Cabins near Columbia, Kentucky range from rustic to modern with several options available year-round. Many cabin rentals sit near Green River Lake and Lake Cumberland, both offering exceptional fishing opportunities and water recreation. Winter temperatures typically drop to the 30s, making sites with heating essential during colder months.
What to do
Hiking and trail access: Holmes Bend offers scenic trails with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "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," notes Kenny P., who visited Holmes Bend Campground.
Water recreation: Green River Lake State Park provides excellent kayaking options with rentals available nearby. "The river itself was wonderful to explore via kayak, and we ended up barely hiking," shares Stephanie T. who visited the park. The location offers multiple boat launches with varying difficulty levels.
Winter activities: Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park remains open through October with some cabin options available year-round. "Beautiful sights to see," reports Jovee S., who also mentions the park has "little store near the sites, very friendly staff." The park offers winter hiking and bird watching when other activities slow down.
Antique shopping: Born Again Camping / Antiques combines camping with antiquing opportunities. "You can browse through the little antique shop and tour her adorable cabins," says Paula S., who enjoyed the unique setup. The property features a small but interesting collection of regional artifacts and collectibles.
What campers like
Private accommodations: Lake Cumberland State Resort Park offers multiple cabin options with varying levels of privacy. According to a camper named Angela C., "There was some really cool larger cabins and at least the section we were in, you had a nice view of the marina." Several cabins feature private decks overlooking the water.
Bathroom facilities: Most cabin locations maintain clean, regularly serviced facilities. At Mammoth Cave Campground, "The bathrooms have a cool log cabin-like window at the top," mentions Veronica S., who appreciated the design details. Many campgrounds update bathroom facilities seasonally.
Campsite layout: Russell Springs KOA features distinctive site arrangements. Bridget H. notes, "The campsites are set up nicely with plenty of room and they even have small wooden fence dividers. Nice little touch." These dividers provide additional privacy between sites without blocking views.
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and recreational spaces make camping with children easier. "Plenty of room for kids to play and also has a swimming pool!" reports Kenny P. about Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park. Many sites feature dedicated children's areas with updated equipment.
What you should know
Electric service reliability: Some campgrounds experience power fluctuations. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave, one camper noted, "The power would spike several times a day to 129-132 volts setting off alarm in coach. We moved spots and same issue but fewer times a day. Highly recommend Surge Protector at this park."
Utility hookup locations: Check site diagrams before booking to understand where utilities connect. Beth H. cautions about Dale Hollow: "I wish they would have mentioned the length to water hookup. We ended up having to go buy a longer water hose bc the hookup was more than 30 foot away."
Seasonal closures: Services and amenities often reduce during off-peak times. Joey from Green River Lake State Park Campground reports, "The downside was the store was closed and the wifi we expected wasn't on." Call ahead during shoulder seasons to confirm which facilities remain operational.
Cell service coverage: Signal strength varies significantly between locations. At Holmes Bend, Ron B. reports, "Cell service Verizon & AT&T Service 3 bars depending above or below hill in camping area." Lower elevation sites typically experience weaker reception.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Holmes Bend Campground offers multiple playgrounds and outdoor spaces. Thomas R. shares, "Playgrounds are cleaned everyday. Walking around you will find wildlife. Lots of deer and turtles and birds." Morning hours typically provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Swimming options: Many locations feature swimming areas with varying amenities. "The beach is great and right next to the marina," notes Thomas R. about Holmes Bend. Most beach areas provide limited amenities, so bring your own chairs and umbrellas.
Game facilities: Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park maintains multiple recreation options. Thomas M. mentions, "There are great amenities, and the bathrooms were clean." The park offers volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and board game rentals at the main office.
Train rides: Born Again Camping provides unique entertainment for younger children. Paula S. describes, "Lots of outdoor games for kids and adults as well as a train ride for the kiddos." The miniature train operates on weekends during peak season, weather permitting.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Green River Lake State Park Campground has varied site conditions. Doug and Terri C. advise, "The newer section has very few trees for shade. The older section had plenty of shade and nice sites." Sites numbered below 50 generally offer more established tree coverage.
Level site concerns: Pay attention to site descriptions when booking. Carol from Green River Lake State Park Campground cautions, "Be careful, some tent spots are on hills." Request detailed site information when making reservations, especially for larger units.
Dumping facilities: Holmes Bend provides sanitary dump stations with specific hours. Kenny P. notes the campground has "over 100+ sites. Some are primitive sites but most have water." Dumping stations typically operate from 8am to 8pm during peak season.
Supplies and services: Local stores offer limited inventory at higher prices. Ron B. mentions Holmes Bend is "20-30 minutes from campground walmart super-center, restaurants, Mexican and fast food, hardware, ATM'S, Rv repairs, automotive part stores." Stock up on specialized items before arrival.
