The Lake Cumberland region of Kentucky offers camping opportunities near one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, covering over 65,000 acres with 1,255 miles of shoreline. Several campgrounds and rv parks near Lake Cumberland operate through multiple seasons, with water levels typically highest in late spring and early summer after seasonal rains.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Holmes Bend Campground connects to over 5 miles of wilderness trails. "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. from Holmes Bend Campground.
Lake swimming options: Wilson Creek Recreation Area provides primitive camping with easy lake access. "You're also only a short walk from the beach which is nice. The area is also patrolled at random hours throughout the night to make you feel a little safer," notes Jessica C. from Wilson Creek.
Fishing opportunities: Green River Lake offers excellent bank fishing. "I gave Smith Ridge 5 stars because it offers a lot of great fishing spots and beautiful views. There isn't but maybe one trail there, and it's unmarked," shares Jessica C. from COE Green River Lake Smith Ridge.
Visit nearby attractions: Several campgrounds serve as base camps for regional attractions. "Found this campground on the map near Haneys Appledale Farm in Nancy Kentucky," mentions Shelly S. from Off The Hook RV Campground, highlighting local farm experiences available nearby.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many rv parks Lake Cumberland area feature generous site dimensions. "The campground was exceptional in quite setting, playground for the grandkids, near Green River lake," notes Ron B. about Holmes Bend. Another camper adds about Smith Ridge: "The parking spots are huge, and it's a great area to walk around."
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance is common at established campgrounds. "Paved roadways great for biking and walking. Bath houses are cleaned thoroughly every morning. Playgrounds are cleaned everyday," reports Thomas R. from Holmes Bend.
Wildlife viewing: Natural settings provide wildlife observation opportunities. "Walking around you will find wildlife. Lots of deer and turtles and birds," mentions Thomas R. about Holmes Bend Campground.
Waterfront locations: Direct lake access ranks highly among campers. "The best campground on GRL!!! Only flaw.... no showers!" says Kenny P. about Pikes Ridge on Green River Lake, highlighting the trade-off between prime waterfront locations and amenity limitations.
What you should know
Cell service variations: Connectivity changes significantly between campgrounds. "Decent weekend trip for us despite the issues. Cell service varies with Verizon and AT&T," notes Beth H. about Holmes Bend, while Todd C. reports about Smith Ridge: "Practically no cell service with Verizon or AT&T."
Power reliability concerns: Some campgrounds experience electrical issues. "We did have an issue with our electric pole showing a fault on both the 30 and 50 amp plug. We informed the attendants as soon as we plugged in and were told they didn't have anyone on call until the next morning," details Beth H.
Site selection strategy: Consider shade needs when booking. According to John about Pikes Ridge - Green River Lake: "Only negatives are no showers and not much shade unless you get a site on the edge of the woods."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate limited schedules. Smith Ridge operates "May 16 to September 14" while Holmes Bend runs "April 18 to October 26," requiring advance planning for off-season visits.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "There is an AWESOME playground and pavilion set back in the trees! My grand loved the ropes course," shares Shelly S. about Off The Hook RV Campground.
Beach proximity: Consider distance to swimming areas when booking with children. Kenny P. notes about Smith Ridge: "Only down fall is if you want to swim you'll have to drive about a mile to the swimming area."
Prepare for ground conditions: Surface materials affect play areas. "Playground has red clay dirt, so that was a bit messy," warns Beth H. about Cumberland Falls RV Resort, a detail parents should note when packing.
Security features: Some campgrounds offer increased patrol presence. A camper reports about Wilson Creek: "The area is also patrolled at random hours throughout the night to make you feel a little safer, which is nice," providing peace of mind for families.
Tips from RVers
Parking restrictions: Holmes Bend limits parking areas. "They won't let you park in the grass so boats have to parked out front of campground," advises Kenny P., important information for those bringing watercraft.
Site backing challenges: Some campgrounds present maneuvering difficulties. "Our campsite had two stumps there were hard to work around when backing up the camper in the dark," mentions Christina S. about Smith Ridge.
New options emerging: Several newer RV parks offer updated amenities. "Just opening in July 2025, Every site comes with full hookups, making it super convenient for all your RV needs. The entire park is laid out with beautiful asphalt, which not only looks great but also provides a smooth surface for parking," reports Kara A. about McDermit RV Park.
Access road considerations: Entry roads vary between campgrounds. "Easy to get to with loads of appeal. Most sites are spaced apart but close enough to make new friends like we did," shares Thomas R. about Holmes Bend, noting the accessible approach roads.
