Cabins near Oak Grove, Kentucky offer diverse lodging options within the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, where elevation ranges from 360 to 520 feet above sea level. The area experiences mild winters with average January temperatures around 40°F and hot summers that can reach 90°F. Most cabin facilities remain open from March through November, though some parks like Montgomery Bell State Park maintain year-round operations.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Drive through the Elk and Bison Prairie. Energy Lake Campground provides a strategic base for wildlife excursions. "Saw a doe with a spotted fawn nursing on my first trip onto the water," notes one visitor about Energy Lake. The prairie is accessible via a 3.5-mile paved loop road with admission costing $5 per vehicle.
Fishing: Cast a line in multiple locations. Piney Campground offers both shoreline options and deeper water access. "There is a fishing pier people were talking about but we didn't try it," mentions a Piney visitor. Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased online or at local tackle shops.
Historical exploration: Visit Fort Donelson National Battlefield. Located near Paris Landing State Park, this Civil War site features preserved earthworks and cannons. "Paris Landing State Park has about 70 campsites, most with water and electric hookups... it is right on Kentucky Lake, so there is swimming, fishing and boating," explains a camper.
What campers like
Level sites: Some parks offer better terrain than others. Montgomery Bell State Park Campground receives high marks for site conditions. "Nice well kept camp grounds. Restaurant in the park. Sites are level and large," reports a satisfied camper. Sites at Montgomery Bell can be reserved up to 12 months in advance.
Waterfront access: Direct lake or river proximity. Campers appreciate the water access at Energy Lake Campground. "The lake was gorgeous and perfect for kayaking though, with lots of nice coves to explore and wildlife to see," notes a visitor. Rental boats are available at $10 per hour at certain locations.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses. Lake Barkley State Resort Park maintains good standards for its facilities. "The bathhouse was really nice, felt new and was very clean. The staff and park rangers were very nice," reports one visitor, though they note that "only 1 bar of service with AT&T" is available.
What you should know
Site levelness varies considerably. Several parks struggle with uneven terrain. At Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, a visitor notes, "Sites are very sloped. Worst I've ever seen. Major drawback to this campground." Bringing leveling blocks is essential for most locations.
Limited cell service in some areas. Network coverage can be spotty throughout the region. "There is spotty cell service throughout the campground," warns one Energy Lake camper, suggesting downloading maps in advance.
Distance to amenities can be significant. At Prizer Point Marina & Resort, a visitor found that "The closest bathroom is .6 miles at the peer store which closes at 7 PM. The next closest is 1 mile away." Planning accordingly is recommended.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple options available. Energy Lake Campground offers water recreation for different ages. "The cabins were clean and comfortable with cold AC," reports a family who visited with four children during record heat. They also note the campground is "in a good location to explore all LBL has to offer."
Playground conditions: Quality varies by park. A family camping at Energy Lake noted limitations: "Downfall is the beach is muddy and rocky and the playground is old with just a metal slide and swings." Consider bringing additional outdoor games.
Site selection for families: Look for flat, spacious areas. At Kentucky Lakes Prizer Point KOA, families appreciate the amenities despite some limitations. "Our waterfront site was beautiful, and all the kids loved the zero entry children's pool," reports a visitor who came during Memorial Day weekend.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Bring extension cords. At Paris Landing State Park, one RVer discovered challenges: "Had water and electrical hook up but the 30 amp was fried. Luckily it also had 20 amp so power management was key." Extra-long cords are recommended.
Site access challenges: Watch for tight turns. RVers at Paris Landing noted: "Some sites are pointed the wrong direction on a one way road, so you just have to drive it backwards." Smaller rigs under 30 feet have fewer limitations when selecting sites.
Leveling requirements: Substantial blocks needed. Multiple parks require significant leveling equipment. "Bring quite a bit of leveling materials as the sites are very unlevel," warns an RVer at Lake Barkley, who also notes there's "1 dump station and an older but usable bath house."
