The Tailwater Campground offers 48-sites located along the Barren River, just below the dam. This lazy riverside campground is quieter than neighboring campgrounds and seems to have a slower pace since it is set below the lake, yet close enough for easy lake access.
Annually, the campground is host to the Barren River Lake Scout Celebration which began in 1995. Scouts from surrounding states converge at the Tailwater Campground to celebrate, compete, and demonstrate their skills over the weekend. This event occurs every August and is something everyone can be a part of as a participant or on looker.
View a virtual tour of Barren River Lake.
Operating hours and availability for the current season.
Upcoming seasons
Planned operating dates for future seasons to help you plan ahead.
Past seasons
Historical operating dates from previous years for reference.
Closed periods
View dates when this campground is temporarily closed during the season.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Dec 31
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
Missing information?
Rates, Sites & Availability
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49
Sites Available
🚐01, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐02, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐03, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐04, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐05, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐06, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐07, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐08, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐09, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐10, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐11, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐12, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐13, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐14, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐15, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐16, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐17, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐18, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐19, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐20, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐21, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐22, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐23, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐24, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐25, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐26, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐27, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐28, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐29, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐30, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐31, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐32, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐33, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐34, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐35, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐36, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐37, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐38, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐39, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐40-Host, Loop: TAIL
RV
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$30
/ per night
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐41, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐42, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐43, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐44, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐45, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐46, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐47, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐48, Loop: TAIL
RV
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
⛺49, Loop: TAIL
Tent
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Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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Site Details
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49
Sites Available
Site
Price
🚐01, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐02, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐03, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐04, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐05, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐06, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐07, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐08, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐09, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐10, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐11, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐12, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐13, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐14, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐15, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐16, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐17, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐18, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐19, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐20, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐21, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐22, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐23, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐24, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐25, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐26, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐27, Loop: TAIL
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐28, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐29, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐30, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐31, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐32, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐33, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐34, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐35, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐36, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐37, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐38, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐39, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐40-Host, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
$30
/ per night
🚐41, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐42, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐43, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐44, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐45, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐46, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐47, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐48, Loop: TAIL
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
⛺49, Loop: TAIL
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
No available sites
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Reviews
429 reviews
Summary
AI generated
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.
This was our first camping trip of the season. The campground was quite, the bathhouse was clean and the campground hosts were nice. There was plenty of shade and all sites were level. The next question is about cell service. Bluegrass is not an option, but that’s what we have and there is NO service. We had to drive 7 mi before we could get the weather to load as it was starting to storm and we wanted to check the radar. We will be getting a cellular booster before our next trip to see if that helps.
Camping area is really pretty and the spots were very nice and accommodating!
There is a nice place to walk and a play area for kids. The only problem was the bathroom situation. Only one bathhouse containing two toilets and one shower in the the whole camping area. Although it was clean, it needs to be updated and more bathhouses available.
Camping area is really pretty and the spots were very nice and accommodating!
There is a nice place to walk and a play area for kids. The only problem was the bathroom situation. Only one bathhouse containing two toilets and one shower in the the whole camping area. Although it was clean, it needs to be updated and more bathhouses available.
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.
The closest entrance is: Mammoth Cave Visitor Center
Approximate drive: 24.8 mi · 42 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.
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