127 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The landscape surrounding Hopkinsville, Kentucky features diverse camping opportunities within an hour's drive, particularly focused around the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, located about 25 miles north of Hopkinsville near Dawson Springs, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations from April through October. Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Cadiz provides waterfront camping with boat-in access and full-service sites. Military personnel can utilize Fort Campbell's Eagle's Rest Army Travel Camp, while RV travelers often choose RJourney Clarksville RV Resort for its year-round availability and full hookup sites.
Camping permits and reservations are essential during peak seasons, with most state parks requiring advance bookings from April through October. Many dispersed camping areas in Land Between the Lakes require an annual permit ($30) that allows camping in designated areas. According to one visitor, "Kentucky Lake has some of the cleanest waters and the largest fish of any place. This area is always busy, 24/7, pretty much year round." Road conditions vary significantly, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require travel on gravel forest roads. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring brings frequent thunderstorms that can affect camping conditions and water levels.
Water access dominates the camping experience in this region, with Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley providing the primary recreation focus. Campers frequently mention the quality of boat ramps and fishing opportunities as highlights. One reviewer noted, "Hurricane Creek is tucked away in its own little area with lots of shade trees and its very own boat ramp. The sites are close but not stacked on top of each other." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer and coyotes, are commonly reported at more remote sites. Highway noise affects some campgrounds near major roads, particularly those near Clarksville. Special events like Hot August Blues at Kenlake State Resort Park can lead to fully booked campgrounds, requiring planning months in advance for summer weekend stays.
"If only Clarksville wasn’t so close to the highway... great location, much shade, good distance between rigs, level gravel pads... great public areas, very hospitable staff.... just a bit noisy from the"
"This campground is located real close to I24. You can see & hear it. Know that before you book. That aside, it’s a nice campground."
from $49 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Pennyrile Forest State Park off Ky69 outside Dawson Springs, Ky. A newer trail Pennyrile Nature Trail is 13.5 mile long hiking trail, from Dawson Springs to the park."
"We were on the very corner and even though it was close to the road it was beautiful and not super traffic heavy. There was however a streetlight at the corner and it was extremely bright."
from $20 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Cozy little place next to a creek."
"Hear a little bit of highway noise but the beauty and peace far outweighed that."
from $26 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Nice areas to walk and field to play with the dogs when its not being used. The dumpsters do get full quick with non campers using the field and pavilion for events."
"We brought our camper here to visit family living at the Fort Campbell base, I don’t like that you can’t reserve a spot ahead of time especially since it was an 8 hour drive, but thankfully we did find"
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability"the staff was helpful and friendly. the park had a great beach area. make sure you have extension cords and hoses as the utilities are positioned in between two sites. i only gave it 4 stars because of"
"Although this is a remote campground, it is situated in a State RESORT park, so it is more like glamping."
from $20 - $28 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $23 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Hurricane Creek is off of Rt 274 in Kentucky on the east side of Land Between The Lakes."
"**The nearby Land Between the Lakes park is amazing. This is a much more basic park and campground on the shore of the eastern lake."
from $16 - $32 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $35 / night
Check Availability"We have two small kids and were with family (in adjacent D4) so we really hoped for a site with flat space for the kids to play in, but there was absolutely no grassy area."
"Each loop has its own restroom/shower house and all are near the lake( some closer then others) canoe rental or bring your own, basketball court and playground as well as swimming area."
ScoutThis place is a hidden gem back in the woods, the owner met us when we arrived and gave us all of the information we needed. This place has a beautiful fishing pond, dog park and a nice walking trail. Perfect for anyone stopping through for the night or wanting to spend the week. Highly recommend!
ScoutVery clean campground, water is not for swimming though! And people who are keeping it going are super nice. Wanted to extend but they only have 14 sites and it was booked :/
Traveler** Daniel F did not stay at the same campground his photos are not of the same place and site 907 doesn’t exist** Most of the campground is seasonal. The non seasonal spots are very close. Our awning was inches away from the slide out of the camper next to us. The biggest reason I wouldn’t come back were the 2 dogs in the permit house up front. The people would let them out at 6am (11pm to 7am quiet time) and leave them out to bark non stop for at least an hour. All available spots are in the front of the campground by the barking dogs.
ScoutIt was very nice and comfortable recommend the tree spot
ScoutWe tent camp, but like electricity, however the pads are concrete and can not get stakes in ground. Did not know it was okay to put tent up off pad in grass until we called a park ranger. By this time we was frustrated because we had already put tent up.
TravelerThis site was a challenge to pull into but once in, we enjoyed the site and booked an additional night.
RangerNice spot but a little crowded for my tastes.
TravelerBusy but quiet campground. This spot is sitting on the lake. Perfect place to watch sunrise over the lake. This is a back-in, large site with a fairly level pad. It is relatively private site for this campground. Lots of families using golf carts to get around the campground. You can fish from this site and lots of good hammock trees. Nice firepit with grill grate. Site has electric and water.
TravelerGood fishing, fire pit, gravel road in, peaceful
Camping options within an hour's drive of Hopkinsville, Kentucky range from lakefront sites to secluded forest settings. Seasonal variations affect availability, with most sites operating from April through October when temperatures consistently range between 75-95°F during the day. Road access varies significantly by location, with some sites requiring travel on unpaved forest roads during wet conditions.
Fishing access points: Energy Lake Campground offers direct lake access with boat rentals available for $10/hour. Located near the heart of Land Between the Lakes, the campground serves as an excellent fishing base. "Energy Lakes has the most amenities of all the campgrounds – including ice and firewood to buy and some additional common areas like a designated swim area," notes a camper at Energy Lake Campground.
Lake recreation options: Hurricane Creek provides waterfront sites with dedicated boat facilities. "The tent sites are right next to the beach so kids can go back and forth easily," according to one reviewer at Hurricane Creek. The campground features both a playground and beach area with direct water access.
Wildlife viewing: The proximity to conservation areas allows for diverse wildlife sightings. "We loved seeing all the deer there!" notes a visitor to Eagle's Rest Army Travel Camp. Bumpus Mills offers similar experiences, with one camper reporting, "Kids were so excited about seeing a turkey by the camper in the morning."
Campsite privacy levels: Sites at Hurricane Creek offer moderate separation. "The sites are close but not stacked on top of each other," explains a camper. The layout allows for both social interaction and reasonable privacy at many waterfront locations.
Water access options: Bumpus Mills provides direct lake frontage with concrete platforms. A visitor to Bumpus Mills shares: "It was hard to choose a site just because they were all so nice on a small hill overlooking the water. The sites themselves are very flat though with concrete platforms."
Evening atmosphere: Multiple campgrounds offer quiet evenings away from city noise. A Spring Creek camper described it as a "wonderful little peaceful spot. Only about 3 miles from the hwy so quick in and out." This combination of accessibility and tranquility appears consistently valued across reviews.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have significant grading issues. At Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, campers specifically mention uneven terrain: "Sites are very sloped. Worst I've ever seen. Major drawback to this campground." Lake Barkley visitors report similar issues with unlevel pads.
Bathroom facilities: Cleanliness varies significantly between locations. "Bathhouse is clean and kept up," reports a Hurricane Creek visitor, while others note inconsistencies: "The bathhouse could use some regular cleaning. I'm not sure it was cleaned at all the time we were there."
Seasonal crowding patterns: Beach areas become particularly crowded during summer weekends. One camper noted, "Beach is free to public so very crowded and some elements are not family friendly," suggesting visitors seeking quieter experiences should plan for weekday stays.
Playground quality: Evaluate playground equipment before booking. A visitor to Lake Barkley State Resort Park found the playground "pretty disappointing with only a couple swings, a hot metal slide and a climbing bar," suggesting families might need alternative recreation plans.
Swimming conditions: Beach quality varies significantly between locations. "The beach was amazing but it's first come first serve regardless if u camped there. It opens up at 10am," notes a Pennyrile Forest visitor, emphasizing the need for early arrival during peak season.
Pet restrictions: Verify pet policies before booking. A Spring Creek visitor warns: "Make sure to ask about what breeds of dogs they allow. Couldn't stay due to my German Shepherd mix." Breed restrictions vary by campground and can impact family camping plans.
Hookup locations: Many campgrounds have unusual utility placement. At RJourney Clarksville RV Resort, "The utilities are centered on the gravel pad and it was nice to have two sewer holes as our rig has two black tanks." Lake Barkley campers report: "Electric far from pads - bring extension cord."
Site selection strategies: Choose sites based on specific needs. "If you want a flat space, don't go to loop D, loop C was much flatter," advises an Energy Lake camper. Another RVer suggests: "The sites can be challenging due to not being level or being shallow, but they are workable."
Road conditions: Access roads present challenges for larger rigs. A Bumpus Mills visitor cautions: "The roads are NARROW and tree-lined, so I don't recommend any rig over 30'." Several campgrounds have similar limitations requiring advance planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there tent camping options in Hopkinsville, KY?
Yes, tent camping is available near Hopkinsville. Boswell Landing Campground offers a quiet spot with gorgeous views of Kentucky Lake where tent campers can relax and enjoy nature. This backcountry site has restrooms but no electric hookups. Hurricane Creek is another excellent option on the east side of Land Between The Lakes, featuring shaded sites that aren't overcrowded and its own boat ramp. Both locations provide a more primitive camping experience while still offering basic facilities, perfect for tent campers seeking a genuine outdoor experience within driving distance of Hopkinsville.
What amenities are available at Hopkinsville, KY campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Hopkinsville offer varied amenities to suit different camping styles. Bee Spring Lodge-Campground provides tree-shaded sites, lake views, ice vending, convenient boat ramp access, docks, and shower houses. For RV campers, Eagles Nest RV Park features concrete pads with full-service utility kiosks, individual patios, cable TV connections, laundry facilities, and showers. Many campgrounds in the area include boat ramps, fishing access, restrooms, and shade trees. Some larger facilities like Kenlake State Resort Park offer additional recreation opportunities and seasonal activities for families.
Where are the campgrounds in Hopkinsville, KY?
While Hopkinsville itself has limited camping options, the surrounding area offers excellent opportunities. Within a short drive, you'll find Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park just off I-24, offering a peaceful alternative to the busier resort area. For military families, Military Park Eagle's Rest Army Travel Camp Fort Campbell provides convenient access near Fort Campbell. Other nearby options include campgrounds at Land Between the Lakes recreation area and several facilities along Kentucky Lake, all within 30-45 minutes of Hopkinsville.
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