The Land Between the Lakes recreation area spans 170,000 acres between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley near Bumpus Mills, Tennessee. This national recreation area features over 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline with elevations ranging from 350 to 560 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-45°F, while summer camping sees consistent 85-95°F days with high humidity.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Land Between the Lakes offers extensive equestrian trails near Bumpus Mills with routes suitable for all skill levels. At Wranglers Campground, "Fun experience staying with all the horses! I didn't really know it was a thing to bring horses to camp and ride them on the trails!" notes Tessa C. The campground provides direct trail access from campsites.
Lake activities: Lake Barkley State Resort Park provides multiple water recreation options within 20 minutes of Bumpus Mills. "Water sports galore and some good trails," reports Shelly S. The park includes a dedicated boat ramp for campers with "no day use allowed" in the camping area, ensuring quieter lake access.
Historical exploration: Visit Loretta Lynn's Ranch to learn about local heritage. "The best part of our stay was the tour of the plantation and Loretta Lynn's Museum," shares Debra F. Tours include Loretta's homestead replica, mansion, and museums that showcase regional history.
Nature programs: The Pennyrile Nature Trail offers 13.5 miles of hiking connecting Dawson Springs to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, about 45 minutes from Bumpus Mills. One visitor mentions "a plethora of wildlife. We even saw a bald eagle within 15 minutes drive from the park."
What campers like
Equestrian amenities: Horse camping near Bumpus Mills provides specialized facilities unavailable at standard campgrounds. At Wranglers Campground, Laura H. found "cabins clean and comfortable... located close to the showers and some horse stables (but far enough away from them so as to not smell horses the whole time)."
Waterfront camping: Many sites offer direct water access. At Canal Campground, "the campground is in the shape of a peninsula so there are many campsites with water views and access," notes Chris O. This Corps of Engineers campground receives high marks for cleanliness with "flushing toilets, hot showers, and new picnic tables at sites."
Quiet camping options: For those seeking solitude near Bumpus Mills, Cravens Bay offers more secluded options. "Very secluded! We stayed here in the middle of July in 2019! Wow was it hot! It also had a bit of flooding, however it made it easier for our girls to launch their kayaks and swim," writes Benjamin C. The campground provides primitive facilities with lakefront access.
Family activities: KOA Campground Kentucky Lakes Prizer Point offers extensive recreation options. "We really enjoyed this place. Its pricey but they have a million activities for the price. The campsites are all beautiful and are either close or directly on the water," reports Karen L.
What you should know
Site conditions: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. At Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, "Sites are very sloped. Worst I've ever seen. Major drawback to this campground," reports John R. Check site descriptions carefully and bring leveling blocks for RVs.
Seasonal popularity: Lake Barkley State Resort Park gets crowded during peak periods. "The park had a great beach area. Make sure you have extension cords and hoses as the utilities are positioned in between two sites," advises Ann D. Arriving mid-week rather than weekends improves site selection.
Horse campground noise: Horse camping facilities near Bumpus Mills can be lively environments. At Wranglers Campground, one camper reported, "Drawbacks: Horses neigh, lots of barking dogs and some rowdy late night campers. If you are looking for a quiet getaway reconsider."
Water levels: Seasonal water fluctuations affect shoreline campgrounds. At Cravens Bay, visitors noted summer flooding changed camping conditions but "made it easier for our girls to launch their kayaks and swim."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer swimming beaches for children. Lucy L. recommends Canal Campground: "We stayed in camping spot #11. Although it wasnt very private, and very busy on a Tuesday, it did have a view of the water and was very close to the bathrooms and showers."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. At KOA Campground Kentucky Lakes Prizer Point, "all the kids loved the zero entry children's pool," according to Alicia C. The campground also offers free kayaks and paddle boats.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. At Montgomery Bell State Park, "With a great pavilion, Vb court, ball diamond, and playground, the far side of the camp is perfect for families, groups, and events. If you don't want kiddos walking through your campsite to get to the playground, you may want to choose a higher number," advises Stæven F.
Family-centered horse experiences: Introduce children to equestrian camping through guided programs. Wranglers Campground offers opportunities for kids to observe horses in a camping environment, providing an educational outdoor experience.
Tips from RVers
Hookup planning: For RV camping near Bumpus Mills, plan for potential utility challenges. At Lake Barkley State Park, Holly S. notes, "Well kept, no sewer hookup on sites, bath house clean, electric far from pads - bring extension cord."
Site selection: Request specific site information before booking. "Many sites have drop offs on the door side of the pad so you could not use all the awning space. We fell off the pad several times walking to the fire pit," reports Barry B. about Lake Barkley sites.
Leveling requirements: Bring substantial leveling equipment. At Pennyrile Forest State Park, "Enjoyed our stay. Bring quite a bit of leveling materials as the sites are very unlevel," advises Cheyanne S. Consider using equestrian sites which tend to be more level: "you do not have to have a horse to camp in the equestrian sites. Those sites are level pull-through sites."
