Green River Lake State Park, Campbellsville, KY: 27-29 Apr 18

We just got back from 3 day trip, 27-29 April 2018.  I will do the review of the Green River Lake State Park first for those that just want to learn about the location.  After that I will write about our experience.

Reserving the site:  I made the reservation using the "Allstays Camp & RV" application with no issues.  With a 10% military discount we paid 15.00 a night

Travel to site:  From Frankfort, KY it was about a 2 hour drive.   The roads were great and many were 4 lanes.  Only the last 5 miles were on a 2 lane road that had a couple tight turns but again I thought it was a easy pull.

Checking in:  Arrived at the campground on Friday at 1300.  Check-in was 1400 but they had no problem with us arriving early as our site was vacant.  The campground had a sign that said you needed to stop at the store to check in prior to moving to designated spot.  Got a mirror tag and reservation tag to affix to the site pole.  Check-in took no more than 5 min as no one was in front of us.  Check out is 1300.

Site:  Our site was 82 which was on the lower end near the water.  This was a paved site with really well kept grass surrounding the pavement and a nice fire pit with a full size picnic table.  However our site had a slope that required a lot of leveling from front to back. 

Our Site #82

Thank goodness we had quite a few leveling blocks.  The site did need some leveling from side to side as well.  The best sites are in the middle of the campground as they are level.  Sites 6-10  are the best sites as they have a concrete patio and are really flat and wide. 

Site 6

Sites with trees

The sites on the right side (closest to the exit) of the campground had mature trees. The sites on our side (left) had no trees.  That was ok as the weather was in the mid 60's.  The sites are close together and you can easily see into the campers of all the neighbors around you.  The campground has 30 amp service with water but no sewer.  The electric box was a lot farther from the paved site then one would expect.  Our 25 ft. cable barely made it.  The water connection was a closer.  Water pressure was strong and the electric service had no interruptions.  

Dump Station:  One dump station exiting the campground and one coming into the campground.  We left at 1300 on Sunday and had to wait in line for about 30 min. 

Dump station

I did not really understand the incoming septic dump side except for those leaving that did not mind driving off the campground turning around down the road and coming back onto the campground to empty on that side.  The septic drain and the water source were really close together.  Normally not a problem using your own hose but they provided a permanently connected hose.  It was not long enough to connect to the back of our trailer flush inlet while leaving the septic hose connected.

Activities:  Putt-putt golf for $5.00.  It was a bit run down.  Many hiking, mountain biking, and horse back riding trails that even had some jumps and ramps for bikes. There is also a dedicated swimming area with a man made beach.

Boat Ramp

Trail Map

Trails and Beach

It had a really nice boat ramp with plenty of parking.

Facilities:  There were 2 bathhouses and both had clean latrines and sinks.  Between both there was 5 showers each for men and women.  The showers seemed outdated with basic fixtures.

Overall campground:  A very nice but small campground right on the shore of the lake.  A limited supply store that stayed open until 2100 on Fri/Sat.  Campbellsville was only a few miles away and with a Walmart and restaurants.  Quiet time started at 2300 and for the most part everyone adhered to that policy.  The only noise that we heard overnight was a few fisherman traveling across the water for some late night fishing.  I did not see any signs that prohibited the use of external fire wood.  If it has recently rained you may find a few sites with standing water.  We would have no issues visiting this campground again.

View from bath house

Our experience

Our 2nd trip out a bit further away from home.  Let me preface this recap by saying that I had a mishap playing softball about 10 days ago so I was nursing a 1st degree right shoulder separation.  This put a bit of extra work on Jennifer, who was awesome.  Friday afternoon arrival and checking in was no problem.  The sites are angled which required us to drive down a couple rows to get us in the right direction to back in.  I am not sure what degree of slope from back to front but when we were done leveling the tongue of the trailer hit Jennifer at her hip bone (she's 5'4).  Thank goodness we had a 2 step stepladder because our bottom trailer step was too high off the ground, looked wacked but it was level.  We decided to sit and enjoy the sun for a bit.  I had unloaded our firewood made a feeble attempt to split the wood just using my left hand which I failed miserably.  I made mention that I would have to wait on Dewaye Harlan or Mike Abell to arrive before I could get it split. Jennifer said "Let me try" so I took a seat and watched the show.  Her first couple attempts were not successful.  Now mind you, I was reclined in a lawn chair and there were several other guys noticing this as they set up their sites. 

Lumberjack Jennifer

I was feeling pretty smug as my beautiful wife was wielding the ax as I sat there supervising.  After a couple more attempts I made the mistake to push my luck and offer advice from my reclined position.  A quick glare and the suggestion that I hold the next log on her next attempt snapped me back to reality thinking that the next swing may relieve me of my head.  I jumped up and found a few things to do as she got her muscle memory back and started splitting wood like a pro.  Dewaye and Lori Harlan pulled into their spot across the road in front of us and began setting up.  We got a tour of their travel trailer and it was really nice.   They come over and we had a small fire, more smoke than fire, and called it a night.  

Dewayne and Lori Harlan

Saturday we started off with pancake breakfast, setting of the smoke alarm again 😆.  Later we met up with the Harlan's and took about a 3-4 mile hike.  We did the Overlook Trail and it was a great hike along the edge of the lake.  The trail was for hiking and biking and it had some really cool jumps and ramps for those adventurous bikers. 

Ate some lunch with the Harlan's, napped a bit and soon the Abell's (Mike and Aline) arrived at their primitive site.  I had never seen his tricked out Mercedes Benz 4x4 all purpose vehicle.

Mike and Aline Abell

Tricked out all purpose vehicle

  Got a tour of it and had everyone over for Jennifer's pulled BBQ chicken.  The Harlans brought chili and awesome Derby Bars.  The Abells brought some amazing deserts as well.  During dinner someone knocked on our door.  Dewayne went to the door and was greeted with "Travis Mason?  We are looking for Travis Mason".  My mind raced, as I somberly walked to the door, thinking that maybe I was doing something stupid like leaking raw sewage into my neighbors site or maybe overlooking some basic camping etiquette.  I was met with a smile from two camp employees saying "You won".  To my surprise they had a drawing at lunch for a free shirt and they pulled our site out.  Cool beans, I immediately saw a chance to thank Jennifer for her help...she picked out a nice pink one at the store.  Mike and Dewayne consolidated firewood at our location, only to find out Mike's was acquired under questionable methods 😀.  It was a funny story that you will have to ask him about.   We sat around a roaring fire chewing the fat until well past midnight.   The night was cool with a bit of a breeze but we kept the fire stoked and everyone toasty. 

Saturday night at our campsite

Good friends and camping....doesn't not get any better.   Sunday was a non eventful breakdown and a couple hour drive home.  

Next trip is Carter Caves so stay tuned!