Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area provides several dispersed camping options near Gilbertsville, Kentucky. Demumber's Bay features multiple waterfront sites along a paved forest road leading to a boat ramp. While free, campers must purchase a dispersed camping permit from a visitor center before arrival. The sites have stone fire rings and vault toilets, but no other amenities. Forest Service Road 343 offers primitive lakeside camping with more seclusion but requires vehicles with higher clearance to navigate the rutted gravel roads. Other options include LBL FS-326 and FS-154, which provide quiet waterfront sites on peninsulas.
Road conditions vary significantly among these areas. A review noted that FS-343 has "rough, rutted roads" that are "bumpy so you might not want to take a smaller car." The roads to FS-154 are graded gravel but may have trees blocking certain sections from previous storm damage. Campers should plan accordingly as amenities are minimal—no potable water, no hookups, and limited or no toilets. One camper emphasized preparation is essential: "This is a well maintained campground whose only amenity is a vault toilet and trash dumpster. The views of the lake are amazing."
"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."
"Denumbers is considered a back country campground in Land Between the Lakes. The road going back into the campground is paved, and the roads in the campground are compacted gravel."
"Duncan 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."
"You’re tucked away by this pond connected to the lake system."
"A secluded lakeside spot with a fire pit. We saw three other spots on the way in which looked nice as well. The road coming in is a little washed out but not too pitted."
"TL;DR: Great large backwoods site at LBL with lake access, north-facing shoreline for Starlink, and workable cell service."
"This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time."
"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."
"You might need 4wd; it had rained all day before I got here and there were some rough/sloppy patches in the road. The pit toilt at the entrance is about a 10-12 minute drive away."
"This campground is an absolute gem and is by far our favorite in Illinois.Tucked into the tall pines of the Shawnee national forest, this park offers a handful of gorgeous sites for campers to enjoy, many"
"There is a longer wine trail further west in Shawnee National Forest. When I entered Lake Glendale, Cardinal Bay boat launch was the first area I visited."
from $12 - $44 / night
"We are a Jeep family so I may have more experience than others in off-roading. We opted to turn around and stay at the main parking lot which is VERY accessible."
"There are a few shallow creek crossings to reach the more remote spots (water levels may vary depending on rainfall). 4x4 isn’t necessarily required, but I’d highly recommend it—along with a high-clearance"
"To the other guy who reviewed who got here on the Harley you sir have some big balls because my Kia Niro handled it but the road was pretty rough for low clearance and definitely don't bring a camper here"
"There is no hook ups . Can run generator until 11pm"
"Mostly flat near the water and lots of sites to camp. We really enjoyed our spot in the shade on a hot summer weekend."
GuideThis hidden gem is worth the visit. It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs. Lots of wild flowers and the sunset- WOW! On the trail there is a sign to set up for selfies. With a dog it wasn’t as easy as I’d hope to capture the moment. Ha
GuideI started coming to this campground once a year as a child with my family 50 years ago. This place will always have a special place in my heart. Lots of memories and lots left to be made. I am thankful that the hosts have done their best with the up keep. The last visit we rented the Goose Bay Picnic area for a group of 8 of us. Beautiful place. Typically quiet during the week. Best sites IMO are 51, 52, 54, 13
LegendPicked a spot that unknowingly left me a sitting duck for tornadoes later that evening. Great view, though. And never saw a single person. Moved to the spillway the second night... little less vulnerable.
LegendNice spot but a little crowded for my tastes.
TravelerGood fishing, fire pit, gravel road in, peaceful
GuideReally 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.
TravelerOur family had a great time camping here! The road leading into the campsite is mostly gravel with a few rough patches. There are a few shallow creek crossings to reach the more remote spots (water levels may vary depending on rainfall).
4x4 isn’t necessarily required, but I’d highly recommend it—along with a high-clearance vehicle. We brought our Jeep Wrangler, and it handled everything like a champ. We didn’t even need to engage 4x4 the entire way in.
There are a few campsites you can access without crossing the creeks, but the dispersed site we stayed at was surprisingly clean. We only found a couple small pieces of trash—otherwise, it was spotless. Previous campers left some firewood and kindling near the rock fire ring, and we made sure to do the same for the next group.
We camped during the weekdays, and it was nice and quiet. As we were leaving on Friday, more people were starting to show up, so I’d assume weekends get pretty busy. That said, most campers didn’t go past the first creek, so the farther back you go, the fewer people you’ll run into.
One thing to note: I have Verizon, and I was on SOS the entire time—so don’t expect reliable service out there if you have Verizon.
TravelerThere is tent camping in the area of the bath house that doesn’t require any creek crossing. Now, getting to the more remote spots can be sketchy if you have a small or very loaded vehicle. There are two small creeks to cross and are somewhat rough to get through. I made it through in my minivan, but dragged through the second creek.
There are hiking trails that run through, but that’s about all I can say about that.
I had no Verizon cell service unless I walked about 2/10 of a mile up a hill to an opening and only then I could make a phone call, but I couldn’t access the Internet.
GuidePlenty of dispersed camping on a well maintained dirt road. There’s fire pits all over and no shortage of spots.
Rustic camping near Gilbertsville, Kentucky offers wilderness experiences along Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley within the 170,000-acre Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Summer temperatures typically reach 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions in the 60-70°F range. The area's terrain varies from flat shorelines to moderately rolling hills with elevation changes of 100-200 feet.
Kayaking and small watercraft: Many dispersed camping areas provide direct water access with natural launch points. At Demumber's Bay, "The views of the lake are amazing, and this is a quiet area that allows for easy kayaking or other small water craft. There is a boat ramp, and zero entry areas into the water for launching," notes one visitor.
Swimming spots: The natural shorelines create informal swimming areas during summer months. "I was able to swim and had a great night to myself!" reports a camper at Forest Service Rd 343. Water levels change seasonally, with one camper noting, "I was there during the lake's winter pool, so the water was very low, leaving a lot of easy walkable entry areas into the bay or inlet area."
Wildlife viewing: The recreation area hosts bison herds and diverse bird populations. "Would recommend swimming in the water nearby and would recommend seeing the buffalo on the way in or out," suggests a Forest Service Rd 343 visitor. Early morning and dusk offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Waterfront proximity: Many campsites sit directly on the water's edge. At LBL FS154 - Dispersed, "The campsite itself is on a small peninsula, just big enough for a large two room tent, a makeshift fire ring, and a vehicle." This access lets campers enjoy shoreline fishing and water activities without driving.
Quiet atmosphere: Most dispersed sites provide peace away from crowds. A visitor to LBL FS-326 shares, "This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time." The campsites typically see minimal foot traffic during weekdays.
Stargazing opportunities: Limited light pollution creates ideal night sky viewing conditions. "Several Nice Spots... Both spots had fire pits," notes a camper at LBL FS154, while another mentions the "Nice quiet primitive camping" available at Neville Bay, which provides open sky views from waterfront sites.
Seasonal bug activity: Insect populations vary dramatically by season. "Pulled in around dusk and there was a deserted camper there, about 4 pull in sites for rooftop campers. The bugs were insane and 40 must've flown into my car when i opened the door for a split second," reports a late August visitor to Demumber's Bay.
Permit requirements: Most dispersed camping requires permits purchased in advance. "Dispersed camping is a $10 fee. If you have the National Park pass you can go to a self check in campground for $5," notes a Forest Service Rd 343 camper. Permits cannot be purchased at camping locations.
Limited facilities: Most areas have minimal or no amenities. At Neville Bay, campers find "Nice quite primitive camping. Mostly flat near the water and lots of sites to camp." Another camper adds it's a "Nice little are to camp at. Well suited for tents. Most of the area isn't very level. The road going back there is gravel."
Site arrival timing: Arriving early improves site selection chances. "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," advises an LBL FS154 visitor. Weekday arrivals provide better options than weekends.
Water safety planning: No lifeguarded swimming areas exist at dispersed sites. "We were just passing through and needed somewhere quiet to sleep after two days of driving. There is a lot to do in this area!" notes an LBL FS-326 camper. Parents should establish water boundaries with children.
Emergency preparations: Cell service varies throughout the recreation area. "Lost cellphone service immediately upon entering reserve, FYI," shares a visitor to Jackson Falls, a site within driving distance of Gilbertsville. Families should download offline maps and bring first aid supplies.
Road condition awareness: Many forest roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "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," advises a Forest Service Rd 343 visitor. Another notes, "A secluded lakeside spot with a fire pit. We saw three other spots on the way in which looked nice as well. The road coming in is a little washed out but not too pitted."
Generator limitations: Check local rules about generator usage. At Neville Bay, "There is no hook ups. Can run generator until 11pm," notes one RV camper. Maintaining quiet hours helps preserve the wilderness experience for all campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gilbertsville, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gilbertsville, KY is Demumber's Bay with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gilbertsville, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Gilbertsville, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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