Map showing campground location near Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Kentucky

Camper submitted image from Old Boy Scout Campground

Old Boy Scout Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Fishing, paddling, and waterside camping draw visitors to Old Boy Scout Campground, a primitive dispersed area set on a finger of land within Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Water surrounds much of the site, and campers arrive by road, on foot, or by boat. No toilets, no drinking water, no hookups. What exists here is a collection of informal sites with rock fire rings left by previous campers, remnants of the area's past life as a youth scouting camp.

Access comes via a single road in and out off Forest Service Road 154, and that road is reportedly overgrown, unmaintained for close to a decade according to rangers on-site. The site sits near LBL FS154 - Dispersed, which is visible across the water from one side of the campground. An old concrete pylon extends from the water, likely a remnant of a former dock or bridge. Persimmon trees on the property fruit in fall. Tim D. describes the setup as "right on the water and only one other spot near us," which reflects the low-traffic nature of the area.

A backcountry permit is required and available at the Golden Pond Visitor Center. At least one reviewer noted trash left by previous visitors, so plan to pack out more than you bring in. Energy Lake Campground is nearby if you need firewood or supplies. Bring all water, and consider a high-clearance vehicle given the condition of the access road.

Fee Info

Basic and Dispersed Camping Information Basic and Dispersed Permits: You may camp almost anywhere in Land Between the Lakes. A Basic Camping Permit is required for each person 18 and over when camping in Basic Camping Facilities. A Dispersed Camping Permit is required when camping in non-designated areas of the recreation area. Both permits currently cost $50 for an annual permit and $10 for a 3-day permit and can be purchased online or any of our facilities. Please note that these permits do not apply when camping at Self-Service Campgrounds.

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Map & DirectionsOld Boy Scout Campground is located in Kentucky near Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area

Public Campground

Coordinates

36.85136395 N
87.99852767 W

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Connectivity

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Drive Time

56 min from Paducah, KY
58 min from Clarksville, TN
1 hr 26 min from Nashville, TN
1 hr 51 min from Owensboro, KY

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Old Boy Scout Campground

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1 Star

4.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

Tim D.

Scout

Reviewed May. 22, 2023

A great place to spend the weekend

I found this place spot thanks to this app. We had never dispersed camped before. I’m so glad that I found this app. And thanks to the lady above who left an amazing impression of the site. Right on the water and only one other spot near us. Very quit!!!

SiteDyrt

Month of VisitMay

Staci R.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 19, 2022

Scout's Honor, this is the real dispersed campground

There are NO AMENITIES at this collection of dispersed camp sites. It's really is the place the boy scouts used to go "way back in the day" to learn camping skills, fire skills, knot tying skills and badges after a weekend in the woods. It is within a half mile (or less) of Dispersed LB-154, and mimics it, except there still exists the old road coming in and circling around. There are currently several rock fire rings in different areas other people had camped, and this area is very usable for a group. It is also very over grown, hasn't been mowed or maintained in more than 8 or 10 years (according to the Park Rangers), and "not for the faint of heart" (same Ranger!) There is one road in and the same road out, leading off of FS-154. From the one side, you can look across the water and see Dispersed Site LB-154. There is no drinking water, no toilets, no port-a-john, nothing here but quiet. There is an old concrete pylon sticking out of the water, possibly from an old bridge, or maybe an old dock being it was actually a camp for kids in it's past. There were a lot of persimmon trees loaded with fruit, if you'd like to make jam.

Month of VisitSeptember

(10) View All

Jason W.

Ranger

Reviewed Apr. 12, 2021

On my list of go-backs

Primitive and out of the way. Great for what it is.

Will B.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 23, 2019

Great site and secluded

We loved this site we had it all to ourselves. It was a bunch of trash around we had to pick up. The views of the sunset were beautiful.

Brad H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2019

Old Boy Scout Campsite

I discovered this little gem of a campground in college. This is a primitive site, and is considered back country camping, meaning you will have to obtain a back country pass from the Golden Pond Visitor Center. This place used to be used for Boy Scout Summer camps. It’s a nice little finger of land that has water all around. There is space for several tents and you could find spots for hammocks in the nearby tree line. This place has no amenities. However the road is very close with energy lake campground nearby if you need firewood or anything else that you may run out of.

(5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the nearest former Boy Scout camp in Kentucky?

Old Boy Scout Campground is located in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in western Kentucky. It's situated on a finger of land that extends into the lake, offering beautiful water views and sunset vistas. The campground is somewhat secluded, requiring visitors to obtain a backcountry pass from the Golden Pond Visitor Center before camping. Its location provides a peaceful retreat in nature while still being accessible for those seeking a primitive camping experience.

Is the old Kentucky Boy Scout camp open to the public for camping?

Yes, Old Boy Scout Campground is open to the public for camping. However, it's classified as backcountry camping, requiring a backcountry permit from the Golden Pond Visitor Center before staying. The campground offers dispersed sites for tent camping in a primitive setting. It's particularly suited for campers seeking solitude, as visitors often report having the area mostly to themselves. The lakeside location provides excellent opportunities for those wanting a true back-to-nature camping experience away from crowds and modern conveniences.

What facilities remain at the former Boy Scout camp in Kentucky?

Old Boy Scout Campground is a primitive site with no amenities. The campground maintains its rustic character from its days as a Boy Scout camp. It features dispersed campsites spread throughout the area, some with lake access. There are no modern facilities like restrooms, running water, or electrical hookups. Visitors should be prepared for true backcountry camping, bringing all necessary supplies including water and waste disposal equipment.

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