Paris, Tennessee sits along the western shore of Kentucky Lake, with forested shorelines and elevations around 400-500 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and open waterfront camping areas. Most campgrounds remain open from March through November, though water access points may close during winter months when temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
Biking on dedicated paths: Piney Campground offers extensive biking trails throughout the campground. "Great place to start and stay for your Land Between the Lakes adventure. Lakeside, gravel spots with good views and nice clean facilities," notes Hannah S. The campground connects to wider trail systems through Land Between the Lakes.
Basketball and court sports: Multiple campgrounds maintain sports facilities for guests. As one visitor to Piney Campground mentioned, "Nice outpost store with most of the essentials including propane and firewood. Swimming area, basketball, volleyball, boat ramp and playgrounds." The courts provide recreation options during hot summer days.
Gemstone mining: Paris Landing-Kentucky Lake KOA offers unique activities beyond water sports. "They have a very nice pool and pool area, huge laundromat, a fun gemmine for the kiddos! The camp store is stocked with necessities and fun things!" writes Tanya A. This activity works well for younger children or during rainy days.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Campers consistently praise the tree cover at many Paris area campgrounds. At the Kentucky Lake KOA, a visitor noted, "All spots have lots of shade which is always a plus for summer camping!" The shade becomes particularly valuable during July and August when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Spacious waterfront sites: Boswell Landing Campground provides generous waterfront camping areas. "This site is amazing! We were able to spread out our tents for a group site and we had the perfect set up! We were 100ft. From the lake and had so many trees to use for our hammocks," explains Brooklyn L. Sites include concrete picnic tables and fire rings.
Clean facilities despite remote locations: The vault toilets at primitive campgrounds receive regular maintenance. "There is single toilet facility for all of the sites, this toilet was the cleanest public camping toilet I've ever seen," reports a Boswell Landing camper. Even without full shower facilities, basic amenities remain well-maintained.
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Coyote activity occurs throughout the Paris area, particularly at primitive sites. Campers should secure food and keep small pets supervised. "Good size lots, most within feet of the water. Lots of trees so there's plenty of shade," reports Jordan at Boswell Landing, where wildlife sightings are common along the shore.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. At Paris Landing State Park Campground, a camper noted, "The spot was nice, the park was lovely, but the road noise was bothersome. We were in a spot pretty far from the road but it was very noticeable." Sites farther from Highway 79 tend to be quieter.
Boat traffic impacts: Waterfront camping means boat activity nearby. "This place was very nice and well kept. My only problem with it was that people fly in and out of the cove on their boats," mentions Ryan B. about Boswell Landing. Weekends typically see heaviest boat traffic from 10am to 6pm.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple age-appropriate play areas exist at larger campgrounds. At Land Between The Lakes Piney Campground, "Beautiful Modern Campground with lots of activities. Lots to do for kids - bike paths, basketball court, multiple playgrounds, etc," reports Melissa C. Most play areas receive morning shade.
Swimming considerations: Designated swimming areas provide safer water access. "Warm and calm being off the main lake. Piney cove is pretty shallow and we could walk out into the water a good 30-40ft before getting too deep. Bottom is soft mud," explains Chris R. about Piney Campground's swimming area.
Pet-friendly options for dog families: Dog friendly campgrounds near Paris typically require leashes at all times. "Clean, pet friendly. A lot of sites! Access to lakes. Saw a lot of wildlife for such a big campground with lots of people traffic," notes Shy-Anne W. about Piney Campground. Bring long leads to secure pets at campsites.
Tips from RVers
Power management awareness: Electrical issues occasionally arise at older campgrounds. At Paris Landing State Park, Todd M. reports, "Had water and electrical hook up but the 30 amp was fried. Luckily it also had 20 amp so power management was key." Bring surge protectors and adaptors for different amp services.
Concrete pad advantages: Eagles Nest RV Park provides higher-end facilities for RVers. "Eagle's Nest RV Park is a hidden gem right next to Kentucky Lake and Paris Landing. It has all concrete pads with full service utility kiosks. Each campsite has plenty of room and comes with its own patio and cable TV connection," explains Andy S. The concrete pads resist flooding during heavy rains.
RV site navigation challenges: Some parks have tight access roads. At Paris Landing State Park Campground, Shana D. observed, "The campground layout is odd. Some sites are pointed the wrong direction on a one way road, so you just have to drive it backwards. Most sites are small, but there are a few longer ones." Call ahead to verify turn radius requirements for larger rigs.
Legend
