Best Dispersed Camping near Cerulean, KY

Several dispersed camping options exist near Cerulean, Kentucky within Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Forest Service roads 343, 154, and 326 provide access to primitive camping areas where no developed facilities exist. Most sites require permits obtained from visitor centers before arrival. The region contains multiple waterfront dispersed sites along bays and inlets of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, including Demumber's Bay and Neville Bay areas.

Access roads to these dispersed sites vary considerably in quality. Forest Service Road 343 features rutted, rough terrain that may require high-clearance vehicles or 4WD, especially after rain. Several reviews note the road is "bumpy" and "very rickety" with challenging conditions. Many sites lack amenities entirely - no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Demumber's Bay and Neville Bay provide basic vault toilets but minimal other facilities. Campfires are permitted at most locations but restricted during dry periods. Camping permits cost approximately $10, with discounts available for National Park pass holders.

These primitive sites offer lakeside camping with opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. "The views of the lake are amazing, and this is a quiet area that allows for easy kayaking," notes one visitor about Demumber's Bay. Most locations feature existing fire rings built by previous campers. Though remote, several campers mention occasional visits from other recreationists. A camper at Forest Service Road 343 observed: "Secluded but still visited by people on dirt bikes, horses or just passing through." Wildlife sightings are common, with some campers reporting possible coyote sounds at night. Cell service is available at many locations, but amenities are minimal, requiring self-sufficiency with water, food, and waste management.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Cerulean, Kentucky (7)

    1. LBL FS154 - Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, KY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 525-7077

    "This site is quite remote feeling, but for a dispersed site, it is absolutely the BEST, which is why it is sometimes difficult to secure it, being it is first come first served."

    "You might need 4wd; it had rained all day before I got here and there were some rough/sloppy patches in the road. The pit toilt at the entrance is about a 10-12 minute drive away."

    2. LBL FS-326

    1 Review
    Cadiz, KY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 525-7077

    "This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time."

    3. Forest Service Rd 343

    8 Reviews
    Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, KY
    26 miles

    "A secluded lakeside spot with a fire pit. We saw three other spots on the way in which looked nice as well. The road coming in is a little washed out but not too pitted."

    "Seems it's a popular road for other people looking for an off-the-beaten-path place. The site is right on the lake an doesn't get any curious cars just driving by."

    4. Demumber's Bay

    5 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    25 miles

    "Denumbers is considered a back country campground in Land Between the Lakes. The road going back into the campground is paved, and the roads in the campground are compacted gravel."

    "There are multiple dispersed camping spots available along the way (closer to the bay mostly). There are a couple on the water and some in the woods close by."

    5. Neville Bay

    5 Reviews
    Bumpus Mills, TN
    26 miles
    Website

    "There is no hook ups . Can run generator until 11pm"

    "Mostly flat near the water and lots of sites to camp. We really enjoyed our spot in the shade on a hot summer weekend."

Show More
Showing results 1-7 of 7 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Cerulean, KY

15 Reviews of 7 Cerulean Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 7, 2024

    LBL FS-326

    Lovely, quiet spot!

    This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time. Occasionally heard some obnoxious people across the lake where I believe a campground is located. Also heard a sound during the night, possibly coyotes. Otherwise, I felt safe and had a great time here!! The ground was flat and there was a lot of room. We were just passing through and needed somewhere quiet to sleep after two days of driving. There is a lot to do in this area! I hope I got the location right… it wouldn’t let me add the exact coordinates I saved when I was there.

  • Staci R.
    Sep. 19, 2022

    LBL FS154 - Dispersed

    5 Star Dispersed? Planning ahead will make the difference

    This site is quite remote feeling, but for a dispersed site, it is absolutely the BEST, which is why it is sometimes difficult to secure it, being it is first come first served. Be sure to have your dispersed camping permit before coming out! They are available online, and at any of the Visitor's centers. The roads coming out to this site are graded graveled roads, and do not require 4WD, however some of the roads are still blocked by trees felled (probably during December 2021 tornados), so you won't want to be dragging a trailer behind you when you turn a curve to see a fallen oak.  I traveled in on FS-154 and turned left onto the road that runs next to the site. When leaving, I attempted to continue traveling down the unnumbered road toward FS-134, but both directions in the fork were blocked by trees. This campsite is very popular, even though there are ZERO AMENITIES, which means you need to know and understand sanitation ("cat holes") as there are no port-a-johns or vault toilets, there is also NO POTABLE water, so you either pack it in or bring your filter and drink lake water. 

    The campsite itself is on a small peninsula, just big enough for a large two room tent, a makeshift fire ring, and a vehicle. I was there during the lake's winter pool, so the water was very low, leaving a lot of easy walkable entry areas into the bay or inlet area.  Forrest service checks in with dispersed campers often, so staying longer than the time allowed is usually not an option, but there are also other really nice dispersed areas near by to move to,

  • Ai-Ai T.
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Demumber's Bay

    Extreme bug activity - late August

    Pulled in around dusk and there was a deserted camper there, about 4 pull in sites for rooftop campers. The bugs were insane and 40 must’ve flown into my car when i opened the door for a split second. Other than that, good stop for dispersed campers. Bathrooms were vault.

  • M
    Jan. 11, 2021

    Neville Bay

    Great little camp ground

    Nice little are to camp at . Well suited for tents . Most of the area isn’t very level . The road going back there is gravel . We went with our 30 ft travel trailer . There is no hook ups . Can run generator until 11pm

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2017

    Barge Island Public Use Area at Birmingham Point

    Functionality

    Barge Island is boat-ramp and that is all. At the end of Barge Island Rd, to the left, next to Birmingham Point Campground (privately owned) it is functional, has a porta pot, parking and a small dock.

    The sign on the way in has a tent camping symbol but I saw no evidence that anyone has ever camped in the thin strip of grass on each side of the road. It is feasible that you could though.

    If you continue straight on Barge Island Rd it turns to gravel and you end up on a small gravel beach area, good for fishing.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2024

    LBL FS154 - Dispersed

    Several Nice Spots

    I stayed at two difderent spots in March 2024. You might need 4wd; it had rained all day before I got here and there were some rough/sloppy patches in the road. The pit toilt at the entrance is about a 10-12 minute drive away. Both spots had fire pits

  • Staci R.
    Sep. 2, 2022

    Demumber's Bay

    Basic Campground - Pack in all you need (except toilet!)

    Denumbers is considered a back country campground in Land Between the Lakes. The road going back into the campground is paved, and the roads in the campground are compacted gravel. This is a well maintained campground whose only amenity is a vault toilet, and trash dumpster. The views of the lake are amazing, and this is a quiet area that allows for easy kayaking or other small water craft. There is a boat ramp, and zero entry areas into the water for launching. 

    A Dispersed Camping (Basic Camping) permit is required to camp here and you must purchase these at any of the three Visitor's Centers PRIOR to coming out! I've been told (by LBL LEO) that if you arrive after the centers are closed, but go get the permit first thing in the morning when they open, you will be good...

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2021

    Neville Bay

    Nice quite primitive camping

    Mostly flat near the water and lots of sites to camp. We really enjoyed our spot in the shade on a hot summer weekend.

  • Kari M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2023

    Demumber's Bay

    Multiple Great Spots!

    This road is a paved Forest road that leads to a boat ramp. There are multiple dispersed camping spots available along the way (closer to the bay mostly). There are a couple on the water and some in the woods close by. They have fire rings made by stones from previous campers. Just make sure you get a permit for the few that have the requirement. They have a sign once you get to that area by the boat ramp.


Guide to Cerulean

Dispersed camping opportunities near Cerulean, Kentucky center primarily around the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area's undeveloped backcountry sites. This 170,000-acre peninsula sits between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley with elevation ranges from 350 to 560 feet above sea level. Winter camping temperatures often drop below freezing while summer humidity regularly exceeds 80 percent with temperatures above 90°F.

What to do

Kayaking from remote launches: Bards Lake off Tharp Road provides multiple shoreline access points for small watercraft. "Not free, but worthwhile for a small fee. My family and I loved spending time at this spot!" notes Nick K. about this Land between The Lakes Bards Lake Tharp Road location.

Fishing from primitive beaches: Several gravel beach areas on Barge Island Road offer shoreline fishing access without developed facilities. "If you continue straight on Barge Island Rd it turns to gravel and you end up on a small gravel beach area, good for fishing," explains Shelly S. about the Barge Island Public Use Area.

Wildlife observation: Many dispersed sites provide opportunities to hear and spot local wildlife. "We heard a sound during the night, possibly coyotes. Otherwise, I felt safe and had a great time here!!" reports Andrea L. about camping along Forest Road 326.

What campers like

Solitude with water access: Many dispersed sites offer direct water access combined with minimal traffic. "This is one of the best spots I've found on this app. I had one other person show up to cook, but they left shortly after. Beautiful view with a nice fire pit, I was able to swim and had a great night to myself!" shares Andrew C. about Forest Service Rd 343.

Multiple site options along single roads: Several forest service roads contain multiple viable camping locations. "This road is a paved Forest road that leads to a boat ramp. There are multiple dispersed camping spots available along the way (closer to the bay mostly). There are a couple on the water and some in the woods close by," explains Kari M. about Demumber's Bay.

Cell service availability: Despite remoteness, many sites maintain usable cellular connections. "Beautiful great signal peace and quiet. Wonderful locations all as you head to this particular spot," reports J A. about camping at Demumber's Bay.

What you should know

Permit acquisition timing: Basic camping permits must be purchased before arrival at visitor centers. "Dispersed camping is a $10 fee. If you have the National Park pass you can go to a self check in campground for $5," explains Darryl H. regarding Forest Service Rd 343 camping.

Road condition variations: Access routes vary dramatically in quality and may become impassable after rain. "A secluded lakeside spot with a fire pit. We saw three other spots on the way in which looked nice as well. The road coming in is a little washed out but not too pitted. I'd recommend AWD/4WD and 8+ inches of clearance, especially if it has rained because it's pretty steep in sections," advises Tobias R. about Forest Service Rd 343.

Seasonal insect populations: Late summer brings significant insect activity at waterfront sites. "Pulled in around dusk and there was a deserted camper there, about 4 pull in sites for rooftop campers. The bugs were insane and 40 must've flown into my car when i opened the door for a split second," warns Ai-Ai T. about Demumber's Bay in August.

Tips for camping with families

Vault toilet locations: Few dispersed areas provide toilet facilities, making planning essential. "Nice little are to camp at. Well suited for tents. Most of the area isn't very level. The road going back there is gravel. We went with our 30 ft travel trailer. There is no hook ups. Can run generator until 11pm," notes Micheal about Neville Bay.

Water entry assessment: Scout water access points for gradual entry areas suitable for children. "Mostly flat near the water and lots of sites to camp. We really enjoyed our spot in the shade on a hot summer weekend," shares Jordan about Neville Bay's shoreline.

Site spaciousness: Some sites accommodate multiple tents while others limit capacity. "I stayed at two different spots in March 2024. You might need 4wd; it had rained all day before I got here and there were some rough/sloppy patches in the road. The pit toilet at the entrance is about a 10-12 minute drive away. Both spots had fire pits," reports Sean about LBL FS154 - Dispersed.

Tips from RVers

Generator policies: Most rustic camping sites near Cerulean allow generator use with time restrictions. "Nice quite primitive camping. Mostly flat near the water and lots of sites to camp," notes Jordan about Neville Bay, where generators can run until 11 pm.

Site leveling challenges: Many locations require significant leveling for larger vehicles. "This site is quite remote feeling, but for a dispersed site, it is absolutely the BEST, which is why it is sometimes difficult to secure it, being it is first come first served," shares Staci R. about FS154 dispersed camping.

Trailer limitations: Several forest roads have obstacles preventing trailer access. "The roads coming out to this site are graded graveled roads, and do not require 4WD, however some of the roads are still blocked by trees felled (probably during December 2021 tornados), so you won't want to be dragging a trailer behind you when you turn a curve to see a fallen oak," cautions Staci R. about accessing FS154.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cerulean, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cerulean, KY is LBL FS154 - Dispersed with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Cerulean, KY?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Cerulean, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.