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Best Campgrounds near Benton, KY

745 Reviews

Camping options near Benton, Kentucky center around Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The region includes established campgrounds like Hillman Ferry, Sugar Bay, and Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, offering a mix of tent camping, RV sites with full hookups, and cabin rentals. Many campgrounds feature waterfront access, while others are nestled in wooded settings. Several locations accommodate various camping styles from primitive tent sites to luxury glamping experiences, with most concentrated within a 20-mile radius of Benton.

Seasonal considerations shape the camping experience in this area, with most campgrounds operating from March through October or November. Kentucky Lake Resort, Hillman Ferry, and Kentucky Dam Village maintain facilities that support both short-term visitors and extended stays. Water and electric hookups are standard at most established sites, while some primitive areas offer vault toilets only. Summer weekends typically see high occupancy rates, particularly at waterfront locations. "This is a nice campground for RV camping, especially if boating and fishing are your interest. There is a nice swimming beach and beautiful views," noted one visitor about Birmingham Point Campground.

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region, with multiple campgrounds offering direct lake access for fishing, swimming, and boating. The Land Between the Lakes area provides extensive outdoor recreation opportunities beyond camping, including hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and water sports. Several visitors mentioned the family-friendly atmosphere at Hillman Ferry Campground. According to one camper, "This is our favorite family campground. They have everything except a pool. Biking, hiking, horseshoes, disc golf, nice bath facilities, swimming, boating, fishing, it's all there!" Camp stores and marinas at many locations offer supplies and rentals. Sites with lake views tend to book quickly, especially during holiday weekends and summer months when the region experiences peak visitation.

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Best Camping Sites Near Benton, Kentucky (129)

    1. Hillman Ferry Campground

    38 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 924-2000

    "Hillman Ferry is the northernmost full service campground in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and is an excellent base camp for exploring the LBL and other recreation opportunities in"

    "This campsite is located in beautiful Land Between the Lakes. Many sites are by reservation, but many more are first come first serve. Sites are big and open and some provide views of Kentucky Lake."

    2. Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE

    21 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 362-4840

    $20 - $256 / night

    "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."

    3. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

    13 Reviews
    Gilbertsville, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 362-4271

    $22 - $35 / night

    "Set just a few miles off of I-24 in Kentucky, just two miles down the road from the Kentucky dam Village Resort Park, this is a great effort at trying to accommodate campers and RVs who don't want to stay"

    "It's not in the quietest spot but well located to do and see things in the area. There is boating, fishing, swimming and more on Lake Kentucky nearby."

    4. Paducah-Kentucky Lake KOA

    11 Reviews
    Calvert City, KY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 395-5841

    "Paducah is a cute little city in Kentucky that my family and I love to visit whenever we get the chance. The town is really cool, and has that "old" town vibe. The buildings are beautiful."

    "When we arrived, the lady who checked us in gave me a coupon for the drive-in movie theater that was literally down the road."

    5. Eureka

    16 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 388-9459

    $20 - $35 / night

    "Only a 26 site park & only sites in the 20's are away from the water. Very hard to get reservations & when you can sites are limited. Locals book wasy in advance."

    "Just 4 miles from highway 62 in Kuttawa, KY and it feels like another place in time. You can fish Lake Barkley from your campsite or just enjoy the waves washing up."

    6. Nickell Branch Campground

    12 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 924-2000

    $10 / night

    "Nickell branch is a Backcountry area in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky. This is a very primitive camping that is first come first serve."

    "Nickel branch is the first campground on the north end of Land between the Lakes. the sites are maintained fairly well. There is a boat ramp, a basic outhouse, and good place to swim or fish."

    7. Kenlake State Resort Park

    13 Reviews
    Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 474-2211

    $20 - $38 / night

    "First be aware there are several seasonal campers who pretty much feel like they own the place, so their children's running around on golf carts, bicycles and walking through your camp to get to the "trail"

    "The sites with the decks have amazing views of Kentucky Lake, and there is a trail just south east of the camping area that leads down to the water for easy access for canoes or kayaks."

    8. Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Hillman Ferry Campground

    9 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 924-2000

    "Great campground with beautiful nearby walking trails. A short drive to the observatory and bison prairie. We would go for a lake view site next time."

    "And, after driving through the entire campground the next day, we decided it was the best site in the whole park for our size rig!"

    9. Sugar Bay Campground

    9 Reviews
    Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, KY
    13 miles
    Website

    "There is a porta-john near the lake level sites and a pit toilet near the hill side sites."

    "I had a site on the lower side near the lake, I knew there was some rain forecast, but there was a ditch next to my site that I assumed would handle any runoff from the hill above. I was wrong."

    10. Energy Lake Campground

    19 Reviews
    Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, KY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 924-2270

    "We have two small kids and were with family (in adjacent D4) so we really hoped for a site with flat space for the kids to play in, but there was absolutely no grassy area."

    "Each loop has its own restroom/shower house and all are near the lake( some closer then others) canoe rental or bring your own, basketball court and playground as well as swimming area."

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Recent Camping Photos near Benton, KY

167 Photos of 129 Benton Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Benton, KY

745 Reviews of 129 Benton Campgrounds

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Hillman Ferry Campground

    Peaceful Lakeside Camping

    We enjoyed our weekend stay during the HTC-E campout. Staff were very helpful and friendly. The camps grounds were clean and free of debris. Free showers with plenty of hot water, good water pressure. There was a strange phenomena of dead gnats/flying things on the ladies bathroom counter each morning. Not sure if someone sprayed each night… The lake was low, which we were told was common for this time of year as the dam level gets adjusted after Labor Day weekend. Still enough water for kayaking. This campground is very large so the golf cart rental was worth the $80 p/day fee. All in all, a great visit to Land O’ Lake. Check out our video on YouTube at Skyways to Highways.

  • Anna M.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Fenton Self-Service Campground

    Basic

    Right off a main road the spots are shallow so not ideal for long rigs. It does have power and one pit toilet at one end.

  • Anna M.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

    Cleanest Bathrooms

    There is nothing special about the location. There is a boat ramp nearby. There were only people set up in the park today. They do have a playground.

  • j
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE

    Nice COE campground

    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.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great spot for location

    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.

  • Cheyanne S.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lake Barkley State Resort Park

    Shaded but unlevel

    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.

  • L
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Cave-in-Rock State Park

    Beautiful, empty, cheap state park

    We are the only campers here in a very well kept campground. The bathrooms are clean and the only sound is from the birds. $20 for a state park site with electricity is incredible. It is out of the way (we took the ferry from Kentucky).

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Columbus-Belmont State Park

    Nice, clean campground, back sites have sewer, be prepared to level out.

    Stayed here for 2 nights at site 25 on the back side of the campground. The back sites have sewer. These sites were paved, but not level, so be prepared to level. TIP: If using those yellow camco "lego" block to level, be sure to put a canvas tarp or rubber mat between the blocks and the pavement, otherwise they will slide when you try to roll on top of them. My daughter used the bathhouse, and she said it was not good. Leaky, standing water. The park was awesome, which made the bathhouse an oddity. The little snack shack over by the chain was a nice evening diversion of ice cream and funnel fries. The camp host couple was wonderful. The park is clean and well maintained.

Guide to Benton

Camping near Benton, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Hillman Ferry Campground. One visitor said, "We rode our bikes all over the place and enjoyed the playground and lake." The area is perfect for both hiking and biking.
  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes. One reviewer at Energy Lake Campground mentioned, "The lake itself is man-made, and motorized watercraft are not permitted, making it great for swimming and kayaking."
  • Wildlife Viewing: The campgrounds are located in nature-rich areas. A visitor at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park noted, "The views here are breathtaking. Hiking trails, paddle boating, canoeing, and kayaking are all available."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and well-maintained sites. A family at Hillman Ferry Campground said, "The bathrooms were very clean. The staff were friendly and helpful."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One reviewer at Jackson Falls mentioned, "Great place to backwoods camp. It can be busy on the weekends, but the sites are spacious."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peacefulness of the area. A visitor at Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs shared, "It was a great spot. Very quiet and peaceful."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Redbud Campground, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper noted, "There is no potable water on site."
  • Busy on Weekends: Popular spots can get crowded, especially on weekends. One reviewer at Hurricane Creek said, "It was worth the trip, but the campground can be very busy."
  • Road Conditions: Some access roads can be rough. A visitor at Jackson Falls mentioned, "The road to get into the primitive camp area is long and just a little bumpy."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A family at Hillman Ferry Campground enjoyed the "playground and lake" for their kids.
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for fun on the water. One camper at Energy Lake Campground said, "We had so much fun at Energy Lake Campground."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone happy with snacks for hikes and outings. A visitor at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park suggested, "Bring your own food and drinks for a more enjoyable experience."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Clarksville RV Resort mentioned, "The sites are level and spaced."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds near highways can be noisy. A visitor at Shawnee Forest Campground noted, "The interstate noise is magnified."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. One camper at Piney Campground mentioned, "The store had everything we needed during our stay."

Camping around Benton, Kentucky, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Benton, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Benton, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 129 campgrounds and RV parks near Benton, KY and 10 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Benton, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Benton, KY is Hillman Ferry Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 38 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Benton, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Benton, KY.

What parks are near Benton, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Benton, KY that allow camping, notably Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and Barkley Lake.

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