Best Tent Camping near Smithland, KY

Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Smithland? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Smithland. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Smithland campsites are perfect for tent campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Smithland, Kentucky (32)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 32 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews near Smithland, Kentucky

731 Reviews of 32 Smithland Campgrounds


  • Staci R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hurricane Creek
    Jul. 30, 2017

    Hurricane Creek

    More like a river than a creek!

    Hurricane Creek Campground is small and intimate while still being close too many amenities. There are adequate RV campsites, and tent sites. Some RV sites require some serious driving skill to back your RV into and we better suited for tents. The tent sites are ample for tents, and two of the five tent sites have Trees close enough together for Hammock Camping.Tent site 11 has two trees that are not too big in diameter for hammocking. Parking for tent sites is above in a lot, and RV's are directly behind you 25-30 feet. I would recommend tenting on an RV site if you want your vehicle close to your site.

  • Benjamin C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cravens Bay - LBL Lake Access
    Jul. 17, 2020

    Cravens Bay - LBL Lake Access

    Very secluded!

    We stayed here in the middle of July in 2019! Wow was it hot! It also had a bit of flooding, how ever it made it easier for our girls to launch their kayaks and swim. Great spot for kayaking and tent camping. We were the only ones there so it was perfect! Highly recommend for tent camping.

  • John
    Camper-submitted photo from Fern Lake Campground and RV Park
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Fern Lake Campground and RV Park

    Beautiful place, very convenient!

    This place is right off the highway close to most things. It’s a cute little place with RV sites and tent sites. The tent sites are located on the lake and have power available. The price was very reasonable and the people here were very friendly and accommodating. The only down fall is the highway noise. Definitely would stay here again given the chance!

  • Tim D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Energy Lake Campground
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Energy Lake Campground

    Great family campground.

    Great family campground where you can do anything from camp in a tent to rent a bunkhouse.

    Energy lake is at land between the lakes but you pay for your site at the gate. You can choose a primitive site, a camper site with utilities, or a bunk house with heat and a/c. You can also rent a canoe or a kayak for the day. There is a private beach and great fishing.

    I would recommend energy lake to any type of camper.

  • Brennan M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
    Jul. 26, 2020

    Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    Very RV heavy

    I actually didn't end up camping here because it looked like a rock site. I maybe saw two tents, everyone else in big RV's. If you are doing tent camping I would look elsewhere. I might've missed an area that was more tent friendly but I didn't see it. I would do primitive with a tent probably.

  • Heather M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hurricane Creek
    Jul. 31, 2020

    Hurricane Creek

    Our favorite local campground

    Our family has been camping here for 20 years now. We love it! Very peaceful and clean. Tent sites are right next to the beach so kids can go back and forth easily. Bathhouse is very clean and kept up. Sites can be on an incline but if you are from here you know that terrain near the lake area is very hilly! If you need a flat site be sure to scope out before hand:) only con for us is having to walk through the rv sites to get to the tent sites. Makes it a little awkward. But the view and atmosphere is worth it. Very good prices as well!

  • Debra G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Fern Lake Campground and RV Park
    Jul. 7, 2018

    Fern Lake Campground and RV Park

    Camping Quilter

    Located on the edge of Paducah, Kentucky this is the perfect place to stay if you are going to the quilt shows or visiting the National Quilt Museum. Supplies are just walking distance away and there is a good 24 hour restaurant across the street.

    There are shady pull through sites with full hook ups or tent sites. There is a small stocked lake to fish in. The bathrooms are clean, as is the entire well maintained park.

  • Jason W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    Very nice hilltop camp.

    Not big by any means but we'll kept and cozy. Primitive with water and restrooms. Worth the stay for thise wanting a small area and tent camp.

    Plenty of hiking trails with a lot of information about the area. Pretty close to convenience stores for your needs.

  • Rachel C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs
    Feb. 3, 2021

    Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs

    Good tent camping experience

    We found this little gem at a last minute camping adventure on the way home from out of town.  It was one of our first tent camping experiences.  Nothing fancy, but the pit toilet and water supply worked just fine for us and our kids.  We found some beautiful hiking and water holes.

  • John W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Fern Lake Campground and RV Park
    May. 13, 2022

    Fern Lake Campground and RV Park

    Took me in late

    I called ahead The owner took me in "after hours" walked me to my site and showed me around. Tent camped there, there was room for me- lots of RVs and lots of space for more RVs. Right off the highway, noise was manageable inside my tent- RVs wouldn't hear any highway noise. The showers were clean and had hot water. Had everything I needed

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Bay Campground
    Apr. 13, 2021

    Sugar Bay Campground

    Can’t beat LBL

    We love all the bays and coves at LBL. We prefer less crowed camp areas and that is what sugar bay offers. Right on the water with access to several other things close by. Spots are in the grass and nothing fancy but perfect for us that love to Tent camp and enjoy natural comforts over amenities.

  • Gina J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
    Jul. 15, 2018

    Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    Great Hiking

    There are a lot of hiking trails and we really enjoyed them all! The tent camping accommodations were less than stellar, simply because of the “outhouses “. There was a ton of wildlife though and it was really neat to listen to all the different species throughout the night. Overall the grounds are quite nice.

  • Tye K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Backpack Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
    Aug. 8, 2020

    Backpack Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    Just an easy going stay

    Not a lot of tent sites, but enough. Nice wooded primitive sites with easy access to water and toilets. Had my pups with, and no problems at all. Nice trails for different hiking skill sets. Only issue I found at all was firewood is surprisingly difficult to come by.

  • Morgan L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Bay Campground
    May. 31, 2021

    Taylor Bay Campground

    Okay ONLY if it’s not busy!!

    We’ve gone when there was nobody (it was fall and pretty cold) and got to tent camp by the water and LOVED it. We went back on a weekend in June and it was awful. Packed, and RVs were loud and honestly rude. No tent only sites and RVs won’t hesitate to park next to a tent rather than by an RV. Bathroom was stocked but rancid and had no water. The site would be great if it were less busy so scope it out before hand.

  • Michael B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point - Lake Glendale
    Apr. 5, 2022

    Oak Point - Lake Glendale

    Great base for exploring Shawnee NF

    CG offers sites with electric and water and then sites with no hook-ups. The electric/water sites were much better than the “tent” sites. Tent sites were closer together and not very level. The “RV” sites, however, we’re pretty level and well spaced out. We’d recommend sites 20-24 for their lake views. There were two bathroom buildings both with flush toilets and showers. We only used the smaller one. They were pretty clean. CG sold firewood for $4 a bundle or 3 for $10 and 22 lbs ice bags for $5. Staff were friendly. $22/night is a great price though I wish they’d take reservations. We went during Spring Break for a long weekend and CG didn’t fill up, still a bit chilly to camp for some I guess! Roads in the Glendale Recreation area are in need of repair. Trail around the lake was a nice 3mi hike and is easily accessed directly from a number of the sites, including ours. This CG provides a great base to explore the surrounding area’s many natural wonders.

  • Taylor W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Canal - Lake Barkley
    Aug. 23, 2020

    Canal - Lake Barkley

    Good campsite for travel stops

    I stopped here on my way back home splitting up a 14 hour drive. The campsite was clean and had a good size. Each campsite has fire pit, tent pad and picnic table.

    The bathrooms were clean. Most of this campsite is for RVs but tent campsite was still nice. However there are tons of golf carts.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground
    Oct. 1, 2016

    Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    Garden of the Gods

    Primative camping at its best. This is heavily used in the summer and early fall. Picnic tables and fire rings, vault toilets. Go in the off season and you will have plenty of privacy. Fairly level tent sites , some with nice trees for hammocks. Close to Little Grand Canyon, a really neat natural bridge, and Illinois wineries.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Hillman Ferry Campground
    May. 27, 2018

    Hillman Ferry Campground

    family friendl

    we got a tent last year and the same day we hit up Hillmans Ferry. it’s been years since I’ve been camping with my parents and it was fun. so we decided to take the kids and boy was it fun it was quiet where we were located at and next to the water too. it was the end of September the weather was nice and a chance to relax. the campground was very clean cheap to tent camp no power and just a nice experience. the spaces were pretty good size and spread out.

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Hillman Ferry Campground
    Feb. 6, 2020

    Hillman Ferry Campground

    Big Fun on the Lake

    This huge campground has the best tent sites near the water on loop B that aren't reservable, so you'll likely get a good one just showing up on a weeknight in the summer or less busy weekend. The kids had a great time at the beach/swimming area and there's a nice store and not too much traffic for riding bikes. Firewood was dry and reasonably priced. Definitely a favorite family campground at LBL!

  • Dusti M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs
    Aug. 20, 2022

    Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs

    Just ok

    Only stayed here for 1 night. Pit toilets were dirty even for pit toilets. Decent primitive sites, not very level though. Good for tent camping or small camper. Unfortunately some other “campers” showed up late in the evening, played music, yelled and partied until around 3am. It seems to be an ongoing problem at that campground. The only plus is the amazing rock formations, good trail system and great little swimming hole. Great place to spend the day and maybe the night if you can sleep though all the commotion.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Hurricane Creek
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Hurricane Creek

    We love this campground

    We visit this campground every year. There are about 45 sites. Camper sites have electric and water. There are tent sites also. There are about 15 waterfront sites, a playground, beach, boat ramp, and small bath house. They can accommodate all sizes of campers. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Several sites are current being renovated. Most sites are fairly level. The attendant was very helpful and we saw him checking the campground several times.

  • Scott N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    Spacious, great trails, and even better views.

    My brother and I camped here in September on a weekday. We were the only tent campers, so it was nice and peaceful. The sites are large and include a cooking grate. It was easy to find firewood with out having to go very far, becareful there is a good amount of poison ivy. The only trail I hiked was Happy Hollow. A large portion of it is an equestrian trail, so the path was very wide. The veiws on the trail were amazing.

    Click here for my video.

    Click here for my write up.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Barge Island Public Use Area at Birmingham Point
    Aug. 26, 2017

    Barge Island Public Use Area at Birmingham Point

    Functionality

    Barge Island is boat-ramp and that is all. At the end of Barge Island Rd, to the left, next to Birmingham Point Campground (privately owned) it is functional, has a porta pot, parking and a small dock.

    The sign on the way in has a tent camping symbol but I saw no evidence that anyone has ever camped in the thin strip of grass on each side of the road. It is feasible that you could though.

    If you continue straight on Barge Island Rd it turns to gravel and you end up on a small gravel beach area, good for fishing.

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Bay Campground
    Jun. 4, 2019

    Taylor Bay Campground

    Nice and peaceful

    I often camped here when I wanted something mildly primitive but still somewhat accessible not completely away from all people. They have many sites to choose from that are near the waters edge or further away. There is always a trailer there for the host of the area. I have never seen this place plum full so it’s likely you will find a site, for tent camping. It provides some beautiful scenery and a gorgeous view in the morning as the sun rises. You occasionally get people docking or putting in water craft as they have a ramp nearby, but usually not much activity in the area.

  • Tim D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Nickell Branch Campground
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Nickell Branch Campground

    The "go to" campground for the north end of LBL.

    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. nickel branch offers a place for anyone wanting to tent camp. you can basically throw a tent up where ever you find a spot. I stayed there for a week right next to the water and was pretty well left alone by anyone else in the campground. There are hiking trails, fishing spots and being at the north end; your only about 15 minutes away from the closest store. this area requires a backwoods permit which is available at the north welcome station ( also about 15 minutes away)


Guide to Smithland

Tent camping near Smithland, Kentucky offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.

Local Attractions for Nature Lovers

  • Experience the beauty of the Ohio River at Tower Rock Campground, where you can hike to scenic overlooks and explore the nearby Cave in the Rock State Park.
  • Visit the picturesque Cravens Bay - LBL Lake Access, perfect for spotting wildlife like bald eagles while enjoying the tranquility of the lake.
  • Discover the unique landscapes of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, with easy access from Smith Bay Campground, ideal for kayaking and fishing.

Activities for Adventurous Campers

  • Kayaking and swimming are popular at Smith Bay Campground, where campers can enjoy a rocky beach and nearby sandy shores.
  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunities at Fishing Pier, which provides a peaceful setting for casting a line.
  • Enjoy hiking trails and wildlife viewing at Twin Lakes Campground, where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area.

Tent Camping Prices and Amenities

  • Tent camping at Cravens Bay - LBL Lake Access typically costs around $10 per night, offering a primitive experience with no hookups.
  • At Smith Bay Campground, you can camp right off the water for about $10 a night, with basic amenities like a pit toilet.
  • Prices at Fishing Pier are also budget-friendly, making it an attractive option for those looking to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Smithland, KY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Smithland, KY is Cravens Bay - LBL Lake Access with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Smithland, KY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 32 tent camping locations near Smithland, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.