Most RV parks near Smithland, Kentucky sit along waterways with sites for seasonal and overnight camping. Many campgrounds in this western Kentucky location provide full-hookup sites near Lake Barkley and the Ohio River. Water levels can fluctuate seasonally, with spring bringing higher river levels that occasionally affect lower campsites at riverside parks.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Birmingham Point Campground sits on Kentucky Lake with a swimming beach for summer recreation. "This is a nice campground for RV camping, especially if boating and fishing are your interest," notes camper Erin P., though hiking and biking options remain limited.
Waterpark access: Venture River RV park offers camping adjacent to a water attraction. "The facilities are great, but you can tell it is a very new campground by the lack of mature trees for shade," reports Brandon T., who recommends bringing the family to play at the water park during hot summer days.
River watching: From Birdsville Riverside RV Park campers can watch commercial traffic on the Ohio River. "We enjoyed a quiet and relaxing stay at this wonderful park. Watching the barges go up and down the river along with an occasional recreational boat or 2," shares Eileen T., who appreciated the riverside location.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Riverfront camping at Birdsville offers room to spread out. "Sites alternated pull in and back in sharing water and electric pedestals. Lots of space on door side of TT," reports Charles W., who extended his stay to avoid Hurricane Ida.
Family activities: Cypress Lakes RV Park provides recreation for all ages. "Very nice campground. There is a small lake to fish in. Nice play ground for the kids. Also has many activities for the kids," states Bonnie F., who plans to return based on her experience.
Seasonal events: Holiday weekends bring special programming at some campgrounds. Cherri M. notes that Cypress Lakes has "Lots of fun activities on Holiday weekends throughout the summer season," making it popular for families celebrating summer holidays.
What you should know
Permanent residents: Many RV parks serve as seasonal or year-round homes. At Outback RV Resort, "No surprise that the majority of sites are permanent residents with wooden decks, patio furniture and ferns. These permanent sites are close together with basically the width of the wooden decks separating them," observes Sara M.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise from nearby interstates. Duck Creek RV Park "sits along a very busy road," according to Joan H., while Cypress Lakes has "Interstate 24... half a mile from this campground," as noted by Wendy T.
Seasonal closures: Most RV parks in the region close for winter. Birmingham Point Campground operates from "Mar 15 - Nov 15," while Outback RV Resort runs from "April 1 to November 1," requiring advance planning for off-season camping.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some parks offer swimming pools for summer recreation. At Tanglewood Campground and RV Resort, families can cool off during hot Kentucky summers without traveling to off-site attractions.
Playground facilities: Multiple parks provide play equipment for children. Delci L. mentions that at Cypress Lakes, "Kids enjoyed the playground and the reservoir is really beautiful," though she noted the pool was under renovation during her visit.
Alternative swimming options: When pools close or undergo maintenance, natural water features provide alternatives. Beth H. found Birdsville Riverside RV Park "isn't a huge place with coordinated activities, but they did have horseshoes, basketball, and a hammock area along with a small playground."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven surfaces at some campgrounds. At Indian Point RV Park, Anthony B. notes there are "only 5 pull-thru sites with full hookups on wide open ground, no shade."
Site selection strategy: At Paducah RV Park & Campground, RVers appreciate the "Nice level pull throughs" that are "Convenient to I-24," according to R S., making this park suitable for overnight stays while traveling.
Length restrictions: Some parks have limitations for larger rigs. MickandKarla W. advise at Birmingham Point Campground, "We wouldn't go in there with anything over 38'. The sites here vary a lot on how close they are to each other," suggesting careful research for big-rig travelers.
