Canal
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Grand Rivers · Kentucky · Barkley Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Barkley Lake |
| Location | Grand Rivers · Kentucky · Barkley Lake · 36.99556, -88.20972 · Map |
| Sites | 115 public sites counted from the federal listing — 113 standard electric; 1 group standard electric; 1 tent only electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 115 of 115 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 114 of 115 sites Sewer hookups at 17 of 115 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 17 of 115 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 99 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 101 sites · 30 ft: 96 sites · 35 ft: 78 sites · 40 ft: 52 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 3:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 115 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 22 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 270-362-4840 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-06-09.
From the official listing
Overview Situated along a peninsula between the lush shorelines of Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, Canal Campground offers modern camping and provides the ideal setting to enjoy nature at its best with family and friends.
Visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the Barkley Dam and boats traveling through the canal from the comfort of their campsite. The campground faces Barkley Lake, and the shore of Kentucky Lake is a brisk one-mile walk across the canal. Recreation From water sports to wildlife viewing to hiking and biking, Canal Campground is the perfect setting for outdoor activities. Eagle nests can be spotted throughout the grounds, and its not unlikely for visitors to encounter deer and other wildlife. A short hiking trail allows campers to enjoy the outdoor scenery at their leisure.
Fishing is also a popular pastime, and during warm months bass and catfish are plentiful in both lakes. Facilities A designated swimming beach and a boat ramp help campers enjoy the lake. Picnic pavilions and a playground create a perfect setting for a party or family get-together. For group camping, several sites surrounding the pavilion can be reserved, and a fishing float nearby allows groups to go out on the lake together.
Electric hook-ups, showers and flush restrooms create a comfortable camping experience.
Natural Features Lake Barkley, as part of a dam project at the Cumberland River, spans 134 miles along the Kentucky landscape, offering countless recreational activities to visitors. The canal connects Lake Barley with Kentucky Lake, forming one of the greatest freshwater recreational complexes in the country. Nearby Attractions Grand Rivers, a short drive from the campground, has several restaurants and two public marinas.
Directions, from the listing
Physical Address: 1010 Canal Campground Road, Grand Rivers, KY 42045. From Interstate I-24, take Grand Rivers Exit 31. Drive south on Highway 453 for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto J.H. O'Bryan Avenue for .1 miles. Turn right onto Canal Campground Road for .5 miles.
Nearest federal campgrounds
2 mi straight-line · Kuttawa KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersOld Kuttawa
7 mi straight-line · KUTTAWA KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersHurricane Creek
14 mi straight-line · Eddyville KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersCadiz
22 mi straight-line · GRAND RIVERS KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersLinton
27 mi straight-line · CADIZ Kentucky
Trip Card — Canal
Grand Rivers · Kentucky · Barkley Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | Grand Rivers · Kentucky · Barkley Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 115 · full hookups at 17 |
| Max RV | Up to 99 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 115 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232541 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.