Army Corps of Engineers · Kentucky
Canal
Army Corps of Engineers · Kentucky, United States
- Sites
- 115
- Hookups
- 115 electric, 115 with water
- Season
- March 27 to October 25
- Max RV length
- 99 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Laundry
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 440 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 4
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Barkley Lake
- Nearest town
- GRAND RIVERS
- Address
- Lake Managers office, GRAND RIVERS, KY, 42045-0218
- Phone
- 270-362-4840
- Activities
- Amphitheater, Camping, Fishing, Swimming
115 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 30° | 7° | 68° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 49° | 32° | 4° | 71° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 59° | 43° | 21° | 81° | 5 of 11 |
| April | 69° | 51° | 35° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 80° | 64° | 48° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 87° | 70° | 58° | 100° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 88° | 74° | 66° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 87° | 73° | 65° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 86° | 68° | 56° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 69° | 53° | 38° | 85° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 57° | 42° | 19° | 78° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 48° | 35° | 15° | 67° | 8 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Nickell Branch Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Eureka · Army Corps of Engineers · 2 mi · 27 sites
- Hillman Ferry Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park · Kentucky State Parks · 4 mi · 69 sites
- Birmingham Ferry Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
All public campgrounds in Kentucky · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-09. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.