Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE
Nice CG!
This is the third time we’ve stayed here just using it as an overnight on the way to and from home on our way out west. Great campground with full hook up service in some sites and a view of the lake.
1 campground with availability this weekend
Wranglers Campground in Land Between the Lakes recreation area offers extensive facilities for equestrian campers near Benton, Kentucky. The campground features spacious pull-through sites with full hookups including electric, water and sewer connections. Horse-friendly accommodations include tent sites, RV spots, and cabins with proximity to stables. The campground receives consistently high ratings from visitors who appreciate the clean, comfortable cabins positioned strategically away from the horse stables to avoid odors while maintaining convenient access. Facilities accommodate both overnight visitors and those bringing their own horses for trail riding. The campground store sells essential supplies including firewood and basic provisions, while communal amenities include showers, toilets, and a sanitary dump station for RVs.
Trail access directly from the campground connects riders to the extensive Land Between the Lakes trail system. Riders frequently note the trails as best for horses in Kentucky, with multiple route options suitable for different experience levels. The campground layout keeps horse areas separate from general camping while maintaining accessibility. Sites 49-51 offer adequate space for large rigs despite some online mapping inconsistencies. Visitors should anticipate a lively atmosphere rather than solitude, as the campground regularly features horses neighing, dogs barking, and evening social gatherings. Wranglers Campground operates with a reservation system, particularly important during peak seasons when the facility frequently reaches capacity. The combination of equestrian facilities, trail access, and accommodation options makes this destination a focal point for horse camping in the region.
"Canal campground is right on the canal that connects Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake at the north end of Land Between the Lakes."
"Grand Rivers KY Canal Campground at Barkley Lake COE Site 111 This is a great COE campground located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with views of the Barkley Dam."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $256 / night
"You can't beat having a lake next to you while you are camping. This is something my family and I always look for when we are camping. Water is always a great place to entertain the kids and family."
"Most sites have great views of Lake Barkley! Large camp store with a restaurant that serves sandwiches, pizza, beer and sodas... Golf cart rentals and the marina has boat rentals."
"the staff was helpful and friendly. the park had a great beach area. make sure you have extension cords and hoses as the utilities are positioned in between two sites. i only gave it 4 stars because of"
"Although this is a remote campground, it is situated in a State RESORT park, so it is more like glamping."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $30 / night
"Tucked away on an old dead end road (Forrest Service Rd 118), Craven's Bay campground is remote back country camping, right on the lake, but far away from any visitor attraction in Land Between the Lakes"
"This gem in the Land Between the Lakes Rec area is a great spot to set up camp if you don’t mind the lack of showers."
"It was quiet, secluded from other campers, and we had close access to the lake where we were parked. We will definitely be camping here again!"
from $40 / night
"We didn’t have any neighbors and were located close to the showers and some horse stables (but far enough away from them so as to not smell horses the whole time lol)."
"Fun experience staying with all the horses! I didn’t really know it was a thing to bring horses to camp and ride them on the trails! Loved it. Spots are pretty close together but fine for big rigs."
from $6 - $10 / night
from $30 - $90 / night
"We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."
"Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been."
from $40 / night
"Pennyrile Forest State Park off Ky69 outside Dawson Springs, Ky. A newer trail Pennyrile Nature Trail is 13.5 mile long hiking trail, from Dawson Springs to the park."
"When I talked to the campground host, he was very pleasant and explained that you do not have to have a horse to camp in the equestrian sites. Those sites are level pull-through sites."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $45 / night
"A luxurious crowded but nice campsites older stalls cabins available great trails and maps available store and cowboy church. Permanent sites available"
from $15 - $32 / night
This is the third time we’ve stayed here just using it as an overnight on the way to and from home on our way out west. Great campground with full hook up service in some sites and a view of the lake.
the campground was great, staff was very nice and helpful, great activities for kids and adults, free paddle boats and canoes, cable tv, indoor and outdoor pools, really great place!
Busy but quiet campground. This spot is sitting on the lake. Perfect place to watch sunrise over the lake. This is a back-in, large site with a fairly level pad. It is relatively private site for this campground. Lots of families using golf carts to get around the campground. You can fish from this site and lots of good hammock trees. Nice firepit with grill grate. Site has electric and water.
Two bathouses with two private bathrooms each. More geared for self-contained RVs. Toilet didn't flush.. Friendly host. All sites are pull through and very nice. 1/4 mile from interstate.
I stayed in the primitive area but it did have water and electric at the campsite and it’s close to the bathroom. There are showers there too
Camped here a few nights in late March/early April. Stayed at site 77, which was next to the lake with great views. Staff was friendly and the facilities were clean. Close to Grand Rivers, which has a grocery store and some restaurants. Would camp here again.
Grand Rivers KY Canal Campground at Barkley Lake COE Site 111 This is a great COE campground located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with views of the Barkley Dam. The canal connects them and you can see boats and occasionally barges passing through. There are over 100 campsites are available, many with water views. We had a spacious site with a river view. Other loops are closer together and no view. Sites offer electric and/or water hookups, tables and fire ring. Other amenities include clean old style bathhouses, a dump station, laundry facilities, a playground, and picnic pavilions. We saw several deer roaming the grounds. There's a great pizza place in town Papa Z.
Overall we’ve really enjoyed our stay. Came over the Labor Day weekend and staying a week. Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been. A little noisy at night with the interstate in the distance but we’d expected that. Only thing we wish we would’ve known about was the paving of the road happening directly outside of the park. They obviously can’t control that but a heads up would’ve been helpful. One day we couldn’t get out for a bit and thankfully we had flexible plans. Overall- it’s a great park with decent proximity to a lot of nature. Anna, Marion and Harrisburg are your best bets for restaurants and grocery etc. Vienna only has a dollar general and a few restaurants- a diner, longhorn cafe, Mexican restaurant and Family Pizza- we tried the last one and it was good! Prepare for a 40 min wait time if picking up and it gets packed if you want to dine in. Would def stay here again to visit Shawnee.
Enjoyed our stay. Bring quite a bit of leveling materials as the sites are very unlevel. 1 dump station and an older but usable bath house. The road to come in was narrow but we'll marked. Very shaded and decently spaced out. Water and electric only.
Wranglers Campground sits within the Land Between the Lakes recreation area near Benton, Kentucky. The campground connects directly to over 100 miles of riding trails throughout the 170,000-acre peninsula formed between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Weather patterns in this region typically feature humid summers with temperatures reaching 90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for equestrian camping.
Trail riding access: Wranglers Campground provides immediate access to the extensive Land Between the Lakes trail system. "Best horse campground in ky," notes David R., highlighting the campground's popularity among equestrian campers.
Water activities: Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE offers multiple water-based recreation options. "Jump in your water craft from the boat ramp/dock within the campground and maneuver into either lake for site seeing, fishing and other water fun," explains reviewer Shelly S. The campground's position along the canal connecting Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley creates unique access to both bodies of water.
Wildlife observation: Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park features abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "We even saw a bald eagle within 15 minutes drive from the park," reports Nicole P. The park's diverse ecosystems support varied bird and animal species throughout the seasons.
Beach access: Lake Barkley State Resort Park provides well-maintained waterfront facilities. "Each campsite has fire pit, tent pad and picnic table," notes Taylor W., describing the clean facilities found at lakeside sites.
Seasonal activities: Visitors appreciate the variety of recreational options throughout the year. "Great place to visit. Is beautiful with a lot of walking trails 10 things to do. In summer for swimming and rental boats paddle boats and some battery powered boats," writes J K. about Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.
Peaceful surroundings: Cravens Bay - LBL Lake Access receives consistent praise for its secluded setting. "Good campground. You have to deal with a lot of fishermen and seasonal campers. There is enough room to spread out from other campers," explains Wesley B. The remote location means fewer crowds but requires planning ahead with supplies.
Site conditions vary: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. "Pads are not level. Saw a class A that had front wheels 10" off the ground and a TT with the hitch on the ground," observes Barry B. at Lake Barkley State Resort Park. Bringing additional leveling equipment is advisable.
Cell service inconsistency: Coverage varies significantly throughout the area. "We got two bars on Verizon," reports MickandKarla W. at Shawnee Forest Campground, but other areas may have limited or no service.
Seasonal facility limitations: "Primitive campground with electric and water, who knew. Nice sites well kept," notes George L., emphasizing the importance of understanding available amenities before arrival. Some campgrounds operate with reduced services during off-season periods.
Beach-focused options: KOA Campground Kentucky Lakes Prizer Point offers comprehensive water activities for children. "We really enjoyed this place. Its pricey but they have a million activities for the price. The campsites are all beautiful and are either close or directly on the water," shares Karen L.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Benton, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Benton, KY is Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE with a 4.5-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Benton, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Benton, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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