2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park and Lake Barkley State Resort Park offer glamping accommodations within Kentucky's scenic western region. These park resorts provide elevated camping experiences with modern comforts unavailable in traditional campsites. Lake Barkley features climate-controlled glamping tents and yurts situated along the shoreline, while Pennyrile Forest houses luxury canvas structures under mature tree canopies. One visitor noted, "This is a beautiful park with breathtaking views. The glamping accommodations are very clean with comfortable bedding." Both locations include electrical hookups, proper beds with linens, private outdoor spaces, and access to upgraded shower facilities. The glamping sites typically remain open from April through October, with some premium locations offering panoramic water views.
Glamping guests enjoy direct access to numerous outdoor recreation options within these state parks. Pennyrile Forest provides glamping visitors with a white sand beach for swimming, boat rentals for paddling the lake, and miniature golf on-site. The area surrounding Lake Barkley features extensive hiking trails connecting to accommodation areas, horseback riding options, and multiple water activities. According to a camper, "If you want a campground that has it all, Pennyrile is where you want to be with gorgeous white sand beach and breathtaking blue water." Both parks maintain on-site restaurants with dining options, eliminating the need for cooking equipment. Winter glamping is limited, with most luxury accommodations closing seasonally, though Lake Barkley maintains some year-round options with additional heating for cold-weather comfort.
"First of all, the drive to Dawson Springs is GORGEOUS. Rolling hills, farmland, trees, really gets you in the mood!"
"Also at the beach are picnic tables, grills, a playground, and concessions. From the beach area, you can hike the lake trail, but it is moderate."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $40 / night
"Huge lake offers great fishing. The campground is not huge but does offer water and sewer hookups. They have 2 shower houses located for a 5 min walk from any site."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $28 / night
"Water, electric, nice bath facilities, waterfront, boat ramp, trash, firewood availability, well kept. You name it. I live that it's inside LBL with all of these."
"Each loop has its own restroom/shower house and all are near the lake( some closer then others) canoe rental or bring your own, basketball court and playground as well as swimming area."
"The success of the event weekends is largely due to the amazing staff at Prizer, as they accommodate a lot of last minute pleas for changes and help! "
"Prizer Point KOA and Marina is your basic camp away from home with all those modern conveniences. Water all around (peninsula) so water sports of course."
"Energy Lake campground is well planned, the staff are amazing, and with a little planning, the best option for affordable camping that puts you on a small natural preserve lake perfect for kayaking and"
"Access to the lake is great. Electric and fire ring at each site. The first night we were here a family set up nearby and let their dog run loose and their kids were screaming the entire time."
"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."
"Right on Lake Barkley where it joins Kentucky Lake. Over 200,000 acres of lake. We had sites 76 and 77. The roads to the sites have a lot of curves be careful not to clip your trailer on a tree."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $256 / night
"Extremely friendly staff. Clean campsites with a great view of the lake. Nice pool as well!"
"The site is on the lake with cabins as well. They have full hookups and they were in good condition. We were in and out. Will will be back through for sure to check the place out during the day. "
from $999 / night
"All you need to camp here is a camping permit from Land Between the Lakes which is 30 dollars online. If you have a Kentucky resident sportsmans licence this permit is included in that!"
"A little close to the gravel road had a couple of cars drive by over night making a small racket but bearable."
from $10 / night
"Over 300 campsites from primitive, electric w/ water and full hook ups in each area along with campstore, modern restrooms and shower houses and so many things to do: swimming, fishing, boating, boat ramps"
"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!"
"Was greeted by friendly staff, splurged on a cabin and it was clean and comfortable."
"I didn’t really know it was a thing to bring horses to camp and ride them on the trails! Loved it. Spots are pretty close together but fine for big rigs."
from $6 - $10 / night
TravelerStarted at Gatlin Point. Moved because wanted something closer to the water.
Spacious spots give plenty of privacy. Was very quiet (12th). Facilities clean.
T-Mobile sometimes spotty but had coverage most of the time.
LegendDo yourself a favor and pay for the golf cart! This campground is huuuge! We stayed here for an event and were amazed at how many sites there were. We had a nice campsite on the lake side, however the lake was pretty dry. Facilities were clean and we had a nice level site. All in all a fun time was had by all.
GuideThis is the third time we’ve stayed here just using it as an overnight on the way to and from home on our way out west. Great campground with full hook up service in some sites and a view of the lake.
TravelerThe pricing policy is complicated for long term they require $25 each person for background checks. The sites in the back are pretty tight and mostly long term. They do have nice sites near the office. They are pull through.
ScoutAwesome campsite rented a cabin we brought are dogs so we had to find a location that excepted pets and they were the ones who were friendly and awsome definitely recommend if u want a place to go this is the place
LegendBefore arrival, we received a helpful confirmation email with clear directions for entering the campground, although the turn was easy with our 40-foot fifth wheel. Check-in was exceptionally friendly—we were even welcomed by a fellow Brinkley owner—and escorted to pull-through Site A6 with full hookups. The utilities were easy to reach, and water pressure was good. We were pleasantly surprised to learn we could park our truck anywhere, even on the grass. Starlink would be questionable because of the mature trees, but the campground's Wi-Fi was better than most we have experienced at around 50 Mbps download and 24 Mbps upload. We had two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile, while our T-Mobile Home Internet work well. The upper A-loop pull-through sites are fairly level but somewhat close together. The terraced B, C, and D loops could be more challenging for larger rigs to maneuver, level, and exit. The campground also offers a fishing pond, cabins, tent sites, and a fenced dog park. Overall, this is a clean, well-maintained KOA Journey with friendly staff that worked very well for our overnight stay, and we would stay here again.
LegendWe are on a cross country road trip from Atlanta to Spokane to visit grandkids. Lots of one night stops for easy access and quick getaway in the morning. This place isn’t fancy, it’s a KOA. But it meets out needs. The site is level and shaded. Full hookups . There used to be a pool and playground that we didn’t use. Also a mossy “fishing” pond! And a store.
The bathroom/ showers were reasonably clean The internet is terrible!
It was quiet until three pick up trucks pulled in next to us and proceeded to do auto repairs! Lots of loud banging! Luckily it’s just one night.
ScoutWe tent camp, but like electricity, however the pads are concrete and can not get stakes in ground. Did not know it was okay to put tent up off pad in grass until we called a park ranger. By this time we was frustrated because we had already put tent up.
GuideBusy but quiet campground. This spot is sitting on the lake. Perfect place to watch sunrise over the lake. This is a back-in, large site with a fairly level pad. It is relatively private site for this campground. Lots of families using golf carts to get around the campground. You can fish from this site and lots of good hammock trees. Nice firepit with grill grate. Site has electric and water.
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area offers diverse camping options near Cerulean, Kentucky, with elevations ranging from 359 to 566 feet above sea level. The region features a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for yurt camping around Cerulean. Water levels in Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping access.
Kayaking on Energy Lake: This no-wake lake provides calm waters perfect for paddling. "The lake was gorgeous and perfect for kayaking though, with lots of nice coves to explore and wildlife to see. I saw a doe with a spotted fawn nursing on my first trip onto the water," notes a camper from Energy Lake Campground.
Photography trails: Seasonal photo opportunities abound throughout the region. "I was there for a fall photography contest it was a little too soon and there was very little color. You can ride horses or enjoy the lake and many miles of walking trails," shares a visitor to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.
Wildlife viewing: The Elk and Bison Prairie offers drive-through animal observation. "Elk and Bison Prairie is a close by must for only $5 admission card," recommends a camper at Energy Lake Campground. The nearby Nature Station also provides wildlife viewing opportunities for yurt camping enthusiasts visiting Cerulean.
Miniature golf: Several parks offer on-site mini-golf courses for family entertainment. "The miniature golf course was good but a little expensive," notes a reviewer from Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, providing an activity option during cooler weather when lake activities aren't possible.
Quiet camping loops: Less crowded sections provide peaceful spots away from busier areas. "The D loop was nice and quiet with very little traffic. We were very close to the lake to drop our kayaks in the water or fish without going far, always a plus!" shares a visitor at Energy Lake Campground.
Waterfront access: Many sites offer direct lake access for fishing and boating. "There are several sites with direct access to the water and there are some secluded and unique sites. Drive all the way through before you pick your location cause there are some with interesting views," advises a camper from Redd Hollow.
Off-season tranquility: Visiting outside peak summer months provides more solitude. "We camped in off-season and the place was quite empty. Camp host told us it was always pretty quiet," notes a reviewer from Lake Barkley State Resort Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. "Bathrooms were very clean for camp restrooms. The showers were in their own rooms, so that was really nice. Great water pressure and it wasn't a push button shower like some campgrounds have!" comments a camper at Energy Lake.
Unlevel campsites: Many sites throughout the region require significant leveling. "Pads are on steep slopes. We had a class A that had front wheels 10" off the ground and a TT with the hitch on the ground," warns a visitor to Lake Barkley State Resort Park.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely across campgrounds. "No cell service," notes a camper at Hillman Ferry Campground, making it important to download maps and information before arrival if yurt camping near Cerulean, Kentucky.
Seasonal beach conditions: Water levels affect beach access throughout the year. "The beach is muddy and rocky... We didn't want to swim here so maybe plan on doing that elsewhere at the lakes," advises a reviewer from Energy Lake Campground.
Primitive camping permits: For basic camping areas, permits are required. "All you need to camp here is a camping permit from Land Between the Lakes which is 30 dollars online. If you have a Kentucky resident sportsmans license this permit is included in that!" shares a camper at Redd Hollow.
Beach selection: Choose campgrounds with sandy swimming areas for children. "The beach has some confusing parking signs, but we figured it out. It was busy and had some loud visitors with loud vehicles," mentions a visitor to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.
Playground considerations: Quality of play equipment varies by location. "The playground is old with just a metal slide and swings," notes a camper at Energy Lake Campground, suggesting families might need alternative activities.
Cabin options: For families new to camping, rental cabins provide comfort with outdoor access. "We stayed in a camper cabin here in September. We normally tent camp but it was a weekend with record heat. The cabins were clean and comfortable with cold AC," shares a visitor to Energy Lake.
Activity planning: Seasonal events offer family entertainment. "Land Between the Lakes is a beautiful historic place to explore and this would be a good base camp for that. There seem to be lots of amenities for the kiddos," notes a camper at Hillman Ferry Campground.
Extension cord needs: Electrical hookups are often positioned inconveniently. "Well kept, no sewer hookup on sites, bath house clean, electric far from pads - bring extension cord," advises an RVer at Lake Barkley State Resort Park.
Site selection strategy: Campground maps don't always reflect actual conditions. "We chose site D3 over Memorial Day weekend. I was pretty nervous when we first saw the site, it was literally on a hillside. All in all, if you want flat spaces, don't go to loop D, loop C was much flatter," recommends a camper at Energy Lake Campground.
Water hookup planning: Many sites require shared water access. "This is a nice campground with electric hookups, but no water hookup at every site. There are shared water taps throughout each area," notes a reviewer from Energy Lake.
Challenging access roads: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. "Leaving the paved road with our 27' Airstream, I felt like this road may be a long one way trip! But then it opened to a very nice campground," shares an RVer at Redd Hollow, suggesting caution with larger rigs when yurt camping in the Cerulean area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Cerulean, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Cerulean, KY is Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park with a 4-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Cerulean, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 34 glamping camping locations near Cerulean, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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