Green River Lake area campgrounds provide varied options for RV and tent camping near Parksville, Kentucky. The region encompasses over 8,000 acres of water surface with 147 miles of shoreline. Elevations range from 675 to 740 feet above sea level, creating diverse terrains for camping with seasonal water level fluctuations of 20-30 feet between winter and summer.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Green River Lake offers multiple fishing spots with bass, crappie, and catfish. At COE Green River Lake Smith Ridge, campers note "a lot of great fishing spots and beautiful views" with boat ramps for easy lake access.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds maintain walking paths through wooded areas. The Woodland Trail at Smith Ridge provides nature exploration opportunities, with one camper mentioning "I had Site 31 right beside the Woodland Trail entrance" making it convenient to access directly from camp.
Swimming areas: Most campgrounds include dedicated swimming locations. Wilson Creek Recreation Area features "a gravel beach at the end of the road" where visitors can "cool off" after hiking the converted 4-wheeler trails that now serve as walking paths.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous sizing of sites in the area. One visitor to Smith Ridge commented, "The parking spots are huge, I am not close to my neighboring campers," highlighting the privacy offered at some locations.
Waterfront access: Direct water views and access rank highly among camper preferences. At Pikes Ridge - Green River Lake, a reviewer described it as "Waters edge camping!!!" and called it "The best campground on GRL!!!" despite noting its lack of shower facilities.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and grounds receive frequent mention. A Smith Ridge visitor noted, "The bathrooms are clean" while another mentioned "hosts were nice and helpful" regarding the maintenance and management of facilities.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Smith Ridge, a recent visitor reported "Practically no cell service with Verizon or AT&T," which may affect those needing to stay connected.
Power reliability issues: Electrical service can be inconsistent at certain campgrounds. At Holmes Bend, one camper experienced problems: "We did have an issue with our electric pole showing a fault on both the 30 and 50 amp plug" which required overnight use of battery power until repair the next day.
Site characteristics vary: Campgrounds often feature distinctly different sections. At Holmes Bend, "Some are primitive sites but most have water" while others may offer "water & electrical hook-up only" depending on the specific location within the campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds include playground facilities for children. A camper at CampFire Ridge RV Park described it as "Family oriented, pet friendly, peaceful with playground for the kids and lots of nature to explore."
Beach proximity: When camping with children, beach access provides important recreation options. CampFire Ridge receives praise for being "near boat ramp & beach" with "parking for boats" making it convenient for families with water equipment.
Weekend planning: Facilities fill quickly during peak times. At Holmes Bend, weekend visitors benefit from its size with "over 100+ sites" though availability may be limited during summer months when families flock to the lake.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For larger RVs, certain sections of campgrounds work better than others. A visitor to Cummins Ferry RV Park noted "Plenty of pull through spots, large and small back in spots" making it adaptable for various RV sizes.
Leveling challenges: Some rv campgrounds near Parksville, Kentucky require extensive leveling equipment. At Cummins Ferry, a camper reported "The sites here are not level. We used our normal 2x green blocks for the Jack, but needed all 10 of our leveling blocks, plus 8 paving stones to get the appropriate height."
Seasonal considerations: RV campgrounds in the Parksville area operate on different seasonal schedules. Several, including Holmes Bend, run from "April 18 to October 26" while others like Smith Ridge have shorter seasons from "May 16 to September 14."
