Camping at Lake Cumberland

Wikimedia Commons (Tyler White)

Lake Cumberland, formed by the damming of the Cumberland River, is one of the most popular lakeside resorts in Kentucky. Every summer it attracts a crowd of boaters, anglers, swimmers and even a few scuba divers. Some prefer to camp in the area and make a weekend or vacation out of their visit, and some of the local campgrounds are better than others.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Make a reservation at Lake Cumberland State Park or General Burnside State Park if you have an RV or camping trailer. The state parks have sites with water and electrical hook-ups, so plan ahead and secure an RV-friendly site. However, keep in mind that there is a two-night minimum stay for summer weekends.

Step 2

Consider General Burnside State Park or the Indian Hills KOA for tent camping. Tent campers often prefer a little isolation from RVs, and of all the campgrounds in the area, only these two campgrounds have a tents-only loop.

Step 3

Get your firewood locally. Kentucky state park regulations ban the importation of out-of-state firewood unless it has been stamped by the USDA. It is easier to buy it locally. Also, it is illegal to uproot or cut down trees or brush for fuel. Collect only fallen or dead wood.

Step 4

Start campfires only in designated fire pits or grills. Keep in mind that fires may be banned if a summer drought causes forest fire conditions. Have a camping stove ready.

Step 5

Swim only in designated swimming areas. To do otherwise places you at risk of being hit by a boat.

Step 6

Keep pets on a leash at all times if you are camping in a Kentucky state park. Most private campgrounds have a similar rule if pets are even allowed.

Step 7

Pack your swimming trunks and a fishing rod. The lake is one of the best freshwater swimming and fishing holes in the eastern United States.

Tips & Warnings

According to 2009 prices, General Burnside was a little cheaper than Lake Cumberland, but both were a little cheaper than the area's privately owned RV parks and resorts.

Leave alcohol and metal detectors at home. Alcohol is banned from the state park campgrounds, and metal detectors are banned from the entire park system.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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