Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Madisonville, KY

Prizer Point KOA and Marina is your basic camp away from home with all those modern conveniences.

Water all around (peninsula) so water sports of course. A swimming pool, playground, bouncy/jumpy thing, pedal car area, dog park, the list goes on.

The Rv style sites were very well situated on the water side loop, realize there is not much privacy. The primitive camp area looked a little frolorn and long in the grass, plus it is a walk to entertainment and the water. There is new construction going on, so reservation maybe easier to get. And there you are , Reserve ahead for prime locations, they are booked through August on the weekends.

The campground(CG) is easy to get to off I-24. We checked in and proceeded unescorted to site 22 with FHUs. The utilities are centered on the gravel pad and it was nice to have two sewer holes as our rig has two black tanks. We needed to flush each tank well, as we were heading to our home base near St. Louis. The water pressure was good at 50 psi and we got 3 bars 5G. There are a lot of mature trees so satellite may be iffy. We did not put out our Starlink for this one-night stay. Their free WiFi was okay. They accommodate both short stays, transient workers, and permanent parties. Not sure we’d call this place a“resort,” but they do have a small dog park, pool, laundry, dump station, and propane fills. This was our second time overnighting at this park. The first time we were closer to the interstate and this time we were at the front of the CG. It did not matter as this CG has the most interstate noise of any we’ve stayed.

This small, rustic camp is at the edge of Shawnee and only had a few campers staying multiple nights with us. Then the turkey hunting season came upon us and the sites filled.

We had site choices that ended up being along the gravel forest road that goes by camp. This put us away from other dogs but caused other issues. Every vehicle that went by generated dust which then coated everything in our camp. If you come here, we suggest taking the site that is furthest from the road (it's right next to the small forest road that heads off to the hiking trails. They had shade as well as sun and no dust. 

The sites are large but there isn't any foliage between them. Luckily the dogs were in camps further away from our dog so she was able to relax. The water pump got frequent use and the twin vault toilets were plenty for the campground. 

The hiking trails that headed out from the camp were wonderful. We even hiked down the forest road and found a hidden cemetery tucked away. The river to river trail heads out from camp too - we saw a group of backpackers leave their cars and head off for the night. Garden of the Gods area is a short drive away for more hiking options.

Choose your time wisely. Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey. Once we realized what was going on, we put our dog's bright shirt on. Everyone was wonderful and we had some interesting conversations. It was also morel mushroom time so some people were hunting for them.

Hurricane Creek is off of Rt 274 in Kentucky on the east side of Land Between The Lakes.

The campground is tucked away in its own little area with lots of shade trees and it's very own boat ramp. The sites are close but not stacked on top of each other.

the RV sites are both next to and near the water. You can park your water craft nearby. There are also several sites up in the trees, some back in, some pull through. It is an older area so the pavement is not all flat and pretty.

The tent sites are walk in, from the boat ramp parking area. Shaded and accessorized with tables, and fire rings. There were a few that tree tents would work well on.

The shower house is a little bit of a walk, but centrally located for the entire campground.

Overall a nice , quiet area, I will definitely be back.

Ranger Review: Renogy Backpack at Sugar Bay dispersed campground(dc), Land Between The Lakes(LBL), Ky

Campground Review: Sugar Bay dc is cement picnic tables and fire rings strategically placed throughout the woods adjacent a boat ramp at the end of forest road(FR)140.

There is a porta-john near the lake level sites and a pit toilet near the hill side sites. You can also set up camp in several mowed areas in the same area as long as you have your annual dispersed permit ($30 a year).

No frills camping at its best to include a few locals who look like they live in them there woods ;)

1st night we were there, after we had been asleep for about an hour the local coyotes announced their presence with a rather loud and nearby chorus of howls. Which was then answered on the far side of our campsite by more coyotes. Needless to say the dogs were quite vocal in their reply. We could hear (between dog barks) the pack moving on the hillside above us. I kept a careful eye on the smaller dogs when we went out to pee during the night. The following nights as the campsite filled with other campers we did not hear the coyotes again.

The LBL North/South trail meanders through the area and can easily be found off the side of FR140 about 1/4 mile up from the dc. The trail crosses the gravel road and currently is detoured from it’s original route. The N/S Trail runs the length of LBL from Kuttawa, Ky area to the South end near Dover, Tn. It would be a good practice trail for through hikers.

Also in the area is the Turkey Bay OHV Area and the Wranglers Campground. An off-road vehicle and horseback riders idea of a fun place to spend the weekend. Both with campgrounds and inclusive trails.

And of course there are the water sports on the lake. Another nice feature in the Sugar Bay dc is the ability to anchor your watercraft right next to your campsite after you put in at the boat ramp.

Golden Pond visitors center offers planetarium programs and there is an Elk and Bison observation area along the Trace which runs the length of LBL.

Cadiz, Ky is about a 15 mile drive down 68/80 if you want a taste of the local cuisine and Kentucky small town flavor. Ferrell’s Famous Burgers and Antiques are a few of the attractions.

Product Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I am given the opportunity to review products while camping. The Renogy Backpack https://www.renogy.com/I received is an innovative take on solar power collection.

The main attraction being the solar panel which is attached via zipper to the front of the pack. HOLD ON though , this solar panel can be zipped completely off, flipped over, and zipped back on. Effectively protecting it and giving you access to another small front pocket.

So that being said….

PROS: 1. It’s a solar panel w/USB port for electronic charging

2. It has plenty of pockets for your electronics

3. The solar panel is detachable and when detached it still has a zipper compartment that can hold your electronics

CONS: 1. The backpack is more Urban jungle then Outdoor enthusiasts designed

2. As with any solar unit direct sunlight is the optimal charging environment....not always conducive for electronics, a power charger makes more sense.

3. That’s all I got right now

This would not be a Backpack I pack up and run into the woods with , that being said I would pack it up and run all over town and college with it and will.

Off the beaten path in Land Between the Lakes (LBL), Taylor Bay is backcountry camping at its best. Off of the Trace, directional signs are well placed ensuring your route down Forrest Service Road 136 goes with out problems (fully paved through LBL to the camp sites). No electricity or water, there is a vault or pit toilet, which is (usually) stocked with TP (but you may want to pack a roll to be sure)! I've not had any poor experiences with the cleanliness of the pit, but others have reported issues in the past. Boat ramp is available, although I have not used it. There is a community dock available for docking if you chose to not pull your boat. Often people swim in the ramp and dock area, and this may become cumbersome with a crowd there. The majority of campsites are standard, flat, graveled sites with a fire ring. They are well spaced so you have privacy. All are first come first serve, so the early camper gets the best spots. Camping spots by the water have minimal shade, and those on the back side are very shaded. None are a far walk from water to site. Camping at Taylor Bay is considered back country camping and requires each person over 18 to have a permit, this year they are available at both Welcome Centers, any of the hosted campgrounds or online (Taylor Bay is not hosted and permits are not available on site). Pet and Family Friendly. Bring everything you need, as the closest store is at least 15 - 20 miles out.