Equestrian camping near Eddyville, Kentucky offers direct access to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area's 170,000 acres. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 350 to 700 feet above sea level and experiences mild winters with average temperatures of 45°F and humid summers typically reaching 90°F. The area receives approximately 52 inches of rainfall annually with spring being the wettest season.
What to do
Lakeside recreation: Canal Campground provides multiple water access points for boating and fishing. "The Campground is large enough that you can get some excercise right on site, jog, walk or bike. OR jump in your water craft from the boat ramp/dock within the campground and maneuver into either lake for site seeing, fishing and other water fun," notes Shelly S. about Canal Campground.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds connect to the North-South trail system. "The hiking trails that headed out from the camp were wonderful. We even hiked down the forest road and found a hidden cemetery tucked away. The river to river trail heads out from camp too," explains Art S. about Camp Cadiz Campground.
Beach swimming: Family-friendly beaches are available at multiple locations. "They have a small playground, beach, several bath houses, a group camping 'pad', boat ramp, boat dock and easy roads for cycling," shares Rachel T. about Canal Campground.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Many campgrounds offer direct water views. "We stayed at site #11. Although it wasnt very private, and very busy on a Tuesday, it did have a view of the water and was very close to the bathrooms and showers," reports Lucy L. about Lake Barkley State Resort Park.
Secluded camping: For those seeking quieter experiences, primitive options exist. "We stayed here two nights with our friends in two travel trailers. We had 4 adults and 4 kids (ages 2, 3, and 10) and we had the best time. This was our first time boon camping and it was actually way more enjoyable than being at a campground! It was quiet, secluded from other campers, and we had close access to the lake where we were parked," shares Maryann about Colson Hollow Group Camp.
Wildlife viewing: The area hosts diverse wildlife including deer and bald eagles. "Lots of different areas. One of my favorite in LBL. Tons of deer, and skunks, but they don't bother you," says Jessica F. about Canal Campground.
What you should know
Reservation recommendations: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "Reserve WAY ahead if you want one of the premium sites. Of course what you consider premium may not be what I consider premium.....which at this campground they would have us both covered by the variety of site types and locations," advises Shelly S. about Canal Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds feature uneven sites. "Pads are not level. Saw a class A that had front wheels 10" off the ground and a TT with the hitch on the ground. Many sites had drop offs on the door side of the pad so you could not use all the awning space," warns Barry B. about Lake Barkley State Resort Park.
Bathroom facilities vary: Campground bathroom quality differs significantly between locations. "The bathrooms were clean. Most of this campsite is for RVs but tent campsite was still nice. However there are tons of golf carts," reports Taylor W. about Canal Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Multiple swimming options exist. "We really enjoyed this place. Its pricey but they have a million activities for the price. The campsites are all beautiful and are either close or directly on the water," shares Karen L. about Kentucky Lakes Prizer Point KOA.
Beach access: Public beaches offer family recreation. "The beach was amazing but it's first come first serve regardless if u camped there. It opens up at 10am," advises Erin R. about Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds feature playgrounds and recreational areas. "Very attentive staff... They have free kayak and paddle boats," notes Eric M. about Kentucky Lakes Prizer Point KOA.
Tips from RVers
Extension cord length: Electrical hookups may require longer cords than standard. "The sites are hard to back in with a camper, we had to buy longer extension cables and a longer water hose, sites are very close together," explains Erin R. about Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.
Specialized camping areas: Horse-friendly sites offer more space. "Fun experience staying with all the horses! I didn't really know it was a thing to bring horses to camp and ride them on the trails! Loved it. Spots are pretty close together but fine for big rigs," shares Tessa C. about Wranglers Campground.
Campsite selection: Request specific sites when booking. "Drawbacks: Sites 49-51 are mislabeled online. Booked a pullthru spot on 49 but it wasn't. Campground was pretty full and we weren't offered a lot to correct that the website was wrong," cautions Tessa C. about Wranglers Campground.
