Cravens Bay Campground in Kentucky on map - U.S.

Cravens Bay is off the beaten path at Land Between the Lakes.

Cravens Bay Campground is overshadowed by more popular campgrounds at Land Between the Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area, said to be Kentucky's most-visited tourist attraction. It so happens that Cravens Bay lies at the end of a road leading to Lake Barkley, and none of the popular LBL attractions are nearby. So mostly you end up with locals and others in on the secret that Cravens Bay is a place to take it easy yet access those LBL features, if you don't mind driving a little bit. Interestingly don't be surprised if you meet campers here whose parents and grandparents lived on this peninsula before LBL was a recreation

area and before Lake Barkley even existed. Now these people relax at a scenic lakeside camp and recall days gone by.

Enter the lower Cravens Creek valley. Cravens Bay, an arm of Lake Barkley, appears on your right. Just before the campground, pass the wide and convenient boat ramp with its large gravel parking area. A courtesy dock floats beside the ramp; on your left are picnic sites carved into the side of the hill. Wide steps lead up to campground restrooms that have flush toilets March through November but no showers. Ahead is the campground. A campground host (fronting the main campground loop) allows for an easier and safer stay, making this quiet spot even better. Three campsites stand on the hill to the left. The loop circles a flat beside the lake and has 15 sites beside Cravens Bay. These sites have been leveled and are shaded by a line of trees. The sites closest the lake are the most popular.

You may think this loop is the end of the campground, but hold on. A gravel road runs alongside Cravens Bay away

from the main loop. Soon a couple more sites, 19 and 20, come into view in a small flat beside the shore. You will likely be by yourself here or, at most, have one neighbor. The gravel road continues a half mile farther to reach a second loop. Five large sites are set on a hill away from the lake. These are shaded by large oak trees, which add to the campsite setting. The gravel road turns toward the lake to a grassy ridge dipping to the water. A few hackberry and maple trees provide shade. Six sites, best suited for tent campers, overlook Lake Barkley from a hill. Younger campers and families seem to gravitate toward this end of the campground, while the older generation stays up front. A steep boat ramp lies at the end of the rear loop. I don't understand why this "mystery loop" is less popular when it would be great for family campers who

want room to roam and have a little fun without getting in the neighbors' hair. Portable toilets serve this isolated area.

Recreation here is centered on the water. Quiet Cravens Bay opens up and widens into Lake Barkley. Most campers will be water users here—boating, fishing, and swimming are your choices. Most swimmers just head to the water from their campsites. Fishing opportunities are limited only by your knowledge and desire. Other recreational opportunities require a bit of a drive. LBL is called a national recreation area for a reason: You can enjoy the water; hike or mountain bike some of the 200 miles of trails on the peninsula; go horseback riding; see the elk and bison; or go back in time at historical demonstrations of iron forging or weaving. Your choices are limited only by time. But don't be surprised if your neighbor is sitting in the same lawn chair he was in when you left your campsite. Many campers here like to set up, lay up, and relax. And if

that's on your agenda, then make Cravens Bay your LBL headquarters and leave the running around to others.

From Exit 31 on l-24,take KY453 South to enter Land Between the Lakes and reach the North Welcome Station. From there, continue south on The Trace for 5.4 miles to paved Old Ferry Road (Forest Service Road 117). Turn left on Old Ferry Road, and follow it 1.4 miles to paved FS 118. Turn right on FS 118 and follow it 2.9 miles to dead-end at the campground.

GPS COORDINATES   N36° 57.841'   W88° 2.851'

ADDRESS: 238 Visitor Center Dr., Golden Pond, KY 42211

OPERATED BY: Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area

CONTACT: 800-LBL-7077, landbetweenthelakes.us

OPEN: Year-round

SITES: 31

SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, fire grate; some have tent pads

ASSIGNMENT: First come, first served; no reservations

REGISTRATION: Self-registration on-site

FACILITIES: Water spigot, flush toilets PARKING: At campsites only FEE: $9

ELEVATION: 500 feet

¦ Pets: On leash only

¦ Fires: In fire rings only

¦ Alcohol: At campsites only

¦ Vehicles: No more than 2 per site

¦ Other: 14-day stay limit