Kentucky camping near Perryville offers diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 750 to 1,000 feet throughout the region. The area sits within the Bluegrass region with several waterways including the Kentucky River and Green River Lake providing water recreation opportunities. Camping is available year-round at select locations, though most sites operate seasonally from April through October with limited winter facilities.
What to do
Fishing access: 2 miles: Green River Lake State Park Campground provides excellent bank fishing opportunities along with boat access. "Loved it! I've been to a couple of CoE campgrounds before but this is now my favorite one. I had Site 31 right beside the Woodland Trail entrance but you're pretty close to the lake (the boat ramp is about a 1/2 mile as the crow flies)," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: varying lengths: Smith Ridge Green River Lake offers unmarked trails through wooded areas. "The trails twist and turn and cross creeks and hill tops. I won't say they're easy to navigate but it's doable if you pay attention to the names and direction you're going," explains a camper at Pulaski County Park. The park features mountain bike-oriented trails of various difficulty levels.
Water recreation: boat rentals available: At Guist Creek Marina & Campground, you can rent canoes for exploring the lake. "Dog and I took a little canoe ride. The lake is beautiful," reports one visitor. For those seeking yurt camping near Perryville, Kentucky, the surrounding region offers permanent tent-style structures at select locations, providing a glamping alternative.
What campers like
Spacious sites: up to 20 feet: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at many locations. "The sites were close to each other but provided plenty of space for the average sized rig. Many were longer than other KOAs, which enabled the tow vehicle and TT to be parked," notes a visitor to Louisville South KOA.
Waterfront access: multiple options: Many campgrounds offer direct water access. At Holmes Bend, "The campgrounds was exceptional in quite setting... near Green River lake... boating, natural trails, campground has dumping stations, potable water, 4 shower houses, restrooms, handicap areas throughout, shaded and non-shaded areas."
Clean facilities: daily maintenance: Cleanliness is emphasized at most locations. "The shower house was immaculate. Been camping since I was six months old. Don't remember all the shower houses but I've never seen one this clean and well maintained," reports a camper at Guist Creek Marina & Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: most April-October: Many campgrounds close during winter months. At Smith Ridge Green River Lake, the operating season runs "May 16 to September 14," though some like Camp Nelson RV Park remain open year-round.
Limited privacy at some sites: Tent campers should note site layout at certain locations. At Camp Nelson RV Park, "I would say 85% of the sites are full timers. The site we received was awesome and spacious, but we had some friends that weren't pleased with theirs and left early."
Alternative camping structures: For those seeking yurt-style camping in Perryville, Kentucky area, several parks offer structured tent options. "There are cabins available to rent, a beach, and boat ramp available to those that wish to fish. There are also houseboats available at Smith Ridge as well," notes a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: multiple locations: Many campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Cummins Ferry RV Park, "We spent 2 nights with 2 other families! We absolutely LOVED it! The staff was friendly and the scenery was amazing! Our sites overlooked the river and we loved the walking trails along the river! We had kids that fished and played in the playground and sat by the fire every night!"
Swimming options: lakes and pools: Several locations offer swimming facilities. At Holmes Bend, one visitor notes, "The beach is great and right next to the marina." Lake Shelby Campground features "indoor and outdoor pool in the other half of the park."
Wildlife viewing: common sightings: Kids can spot various wildlife throughout the region. "Walking around you will find wildlife. Lots of deer and turtles and birds," reports a camper at Holmes Bend. This provides educational opportunities while enjoying nature.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: bring blocks: At some campgrounds, site grading can be an issue. "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," advises a visitor to Cummins Ferry RV Park.
Electrical service variations: Campground electrical systems vary. "All sites have 50 amp despite the website stating only 30 amps as recent update," reports an RVer at Lake Shelby Campground. At Green River Lake Smith Ridge, one camper notes: "Location was excellent, close to the water. They have a known power issue, 30amp service went out several times at the pole."
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be spotty in some areas. At Smith Ridge Green River Lake, visitors report "practically no cell service with Verizon or AT&T," which is important to know for those needing to stay connected.
