Somerset offers diverse camping opportunities alongside Lake Cumberland, with most campgrounds set between 723-1,200 feet elevation. The lake features 1,255 miles of shoreline across four counties in south-central Kentucky. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with moderate humidity, making water-based activities popular from May through September.
What to do
**Hiking trails: Near Pulaski County Park, multiple trail systems provide options for all skill levels. "The trails are varied and pretty cool. They twist and turn and cross creeks and hill tops," notes reviewer Shelly S., who adds they're "mountain bike oriented and a few are challenging."
**Boating access: Waitsboro Campground offers direct river views and boat launching facilities. Camper Devon B. mentions, "Views of the lake from every location and I mean every location," with "waterfalls at several locations on site." The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring Lake Cumberland.
**Recreation facilities: Somerset area campgrounds often include additional activities beyond water sports. "There's a very large walking trail, and archery area. You can put a boat right in at their little dock as well. There's many places for kids to play, a basketball court, volleyball court, disk golf, and a small beach area," writes Anna C. about Pulaski County Park.
What campers like
**Waterfront sites: Fishing Creek Recreation Area receives praise for its proximity to water. One camper states it's the "best camping on Lake Cumberland..right on the water in the summer..can walk around the shore at winter pool." Sites positioned near the water remain popular throughout camping season.
**Clean facilities: Despite varying ages of infrastructure, many campgrounds maintain clean bathhouses. At General Burnside Island State Park Campground, "State Employees kept it meticulously clean and did so each morning around 8am," according to Paul B., who stayed specifically to play the on-site golf course.
**Ample shade: Summer heat makes tree coverage valuable. Travis W. describes Holly Bay as having "Large, secluded, full-shade sites!" adding his site was "level, secluded, completely shaded and very large." Several campgrounds offer similar tree coverage for summer comfort.
What you should know
**Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate between April and October. Fishing Creek Recreation Area runs on a shorter season from May to September, while General Burnside Island State Park operates from April 1 to October 31. Fall Creek Campground maintains a similar May to September schedule.
**Noise considerations: Some locations experience unexpected noise. Camper Whistle P. notes that near General Burnside, "There's a racetrack across the highway (Lake Cumberland Raceway) and it is LOUD. The race continued from 6pm-1am. Highly recommend you check their schedule before booking here."
**Site selection matters: At Ridgeline Campground, Michael R. advises, "Site 19 - by far the most private site. 19 is actually a double site - two tent pads, two tables. Site is surrounded by forest on three sides." He adds, "The rest of the sites are packed extremely close together - this campground does sit right on a ridge, which does not provide much space."
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near Somerset offer play structures. Katie M. notes about Pulaski County Park: "There is several different types of camp areas ranging from primitive to cabins. There are several play ground areas close by for the kids to play."
**Hiking distances: For families with smaller children, Bee Rock Recreation Area offers shorter trails with good scenery. Amy R. mentions, "You can still walk across the bridge to get to Bee Rock and the hiking trail to the top," providing accessible options for children of different ages.
**Beach options: While Lake Cumberland has numerous swimming areas, some campgrounds include dedicated beach sections. Lee-Ann R. simply states Pulaski County Park has "Great beach access. Quite and very clean." These areas typically allow leashed pets nearby, making them suitable for the whole family.
Tips from RVers
**Utility placement: At some campgrounds, hookups may be inconveniently placed. Denise warns about Ridgeline Campground: "The water and electric hookup for this site is very far away from the actual site - we had to use a regular 110 extension cord to get the hookup to our van and we couldn't use the water at all because we only had a standard length hose."
**Dump station access: Consider waste disposal logistics when selecting sites. Karen P. notes about Fall Creek Campground: "The only drawback would be that the dump site was too tight and unlevel for me to feel comfortable trying to dump." Similar issues exist at several area campgrounds.
**Site leveling: Many Somerset area campgrounds feature hilly terrain requiring leveling systems. Whistle P. advises about General Burnside, "Sites are big but not level. We put one side of the RV on the pad and the other in the gravel just to be level." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended at most locations.
