Skip to content
Canal Campground in Kentucky
Moderate to Book

Canal Campground

Barkley Lake, Kentucky

Sold out? We check Canal Campground for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.

Sold out for your dates?

Free to start. Email alerts included.

As of October 2026, Canal Campground is a campground in Kentucky with 114 campsites. Canal Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Canal Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Canal Campground is located at 36.9956° N, 88.2097° W.
people allowed on 113 of 114 sites
8
people allowed on the largest site
64

Canal Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Mid-stay changes allowed
  • Maximum stay: 14 nights
  • Military discount available

Published by Recreation.gov for Canal Campground, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Canal Campground

  • Standard 112
  • Group 1
  • Tent 1
  • Accessible 22
  • Hookups 114

What an RV fits

  • 20–24 ft1 site
  • 25–29 ft4 sites
  • 30–34 ft15 sites
  • 35–39 ft23 sites
  • 40–44 ft25 sites
  • 45–49 ft10 sites
  • 50–54 ft7 sites
  • 55–59 ft3 sites
  • 60–64 ft2 sites
  • 65–69 ft2 sites
  • 90–94 ft1 site
  • 95–99 ft1 site

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • showers
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Lake.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife.

All sites at Canal Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

SiteLoopTypeSleepsMax RVHookupsAccess
053BeachStandard834 ftElectric, Water-
054BeachStandard834 ftElectric, Water-
055BeachStandard850 ftElectric, Water-
056BeachStandard838 ftElectric, Water-
057BeachStandard835 ftElectric, Water-
058BeachStandard835 ftElectric, Water-
059BeachStandard842 ftElectric, Water-
060BeachStandard850 ftElectric, Water-
061BeachStandard836 ftElectric, Water-
062BeachStandard835 ftElectric, Water-
063BeachStandard835 ftElectric, Water-
064BeachStandard830 ftElectric, Water-
065BeachStandard835 ftElectric, Water-
066BeachStandard835 ftElectric, Water-
067BeachStandard834 ftElectric, Water-
085BRPTStandard830 ftElectric, Water-
086BRPTStandard825 ftElectric, Water-
087BRPTStandard845 ftElectric, Water-
088BRPTStandard843 ftElectric, Water-
089BRPTStandard853 ftElectric, Water-
090BRPTStandard857 ftElectric, Water-
091BRPTStandard869 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
092BRPTStandard899 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
093BRPTStandard892 ftElectric, Water, SewerAccessible
094BRPTStandard859 ftElectric, Water, SewerAccessible
095BRPTStandard863 ftElectric, Water, SewerAccessible
096BRPTStandard846 ftElectric, Water, SewerAccessible
097BRPTStandard851 ftElectric, Water, SewerAccessible
098BRPTStandard862 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
084CANAStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
021Fisherman's RowStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
022Fisherman's RowStandard835 ftElectric, Water-
023Fisherman's RowStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
024Fisherman's RowStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
025Fisherman's RowStandard867 ftElectric, Water-
026Fisherman's RowStandard848 ftElectric, Water-
027Fisherman's RowStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
028Fisherman's RowStandard835 ftElectric, Water-
029Fisherman's RowStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
030Fisherman's RowStandard824 ftElectric, Water-
031Fisherman's RowStandard833 ftElectric, Water-
032Fisherman's RowStandard835 ftElectric, Water-
033Fisherman's RowStandard830 ftElectric, Water-
034Fisherman's RowStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
035Fisherman's RowStandard833 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
NASH1GRUPGroup6445 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
068HillStandard836 ftElectric, Water-
069HillStandard844 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
070HillStandard836 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
071HillStandard837 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
072HillStandard847 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
073HillStandard842 ftElectric, Water-
074HillStandard845 ftElectric, Water-
075HillStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
076HillStandard832 ftElectric, Water-
077HillStandard838 ftElectric, Water-
078HillStandard842 ftElectric, Water-
079HillStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
080HillStandard832 ftElectric, Water-
081HillStandard850 ftElectric, Water-
082HillStandard838 ftElectric, Water-
083HillStandard852 ftElectric, Water-
001PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
002PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
003PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
004PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
005PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
006PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
007PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
008PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
009PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
010PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
011PrimitiveTent8-Electric, Water-
012PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
013PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
014PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
015PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
016PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
017PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
018PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
019PrimitiveStandard8-Electric, Water-
103The FlatsStandard840 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
104The FlatsStandard840 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
105The FlatsStandard840 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
106The FlatsStandard840 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
107The FlatsStandard840 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
108The FlatsStandard840 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
109The FlatsStandard840 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
110The FlatsStandard840 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
111VIEWStandard830 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
112VIEWStandard835 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
113VIEWStandard855 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
114VIEWStandard845 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
115VIEWStandard846 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
116VIEWStandard850 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
117VIEWStandard8-Electric, WaterAccessible
036WoodsStandard842 ftElectric, Water-
037AWoodsStandard834 ftElectric, Water-
037BWoodsStandard837 ftElectric, Water-
038WoodsStandard830 ftElectric, Water-
039WoodsStandard845 ftElectric, Water-
040WoodsStandard848 ftElectric, Water-
041WoodsStandard841 ftElectric, Water-
042WoodsStandard836 ftElectric, Water-
043WoodsStandard837 ftElectric, Water-
044WoodsStandard837 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
045WoodsStandard837 ftElectric, Water-
046WoodsStandard840 ftElectric, Water-
047WoodsStandard826 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
048WoodsStandard831 ftElectric, Water-
049WoodsStandard828 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-
050WoodsStandard825 ftElectric, Water-
051WoodsStandard831 ftElectric, Water-
052WoodsStandard836 ftElectric, Water, Sewer-

About Canal 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.

Rules and notices at Canal Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Canal Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District firewood policy is now in effect and seeks the public’s cooperation to prevent the spread of forest insects and disease at campgrounds in the Cumberland River Basin. The firewood policy requires visitors at Lake Barkley’s campgrounds to use only firewood that has been certified as heat-treated by U.S. Department of Agriculture or state natural resource agency.

Canal Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Canal Campground?

Canal Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 114 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Canal Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Canal Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Canal Campground have?

Canal Campground has 114 campsites.

Campgrounds

Browse Campsites

Monitor campsite availability across federal and state parks. Get alerts when sites open up at sold-out campgrounds.

One tick helps us more than you’d think

Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our campground pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.

Add PermitSnag in Google

Takes less than a minute.