Land Between The Lakes Nat. Rec. Area

Johno02 wrote:
Traveling from Branson towards home, we use US 60 to Poplar Bluff, there are several nice looking campgrounds to overnight at. Then pick up US412 at Kennett, on to I40. Natchez Trace state Park or Parkers Crossroads overnight, then on to Nashville.

Good advice. While you got good advice from several people I would pay close attention to Johno02 he is from this area and offering some good information. Would also recommend Natchez Trace State Park.

If you need a campground in Paducha you might try Duck Creek. It's a commercial campground but it does have full hookups and is close to Land Between the Lakes. It is on a busy road so you do get some road noise. There is a mix of long term and short term RVers but is well run and fairly convenient to the Interstate. We've stayed there a couple of times travelling through Kentucky.

The bridge at Cairo is narrow but manageable. But we are in a truck camper so it might be more difficult for a larger Rv. We have seen larger 5th wheels, motorhomes and 18 wheelers crossing though.

While the campgrounds may be closed you can still disperse camp. Also think the back country sites are open but would need to double check. As far as the weather hours figure nights little below freezing and days in the fifties. Just about right where you don't have to worry about the ticks. Should be safe from freezing precip but there is always a slim chance.

There will be NO campgrounds open in the LBL area during the latter part of December. Except Wrangler camp. Better change your plans.

We have stayed twice at Canal Campground. They have some full hookups and some water and electric. Some sites are right on the water so you can watch the barge traffic go by. I believe it is an Army Corps of Engineer Campground.

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/canal/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71067


http://henryandbethstravels.blogspot.com/2009/10/canal-campground-grand-lakes-kentucky.html

Alabama Jim wrote:
The bridge on I 24 Cairo to Paducah is great. Been that way a number of times. On the north side of the bridge at Metropolis, IL stop and say hello to Superman.

These are 2 different bridges.

I-24 crosses the Ohio at Paducah, goes up through Metropolis.

I-57 crosses the Mississippi at Cairo, goes north and intersects I-24 near Goreville, IL.

Branson is not an easy place to get to, from anywhere. A better route to TN might be US162 & US60 over to I-55 and cross the Mississippi on 155 near Dyersburg. From there, you have many options to LBL or Nashville.

Yes, the I-24 bridge is great. But if you are going from Branson to Nashville, its a LONG way around, and way above the direction he is going. And the bridges at Cairo are still nasty, and the roads worse. Much better to go south on I-55, and cross at Dyersburg. That is a good 4-lane all the way to Nashville. Unless he has some good reason to go to Paducah, or to see Superman. Actually, we have made the run from Branson to Lexington in one day, but not again if we can help it.

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The bridge on I 24 Cairo to Paducah is great. Been that way a number of times. On the north side of the bridge at Metropolis, IL stop and say hello to Superman.

I have not been that way in a number of years, but US60 to Paducah involves crossing the bridges at Cairo, I would not even WALK that way, much less try it in an RV of any type. I can be corrected if those bridges have been rebuilt, or if anyone else has travelled that way recently. Down through Dyersburg, TN is all 4-lane except the stretch between Poplar Bluff and Kennett, MO.