Land Between the Lakes Kentucky Camping??

wfkssvlite · 02-05-2011, 03:37 PM

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** · 02-06-2011, 08:23 AM

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 · 02-06-2011, 08:27 AM

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

wfkssvlite · 02-06-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

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 · 02-07-2011, 06:52 AM

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** · 02-07-2011, 09:42 AM

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** · 02-07-2011, 09:44 AM

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 · 02-07-2011, 12:20 PM

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 · 02-07-2011, 05:27 PM

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 · 02-07-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

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.

mike06081969 · 04-12-2011, 08:12 PM

We stayed in the Canal Campground three or four years ago on a whim on 4th of July weekend. We had to settle for the only site they had left that had a cancellation. At that time, I was pulling a 26' Coachmen TT with a Ford Explorer and had a tough time getting in that site. However, there were other sites that weren't quite so challenging and it is a very pretty and clean campground. When you go, don't miss going to Patti's 1880s and have the 2 inch porkchop. It's to die for. One of the restaurants in the Patti's group burned last year. It think it may have been the Iron Kettle. Have fun.

padre44 · 04-13-2011, 07:33 AM

We were at Hillman Ferry in March. Although it rained, it was a nice place with large sites. Of course not many there then.

LakeCumberlandCamper · 06-14-2011, 01:11 AM

The Land Between the Lakes region is awesome. It is a HUGE area with so many campgrounds. If you have a boat too, Hurricane Creek campground is a small, out-of-the-way spot with full hookups really close to water's edge. Huge trees, quiet, spotless cg, wildlife, natural beauty.... Right across the lake is top-rated Prizer Point with lots of extra amenities and activities, marina, kinda crowded, etc. I also like Canal, H. Ferry and Energy cg's during the offseason-- you can feel the wilderness surround you!
The LBL area is my second favorite region in Kentucky. I could never leave this state and still have too many places I want to vist and camp at!!

Ovair · 01-25-2012, 11:14 PM

I realize this thread is a bit old, but I wanted to ask specifically if anyone had detailed information about Hillman Ferry. We're considering a trip to LBL and staying at Hillman. Any info (good or bad) is appreciated.

On that note: have any of you used their reservation website? It is very comprehensive, interactive, and probably one of the most "usable" website I've seen.
https://www.usedirect.com/CampLBL/Fa...s/MapView.aspx

Ovair · 01-31-2012, 08:57 PM

Since no one responded, I went ahead and made reservations. Two other campers will also be going with us and have also made their reservations. It's a few months away still. Hoping it is a nice place.

Flyboy740 · 01-31-2012, 09:26 PM

Anyone going to LBL, a tug knocked out the bridge this past week between Benton and LBL. Looks like a long detour. Something to think about.

carbonman · 01-31-2012, 10:06 PM

DW and I spent our vacation last summer in Kentucky and these pictures reminded me of what a great time we had. Thanks.

Mark and Linda · 02-01-2012, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyboy740

Anyone going to LBL, a tug knocked out the bridge this past week between Benton and LBL. Looks like a long detour. Something to think about.

Yes, a bridge section has been torn out, and ended up on front of the boat. It will be a while before it is repaired. Anyone going from Cadiz, KY towards the LBL area...need to be aware of a big DETOUR.

Flyboy, thanks for the post.

ret2006 · 02-01-2012, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark and Linda

Yes, a bridge section has been torn out, and ended up on front of the boat. It will be a while before it is repaired. Anyone going from Cadiz, KY towards the LBL area...need to be aware of a big DETOUR.

Flyboy, thanks for the post.

I have a house on Ky. Lake on the Tennessee end. Three or four times a year the Delta Mariner will pass. I got this shot a couple years ago. I have often said that ship is too big for the Tennessee river. Long detour for a long while.

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