Camping sites near Liberty, Kentucky sit within rolling forested hills at elevations ranging from 650 to 950 feet. Located in south-central Kentucky where the Cumberland Plateau meets the Pennyroyal region, most campgrounds experience warm summers with average highs of 85-90°F from June through August. Seasonal operation typically runs April through October, with most facilities closing before winter.
What to do
Trout fishing: Green River Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities with several species available. At Kendall Campground, you can access both lake and stream fishing. One visitor noted, "You can fish the river or you can fish the stream they put in where they release the trout to get into the river better have your fishing license though."
Hiking trails: Follow unmarked paths at various campgrounds. A camper at Smith Ridge - Green River Lake mentioned, "There isn't but maybe one trail there, and it's unmarked." For more extensive options, Holmes Bend offers "over 5 miles of trails" with a "short drive or walk thru the woods to trail head."
Water recreation: Explore coves and beaches available at multiple lakes. Green River Lake State Park Campground offers swimming areas with a visitor reporting, "Has a beach for swimming and playgrounds for the kids." Many campgrounds include boat ramps for launching your watercraft.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Enjoy room to spread out. A guest at Holmes Bend appreciated that "most sites are spaced apart but close enough to make new friends," adding that "parking spots are huge, and it's a great area to walk around."
Wildlife viewing: Watch deer and birds in natural settings. A visitor to Kendall Campground shared, "You can always see plenty of wildlife," while another appreciated seeing "deer visitors at our site" during their stay.
Clean facilities: Most Corps of Engineers campgrounds maintain high standards. At Waitsboro Campground, a camper reported, "The bath house was very clean and the showers were hot," while another simply stated it was "Very clean great view of the lake."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by campground and provider. At Smith Ridge, a visitor noted, "Practically no cell service with Verizon or AT&T."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate April to October. The Green River Lake campgrounds like Holmes Bend typically run "April 18 to October 26," while Fishing Creek operates "May 1 to Sep 26."
Terrain challenges: Some sites require navigating hills. At Pulaski County Park, visitors should know that "the campsites are close together," and the campground itself is "spread across the hills and 'bays' of the park."
Facility maintenance issues: Bathroom conditions vary. One camper at Smith Ridge reported, "One bathroom hasn't had electric in two years and another women's bathroom only has hot water in one shower and the hand dryers don't work."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Choose campgrounds with play areas. Holmes Bend features "playgrounds are cleaned everyday," making it ideal for children who need space to burn energy.
Beach access: Look for swimming areas with gentle slopes for safety. Fishing Creek - Lake Cumberland offers water access, though a visitor warned about "steep inclines between campgrounds" when trying to reach the water.
Site selection: Request wooded sites for shade. At Smith Ridge, "Sites 1-30 are wooded and semi private. 31-80 are set more in a park complete with playground and street lights near the bath house."
Activities beyond water: Find diverse options for varied interests. Wilson Creek Recreation Area offers "old 4 wheeler trails now make good hiking trails" according to a visitor who enjoyed both the trails and "cool off at the gravel beach at the end of the road."
Tips from RVers
Power concerns: Monitor electricity supply at certain campgrounds. A Smith Ridge visitor reported, "They have a known power issue, 30amp service went out several times at the pole. Their solution was to use less appliances."
Site dimensions: Check campsite sizes carefully. A camper at Waitsboro Campground - Lake Cumberland found "Sites 1-4 are closest to the water, but do not have easy access to the river," while another mentioned their site was "all gravel and level."
Dump station logistics: Note facility locations and accessibility. One RVer at Fishing Creek warned about "the dump station. The switchback turn at the top of the hill to get to it was too daunting for me to try."
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. Green River Lake State Park Campground requires careful site selection as "some tent spots are on hills" according to a recent visitor.
