General Burnside Island State Park Campground in Kentucky on map
General Burnside Island State Park Campground
This is Kentucky's only island state park.
This state park has an interesting history. The area was named for Ambrose Burnside, a Union general during the Civil War. ОГ Ambrose was a little thin on top, so he made up for it with ample hair on the sides of his face. The style gained in popularity, giving rise to the term sideburns. The nearby community of Burnside, and later the state park, was named for him. At the point where the state park is currently located, there was a high point around which the Cumberland River made a sharp bend. When the river was dammed downstream and Lake Cumberland formed, an island was formed on the high point, creating what has become General Burnside Island State Park. The Big South Fork of the Cumberland meets the main part of the river at the south end of the island, adding another watery venue that can be explored from the park.
The 430-acre island is reached by bridge. The campground is located in rolling wooded terrain and offers a quiet setting. The various loops offer different types of campsites. The two loops as you enter the campground have sites 1-50; all are very large, and most are shaded. A rolling grassy lawn provides the under-story, cutting down on privacy. At some sites you pitch your tent on the grass; at others you pitch it under the trees. Like the other loops in this campground, these first two have some really good sites and some not-so-good ones.
The next area, in the center of the campground, has sites 51-76. This is where most RVs congregate. There are some nice, shady sites here, but most are a little too close to one another or back up to one another. A better place for tent camping is the overflow area, on the edge of a rock bluff. The sites here are not numbered; each has a picnic table and fire ring. These sites are well wooded by cedars and other trees and have a fence below them to keep campers from dropping off the bluff into the river. I recommend these approximately 30 sites, even though they are a little on the small side. Most times you won't have a neighbor, as you can camp here even when the campground is not overflowing.
The next area has sites 77-94. These have electricity. Sites 102 and 103 are also tent sites; they are large and set back in their own area. These are highly recommended for solitude lovers. The least desirable sites in this loop were eliminated. A gravel road leads to the final primitive set of tent camps, 104-110. These are on a hilltop of sorts.
You'll have to drive around here to find the site you like. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the site selection, though I wouldn't want to have to choose among the last 10 unclaimed sites on a busy holiday weekend. Get here early on nice summer weekends.
The gently rolling campground roads make good walking or bicycling venues. Developed recreation includes a large swimming pool complex, popular during summer, and a golf course. Most activities are based around Lake Cumberland. The park has a boat ramp and a marina where you can rent boats and Jet Skis. Then you can get out and fish for a variety of bass or just enjoy the scenery where the forks of the Cumberland come together. No matter what you do, you can call General Burnside your Kentucky island retreat.
Key information about General Burnside Island State Park Campground
ADDRESS: 8801 South Highway 27, Burnside, KY 42519
OPERATED BY: Kentucky State Parks
CONTACT: 606-561 - 4104, parks . ky . gov ; reservations: 877-444-6777, reserveamerica . com
OPEN: April-October
SITES: 9 tent sites, 93 standard sites, 30 overflow sites
SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, fire ring
ASSIGNMENT: First come, first served and by reservation
REGISTRATION: At camp booth
FACILITIES: Hot showers, flush toilets, laundry
PARKING: At campsites only
FEE: $14-$18 tent, $19-$24 others
ELEVATION: 800 feet
RESTRICTIONS in General Burnside Island State Park Campground
¦ Pets: On leash only
¦ Fires: In fire rings only
¦ Alcohol: Prohibited
¦ Vehicles: Must stay on regular roadways
Other: 14-day stay limit
Getting to General Burnside Island State Park Campground
From the intersection of US 27 and KY 80 in Somerset, take US 27 South 8.8 miles to the right turn into the state park.
GPS COORDINATES N36° 58.837 W84° 36.098'
