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Best Campgrounds near Paducah, KY

825 Reviews

The western Kentucky city of Paducah has several good camping spots within a short drive. Fern Lake Campground and RV Park sits only three miles from town, making it simple to head into Paducah for supplies while still having a quiet place to camp. They have spots for both tents and RVs with full hookups, plus you can fish in their lake. Many campers head to Hillman Ferry Campground on Kentucky Lake where you'll find waterfront sites and a boat ramp if you bring your boat. Some of the camping areas around Paducah need higher clearance vehicles to reach, so check road conditions before you go. The woods around Paducah have plenty of wildlife, so store your food properly to avoid animal visitors. During dry periods, fire rules might be strict, so always follow the posted rules at your campsite. Check if you need permits for activities before your trip. Spring and fall are the nicest times to camp near Paducah when it's not too hot or cold. Summer gets humid and hot, while winter brings colder weather. Whether you want a quiet camping trip or something more active, the Paducah area has campgrounds that will work for you.

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Detours Nearby

The Art Farm Women’s Retreat

The Art Farm Women’s Retreat

8 min away

Twin Lakes Campground

Twin Lakes Campground

27 min away

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Best Camping Sites Near Paducah, Kentucky (143)

    1. Fern Lake Campground

    15 Reviews
    Paducah, KY
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 444-7939

    $45 - $65 / night

    "Located on the edge of Paducah, Kentucky this is the perfect place to stay if you are going to the quilt shows or visiting the National Quilt Museum."

    "This is a convenient and pleasant campground, just off exit 3 on I24 in Paducah. The staff was friendly and walked us to our site and showed us the hookups."

    2. Fort Massac State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Metropolis, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 524-4712

    "It is easy access from the highway and a nice quiet spot for the night. There is a new bath house with nice, private bathrooms/shower combinations."

    "Surprisingly quiet surroundings. Well maintained spacious campgrounds for tent and RV. Two short trails and a museum to visit along with some nice views of the Ohio River."

    3. The Art Farm Women’s Retreat

    3 Reviews
    Paducah, KY
    8 miles
    +1 (270) 217-2170

    $30 - $90 / night

    4. Paducah RV Park & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Paducah, KY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (731) 215-0071

    "Like the lake and outdoor commons area"

    5. Paducah-Kentucky Lake KOA

    11 Reviews
    Calvert City, KY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 395-5841

    "Paducah is a cute little city in Kentucky that my family and I love to visit whenever we get the chance. The town is really cool, and has that "old" town vibe. The buildings are beautiful."

    "When we arrived, the lady who checked us in gave me a coupon for the drive-in movie theater that was literally down the road."

    6. Hillman Ferry Campground

    37 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 924-2000

    "Hillman Ferry is the northernmost full service campground in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and is an excellent base camp for exploring the LBL and other recreation opportunities in"

    "This campsite is located in beautiful Land Between the Lakes. Many sites are by reservation, but many more are first come first serve. Sites are big and open and some provide views of Kentucky Lake."

    7. Shawnee Forest Campground

    36 Reviews
    Vienna, IL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-0619

    $40 / night

    "We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."

    "Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been."

    8. Duck Creek RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Paducah, KY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 415-0404

    "Sites next to the Hwy are a little loud but all in all, we definitely recommend!!"

    9. Fishing Pier

    3 Reviews
    Metropolis, KY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 858-1549

    "Lots to do nearby if you don't like fishing! Ranger came through and was very friendly & helpful."

    10. Birdsville Riverside RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Smithland, KY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 928-2772

    $45 - $65 / night

    "We found a jewel of an RV park on the Ohio River in Kentucky. Our campsite was right on the river bank. We enjoyed a quiet and relaxing stay at this wonderful park."

    "All the spots are full hook up and are right next to the river for a great view. It’s very quiet and peaceful. Nice place off the beaten path. All the spots are spaced out too."

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Recent Camping Photos near Paducah, KY

193 Photos of 143 Paducah Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Paducah, KY

825 Reviews of 143 Paducah Campgrounds

  • j
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE

    Nice COE campground

    Grand Rivers KY Canal Campground at Barkley Lake COE Site 111 This is a great COE campground located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with views of the Barkley Dam. The canal connects them and you can see boats and occasionally barges passing through. There are over 100 campsites are available, many with water views. We had a spacious site with a river view. Other loops are closer together and no view. Sites offer electric and/or water hookups, tables and fire ring. Other amenities include clean old style bathhouses, a dump station, laundry facilities, a playground, and picnic pavilions. We saw several deer roaming the grounds. There's a great pizza place in town Papa Z.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great spot for location

    Overall we’ve really enjoyed our stay. Came over the Labor Day weekend and staying a week. Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been. A little noisy at night with the interstate in the distance but we’d expected that. Only thing we wish we would’ve known about was the paving of the road happening directly outside of the park. They obviously can’t control that but a heads up would’ve been helpful. One day we couldn’t get out for a bit and thankfully we had flexible plans. Overall- it’s a great park with decent proximity to a lot of nature. Anna, Marion and Harrisburg are your best bets for restaurants and grocery etc. Vienna only has a dollar general and a few restaurants- a diner, longhorn cafe, Mexican restaurant and Family Pizza- we tried the last one and it was good! Prepare for a 40 min wait time if picking up and it gets packed if you want to dine in. Would def stay here again to visit Shawnee.

  • Cheyanne S.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lake Barkley State Resort Park

    Shaded but unlevel

    Enjoyed our stay. Bring quite a bit of leveling materials as the sites are very unlevel. 1 dump station and an older but usable bath house. The road to come in was narrow but we'll marked. Very shaded and decently spaced out. Water and electric only.

  • L
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Cave-in-Rock State Park

    Beautiful, empty, cheap state park

    We are the only campers here in a very well kept campground. The bathrooms are clean and the only sound is from the birds. $20 for a state park site with electricity is incredible. It is out of the way (we took the ferry from Kentucky).

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Columbus-Belmont State Park

    Nice, clean campground, back sites have sewer, be prepared to level out.

    Stayed here for 2 nights at site 25 on the back side of the campground. The back sites have sewer. These sites were paved, but not level, so be prepared to level. TIP: If using those yellow camco "lego" block to level, be sure to put a canvas tarp or rubber mat between the blocks and the pavement, otherwise they will slide when you try to roll on top of them. My daughter used the bathhouse, and she said it was not good. Leaky, standing water. The park was awesome, which made the bathhouse an oddity. The little snack shack over by the chain was a nice evening diversion of ice cream and funnel fries. The camp host couple was wonderful. The park is clean and well maintained.

  • Scott B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great stop for the night.

    We were driving south on I24 towards Nashville and needed a spot to stop for the night. We booked online and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The campground is really nice and had a great paved walking trail to stretch our legs and walk the dog. Would definitely recommend if in the area.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Lake Glendale Recreation Area

    Camping in July 2025

    Campground was not crowded during the weekdays. Nice shaded sites w electric and water hookups. Campground hosts were very engaged. $19 a night electric w Sr Pass.

    There are several historical sites to visit. Ill Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods and Trail of Tears segments on

    ATT cell service was spotty but I drove to Dixon Springs SP where there was a cell tower. An easy 3 mile hike around the lake

    There are several historical sites in area. Illinois Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods , and segments of the Trail of Tears

  • R S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Paducah RV Park & Campground

    Quick full hook up pull through, with Great sky views , country feel and a common outdoor area near lake.

    Like the lake and outdoor commons area

Guide to Paducah

Camping near Paducah, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore Nature: The area is surrounded by stunning parks and lakes. You can hike, fish, or just enjoy the views.
  • Visit Local Attractions: Check out the National Quilting Museum or take a short drive to the Land Between the Lakes for more outdoor fun.
  • Water Activities: Many campgrounds, like Canal - Lake Barkley, offer access to the lake for boating and fishing. One camper mentioned, “The peninsula offers many sites with water views and access.”

What campers like

  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the welcoming atmosphere. One review noted, “The staff was friendly and walked us to our site and showed us the hookups” at Fern Lake Campground and RV Park.
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A visitor at Oak Point - Lake Glendale said, “The bathrooms are clean and well-stocked.”
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A review for Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park mentioned, “Campground is beautiful with lots of room in between sites.”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. For example, a camper at Dixon Springs State Park pointed out, “Pit toilets with no hand washing station or showers.”
  • Seasonal Crowds: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. One camper at Lake Glendale Recreation Area noted, “During the week, no problem. Weekends would be iffy.”
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A visitor at Canal - Lake Barkley mentioned, “Tons of deer, and skunks, but they don’t bother you.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. One family enjoyed the beach and playground at Fern Lake Campground and RV Park, saying, “The beach and the playground were nice for the kids.”
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check for nearby restaurants. A camper at Paducah-Kentucky Lake KOA mentioned, “Quick food options just down the road.”
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water and wildlife. One camper advised, “Bring bug spray - horseflies and ticks” when visiting Oak Point - Lake Glendale.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park mentioned, “The sites are very small but spread out.”
  • Leveling Your RV: Some sites can be hilly or uneven. A camper at Cypress Lakes RV Park noted, “Our site was a bit hilly but we had a nice view of the lake.”
  • Book Early: Popular spots fill up fast, especially on weekends. A visitor at Oak Point Campground said, “Very difficult to get an electric site in the summer, especially on weekends.”

With these insights, you're all set for a great camping experience near Paducah, KY!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available near Paducah, KY?

Camping options near Paducah range from RV parks to public recreation areas. Fern Lake Campground offers shady pull-through sites with full hookups right on the edge of Paducah, making it perfect for quilt show visitors or those wanting easy access to town amenities. For a more natural setting, Lake Glendale Recreation Area provides both electric and non-electric campsites with lake activities, boat rentals, and a sand beach, all within driving distance of Paducah. Other options include KOAs, state park campgrounds, and smaller private RV parks catering to different preferences from basic tent camping to full-service RV accommodations.

Where are the campgrounds in Paducah, KY?

Paducah offers several conveniently located campgrounds. Paducah-Kentucky Lake KOA provides a country feel with city accessibility, situated near I-24 for easy travel. Within Paducah itself, Duck Creek RV Park offers a convenient in-town option with water access and big-rig-friendly sites. The surrounding area also features additional camping opportunities at wildlife management areas and along Kentucky Lake, all within a short drive from downtown Paducah. Most campgrounds are strategically positioned near major highways, making them accessible for travelers visiting Paducah's historic downtown or exploring the region's outdoor recreation areas.

Are there any state parks with camping near Paducah, KY?

Yes, several state parks with camping facilities are located near Paducah. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park offers camping with electric hookups within driving distance of Paducah. The park features access to Kentucky Lake, though some campers note that sites can be confusing to navigate and the setting isn't particularly scenic. Kenlake State Resort Park provides another state park camping option in the region. Just across the state line, Fort Massac State Park Campground in Illinois offers reservable sites with water and toilet facilities, making it another viable state park option near Paducah.

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