Cumberland Plateau

I spent a couple of weeks at various camps in what is called the Cumberland Plateau. It’s a high area just west of the Appalachian Mountains. This part of eastern Kentucky and Tennessee has lots of hills and canyons that create some beautiful scenery.

Tardis at Pikes Ridge CG

(Campbellsville KY)
Pikes Ridge CG (ACE) on Green River Lake is located a good bit off the highway at the end of a winding paved road. It’s a bit narrow, and here and there across the road are some power lines that seem a bit low. However, I did see some good sized fifth-wheels there, so it must have been OK. I’d not recommend tall rigs to attempt it though.

Cliff on Green River Lake

The park is nicely laid out with all sites having a view of the lake, back-in and pull throughs. The electric/water sites back up to the lake, while the no hook-up ones sit back in the tree line. Only vault toilets with no showers or laundry. There’s a good boat ramp, parking area, and playground. A dump station is on the way out. If you like remote, and playing on the lake, it’s a good spot. Nothing else is nearby.

(Nancy KY)
Cumberland Point CG (ACE) is on Cumberland Lake and pretty remote. Again, this camp is off the main highway at the end of a long winding road. In fact, the road itself turns into the boat ramp into the lake.

Rock ledge on Cumberland Lake

My site backed into tree cover and a steep drop overlooking Cumberland Lake. Sites are gravel and pretty level with picnic table, fire ring, electric and water. They are also closer together than most ACE camps. But, because of the steep terrain, angled pads, and trees it’s OK. There are retaining fences around each site.

Mill Springs Civil War Battlefield

At the last turn to get to the camp, is the Mill Springs Battlefield from the Civil War. This was the Union’s first major victory in Kentucky, and is credited with keeping the state with the North. Much of the terrain is just as it was during that time, so you get a good sense about the coarse of battle.

Confederate Memorial at Mill Springs Battlefield

The fallen Confederate soldiers were buried in a mass grave near this memorial cemetery; a headstone for each one with his name and unit. There are other markers and trails throughout the battlefield.

(Parkers Lake KY)
Next, I went to Cumberland Falls SP about two hours away. It has a nice parking and viewing area along the Cumberland River right off the highway. I treated myself to an ice cream cone after taking photos; and it was only one dollar.

Cumberland River

The falls is impressive and there are several viewing stations at top, middle and bottom. A sign said it measures 125 ft across and 68 ft high, but it sure seemed larger than that. Nearby is Eagle Falls, but I didn’t hike to that one.

Cumberland Falls

The campground was quiet, but the spaces were very close together. It sets on a ridge and  drops off into a ravine on both sides. Afterward, I went through Corbin KY to resupply, get propane and fill-up on gas. Then it was onward to my next camp in Tennessee.

Camps: Pikes Ridge ACE, Cumberland Point ACE, Cumberland Falls SP
Scene: Canyons, lakes, river, woods, waterfalls