Around Nancy, Kentucky, camping opportunities center on Green River Lake, a 8,210-acre reservoir with 147 miles of shoreline. The region sits at approximately 720 feet above sea level in south-central Kentucky's Cumberland Plateau, with a humid subtropical climate bringing hot summers and mild winters. Camping season typically runs from mid-April through October, with most campgrounds closing during winter months.
What to do
Fishing access: Green River Lake offers multiple shoreline fishing spots and boat launches. At Smith Ridge Green River Lake, "there's a lot of great fishing spots and beautiful views," according to Jessica C., who notes "a beach and boat ramp available to those that wish to fish."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds maintain hiking paths through wooded areas. The Woodland Trail entrance is accessible from Smith Ridge, where Estus H. reports, "I had Site 31 right beside the Woodland Trail entrance but you're pretty close to the lake." At Holmes Bend, Kenny P. recommends the nearby trail system: "It's a short drive or walk thru the woods to trail head. Fishers bend has over 5 miles of trails."
Swimming beaches: Many campgrounds offer lake access for swimming during summer months. At Wilson Creek Recreation Area, Jessica C. notes, "You're also only a short walk from the beach which is nice." Primitive campsites here provide easy water access, with GoWhereYouAreDraw N. adding, "Plenty of swimming, hiking, fishing, boating in this area!"
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous spacing between sites. At Pikes Ridge - Green River Lake, John reports, "sites are very spacious," while at Smith Ridge, Maze M. notes, "I am not close to my neighboring campers, the parking spots are huge."
Campground layout: Several parks feature tiered or strategic site placement. At Off The Hook RV Campground, Shelly S. describes, "They are creating their campground in a very nicely tiered field," adding that they're "working on getting a pond going to fish in."
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. Thomas R. at Holmes Bend mentions, "Playgrounds are cleaned everyday," and Shelly S. found "an AWESOME playground and pavilion set back in the trees" at Off The Hook, noting "My grand loved the ropes course."
What you should know
Bathroom and shower conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Smith Ridge, Christina S. reports maintenance issues: "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." However, Thomas R. found Holmes Bend's facilities well-maintained: "Bath houses are cleaned thoroughly every morning."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. At Smith Ridge, Todd C. found "Practically no cell service with Verizon or AT&T." In contrast, Ron B. reports Holmes Bend has "cell service Verizon & AT&T Service 3 bars depending above or below hill in camping area."
Power reliability concerns: Some campgrounds experience electrical issues. At Smith Ridge, Lindsey M. encountered problems: "They have a known power issue, 30amp service went out several times at the pole. Their solution was to use less appliances."
Tips for camping with families
Beach proximity: Choose sites near swimming areas for easier access with children. Wilson Creek Recreation Area offers convenient beach access, with Jessica C. noting, "You're also only a short walk from the beach which is nice."
Site selection for shade: Summer temperatures can reach 90°F, making shade important. Candy H. advises 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."
Playground accessibility: CampFire Ridge RV Park offers family-friendly amenities, with Brenda S. describing it as "Family oriented, pet friendly, peaceful with playground for the kids and lots of nature to explore." Similarly, at Holmes Bend, Thomas R. notes "Playgrounds are cleaned everyday."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging layouts for larger vehicles. At Holmes Bend, Beth H. cautions, "Some spaces and turns would be tight for larger rigs." Similarly, Jeremy K. notes differences within campgrounds: "The old part had plenty of shade the newer part not so much."
RV site amenities: Full hookup availability varies between parks. At Off The Hook RV Campground, Shelly S. describes "Nice size sites with easy access power, water and sewer" on "Gravel drive and pads, fire ring and picnic table."
Electrical service reliability: Check amperage options before booking. At Smith Ridge, Lindsey M. recommends alternative campgrounds due to reliability issues: "Their solution was to use less appliances. There are other campgrounds on the lake that I would choose instead of this one for that reason."
