Self-Service Campgrounds Rules

IMPORTANT: Land Between the Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area (NRA) Self-Service Permits are ONLY valid at Cravens Bay, Nickell Branch, Birmingham Ferry, Smith Bay, Sugar Bay, Taylor Bay, Boswell Landing, Gatlin Point and Redd Hollow. Whether purchased online or by using the fee tube, these are the same pass. No other passes/permits will be honored.
Prior to payment, you must ensure that sites are available, refunds will not be issued.
Read sign and instructions at entrance. The Basic/Backcountry Camping Permit is not applicable at Self-Service Camping Areas.
All visitors to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area are responsible for knowing and following all rules and regulations. More information may be obtained by visiting https://landbetweenthelakes.us/ .

Within 30 minutes of arrival, purchase pass online or fill out the fee tube envelope.
Senior and Access Pass cardholders receive 50% off self-service camping, must possess a card to receive discount, and must occupy the site. Card may not be borrowed by a family member or friend.
Occupancy is required, leaving camping equipment at any location unoccupied overnight is prohibited.
Camping fee is per camping unit, per night (RV, van, pop-up, etc.). Two tents are considered one camping unit. Example: three or four tents are considered two camping units; one camper and one tent are two camping units.
Each fee allows two vehicles and up to eight people per camping unit, per night.
Two camping units allowed on each site.
Maximum stay, 21 nights during any 30 consecutive days. On day 22, camping unit and occupants must move off Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Self-Service Campground Fees

You pay a nightly per camping unit fee for camping at Self-Service campgrounds. The Basic/Backcountry Permit cannot be used at Self-Service Campgrounds.
Self-Service Locations and Amenities
Self-Service Campgrounds offer basic amenities including designated campsite pads, picnic tables, grills, fire rings, vault toilets, trash pickup, lake access, and boat ramps.
Self-Service Campgrounds include:

Cravens Bay
Nickell Branch
Birmingham Ferry
Smith Bay
Sugar Bay
Taylor Bay
Redd Hollow
Boswell Landing
Gatlin Point
Fenton (fee tube only, permits not sold online)

Firewood

Leave firewood at home – do not transport it to LBL. If you have firewood, burn all of it before leaving your campsite. Dead and down wood may be collected from LBL for personal use at camp areas. Cravens Bay, Fenton, Nickell Branch, Birmingham Ferry, Smith Bay, Sugar Bay, Taylor Bay, Boswell Landing, Gatlin Point and Redd Hollow are small campgrounds that have designated sites with access to picnic tables, fire rings, toilets, boat ramps, and dumpsters. addition, Cravens Bay has flush toilets and sells ice seasonally; Fenton offers designated sites with electric hook-ups.

Hunt Permits & Regulations

Hunters may use printed or digital documentation with proof of identity.
Permits can not be changed, altered, or transferred to another hunter.
Land Between the Lakes Hunter Use Permit are required. Hunter Use Permits are valid for one year from date of purchase. The Hunter Use Permit is available for purchase online, in-person at the Welcome Stations and Visitor Center, or anywhere Kentucky and Tennessee state hunting licenses are sold.
Applicable state hunting licenses - ie: must hunt in Kentucky if hunter possesses a Kentucky state license. There is not a reciprocal agreement between states. State hunting licenses are not sold at Land Between the Lakes and must be purchased prior to hunting.

Hunter Safety Requirements

All hunters must possess a hunter safety card as required by state regulations for the state portion of Land Between the Lakes in which they are hunting.
All hunters and youth sponsors must wear visible items of hunter orange as required by state regulations.
Adults accompanying youth hunters are not required to have a hunting license or LBL Hunter Use Permit, unless the youth has not completed a hunter safety course, in which case respective state regulations apply.

Rules & Regulations

Be sure to read Land Between the Lakes Hunting Rules as well as the General Rules and Regulations before you hunt.
If you are camping, read the Camping Rules.
For specific information on hunting seasons, bag limits, etc., click on the tabs above for each game species and read its corresponding “fact sheet”.
All State and Federal Regulations Apply. The two most common hunting violations are carrying a loaded or uncased firearm in a vehicle and driving on illegal roads or in fields.

Basic Camping -General Camping Regulations

All visitors to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area are responsible for knowing and following all rules and regulations. More information may be obtained by visiting https://landbetweenthelakes.us/ . You may camp almost anywhere in Land Between the Lakes (LBL). A Basic Camping Permit is required for each person 18 and over when camping in Basic Camping Area prior to occupancy. Basic Camping Permits are not accepted at designated fee areas, examples are; Self Service Camping Areas, Developed Campgrounds. A Basic Camping Area is an open area without defined campsites. Amenities might include a vault toilet, trash removal, mowed areas, and a boat ramp. However, they may or may not have picnic tables and fire rings and/or grills. You may camp anywhere within the camping area with a Basic Camping Permit. Basic Camping Areas include:

Twin Lakes
Demumbers Bay
Pisgah Point
Ginger Bay
Neville Bay

Camping Prohibitions

Camping within the boundaries of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in the following areas is prohibited: 36 CFR 261.58(e)

Camping within any cemetery is prohibited.
Camping within the grounds of the Brandon Springs Residential Center is prohibited.
Camping within 200 yards of the following roads: State Highways 68 and 80, the Trace, Fort Henry Road, Kentucky Lake Drive, Mulberry Flat Road, Silver Trail Road, and Road 165 from the intersection of the Trace at Golden Pond to Wranglers Campground is prohibited.
Camping within the Nature Watch Demonstration Area between Mulberry Flat Road and Silver Trail Road east to Lake Barkley. This also includes all areas south and east of the intersection of Mulberry Flat
Road and Forest Development Road 134 to the north side of Energy Lake Dam, excluding identified campsites within the Taylor Bay Campground is prohibited.
Camping within all areas of the Nature Watch Demonstration Area located in Tennessee, south of Fort Henry Road is prohibited.
Within a wildlife food plot or agricultural field is prohibited.
Within 200 yards of any developed campground, firearms and archery ranges, public day use facilities, Moss Creek Day Use Area or other areas as designated and posted as closed to camping is prohibited.
Camping with a horse, saddle or other pack animal except within Wranglers Campground and Wranglers Recreation area is prohibited.
Camping or maintaining a campsite for more than 21 consecutive days is prohibited.
Possessing alcoholic beverages in violation of any Tennessee or Kentucky state law, regulation, or statute is prohibited.
Any camping equipment left unattended/ abandoned more than 24 hours may be removed and the owner may be subject to fines. Securing camping equipment is your responsibility.
Campsite occupancy: Failing to have at least one person occupy a campsite during the first night after camping equipment has been set up. Saving campsites is not allowed.
Any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Dumpsters are located at the Golden Pond Visitor Center and all designated camping areas and welcome stations. Dumping home or commercial waste in any dumpster on Land Between the Lakes is prohibited. Dumping gray or black water on the ground, in waterways, or in chemical or vault toilets is prohibited. Dump stations are located at North and South Welcome Stations and south of the central Hunter Check Station. Possession of a metal detector is prohibited. Pets: All domesticated animals must be crated, caged, or upon a leash not longer than six feet, or otherwise under physical restrictive control. Leaving pets unattended is prohibited. Hunting dogs during authorized hunts/field trials may be off leash outside campgrounds/camping areas. Quiet hours are 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators are allowed from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. However, it is prohibited to produce a noise using any device or mechanism (i.e. radio, TV, motor/engine, musical instrument, slamming rocks, banging pots/pans) in such a manner as to unreasonably disturb a person at any time. Campsites shall be clean and litter free at all times. Selling goods or advertising within Land Between the Lakes allowed by permit only. Spotlighting by any means is prohibited. Construction of structures is strictly prohibited. Do not swim at boat ramps or courtesy docks. Swimming is at your own risk. No lifeguards are on duty anywhere at Land Between the Lakes.

Christmas Tree Permit Rules

Do not remove trees along The Trace/Hwy 68/80, cemeteries, developed recreation areas or any areas designated with paint or boundary signs as a Timber Sale Area(s).
Permittees may use only legal roads. Vehicles shall not leave the roadway.
Permittees may use passenger vehicles or light duty pickup trucks; use of heavy equipment, Off Highway Vehicles (OHV's) or farm equipment is prohibited.
Trees that may be harvested (removed); shall be less than 10 feet tall, the permittee shall not leave a stump height of more than 4 inches.