About Tailwater
Number of accommodations: 49
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
On Site Services
- Playground
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Rates, Sites & Availability
49 Sites Available
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Site Details
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49 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (393)
What Guests Are Saying
Tailwater Recreational Area offers a beautiful and peaceful camping experience along the Barren River, with friendly staff and a clean environment. Many visitors appreciate the scenic views and the opportunity for fishing and outdoor activities, making it a desirable spot for families. However, some guests have encountered issues with amenities like water and electricity not being available as expected, as well as concerns about bathroom cleanliness and maintenance.
What Guests Are Saying
Tailwater Recreational Area offers a beautiful and peaceful camping experience along the Barren River, with friendly staff and a clean environment. Many visitors appreciate the scenic views and the opportunity for fishing and outdoor activities, making it a desirable spot for families. However, some guests have encountered issues with amenities like water and electricity not being available as expected, as well as concerns about bathroom cleanliness and maintenance.
Review Summary
Gary B
VerifiedNovember 17, 2025 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: TAIL
Nice people very friendly
Ken M
VerifiedOctober 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: TAIL
i paid for a rv spot with electrical service as shown when booking the site. then i read that no electric service was provided. so i tried to cancel and received no refund. the entire recreation.gov website is a great example of bloatware. very poorly set up for simply booking campsites.
Ken M
VerifiedOctober 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: TAIL
i paid for a rv spot with electrical service as shown when booking the site. then i read that no electric service was provided. so i tried to cancel and received no refund. the entire recreation.gov website is a great example of bloatware. very poorly set up for simply booking campsites.
Jill H
VerifiedOctober 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: TAIL
We were not informed before reservation that electricity and water would be shut off
Jill H
VerifiedOctober 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: TAIL
We were not informed before reservation that electricity and water would be shut off
Douglas G
VerifiedOctober 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 49, Loop: TAIL
Our campsite and experience was fantastic. Easy to reschedule when needed. When I called with questions the staff was friendly and helpful.
Douglas G
VerifiedOctober 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 49, Loop: TAIL
Our campsite and experience was fantastic. Easy to reschedule when needed. When I called with questions the staff was friendly and helpful.
Jessica H
VerifiedOctober 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: TAIL
The campground was very clean and easy to access. Plenty of fishing and a beautiful scenic spot at the end of the park tucked away to the right.
Jessica H
VerifiedOctober 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: TAIL
The campground was very clean and easy to access. Plenty of fishing and a beautiful scenic spot at the end of the park tucked away to the right.
Teresa C
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2025 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: TAIL
We've always loved it there, but it hasn't been kept well this year. The men's bathroom was nasty, the men's shower was nasty, and the shower wasn't working at all. We always carry a tool box with us and fortunately my husband is a retired maintenance supervisor so he was able to get it working again. The information about the men's shower and bathroom came from my husband, I certainly didn't go in there. The women's bathroom wasn't much better and the shower room was in pretty sad shape as well. There were used discarded women's monthly products just thrown down on the bench and in the floor, discarded used razors, empty drink cans. We've been going there for years and this was the worse we've ever seen it. We only saw the camp host once while we were there and we never saw anyone at the check in station. Hopefully it will be better next year, we do wish Tailwaters would have water and electricity later in the fall. The end of September is just too quick for shutting it off. We don't get to camp much until September and October and we would certainly be there in October if there was electricity and water.
Location Tailwater
Address:
1055 Tailwater Road
Scottsville, KY, 42164
United States
From Glasgow, KY: Take 31-E south for 4 mi; turn right on 252,
which will cross the dam in 8 mi. The Tailwater entrance road is at the
south end of the dam. Follow signs into recreation area. Approximately
19 miles from Bowling Green, KY.
Tailwater is accessible via US Highway 231, which is approximately 10 miles to the east. Interstate 65 is about 20 miles to the west, providing further access to nearby towns and cities.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.8944 / -86.1331
Elevation: 149 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Fires & fuel
- Firewood from outside the area is not allowed; purchase or collect firewood locally to protect forests.
Vehicles & parking
- Off-highway vehicles are not allowed.
Fees & deposits
- Day visitors are subject to a fee.
Local regulations
- All boats must comply with Kentucky boating laws and regulations.
Site types & loops
- During non-peak season, camping is primitive only; dump station and potable water available.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
