Fishing Creek Campground in Kentucky on map
Fishing Creek Campground
This campground has first-rate campsites and an inviting swimming beach.
Fishing Creek is a first-rate campground set on the shores of Lake Cumberland, a huge reservoir with many arms and fingers. The campground is near the town of Somerset, on the Fishing Creek arm of the lake. As has been the case with many lakeside campgrounds, the Army Corps of Engineers pulled out the stops and constructed a fine place. On arrival you will first notice the above-average play and picnic areas beside the boat ramp leading into Lake Cumberland. A nice swimming beach is located below the picnic area. Beyond the entrance station you will see the campground.
Reach campsites 1 and 2, which are the two waterfront tent-only sites.
Shaded by cedars, they are close to one another but also close to the swim beach; even though these are tent-only sites, they have electricity. Beyond here, reach campsites that are built on massive piers extending to the lake. These are no ordinary piers but elaborate structures that offer great lake views and cooling breezes. A fence runs around the edge of the piers for safety. Some of the sites are a little open to the sun, but campers all over would love to have them. Steps between the sites lead down to the water. If you are a good caster, you could probably fish from your pier-campsite.
The campground road divides into a loop. On the right, the lakefront sites continue. On the left, you reach a series of tent-only sites on the inside of the loop. Here, you pull your car, then walk into cool, dark, and shady campsites that do well in providing privacy, as well as relief from the heat of sweltering summer days. These sites also have electricity, so bring a fan and plug it in if you get really hot. The loop curves away from the lake and up a hollow. A small area inside the loop contains the two tent-only sites I do not recommend, 33 and 34. Solitude seekers will want sites 31 and 32. The loop begins curving back, and you pass more tent-only sites with short steps leading up to them; this setup improves privacy. More tent sites are located on the inside of the loop here and are shaded by sycamores and elms (other areas are shaded by hickories and oaks). The sites are delineated with landscaping timbers. A bathhouse is on the upper end of the loop. The loop ends, and you reach more RV-oriented sites. The good thing about the setup here is that tent campers can find a site anywhere at Fishing Creek, but only RVs can stay at the larger pull-up sites. Reservations are recommended on good-weather summer weekends.
Overall, you can't go wrong at Fishing Creek. It's a first-rate operation that won't disappoint. An on-site campground host keeps things safe and secure. The sites and fixtures are well-built and clean, and the town of Somerset is nearby for supply runs. The lake is the obvious attraction here, with rock bluffs visible across the water from the campground. Campers like to cool off at the swim beach, where parents can watch their kids enjoy the water from the shade of the picnic area; other campers will be taking their boats out to ski and fish. Many will just be relaxing at camp, enjoying those unique pier sites or the shady tent sites. After all, a lot of money was spent on them, but you won't be shortchanged when you overnight at Fishing Creek.
Key Information about Fishing Creek Campground
ADDRESS: 1611 Highway 1248, Somerset, KY 42501
OPERATED BY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
CONTACT: 606-679-6337, www. lrn. usace. army . mil; reservations: 877-444-6777, reserveamerica.com
OPEN: Mid-May-early September
SITES: 20 tent-only sites, 26 others
SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, lantern post, water, electricity
ASSIGNMENT: First come, first served and by reservation
REGISTRATION: At campground entrance booth
FACILITIES: Hot showers, flush toilets PARKING: At campsites only FEE: $15 tent, $20 standard ELEVATION: 750 feet
RESTRICTIONS in Fishing Creek Campground
¦ 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
Getting to Fishing Creek Campground
From the junction of US 27 and KY 80 in Somerset, take KY 80 West 3 miles to reach KY 1248. Turn right on KY 1248, and follow it 1.5 miles to reach the campground.
GPS COORDINATES N37° 4.335 W84° 41.356