Cabins near Bumpus Mills, Tennessee provide access to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, a 170,000-acre peninsula formed when the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers were impounded, creating Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. The region's cabin options range from basic accommodations to fully equipped rentals, with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F from June through August. Winter cabin stays require additional preparation as temperatures frequently drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Water sports on Kentucky Lake: Piney Campground sits directly on Kentucky Lake with multiple water access points for boating, fishing, and swimming. "The lake is amazing. There are a lot of people that traverse this place. The river is amazing. I can't say enough good things about it. River was up while I was there making kayaking fun," shares reviewer Kyle G.
Boat rentals from camp: Energy Lake Campground offers canoe and kayak rentals directly from the campground at $10/hour. "The no-wake lake and canoe rentals were fun. I would advise checking with the hosts about canoe and kayak rentals upon check in, there is limited availability when camp is full and hot weather can also affect," notes Erin R.
Wildlife viewing: Visit the Elk and Bison Prairie near Energy Lake Campground for guaranteed wildlife sightings. "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," explains reviewer Mike D.
What campers like
Waterfront cabin sites: Many visitors appreciate the direct lake access from cabins at Wranglers Campground. "Was greeted by friendly staff, splurged on a cabin and it was clean and comfortable. We didn't have any neighbors and were located close to the showers and some horse stables," notes Laura H.
Historical sites: The Land Between the Lakes area contains numerous historical points of interest. "Beautiful area with plenty to do and history to discover," comments Shelly S. about the Dover area, while Mike D. adds, "Went to the Homeplace, which is a working farm and 'living history museum,' which the kids really loved."
Marina access: Paris Landing State Park Campground offers easy marina access for boating enthusiasts. "The campground was right next to the marina and an overpass allows you to cross over to the other side where the lodge and golf course are," explains one reviewer, while another notes, "Close to the marina it's a hard walk uphill both ways to the bathroom."
What you should know
Cabin heating and cooling: Cabins in the region have varied climate control capabilities. At Lake Barkley State Resort Park, the accommodations can be challenging in extreme temperatures. "We stayed in a ground level room. There is no elevator, so we carried our bags down the stairs. The room is late 60s decor, and kinda funky, but a little worn," shares J K.
Seasonal facilities: Many area amenities operate seasonally. "The Pier restaurant would be open but when we arrived it wasn't scheduled to open until later in the month," explains a KOA Prizer Point visitor, while another Paris Landing reviewer notes, "restaurant was closed for the season."
Distance to supplies: Grocery options are limited throughout the cabin rental areas. "This place is a diamond in the rough, and you should focus on the rough aspect," advises J K. regarding Lake Barkley accommodations, suggesting visitors should arrive with supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: KOA Campground Kentucky Lakes Prizer Point offers extensive family activities. "Waterpark in the summer, boating activities, lake front sites. Countless activities for the kids and the pools are nice too! We cant wait to go back!" reports Kristen. Another visitor adds, "We enjoyed the amenities that came with our stay. The lagoon was fun, and we enjoyed it."
Cabin selection for families: Choose cabins with adequate space between units for children to play. "We've camped and stayed in the lodge and both are not horrible... There is no elevator, so we carried our bags down the stairs," explains J K. about Lake Barkley cabins.
Playground quality: Not all cabin areas offer equivalent play facilities. Erin R. notes about Energy Lake, "The playground is old with just a metal slide and swings. We didn't want to swim here so maybe plan on doing that elsewhere at the lakes."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Piney Campground offers reliable RV sites with lake access. "We took two different weekends at Piney Campground and both times were able to get waterside spots and drop the kayaks right in at the campsite," shares Jody A., while Rob T. adds, "Nice campground with electric hookups. One central dump station and multiple areas with community water spigots."
Extension cords needed: Many sites have inconveniently placed power hookups. "Electric far from pads - bring extension cord," advises holly S. about Lake Barkley, while another reviewer notes, "the staff was helpful and friendly. make sure you have extension cords and hoses as the utilities are positioned in between two sites."
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. "The road to come in was narrow but we'll marked. Very shaded and decently spaced out," according to Cheyanne S. at Lake Barkley State Park.
