Campground

Canal

Barkley Lake · Grand Rivers · Kentucky — managed by US Army Corps of Engineers

Canal campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · D. Landis

Weekend availability at Canal

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 8:03 AM PT

Sold out 1 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 18
    Limited
    20/113 sites
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Limited
    6/103 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Limited
    8/113 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Limited
    2/112 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Limited
    11/113 sites

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
115
Electric sites
115
Water hookups
115
Sewer hookups
17
Pull-through
22
Group Standard ElectricStandard ElectricTent Only Electric

About this campground

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.

Getting there

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.

Elevation
411 ft
Contact
270-362-4840

Activities

  • FISHING
  • CAMPING
  • SWIMMING SITE
  • DAY USE AREA

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Canal

Popular Kentucky campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Canal around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.