Kendall Campground in Kentucky on map - free

This riverside campground has recreational opportunities aplenty.

After passing through the Wolf Creek Dam in Russell County, the Cumberland River turns south through Cumberland and Monroe Counties before crossing into Tennessee. This tailwater was created in 1952 with the completion of Wolf Creek Dam. Kendall Recreation Area, complete with a great campground, was built in the flat below the dam. Above the dam is massive Lake Cumberland. Interestingly, the water discharging from the dam averages 52°F.

This campground has an unusual configuration but is nice nonetheless. Drop steeply off Wolf Creek Dam to enter a large flat. The Cumberland River

emerges from the bottom of the dam and curves around the recreation area. The campground, which lies near the river, has one big loop and two smaller concentric loops. Because it was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers, it is first-rate and in great shape. The big loop contains campsites 1-41, large, shady sites that are spread far apart from one another. Brush grows between them, making for even greater privacy, and tall trees grow overhead. The loop circles around and passes steps leading to the river. Some of the sites back up to a creek coming out of the nearby fish hatchery. The large sites continue, most of which are great. But you will be mixed in with RVs, as they like these spacious sites too.

The area with the small concentric loops, which contains sites 42-77, is good but not as good as the big loop. The sites here are in great condition, just a little too close together, especially sites 53-65 beside the middle road. I recommend the first loop over this one; still, these sites aren't bad.