Tent campsites near Gilbertsville, Kentucky sit amid the 170,000-acre Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, where elevations range from 320 to 560 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures reach average highs of 90°F with high humidity, making waterfront camping locations particularly valuable for cooling off. Most primitive camping areas require the purchase of a backcountry camping permit available at visitor centers or online before arrival.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Sugar Bay Campground offers multiple water entry points for paddlers. One visitor noted, "We love all the bays and coves at LBL. We prefer less crowded camp areas and that is what sugar bay offers. Right on the water with access to several other things close by."
Swimming opportunities: Twin Lakes Campground provides swimming access directly from campsites. The area features two distinct camping sections, with the boat ramp side offering "almost all shade and canopy, has campsites tucked away from the others, sits right on the North-South trail."
ATV trail access: Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Redd Hollow Campground connects to extensive off-road trails. A camper reported, "Bring your atv, dirt bike or sidexside and cruise the trails right along Lake Barkley. They have over 100 miles of trails."
Lake fishing: Forest Service Rd 343 provides secluded fishing spots with minimal competition. A visitor mentioned, "This is one of the best spots I've found on this app. I had one other person show up to cook, but they left shortly after. Beautiful view with a nice fire pit, I was able to swim and had a great night to myself!"
What campers like
Campsite spacing: Smith Bay Campground offers sites with good separation. According to one reviewer, "The campground slots run the perimeter of the area, and are spaced far enough apart to give privacy without being too far from the water front."
Off-grid solitude: LBL FS154 - Dispersed provides true backcountry camping. A camper explained, "The campsite itself is on a small peninsula, just big enough for a large two room tent, a makeshift fire ring, and a vehicle."
Waterfront access: Cravens Bay - LBL Lake Access features direct shoreline camping. One visitor stated, "Great spot for kayaking and tent camping. We were the only ones there so it was perfect!"
Natural swimming areas: Forest Service Rd 343 has shoreline swimming spots. A reviewer shared, "A secluded lakeside spot with a fire pit. We saw three other spots on the way in which looked nice as well."
What you should know
Permit requirements: All dispersed camping around Gilbertsville requires permits. A camper at Old Boy Scout Campground explained, "This is a primitive site, and is considered back country camping, meaning you will have to obtain a back country pass from the Golden Pond Visitor Center."
Road conditions: Many camping areas have rough access roads. At Forest Service Rd 343, a visitor warned, "The road coming in is a little washed out but not too pitted. I'd recommend AWD/4WD and 8+ inches of clearance, especially if it has rained because it's pretty steep in sections."
Wildlife considerations: Nighttime animal visits are common at primitive sites. A Smith Bay visitor reported, "Raccoons and skunks visit the campsites nightly, so you must keep everything put away or risk a big mess like some we saw who had left their food out on a screened gazebo/tent."
Water availability: No potable water exists at most primitive sites. A camper at LBL FS154 noted, "There is also NO POTABLE water, so you either pack it in or bring your filter and drink lake water."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access sites: Sugar Bay Campground offers family-friendly swimming. A visitor shared, "Swimming allowed in Sugar Bay (no lifeguard) and in late September the water was warm. No showers or bathrooms, but each camp spot has a table and fire pit."
Cell service reliability: Coverage varies dramatically between camping areas. At Twin Lakes Campground, a camper reported, "My cell signal was iffy one moment and three bars the next (AT&T)."
Site selection timing: Arrive early for best sites at popular locations. For Redd Hollow Campground, a visitor advised, "All sites are first come-first served, so you will want to come early."
Weekend crowding patterns: Midweek offers more solitude at tent campsites near Gilbertsville. A Smith Bay visitor observed, "Both tend to be very quiet midweek but fill up on weekend."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Sportsman's Anchor Resort and Marina offers more level sites than primitive areas. A visitor noted, "There's electric access and water access at the grounds! They are coupled sites so there's an A and a B!"
Generator etiquette: Noise disruption can be significant at primitive sites. A Smith Bay camper warned, "Generators are only allowed during the day. However, there is no one to enforce this. Thus, our visit last week was cut short by a rude RVer who fired up his extremely loud generator at 11 pm and left it sputtering away until 8 am."
Size limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate smaller RVs only. A Redd Hollow visitor explained, "The campsites are pea gravel based, and while some are smaller and closer together (ideal for tents or car camping) there are a few that are large enough for dry docking a small RV."
Turnaround space: Many forest roads lack adequate turning areas for larger vehicles. At Cravens Bay, a camper reported, "We stayed at site 20 with a 36' travel trailer we had to actually drive all the way to the end of the campground to turn around so we could back into the site."
