Canal Campground on Lake Barkley offers waterside glamping near Smithland, Kentucky, with sites situated on a peninsula providing direct water access. The campground maintains clean facilities with modern bathrooms and is located within the 170,000-acre Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Temperatures average 75°F in summer with humidity levels between 60-80%, making water activities particularly appealing from May through September.
What to do
**Fishing access: **At Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE, you can enjoy bank fishing or launch from the boat ramp within the campground. "They have a small playground, beach, several bath houses, a group camping "pad", boat ramp, boat dock and easy roads for cycling," notes Rachel T.
Wildlife viewing: The camping areas throughout Land Between the Lakes offer excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. At Hillman Ferry Campground, visitors report diverse wildlife. "Lots of deer, and skunks, but they don't bother you," says Jessica F. who considers it one of her favorites in the area.
Water recreation: Lake Glendale at Oak Point Campground provides swimming and paddling options. "We spent a whole day at the lake when we stayed. It was busy, but nice to be on the water. We saw people enjoying fishing, water tubing, water skiing and jet skiing," explains one visitor.
Historical exploration: Visit Cave-in-Rock State Park, a 45-minute drive from Smithland. The cave was once used by river pirates. "The area feels like you stepped back in time... The campground is in the shape of a peninsula so there are many campsites with water views and access," reports Chris O.
What campers like
Lake views: Many visitors to Energy Lake Campground appreciate the waterfront sites and direct lake access. "We stayed in site D3 over Memorial Day weekend... We were very close to the lake to drop our kayaks in the water or fish without going far, always a plus!" notes Nichole M.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain high cleanliness standards. "Bathrooms were very clean. Most of this campsite is for RVs but tent campsite was still nice," reports Taylor W. about Canal Campground, while another visitor adds, "The facilities were extremely clean and people were friendly."
Multiple glamping options: Beyond traditional camping, luxury options exist throughout the area. At Paducah-Kentucky Lake KOA, visitors enjoy upscale experiences. "We pulled in and couldn't believe the gorgeous grounds... the ponds were beautiful we enjoyed watching the kids fish!" shares Kathy F.
Privacy levels: Most campgrounds provide decent spacing between sites. "The sites are well-shaded, and the bathrooms/showerhouses were clean. Our kids enjoyed the playground and walking down to the lake," mentions a visitor to Oak Point Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Reserve WAY ahead if you want one of the premium sites," advises Shelly S. about Canal Campground.
Golf cart traffic: Several reviewers mention significant golf cart usage at Canal Campground. "There are golf carts everywhere! This isn't a bad thing if you're into that but don't go here thinking you'll be spending your trip among nature," notes Tim D. Another adds, "There were a lot of golf carts making the loop for some reason. Maybe 10/hour until about 8 pm."
Cell coverage: Service varies widely throughout the region. At Energy Lake Campground, visitors report "spotty cell service throughout the campground." This is common for most recreational areas near Smithland, so download maps and information in advance.
Seasonal hours: Most campgrounds operate from March through November, with limited or no services during winter months. Holiday weekends require advance planning, often months ahead for waterfront sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Canal Campground offers basic playground facilities for children. "They have a small playground, beach, several bath houses, a group camping 'pad', boat ramp, boat dock and easy roads for cycling," according to Rachel T.
Swimming areas: Many local campgrounds have designated swimming areas, though quality varies. At Energy Lake Campground, one visitor noted, "The beach was far from impressive with basically gravel as half of the beach. I wasn't expecting Florida beaches in Kentucky, but in Indiana we have nice sandy beaches at lakes so I was disappointed."
Kid-friendly attractions: Hillman Ferry Campground offers numerous family activities. "There seem to be lots of amenities for the kiddos. Also, land between the lakes is a beautiful historic place to explore and this would be a good base camp for that," says Maggie C.
Nature education: Families appreciate the educational opportunities. "Checked out the Elk and Bison Prairie, which was really cool. Nature station was really cool and we rented some canoes to explore around that area. Went to the Homeplace, which is a working farm and 'living history museum,' which the kids really loved," shares Mike D.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At Hillman Ferry Campground, a visitor shared, "The pad itself was rather level...once you got into it, but to get into it, you had to angle down the side of a hill, then cut it back the other way and straighten it out at just the right time."
Hookup locations: At Shawnee Forest Campground, "The water and electric(50/30/20 AMP) are at the back of the gravel pad. There are two sewer hookups, which was nice. The water pressure was good around 50 psi."
RV size limitations: Some campgrounds restrict larger rigs. "Not for the big campers I think 35 is the biggest they allow," notes a visitor to Holiday Hills Resort. Always verify size restrictions before booking.
Convenience facilities: Many campgrounds offer amenities specifically for RVers. "There is a dump station at the entrance... Sites are generally level and well kept. Very large rigs (35+) will be challenging, but I've seen them - more towards the front," reports Jon H. about Oak Point Campground.
