Smith Ridge at Green River Lake offers spacious campsites with ample shade and waterfront access 3.5 miles from Cane Valley town center. The seasonal camping region operates primarily from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Water levels in the area fluctuate 5-10 feet seasonally, affecting shoreline access at certain campgrounds.
What to do
Water activities beyond swimming beaches: COE Green River Lake Smith Ridge provides numerous fishing spots along the shoreline. "I gave Smith Ridge 5 stars because it offers a lot of great fishing spots and beautiful views. There isn't but maybe one trail there, and it's unmarked," notes Jessica C.
Hiking trail systems: Holmes Bend offers extensive trail networks beyond the campground. "The best are the hiking trails. It's a short drive or walk thru the woods to trail head. Fishers bend has over 5 miles of trails," explains Kenny P.
Fossil hunting: Baileys Point provides unique geology experiences along the shoreline. A visitor reported, "Enjoyed hanging out in the water and finding fossils on the rocky beach. Kayaking was easy and fun."
What campers like
Lakefront positioning: Campsites at Pikes Ridge - Green River Lake sit directly adjacent to water. "Waters edge camping!!! The best campground on GRL!!! Only flaw.... no showers!" mentions Kenny P., highlighting the proximity to water despite limited facilities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds near Cane Valley feature regular animal sightings. Thomas R. at Holmes Bend notes, "Walking around you will find wildlife. Lots of deer and turtles and birds."
Fall season camping: Reduced crowds and colorful foliage enhance late-season camping. "We stayed at this beautiful park in early November. There were only a few other campers so it was peaceful and very pretty. We enjoyed the lake views and fall colors everywhere," shares Joey from Green River Lake State Park Campground.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly across campgrounds. "Practically no cell service with Verizon or AT&T," reports Todd C. from Smith Ridge, while Ron B. notes better connectivity at Holmes Bend: "cell service Verizon & AT&T Service 3 bars depending above or below hill in camping area."
Power reliability concerns: Green River Lake State Park Campground has documented electrical issues. "Location was excellent, close to the water. They have a known power issue, 30amp service went out several times at the pole. Their solution was to use less appliances," warns Lindsey M.
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility upkeep differs between campgrounds and seasons. "One bathroom hasn't had electric in two years and another women's bathroom only has hot water in one shower and the hand dryers don't work," reports Christina S. about Smith Ridge.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature recreational facilities for children. At Kendall Campground, "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."
Tent site selection: Pay attention to terrain when selecting tent areas. Carol from Green River Lake State Park Campground advises, "Be careful, some tent spots are on hills... The lake is really pretty, the showers were pretty decent. 1/2 the park has good shade, the other half has no shade."
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing provides learning experiences for children. "The trout stream is beautiful and you can always see plenty of wildlife," notes a Kendall Campground visitor, referencing the adjacent National Fish Hatchery.
Tips from RVers
Site selection by age: Mammoth Cave Campground offers distinct camping areas with different amenities. Jeremy K. explains, "Stayed at site 5. We really liked the campground. The old part had plenty of shade the newer part not so much. The new bathhouse was nice. The old bathhouse needs some updating."
Off-season considerations: Utility availability changes seasonally. "The downside was the store was closed and the wifi we expected wasn't on. Since this was a working trip, we had to go to town and get wifi at the library," shares Joey about Green River Lake State Park Campground during November.
Dump station logistics: Plan for potential delays during peak checkout times. Beth H. from Holmes Bend notes, "Nice clean and well maintained campground. Paved roadways great for biking and walking. Some spaces and turns would be tight for larger rigs... gets a little crowded at the dump station on the weekends at check out time."
