a trailhead bathroom right at the boat ramp!

    The campsite itself is pretty enclosed, but there is no fire pit or electrical access."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 147 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Calvert City Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Calvert City, KY

201 Photos of 147 Calvert City Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Calvert City, KY

885 Reviews of 147 Calvert City Campgrounds

  • Anna M.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Fenton Self-Service Campground

    Basic

    Right off a main road the spots are shallow so not ideal for long rigs. It does have power and one pit toilet at one end.

  • Anna M.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

    Cleanest Bathrooms

    There is nothing special about the location. There is a boat ramp nearby. There were only people set up in the park today. They do have a playground.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    A good spot to have a work week

    Functional clean porta potties. Fire pits, tables and water( not at the campsite but available at the entrance). Not a ton of privacy but very friendly people. Not great for starlink but very moderate t mobile a slightly better Verizon. Lots of tents and vans. Not many spots. Beautiful.

  • j
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE

    Nice COE campground

    Grand Rivers KY Canal Campground at Barkley Lake COE Site 111 This is a great COE campground located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with views of the Barkley Dam. The canal connects them and you can see boats and occasionally barges passing through. There are over 100 campsites are available, many with water views. We had a spacious site with a river view. Other loops are closer together and no view. Sites offer electric and/or water hookups, tables and fire ring. Other amenities include clean old style bathhouses, a dump station, laundry facilities, a playground, and picnic pavilions. We saw several deer roaming the grounds. There's a great pizza place in town Papa Z.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great spot for location

    Overall we’ve really enjoyed our stay. Came over the Labor Day weekend and staying a week. Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been. A little noisy at night with the interstate in the distance but we’d expected that. Only thing we wish we would’ve known about was the paving of the road happening directly outside of the park. They obviously can’t control that but a heads up would’ve been helpful. One day we couldn’t get out for a bit and thankfully we had flexible plans. Overall- it’s a great park with decent proximity to a lot of nature. Anna, Marion and Harrisburg are your best bets for restaurants and grocery etc. Vienna only has a dollar general and a few restaurants- a diner, longhorn cafe, Mexican restaurant and Family Pizza- we tried the last one and it was good! Prepare for a 40 min wait time if picking up and it gets packed if you want to dine in. Would def stay here again to visit Shawnee.

  • Cheyanne S.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lake Barkley State Resort Park

    Shaded but unlevel

    Enjoyed our stay. Bring quite a bit of leveling materials as the sites are very unlevel. 1 dump station and an older but usable bath house. The road to come in was narrow but we'll marked. Very shaded and decently spaced out. Water and electric only.

  • L
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Cave-in-Rock State Park

    Beautiful, empty, cheap state park

    We are the only campers here in a very well kept campground. The bathrooms are clean and the only sound is from the birds. $20 for a state park site with electricity is incredible. It is out of the way (we took the ferry from Kentucky).

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Columbus-Belmont State Park

    Nice, clean campground, back sites have sewer, be prepared to level out.

    Stayed here for 2 nights at site 25 on the back side of the campground. The back sites have sewer. These sites were paved, but not level, so be prepared to level. TIP: If using those yellow camco "lego" block to level, be sure to put a canvas tarp or rubber mat between the blocks and the pavement, otherwise they will slide when you try to roll on top of them. My daughter used the bathhouse, and she said it was not good. Leaky, standing water. The park was awesome, which made the bathhouse an oddity. The little snack shack over by the chain was a nice evening diversion of ice cream and funnel fries. The camp host couple was wonderful. The park is clean and well maintained.

Guide to Calvert City

Camping near Calvert City, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Giant City State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter," making it a great spot for year-round hiking.
  • Water Activities: Enjoy kayaking and swimming at Energy Lake Campground. A reviewer shared, "The lake itself is man-made, and motorized watercraft are not permitted, which makes for great swimming."
  • Wildlife Viewing: The area is perfect for nature lovers. One camper at Hillman Ferry Campground noted, "The grounds were beautiful and very well kept," highlighting the natural beauty and wildlife.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Shawnee Forest Campground said, "The bathrooms are very clean and well lit," which adds to the overall comfort of the stay.
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One family at Piney Campground remarked, "The camping sites were absolutely beautiful and the general appearance was overall good," emphasizing the spaciousness.
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. A reviewer at Hurricane Creek noted, "Nice camphost. Bathhouses could use an upgrade, but were clean and did the job."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper mentioned, "There is no potable water on site," so be sure to plan accordingly.
  • Busy Weekends: Popular spots can get crowded, especially on weekends. A visitor at Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground advised, "Recommend only visiting Monday thru Thursday," to avoid the crowds.
  • Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A camper at Jackson Falls noted, "The road to get into the primitive camp area is long, and just a little bumpy," so be prepared for a bit of a drive.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Hillman Ferry Campground, which has a playground and plenty of space for kids to run around. One parent said, "We spent a TON of time playing at the creek."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A family at Giant City State Park Campground enjoyed hiking and exploring, saying, "We really enjoyed our weekend here."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make a big difference. A camper at Energy Lake Campground mentioned, "Super easy check-in and check-out," which allows more time for family fun.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park warned, "This place was laid out and built by someone who hates RVs," so do your research before booking.
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: Some sites may not be level. A camper at Hurricane Creek noted, "Some sites can be hard to back into," so be prepared for that.
  • Use Dump Stations Wisely: Be aware of the location of dump stations. A visitor at Shawnee Forest Campground mentioned, "No sanitary dump," so plan your trip accordingly.

Camping near Calvert City, Kentucky, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Calvert City, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Calvert City, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 147 campgrounds and RV parks near Calvert City, KY and 11 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Calvert City, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Calvert City, KY is Hillman Ferry Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 37 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Calvert City, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Calvert City, KY.

What parks are near Calvert City, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Calvert City, KY that allow camping, notably Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and Barkley Lake.

Keep Exploring