151 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
"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."
from $20 - $256 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $23 - $33 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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!"
"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."
from $49 / night
Check Availability"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!"
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.
ScoutVery family oriented place to camp and adventure with the kiddos
GuideYou’re tucked away by this pond connected to the lake system. The campsite is up in the woods a little bit and is on a slight slope, but nothing major. 0 Service for Verizon and T-mobile, but at&t had a little service. Apple maps said there would be a hike to the campsite, but that’s not true, it is a road that just hasn’t been recognized yet.
GuideSite 44 sits under a beautiful tree with shade most of the day. The bathrooms are clean as are the insides of the washers and dryers. There is only 1 other camper here yet cars and golf carts are often driving through the campground. A bit unsettling.
ScoutThere are only a few open sites here. The majority are year round campers. You can’t see the lake from most of the campground. Staff was very nice and helpful
GuidePristine campsites with steamy hot showers! What more could you want?! One bar with mint mobile but starlink works no problem! No sewer hook up at all sites but no matter! There’s a dump site! The lake is beautiful and quiet with a swimming area! Definitely a must stay!
TravelerStayed at Taylor Bay on a trip up to see the Elk & Bison Prairie (very close, perfect for going during their peak activity time). I usually prefer to camp at a site with a water spigot, so it was a change not having one. Pack in plenty of water for drinking and rinsing plates. Can't bring in any wood from outside Land Between Lakes, but you're able to use anything dead or downed around the area. I drove through a couple nearby campsites and picked up some dead wood off the side of the road and we were plenty set. Standard racoon business, they're there and they want your stuff. Drive-in sites were helpful for storing food in the car overnight, but I'd recommend a bear bag contraption of sorts to avoid racoons getting in your trash. Ticks were a bit present, but that's mostly the season and this particular year's high. One bathroom situated in the center of the site, no light inside so bring a flashlight! Lots of TP inside which was appreciated. For tent campers, I recommend staying back in the shadier campsites away from the lake. Most of the sunnier, lake-front sites were already claimed by RVs, but the back sites were more private for chatting/changing in a tent or staying up late without the sound insulation of RV walls. Great lake with a soft silt bottom (and lots of rocks to stand on if you hate that), friendly fellow campers. My friends had never camped before and had a fantastic time. I'd stay again-- just bring more water!
GuideGot down here. If you’re on a Harley, don’t do that. Besides that it’s super secluded and right on the water. Not too many bugs.
ScoutDuncan Lake is a small inland Lake located in the Kentucky portion of LBL. The campsite area is located at the end then up around the corner of the first of two access roads to the lake. There is a small boat ramp not far from the site. It is close enough to carry kayaks back and forth. The lake is small and shallow except near the outlet. Great for paddling around and doing some fishing. We have seen bald eagles both times we camped. There is also a beaver community on the lake, they might give you a tail slap on the water if you get to close.
There are enough level spots to accommodate 3 or 4 tents. There is a stone fire ring and that is abut it.
It is a popular bird watching area and both times we camped there were people that used the lake each time. The boat ramp is just far enough away from the camp site that it really didn't affect us at all. If there is a breeze it sounds really nice as it blows through the tall pines.
We generally bring our bikes and do a loop from the camp to the Nature centre and back.
The Lake is closed from Nov. 1 through March 15 to protect wintering waterfowl. no camping or access at all.
There is no cell service but there is a clear view for a starlink setup.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gilbertsville, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 151 campgrounds and RV parks near Gilbertsville, KY and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
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?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots 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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