Hi, We're planning a tent camping trip to Kentucky this July. We'd like a pretty campground on a lake. Cumberland? or anywhere that's nice. Don't know Kentucky at all. Never been before. We'll have 3 kids with us. So maybe some place with something for them to do, but not an amusement park like place. We want to unwind, not wind up. Also interested in water sports & Civil War sites. Thanks for any help!!

Hello,

Just returned from Kentucky a couple of weeks ago--what a beautiful state. We camp all the time and spent a couple of nights camping in two Kentucky State Parks. Although not on lakes, they were very nice, one even next to a golf course at MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME S.P. Just go on the net and look at the state parks website. I saw several that were on lakes but they weren't on our route. Have fun.

Hi. I live in Kentucky. Ft. Boonesboro State Park has a campgroung. It is not on a lake but located next to the Kentucky River. There is an actual old time Fort (Daniel Boone). There is not a lot there to do though. They do have a public pool, and a game room. I think there are some basketball courts. I have never stayed in the campground but my daughter has performed there. Sometimes they bring in Cloggers (folk dancers). You might want to check out places like Bardstown Kentucky they have an outdoor drama MY Old Kentucy Home Drama and take the tour of the house. We also have Levi Jackson State Park, and Cumberland Falls is beautiful. There is also Mammoth Cave, and Natural Bridge.

Hi - I live in Southern Ohio and have worked in KY for years. They have a great state park system and most have campgrounds and lodges where you can eat. Here is a link to their website:

http://parks.ky.gov/

Dh and I actually got engaged at Jenny Wiley. I like camping at Red River Gorge which is close to Natural Bridge - really neat! If you see "hot brown" on the menu anywhere try it - it is a favorite local casserole type concoction full of unhealthy goodness.

Cumberland is probably the most popular and has a great lake for boating, fishing etc (you can rent a houseboat and stay there if you want).

Have fun - Kentucky is a really beautiful state!

Hi, I live ten minutes from Lake Cumberland and hope I can answer a few questions. I’ve never camped at the lake, but there are many campgrounds and marinas, as well as Lake Cumberland State Park (http://parks.ky.gov/resortparks/lc/index.htm). The one I’m most familiar with is Conley Bottom Resort (you can find the website with a google search), which has a campground with sites on the lakeshore. They also rent boats, pontoons, houseboats, jet skis, etc. It is located on the south side of the lake.

There is a civil war battlefield (Mill Springs battlefield) located on both sides (primarily the north side) of the lake. Info can be found at www.millsprings.net

Lake Cumberland is very large, very popular lake and can be very busy, especially on the weekends when the Buckeye Navy arrives. Buckeye Navy is our friendly local name for all the people from Ohio who flock to Lake Cumberland every weekend during the summer.

If you’re looking for a lake that’s quieter, you could try Laurel Lake. It is located off of I-75 between London and Corbin. There are no hotels on the lake, just two marinas and two campgrounds. Cumberland Falls State Park is close by.

Both lakes are very clean, clear, and pretty.

The Mammoth Cave area is only about an hour west of Lake Cumberland, in case you might be interested in that.

Here are a couple of websites regarding Kentucky Civil War activity.

http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/khc/civil.htm
http://www.kycivilwar.org/

If you have any more questions, I will be happy to try to answer them.

I agree with the others.

Kentucky has one of the best state park systems in the country.

Bardstown with My Old Kentucky Home is nice. Lincoln's Birthplace is a short drive from here.

Red River Gorge/Natural Bridge State Park is nice.

Lexington area is nice with all the horse farms. Kentucky Horse Park has a campground. Ft. Boonesborough is near here.

Old Ft. Harrod State Park is similar to Ft. Boonesborough.

Cumberland Falls is nice.

Mammoth Cave is nice. There are many campgrounds here including one in the National Park

Cumberland Gap National Park was nice. They have a nice campground.

Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, Blue Licks Battlefield State Park are both nice. I think both have re-enactments of the battles.

www.byways.org is a site that lists all national scenic byways as well as others. There are many in Kentucky.