Dewey Lake campsites sit within the mountainous terrain of eastern Kentucky at approximately 650 feet elevation. The lake covers about 1,100 acres and forms the centerpiece of several camping areas. Cell service throughout the camping areas ranges from limited to nonexistent, particularly in more remote locations.
What to do
Kayaking access points: German Bridge provides convenient lake entry for smaller watercraft. According to one visitor, the site is "great to kayaking or any small boats" and offers a "great view of the bridge."
Fishing opportunities: Despite water quality concerns, some campers report good fishing experiences. At Jenny Wiley State Park Campground, one visitor notes that "the fishing on Dewy Lake is awesome. The water is muddy a lot. But if you like catfishing, this is your Lake."
Outdoor theater: For evening entertainment beyond the campsite, Jenny Wiley State Park Campground features seasonal performances. "Make sure you check out the Jenny Wiley theater if you can, they are beyond talented," recommends one camper who rated the park highly.
Hiking trails: Multiple trails wind through the region surrounding Dewey Lake. One camper at Yatesville Lake State Park Campground mentions there are "lots of hiking trails located throughout the campground so you don't have to look very far to find a trail to get on."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Campsites at Yatesville Lake State Park Campground offer good separation between sites. "This is our favorite campground, it's small, quiet, very clean and site are not crammed together," reports one regular visitor. Another mentions that "the campsites are a LONG distance from each other. You won't even hear your neighbors."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Jenny Wiley State Park, one camper advises bringing "bear mace" noting that "not only do you have the Black Bears to deal with, you have the Coyotes too!"
Level camping pads: At Paintsville Lake State Park, campers appreciate the well-maintained sites. "The sites are spacious and level," writes one visitor, while another notes "we kayak and it was great being that close to the lake and the campsites have plenty of room."
Clean facilities: Restroom cleanliness varies significantly between campgrounds. At Paintsville Lake State Park, one camper reported it had "the cleanest bath house I've ever seen!"
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Multiple campers warn about water conditions. One Jenny Wiley visitor explicitly states "DO NOT DRINK THE WATER FROM THIS LAKE... AND DON'T SWIM IN IT EITHER!" Another adds "FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK,,, CATCH & RELEASE! (Personally, I'd go to a pay lake)."
Campsite maintenance issues: Cleanliness can be inconsistent across Dewey Lake camping areas. A Jenny Wiley visitor reported a "3 Day Disaster" with "campsites trashed" and "toilets broken, plugged or poop all over toilets and floor."
Limited amenities: German Bridge - Dewey Lake offers more primitive camping experiences. One visitor notes this site is "not for the new camper, very limited on the nicer things at a campsite," though they appreciated the "easy access to the lake."
Reservation challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. Paintsville Lake State Park sometimes reaches capacity, with one visitor noting "we made a reservation for two sites next to each other and we're glad we did since it filled up (August)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Grayson Lake State Park Campground, one visitor noted "there was also a playground and basketball court which I thought was great."
Swimming options: Despite water quality concerns at Dewey Lake itself, nearby options exist. At Paintsville Lake State Park, one camper mentioned "there is some access right at the campground for littles to get in the water," though they recommend water shoes due to possible fishing hooks in the water.
Food storage precautions: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. At Paintsville Lake, a camper warns "there are raccoons who like to eat so be sure to put your food up at night."
Spacing between sites: Noise levels vary based on campground layout. At Carter Caves, one visitor notes being "close to your neighbors" and during a busy weekend "the campsite beside us had a pull camper, a truck camper, and 2 small tents. There were about 15 people on the site and it got pretty loud at night."
Tips from RVers
Hookup distances: At multiple campgrounds, water and electric connections can be far from parking pads. At Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground, "some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up," requiring extension cords or site changes.
Water hose requirements: Jenny Wiley State Park requires extra equipment. One RVer notes "you share a water spigot with a neighbor so you have to have a long hose to go across your whole section."
Dump station availability: Facilities can be inconsistent. One Jenny Wiley visitor reported "dump station overflowed and closed" during their visit, complicating departure procedures.
Leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain creates uneven sites at some campgrounds. A Jenny Wiley camper observed other RVers with "front tires suspended about a foot in the air to make it level," indicating the terrain challenges in the region.
