A
Austin K.
Traveler
TravelerPharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground
2nd camp
I loved it a lot of rocks to climb and places to hike people are friendly and the sunsets and views are insane.
Best Campgrounds near Gilbertsville, KY
Gilbertsville, Kentucky lies adjacent to Kentucky Lake and the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, offering a range of camping accommodations from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV sites. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park serves as a central developed campground in the immediate Gilbertsville area, while Canal Campground, Hillman Ferry, and Eureka provide additional established options within a short drive. Most campgrounds in this region feature waterfront access to either Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley, with boat ramps available at many locations. The campground density is particularly high around the northern section of Land Between The Lakes, where public lands support both reservation-based and first-come camping.
Many campgrounds in the Gilbertsville area operate seasonally, with most open from March through October or November. Campsites at popular locations like Kentucky Dam Village and Canal Campground fill quickly during summer months and holiday weekends. One camper noted, "Hillman Ferry books fast, and offers a substantial number of activities for all ages. Very well upkept and constantly making improvements, this is a favorites campground for folks from miles around." Cell phone coverage varies throughout the region, with better reception at developed campgrounds closer to towns. Temperatures can be hot and humid during summer months, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for tent camping. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays during peak season.
The Land Between The Lakes area surrounding Gilbertsville provides numerous water-based recreation opportunities, with many campgrounds offering direct lake access. Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley dominate the camping experience, with fishing, boating, and swimming available from most camping areas. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of having boat ramps adjacent to campsites. A camper reported, "Another nice feature in the Sugar Bay dispersed camping is the ability to anchor your watercraft right next to your campsite after you put in at the boat ramp." Campsites range from basic tables and fire rings at dispersed locations to full-service RV pads with electricity, water, and sewer hookups. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, coyotes, and numerous bird species, with the Elk and Bison Prairie observation area accessible within Land Between The Lakes.
Best Camping Sites Near Gilbertsville, Kentucky (146)
1. Hillman Ferry Campground
38 ReviewsGrand Rivers, KY10 milesWebsite+1 (270) 924-2000"Hillman Ferry is the northernmost full service campground in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and is an excellent base camp for exploring the LBL and other recreation opportunities in"
"This campsite is located in beautiful Land Between the Lakes. Many sites are by reservation, but many more are first come first serve. Sites are big and open and some provide views of Kentucky Lake."
2. Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE
23 ReviewsGrand Rivers, KY6 milesWebsite+1 (270) 362-4840$20 - $256 / night
"Canal campground is right on the canal that connects Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake at the north end of Land Between the Lakes."
"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."
3. Eureka
16 ReviewsGrand Rivers, KY6 milesWebsite+1 (270) 388-9459$20 - $35 / night
"Only a 26 site park & only sites in the 20's are away from the water. Very hard to get reservations & when you can sites are limited. Locals book wasy in advance."
"Just 4 miles from highway 62 in Kuttawa, KY and it feels like another place in time. You can fish Lake Barkley from your campsite or just enjoy the waves washing up."
4. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
13 ReviewsGilbertsville, KY2 milesWebsite+1 (270) 362-4271$20 - $30 / night
"Set just a few miles off of I-24 in Kentucky, just two miles down the road from the Kentucky dam Village Resort Park, this is a great effort at trying to accommodate campers and RVs who don't want to stay"
"It's not in the quietest spot but well located to do and see things in the area. There is boating, fishing, swimming and more on Lake Kentucky nearby."
5. Paducah-Kentucky Lake KOA
11 ReviewsCalvert City, KY3 milesWebsite+1 (270) 395-5841"Paducah is a cute little city in Kentucky that my family and I love to visit whenever we get the chance. The town is really cool, and has that "old" town vibe. The buildings are beautiful."
"When we arrived, the lady who checked us in gave me a coupon for the drive-in movie theater that was literally down the road."
6. Nickell Branch Campground
11 ReviewsGrand Rivers, KY7 milesWebsite+1 (270) 924-2000$10 / night
"Nickell branch is a Backcountry area in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky. This is a very primitive camping that is first come first serve."
"Nickel branch is the first campground on the north end of Land between the Lakes. the sites are maintained fairly well. There is a boat ramp, a basic outhouse, and good place to swim or fish."
7. Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Hillman Ferry Campground
9 ReviewsGrand Rivers, KY9 milesWebsite+1 (270) 924-2000"Great campground with beautiful nearby walking trails. A short drive to the observatory and bison prairie. We would go for a lake view site next time."
"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!"
8. Cypress Lakes RV Park
6 ReviewsGilbertsville, KY2 milesWebsite+1 (270) 395-4267$49 / night
"Interstate 24 is half a mile from this campground and some of the best restaurants in the area are within walking distance."
"There is a small lake to fish in. Nice play ground for the kids. Also has many activities for the kids.
Will be going back, I really enjoyed it. The staff is very welcoming and friendly."9. Pisgah Bay - DFWR
7 ReviewsGrand Rivers, KY10 milesWebsite+1 (800) 525-7077"We were able to pull right up to the lake and secure our own private area, major score there. Road leading into the camp does have a few dips here and there one needs to be aware of."
"The lake is just down the road from our campsite and there is a trailhead bathroom right at the boat ramp! The campsite itself is pretty enclosed, but there is no fire pit or electrical access."
10. Demumber's Bay
6 ReviewsGrand Rivers, KY9 miles"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."
"You can park on the few paved spots on the top of the hill or the huge grassy area by the lake. Easy kayak launch for a day on the water!"
Recent Camping Photos near Gilbertsville, KY
199 Photos of 146 Gilbertsville Campgrounds
Wendy T.
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Daniel L.
Tween the Lakes Campground
Taylor W.
Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE
Timothy G.
Nickell Branch Campground
Taylor C.
Twin Lakes Campground
Maggie C.
Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Hillman Ferry Campground
Staci R.
Demumber's Bay
Tom E.
Hillman Ferry Campground
lowrent0321
Pisgah Bay - DFWR
MickandKarla W.
Birmingham Point Campground
Kirstin A.
Birmingham Ferry/Smith Bay - LBL
Lindsey B.
Bee Spring Lodge-Campground
Recent Reviews near Gilbertsville, KY
864 Reviews of 146 Gilbertsville Campgrounds
- GGlen B.
GuideSaline County State Conservation Area
Disappointed
No showers, although listed among the amenities. Vault toilets are loaded with spiders and mud daubers with the exception of the one near the entrance. No sign of the camp hosts. Might be because of the time of year. There are some good spots along the water but not very RV friendly. Plenty of others away from the water and well spaced.
Jacqueline G.GuideDemumber's Bay
Beautiful spot
Really great spot! Big rig friendly and pet friendly. There are lots of ticks and mosquitoes so make sure your furry friends are protected. You can park on the few paved spots on the top of the hill or the huge grassy area by the lake. Easy kayak launch for a day on the water! You do need a permit for parking and the ranger does stop by on weekends to check so just get one. It’s super cheap for what you get. Bathroom and dumpster on site too. There’s a bunch of attractions in Land Between the Lakes within a 10-20 minute drive. It’s a really cool place. Totally worth it to stay a few days.
Rayzor R.
ScoutForest Service Rd 343
LBL Lakeside Backwoods — Great Site, Rough Road
TL;DR: Great large backwoods site at LBL with lake access, north-facing shoreline for Starlink, and workable cell service. The access road is rough rutted gravel with a steep final descent on loose gravel— serious terrain for tow vehicles, with a washout at the bottom and no easy bailout once you're committed. Have your dispersed camping pass ready for Rangers. The site has a broken glass and nail problem from careless users, and human waste is bad on the hillside above camp. Go prepared, and pack out your garbage/waste.
This is one of my go-to backwoods spots at LBL. It's a large site with lake access and surprisingly decent cell service, and the shoreline faces north making it a solid placement for a Starlink antenna. Turkey Bay OHV Area sits across the bay, but noise from over there is rarely an issue.
Getting in is another story. The road is rough rutted gravel the whole way, and the final hundred feet drops at a decent grade, and on loose gravel at that. Stop at the top of the ridge before you commit. You can see down into the site from there and tell whether it's occupied, and turning around at the top is far better than driving into someone's camp. Know your rig before you start down— if you're towing, that final pitch is a one-way commitment. You'll be turning around at the bottom on the shore. There's also a washout on the right side of the approach at the bottom, a good 18 inches deep in spots, so make sure you have the clearance before you cross it. Once down, you can continue straight to the shore and make a wide turn, or do a three-point turn at the base of the hill if the water is up or conditions are muddy.
Rangers patrol the area, so have your dispersed camping pass ready, and there is frequent traffic because it is a popular place. We have had people roll up on us at 2AM before which is disconcerting. Wildlife-wise, raccoons and coyotes are regulars. Keep your food secured.
A few things to know before you set up camp. There's a significant amount of broken glass scattered around the tent area, so watch your footing and check the ground carefully before pitching. On the banks near old fire rings, people have burned pallets and construction scraps, which means nails in the driveable areas— something to think about if you're towing or running tires you'd like to keep.
Finally, human waste is a real problem here. The surrounding forest gets used as an open latrine, paper and all. It's especially bad on and around the flat-topped rise up the hill— what looks like the remains of an old roadbed or possibly a home site. Last time I was there, nearly every tree around the perimeter had waste at the base of it. We use a chemical toilet and dump it at the dump station on the way out. Pack it out or bury it properly and be part of the solution.
It's a great spot that gets treated poorly by some users. Go in prepared and leave it better than you found it.
- KKirby & Donna D.Traveler
Shawnee Forest Campground
Adequate for overnight
Two bathouses with two private bathrooms each. More geared for self-contained RVs. Toilet didn't flush.. Friendly host. All sites are pull through and very nice. 1/4 mile from interstate.
- JJoleen S.Scout
Oak Point - Lake Glendale
Definitely recommend !
Friendly hosts, great views, awesome for kayaking and hiking the 3 mile loop around lake!
- EElla P.Traveler
Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground
The Perfect Getaway
I stayed on a Sunday late April. With only 12 sites and it being first come first serve, I was nervous we wouldn’t be able to secure a spot. To our surprise, there were 4 open sites, so we had the perfect amount of privacy. The campground is a short walk from what I believe is the most popular trail in the park. Would 109% stay again.
Dañiel F.TravelerLakeside Campground and Marina
Beautiful clean park with great amenities and helpful staff!
My husband and I stopped here for a couple nights on our way across the country. Super easy after hours check-in process with such wonderful staff! Everyone we came across was so kind and helpful. There's tons to do at this site and it seems like it would be wonderful for families. We ate dinner at their tex mex restaurant on the dock and had some margaritas, which was very welcome after a long drive. During the day we did some fishing and enjoyed the beautiful views. The wifi worked great and we ended up with a great amount of channels with their cable. Would definitely recommend this site to anyone passing through!
- AAndrew H.Guide
Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE
Nice quiet campground
I stayed in the primitive area but it did have water and electric at the campsite and it’s close to the bathroom. There are showers there too
Guide to Gilbertsville
Camping near Gilbertsville, Kentucky centers around two major bodies of water—Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley—connected by a 1.75-mile canal that creates a 170,000-acre inland peninsula. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder camping conditions with average temperatures between 60-75°F. Cell reception varies dramatically between the northern and southern sections of Land Between The Lakes, with stronger signals near developed campgrounds along the Interstate 24 corridor.
What to do
Mountain biking on Canal Loop Trail: Access this popular trail system directly from Hillman Ferry Campground, where riders can connect to extensive networks. "The Canal Loop Trail and North South Trails are well known and revered by area mountain bikers and hikers. No WiFi or internet service. Cell signal in prior years have been spotty," explains a camper who appreciated the direct trail access.
Astronomy at the planetarium: Located within a 15-minute drive from most northern LBL campgrounds, the Golden Pond Planetarium offers educational programs about night skies. "Land Between the Lakes is an amazing park for any kind of recreation, from boating, swimming, and hiking to a working farm, nature center, Civil War history, even a planetarium," notes one visitor to Pisgah Bay.
Disc golf: Pack your discs to enjoy the course tucked away off the main road. "There's also a disc golf course tucked back off the main road. Be sure to venture out to the nature center and other nearby attractions. Pick out a few trails ahead of time if you like to hike," recommends a camper at Hillman Ferry.
What campers like
Lake access for paddle sports: Protected inlets and coves provide calmer waters for paddleboards and kayaks. "I had fun paddle boarding with the little dog in the inlet right off this campsite. This is a large campground with lots of activities, but I didn't do any. We stayed right at the campsite," shares a camper at Hillman Ferry about site 64.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings offer the best times for spotting wildlife. A visitor at Canal Campground noted, "Lots of deer, and skunks, but they don't bother you. One of my favorite in LBL."
Sunset views from waterfront sites: Western-facing lake sites provide spectacular sunset watching. "Very rustic, woody campground with water and electric hookups. Very quiet and beautiful sites on Barkley Lake. The sunsets were beautiful!" reports a camper at Eureka Campground.
What you should know
High lake levels affect beaches: Water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the season, sometimes covering designated swimming areas. "The small designated swimming area is convenient but the water was so high that there wasn't any sand," notes a camper at Eureka, showing how conditions can change.
Off-season benefits: March through early May and September through November offer much less crowded camping experiences. "I went in March and had the whole place to myself. Only coyotes and owls at night. Very peaceful. It was clean and had an odor free vault toilet!" reports a visitor to Pisgah Bay.
Boat ramp locations often separate from prime camping spots: At many campgrounds, the boat launch areas require planning. According to a visitor at Nickell Branch Campground, "There is a boat ramp, also not real convenient, though there are a few sites pretty close to it. So hopefully you like one of those or you will be walking a little way to put in."
Tips for camping with families
Book waterfront sites early: Waterfront sites at family-friendly campgrounds book months in advance, especially for holiday weekends. "We booked online but once we arrived, the attendant suggested we change sites. I recommend calling to book. Some sites are full hookup to include sewer, ours was not," advises a family staying at Hillman Ferry.
Pack water shoes: Rocky and sometimes muddy shorelines make protective footwear essential. "All gravel so water shoes is a must. Nice, cool breeze!" notes a camper at Twin Lakes Campground.
Consider off-site attractions: The area offers educational experiences beyond campground boundaries. "We got a tent last year and the same day we hit up Hillmans Ferry. It was the end of September the weather was nice and a chance to relax. The spaces were pretty good size and spread out," shares a family camper who enjoyed the shoulder season.
Tips from RVers
Extension cords and hoses required: Many hookup sites have utilities positioned far from the pad. "Set just a few miles off of I-24 in Kentucky, just two miles down the road from the Kentucky dam Village Resort Park... The water and electrical hookups are so far away from the camping site pads they will let you drop your RV camper or whatever any place in the grass so it's more convenient than going and having to buy hose and electrical extensions," explains a visitor to Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park.
Check length restrictions: Sites at many campgrounds have specific length limitations. "The sites are very small but spread out. Our 35 ft class a barely fit. They do show length limits for sites and they definitely max limit," warns an RVer at Kentucky Dam Village.
Consider accessibility during wet weather: Unpaved access roads can become difficult to navigate after rain. "I was able to get a 36' pull behind camper back here without four wheel drive but wouldn't try that during the raining season or if the road was wet," cautions a camper at Pisgah Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gilbertsville, KY?
What camping is available near Gilbertsville, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gilbertsville, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 146 campgrounds and RV parks near Gilbertsville, KY and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gilbertsville, KY?
Which is the most popular campground near Gilbertsville, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gilbertsville, KY is Hillman Ferry Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 38 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gilbertsville, KY?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gilbertsville, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Gilbertsville, KY.
What parks are near Gilbertsville, KY?
What parks are near Gilbertsville, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Gilbertsville, KY that allow camping, notably Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and Barkley Lake.
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