Land Between the Lakes Kentucky Camping??

[wfkssvlite]

We are planning a trip to northern LBL, Grand Rivers, Ky area. Can't decide between Hillman Ferry or Canal Campground. Anyone have any suggestions? Sites to stay away from or try to get? Have stayed in Piney Campground on the south end and loved it but never have been through either campground on the north end. Thanks

[KyDan]

We've stayed at the canal campground twice.
I can't say about the Hillman Ferry since we've not been there.
Canal is a pretty nice CG. Run by the corps of engineers with
full time hosts.
You don't say when you're going or what size rig so I can't
give you much other than to say it's about average for this
type camp ground.

Our only complaint was last spring it seemed like half the
campers had golf carts and everyone wanted to take the
kids for a spin. There was an almost constant parade of
carts on the road.

Day hiking in the area is wonderful.
There are several trails available from the North visitor
center which is just a stones throw down the "trace" road.
Also you can't stay in the area without visiting Patti's 1880s
settlement restaurant. Their 2" porkchop is famous.
Really- there are photo's of presidents and stars on the wall.
Be sure and call ahead for reservations if you are there in
prime time.

If you have kids with bikes bring them!!

[Big Dawg]

Let us know about your stay there, I have always wanted to go there.

[wfkssvlite]

Originally Posted by KyDan

You don't say when you're going or what size rig so I can't
give you much other than to say it's about average for this
type camp ground.

34' TT w/2 slides, going in mid June. I did read several reviews on the Canal Campground that said alot of their sites were hard to get a bigger rig backed in to. Thanks for the info Kydan.

[preacherpaul]

You will enjoy the land between the lakes. We have stayed at Hellmans Ferry and at the Canal. I personally like the Canal much better. We have been pulling a 34 tt and I haven't had any problem getting into sites. I agreee that you will want to check out Patti's and if the Iron Skillet in Grand Rivers is still open it is a great place for home cooked food. You will also be very close to what I consider to be the best BarBQue in the area. It is a little place on the main drag between Barkley and Kentucky Dam called Noth's ... you really need to try it.
We will be in the area for the second week in July, when are you planning to go?

[KyDan]

Here's a few fotos of LBL from our spring break trip in 2010

Had to put my mug in here- on a beautiful day for a spin
we stopped at a tiny picnic area next to a pond.
This is a pull off along the "trace road".


Iron Furnace along the "trace" road.


Scene along the "trace" road.


Viewing a sunset over Kentucky Lake from the
warf area in Grand Rivers. This is an easy two block
walk from Patti's 1880s restaurant.


see next msg for 3 more photos of LBL

[KyDan]

The sunsets alone are worth the price of admission!



Site 86 or 87 (not sure which one we had)
were pull thru and
big enough for just about anybody
but it's a little wind swept and not a lot of shade.
Great for spring break but maybe not so great in July.
OTOH maybe you want the breeze in July!
We thought this loop was the least busy/crowded of
any and it had a lake view.


Happy Camping!!

[preacherpaul]

Thanks for the pictures Dan. Those pictures brought back a lot of great childhood memories. My family is from that part of western Kentucky. In fact, the last day I spent with my dad we sat below the dam at Barkley lake and watched the piers being poured for the new bridge. I love Eastern Kentucky, but I love the western part as well. By the way my wife and I lived in Louisville (Fairdale and Valley Station) for the first fifty years of our lives.

[wfkssvlite]

Thanks all for the photo's and info. My wife and I actually honeymooned in Grandrivers a few years ago in late September but didn't think at the time to check out the campgrounds around there. We stayed at Green Turtle Bay in a cottage. The gazeebo there at Lighthouse Landing on the Kentucky Lake side was beautiful. We loved the food at Patti's Settlement and also The Iron Kettle. We even went back down to the south end of LBL the next year for our 1st year anniversary and stayed at Piney CG and made the drive up to Grand Rivers a couple times for the food and view. Still didn't think to check out the local CG's around Grand Rivers while we were there. The third trip back down there was in January a couple of years ago and we thought of checking out the CG's then but of course they were gated off for the winter. Looking forward to the "mile high pie" again at Patti's in June! Here area few pic's of one of our trips there.

[wfkssvlite]

Originally Posted by preacherpaul

You will enjoy the land between the lakes. We have stayed at Hellmans Ferry and at the Canal. I personally like the Canal much better. We have been pulling a 34 tt and I haven't had any problem getting into sites. I agreee that you will want to check out Patti's and if the Iron Skillet in Grand Rivers is still open it is a great place for home cooked food. You will also be very close to what I consider to be the best BarBQue in the area. It is a little place on the main drag between Barkley and Kentucky Dam called Noth's ... you really need to try it.
We will be in the area for the second week in July, when are you planning to go?

preacherpaul, We are planning on being there mid June. Thanks for the heads up on the BBQ place. Might have to give it a try. As you probably already read, we have previously discovered the great eats at the other two places you mentioned. Thanks again for the info. Would like to try to make it down there for their hunter's moon festival in Oct. and check it out one of these years.