The mountainous area surrounding Hallie, Kentucky offers several camping sites at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 feet throughout the Cumberland Plateau region. Camping options near Hallie extend beyond state parks to include Army Corps of Engineers facilities and smaller family-run operations, with most locations situated along waterways that feed into the North Fork of the Kentucky River. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F during daytime hours, while spring and fall bring cooler weather with increased rainfall that can affect access roads.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Carr Creek Lake offers various fishing spots with multiple access points around Carr Creek State Park Campground. A camper noted, "The area itself is very pretty and the water is clear with a ton of fish."
Hiking at Kingdom Come: Several short trails can be combined for longer treks at Kingdom Come State Park Campground. One visitor shared, "Our favorite is the Raven Rock trail which leads to a 450 foot 40 degree angle granite rock facing that you can climb to get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains."
Swimming at local beaches: Multiple campgrounds maintain dedicated swimming areas during summer months. According to one visitor at Carr Creek State Park, "Best beach, has gone thru some upgrades this year." Swimming areas typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, with most beaches unsupervised.
Kayaking and paddling: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for small watercraft. A visitor to Trace Branch explained, "This campground is a hidden gem. It's in the hills, far off the beaten path, and half of the campsites are right on the water."
What campers like
Quiet and seclusion: Kingdom Come State Park provides primitive camping with minimal crowds. One camper explained, "I've camped there twice and only saw one other camper. It is very quiet and remote. The views from the outlooks at the top of the road are amazing."
Ranger services: Several parks offer additional assistance beyond standard campground maintenance. At Kingdom Come, a visitor appreciated that "Everyday a ranger will come by and keep you stocked with wood. It's included with the price of camping."
Level, spacious sites: Littcarr Campground receives positive feedback for site configuration. A regular visitor mentioned, "Site #25 is our favorite, though it could be more level, but the privacy, size, and shade are perfect for us."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with bathhouses maintain varying cleaning schedules. At Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground, a visitor observed, "The bath house was clean and decorated very nice. Looks like it has been freshly painted."
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance varies: Several campgrounds struggle with consistent bathroom upkeep during peak periods. One camper at Trace Branch noted, "The men's bathrooms don't appear to have been cleaned in awhile and weren't cleaned during my week there. Only half of the toilets would flush."
Road access challenges: Getting to some campgrounds requires navigating difficult roads. A visitor to Trace Branch warned, "DO NOT TAKE 'PLEASANT VALLEY RD' into the campgrounds! That road takes you on a single lane road and if you meet another vehicle, someone will have to backup. The road is extremely washed out and huge chunks are gone."
Bear activity: Bears are active in several camping areas. At Kingdom Come, a camper advised, "We saw a bear across the valley, so take the warnings seriously and follow the instructions."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across camping sites near Hallie. One visitor to Natural Tunnel State Park Campground reported, "We had great cell and hot spot service (ATT & Verizon)," while another camper at Trace Branch mentioned this campground is "a great spot if you don't mind not having a network connection or Wi-Fi."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Not all campgrounds maintain playground equipment. A visitor to Carr Creek State Park observed, "Playground equipment was taken down, only had a couple of swings," while at Cane Patch, a camper noted, "You can tell that at one time there was a playground but it has been removed."
Swimming access considerations: Beach areas may require some physical effort to reach. At Carr Creek State Park, a visitor pointed out, "Water was clean and clear. It might be a slight challenge walking back up the steps to the parking lot if you're not in good shape."
Kid-friendly attractions: Some parks offer educational programming or unique features. At Natural Tunnel, a visitor shared, "There are so many activities for everyone of all ages. Pool, picnicking, canoeing, hiking, fishing. There's a trail to the tunnel or you can take a chairlift."
Camping with young children: Look for campgrounds with amenities suitable for families. One camper at Littcarr appreciated that it's a "wonderful family campground" with "very clean facilities, friendly hosts, and a wonderful location on the lake."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have unlevel sites that require adjustment. At Carr Creek State Park, a visitor found that "Sites 7, 8, 26, 28, 31 are washed out, not good for putting up a tent" and potentially challenging for RVs requiring level surfaces.
Power supply reliability: Electrical issues occasionally occur at various campgrounds. One camper at Carr Creek State Park reported, "Our electric didn't work (site 33) but we were with another couple and plugged into theirs next to us."
Access for larger vehicles: Road conditions affect RV accessibility. A visitor to Portal 31 RV Park noted it's "Small, with electric hookups and a communal water spout," while another camper at Kingdom Come warned, "The road in from Cumberland is STEEP! We made it in a mini van pulling a scamp, so you'll probably be fine."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer sanitary dump facilities, requiring planning for longer stays. At Littcarr, RVers appreciate that the campground is "very clean and friendly. Bathrooms were great and has a laundry facility."
