Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area near Cerulean, Kentucky spans 170,000 acres across western Kentucky and Tennessee, with water on 40% of its boundary. Tent camping options range from primitive sites with no facilities to basic campgrounds with vault toilets. Water levels fluctuate seasonally between winter pool (December-March) and summer pool (April-October), affecting shoreline camping locations.
What to do
Kayaking: Access directly from campsites. At Cravens Bay - LBL Lake Access, campers can launch directly from their sites. One visitor noted, "We stayed here in the middle of July in 2019! It made it easier for our girls to launch their kayaks and swim. Great spot for kayaking and tent camping."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning opportunities. The secluded nature of Forest Service Rd 343 provides excellent wildlife viewing chances. A camper mentioned, "The road is gravel and bumpy so you might not want to take a smaller car on it but just fine for any awd, truck, van, etc. Would recommend seeing the buffalo on the way in or out."
Swimming: No lifeguards but accessible water. Sugar Bay Campground offers swimming access during warm months. As one camper reported, "Swimming allowed in Sugar Bay (no lifeguard) and in late September the water was warm."
What campers like
Solitude and separation from crowds. Many tent camping areas near Cerulean allow campers to spread out. A visitor to LBL FS154 - Dispersed shared, "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."
Waterfront access: Tent pads near shore. Lakeside sites offer direct water access for fishing and water activities. At Forest Service Rd 343, a camper reported, "This is one of the best spots I've found on this app. Beautiful view with a nice fire pit, I was able to swim and had a great night to myself!"
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution. The distance from urban areas creates excellent stargazing conditions. At Sugar Bay Campground, a camper observed, "Nice and quiet, beautiful stars at night and good cell service if you needed it."
What you should know
Water availability: Plan accordingly. No potable water exists at most primitive sites. A camper at LBL FS154 - Dispersed warned, "There are ZERO AMENITIES, which means you need to know and understand sanitation 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."
Road conditions: Variable based on weather. Access roads to tent camping areas may require appropriate vehicles. One camper at FS154 noted, "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."
Permit requirements: Purchase before arrival. Most dispersed camping requires permits. A visitor explained, "Dispersed camping is a $10 fee. If you have the National Park pass you can go to a self check in campground for $5."
Tips for camping with families
Campsite selection: Look for swimming access. Families benefit from sites with gradual water entry. At Smith Bay Campground, a visitor shared, "We stayed at a site right off the water. We kayak so it was perfect for us to leave them on the shoreline so we could come and go as we please. It is a rocky beach but very clean. Just a short paddle away are some sandy beaches."
Wildlife awareness: Secure food properly. Nighttime visitors are common at tent camping areas. A reviewer cautioned, "Raccoons and skunks visit the campsites nightly, so you must keep everything put away or risk a big mess like some we saw who had left their food out on a screened gazebo/tent."
Group site options: Some areas accommodate larger parties. Certain areas have space for multiple tents. At Old Boy Scout Campground, a camper noted, "This is a primitive site, and is considered back country camping. This place used to be used for Boy Scout Summer camps. It's a nice little finger of land that has water all around. There is space for several tents."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain. Many tent camping sites near Cerulean are not designed for RVs. One camper observed at Smith Bay, "Most campers here are in tents. I suspect this is because the sites are not very level."
Generator etiquette: Respect quiet hours. Noise carries across water and camping areas. A camper complained, "Generators are only allowed during the day. However, there is no one to enforce this. Thus, our visit last week was cut short by a rude RVer who fired up his extremely loud generator at 11 pm."
Turning radius: Consider campground layout. Some areas have limited space for maneuvering larger vehicles. At Cravens Bay, a camper with a larger RV noted, "We stayed at site 20 with a 36' travel trailer we had to actually drive all the way to the end of the campground to turn around so we could back into the site."
