Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates49 total sites · $30 avg/night
RV Sites
48 sites
$30/night
average
Tent Sites
1 site
$30/night
average
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 (420)
What Guests Are Saying
Tailwater is a peaceful campground with friendly hosts and a beautiful setting by the Barren River, making it a favorite among many campers. While some visitors noted issues with maintenance, such as restroom cleanliness and the need for infrastructure improvements, they appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and enjoyed activities like fishing. Overall, many families cherish their experiences there and plan to return, highlighting the campground's charm despite areas needing attention.
What Guests Are Saying
Tailwater is a peaceful campground with friendly hosts and a beautiful setting by the Barren River, making it a favorite among many campers. While some visitors noted issues with maintenance, such as restroom cleanliness and the need for infrastructure improvements, they appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and enjoyed activities like fishing. Overall, many families cherish their experiences there and plan to return, highlighting the campground's charm despite areas needing attention.
Review Summary
Erwin P
VerifiedMay 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: TAIL
Nastiest place I have every camped at. Bathrooms were not clean when I arrived and got worse over the weekend. I had no phone service anywhere in the campgrounds. Poison ivy is everywhere, the size of rope.
Craig P
VerifiedJune 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: TAIL
Water spigot on site 44 was leaking and the threads on the spigot were short and allows the leak to occur. Hosts were excellent and very helpful. Several sites flood during rain in that area and needs fixed to control mosquitoes.
kenny j
VerifiedJune 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: TAIL
great campground, nice bathhouses (a little dated but still maintained and clean) camp ground host were great people!
Anita P
VerifiedJune 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: TAIL
Always love campung here
shannon m
VerifiedJune 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: TAIL
love stay here
kenny j
VerifiedJune 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: TAIL
Nice clean campground . The attaendants are Great people!!
David H
VerifiedJune 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: TAIL
Site #5 is our favorite campsite at Tailwater campground. It has direct access to the water right from your campsite. With that also comes A LOT of foot traffic close to the site! People can be so rude sometimes, and have even walked right through our site. This is still the best site though, and I have it booked 2 more times this summer.
Buddy H
VerifiedJune 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 38, Loop: TAIL
Great place to camp and great hosts. Will definitely be back.
Verlenna M
VerifiedJuly 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: TAIL
Hosts was nice and great place fishing .
Hayden K
VerifiedJuly 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: TAIL
This is the only federal campground that has made me feel sad. There was trash everywhere; campground, fishing area, picnic area. We picked up two trash bags of trash ourself and that was from about 7 sites and the boat launch. Some areas had a horrible smell and the water seems not to have been ran in a while making it smell and taste like dead fish even with a filter. It did get some better after running for a while. The sites were full of sticks and the fire rings didn't seem to have been cleaned in forever. There were maintance issues like missing rail on bridges and roads needing holes filled. It was sad this is our federal land and it needs so much love and attention to get it to it where it needs to be.
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.
Elevation: 149 feet
13 mi drive to downtown Scottsville (about 18 min)
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: September 11, 2026
