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

Camper submitted image from Rushing Creek

Rushing Creek

Land Between the Lakes houses Rushing Creek, a former US Forest Service campground that closed over three years ago. Access roads remain gated and locked, with pavement cracking and overgrown vegetation reclaiming the site. The original campsites have become difficult to identify due to dense forest growth.

Campers report the area sits on a small inlet bay of Kentucky Lake, roughly 1.5 miles from the nearest parking area via hiking trail. No amenities exist at the abandoned location, including potable water or cell service. For active options, consider Ginger Bay Basic Camping Area to the south or explore camping near Land Between the Lakes Other for operational campgrounds in the recreation area.

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Location

Public Campground

Rushing Creek is located in Kentucky

Coordinates

36.67000071 N
88.04900082 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/19/26
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/19/26
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Showers
Drinking Water
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

53 min from Paducah, KY
1 hr from Clarksville, TN
1 hr 33 min from Nashville, TN
1 hr 54 min from Jackson, TN

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3 Reviews

Rushing Creek is permanently closed with locked gates and no vehicle access. All facilities were removed years ago, leaving only overgrown remnants suitable for dispersed camping by foot or boat only.

Staci R.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2022

PERMANENTLY CLOSED Dispersed Camping only

Campground has been gated and locked for several years, and as the previous reviewer noted, not a great place to stay. There are NO AMENITIES, NO POTABLE WATER and not accessible by vehicle... you either hike or boat in. The campground is still open for dispersed camping, which does require its own permit, purchased either on-line or at one of the visitor centers.

https://landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/camping/rules/

Month of VisitAugust

(8) View All

Staci R.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2022

PERMENANTLY CLOSED - Dispersed Camping only

Rushing Creek was once a popular self service campground in Land Between the Lakes (LBL), with primitive sites for small RV's, car camping and tents, set on a small inlet bay on Kentucky Lake. Now it is so overgrown, even the paved roads leading out to it have weeks growing up through the cracks, the sites are difficult to even tell where they were, and the gates across the roads leading back to it are gated and locked.

The area where the road ends at the bay's shoreline is suitable for dispersed camping (and it looks as if someone has been doing that recently! It is more easily accessible by water than by road. We had to hike almost 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 mile back to it to find it.

THERE ARE NO AMENITIES, NO POTABLE WATER. The closest potable water is at the Golden Pond dump/potable water station (and you will have to pack it in from the closest parking area!) or you will need to filter water from Kentucky lake for consumption.

Our local LBL LEO advised that Rushing Creek has been closed since before he was hired more than 3 years ago... everything was removed and used at the current operational campgrounds.

Month of VisitAugust

(8) View All

Caleb J.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 30, 2021

Avoid This Campground

Rushing Creek is an abandoned site. The road to the area is closed off. The only thing that remains of the campsite is a slab of pavement with grass sprouting from the cracks surrounded by a dense forest. This area is very remote with no cell signal. For your own safety, do not visit or camp at Rushing Creek.

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Rushing Creek Campground located in LBL?

Rushing Creek Campground is located in a remote area of Land Between the Lakes (LBL) on Kentucky Lake. It sits on a small inlet bay of the lake. The area is quite isolated with no cell phone signal. Access is limited as the paved roads leading to the campground are no longer maintained. The campground's remote location makes it important to prepare accordingly if you plan to visit the area.

What amenities are available at Rushing Creek Campground?

Rushing Creek Campground is currently a dispersed camping area with no amenities. There is no potable water, no facilities, and no services available. The formerly developed campground has become overgrown, with vegetation reclaiming the area. Visitors should be prepared to be entirely self-sufficient, bringing all necessary water, supplies, and waste disposal options. The campground is not accessible by vehicle, requiring either a hike or boat access.

When is Rushing Creek Campground open for camping?

Rushing Creek is technically open for dispersed camping, though the main campground area has been gated and locked for several years. Anyone considering camping here should be aware that a backcountry camping permit is required for dispersed camping in this area of LBL. Since vehicle access is not possible (you must hike or boat in), there are no seasonal restrictions specifically mentioned, but the primitive conditions make it most suitable for experienced backcountry campers during moderate weather seasons.

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