Green River Lake spans 8,200 acres in central Kentucky with 33 miles of shoreline at an elevation of 675 feet. Camping opportunities surround the lake with most sites open from April through October. Winter temperatures average 30-45°F while summer brings 75-90°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Kendall Campground at Lake Cumberland offers a unique fishing opportunity with its trout stream. "This campground is very clean and the rangers are very effective at keeping the noise down," notes Connie P., who appreciates the well-maintained fishing areas.
Hiking trails: The area features multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. At Holmes Bend, "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," explains Kenny P.
Boating options: The multiple marinas and boat ramps provide excellent lake access. "Lots of clean facilities and stuff to do, mostly water-related (who knew KY has beaches?). Some easy trails on site," reports Dan N. about his experience at Smith Ridge Green River Lake.
Cave exploration: Within a short drive of Green River Lake, you can visit Mammoth Cave National Park. "The campground is a few minute walk to the visitor's center, from which you can catch daily tours of all types ranging from themed cave tours to botony forest walks and guided history walks," reports a visitor.
What campers like
Water proximity: Many campers choose sites with direct water access. At Pikes Ridge - Green River Lake, one camper called it "Waters edge camping!!! The best campground on GRL!!!" Kenny P. appreciated the waterfront location despite noting its "Only flaw.... no showers!"
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting attracts various wildlife. Visitors to Holmes Bend report, "Walking around you will find wildlife. Lots of deer and turtles and birds. The beach is great and right next to the marina."
Spacious sites: Compared to other recreational areas, many Green River Lake campgrounds offer generous spacing. "I am currently here and I gotta say I am impressed. The bathrooms are clean, I am not close to my neighboring campers, the parking spots are huge, and it's a great area to walk around," reports Maze M. about Smith Ridge.
Cleanliness standards: Rangers maintain facilities well at most campgrounds. "Great campground with over 100+ sites. Some are primitive sites but most have water. Bathroom,shower house and playground are available," notes Kenny P. about his stay at Holmes Bend.
What you should know
Power limitations: Some campgrounds experience electrical issues. "Location was excellent, close to the water. They have a known power issue, 30amp service went out several times at the pole. Their solution was to use less appliances," warns Lindsey M. about her experience at Smith Ridge.
Bathhouse conditions: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Pulaski County Park, one visitor cautioned: "Bathhouse; showers are so outdated and barley cleaned and just gross, water source is old and campground manager didn't follow up with me."
Site characteristics: Each campground offers different site layouts. "Sites 1-30 are wooded and semi private. 31-80 are set more in a park complete with playground and street lights near the bath house," explains Candy H. about Smith Ridge Green River Lake.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be challenging in some areas. "Practically no cell service with Verizon or AT&T," reports Todd C. about Smith Ridge, which could impact planning for those needing to stay connected.
Seasonal differences: Camping experiences vary throughout the year. A camper noted, "We stayed at this beautiful park in early November. There were only a few other campers so it was peaceful and very pretty. We enjoyed the lake views and fall colors everywhere."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Mammoth Cave Campground, "Fireflies are great at night. Frogs are singing in the evening. Tons of trees and shade," notes Veronica S., who appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere.
Swimming options: Beach areas provide safe swimming zones for children. "Great beach access. Quite and very clean," notes Lee-Ann R. about Pulaski County Park, which has designated swimming areas perfect for families with young children.
Kid-friendly glamping: Luxury camping close to Green River Lake includes options specifically designed for families. One reviewer mentions, "Nice clean and well maintained campground. Paved roadways great for biking and walking," highlighting the amenities at Holmes Bend that appeal to families seeking comfort.
Evening activities: Plan for nighttime entertainment since many campgrounds have limited lighting. "Camp store was well stocked, the bathroom/shower was clean and nice," notes Joel R., emphasizing the importance of bringing games and activities for evening entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RVers note the importance of leveling equipment. "Overall it's a very nice, clean campground. We were in A2 and it was a little closer to the road than we expected, and the picnic tables were secured to the ground taking up a good bit of the site for our rug and chairs," explains Todd C. about camping at Smith Ridge.
Dump station logistics: Plan ahead for departure day services. At Horse Cave KOA, one camper reported, "We had a new site, 6, totally paved and great view of the conestoga wagons and pastures. Came with a movable fire pit and nice picnic table. Our main issue was the dump station, horrible layout. What takes us maybe 10 minutes took over 25."
Seasonal site selection: Choose sites based on the time of year. "If you go in peak season, the campsites are very close together with few trees, so you may feel a bit crowded," advises a camper about summer visits.
