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.
