
Tailwater Picnic Shelter
Green River Lake, Kentucky
Sold out? We check Tailwater Picnic Shelter for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.
Cancellation alerts
Sold out for your dates?
Free to start. Email alerts included.
As of September 2026, Tailwater Picnic Shelter is a campground in Kentucky with 1 campsite. Tailwater Picnic Shelter is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks Tailwater Picnic Shelter for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- Tailwater Picnic Shelter is located at 37.2432° N, 85.3441° W.
Tailwater Picnic Shelter reservations and next available dates
September 2026
Campsites at Tailwater Picnic Shelter
- Group 1
- Hookups 1
Amenities
- restrooms
- potable water
- playground
- boat ramp
At a glance: Setting: Lake.
Things to do: fishing, boating, hiking, wildlife, photography, stargazing, water sports.
All sites at Tailwater Picnic Shelter, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the Tailwater Recreation Area loop.
| Site | Type | Hookups |
|---|---|---|
| Tailwater Picnic Shelter | Group | Electric |
About Tailwater Picnic Shelter
Overview
Tailwater Picnic Shelter is located within the Tailwater Recreation Area. The Tailwater Recreation Area is where the downstream portion of the Green River begins. The Green River is one of the most biodiverse rivers in the country. It is home to more than 150 fish species, more than 70 mussel species, and 42 endemic species (species existing nowhere else in the world). Kayaking and canoeing down the Green River, starting at the Tailwater Boat ramp is a popular outdoor activity in the area.
Recreation
With 8,000 surface acres of water, the lake is an ideal place for boating. With ten boat ramps located around the shoreline, guests have plenty of room for fishing, jet skiing, wake boarding and more. Three full-service marinas are also located around the lake.
Fishing is a popular activity at Green River Lake: Walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, muskie and bluegill are all found in abundance.
Hunters enjoy the surrounding land, with various habitats supporting deer, turkey, rabbit, quail, squirrel, dove and waterfowl.
There are also miles of trails that wind around the lake and along the shore, affording some of the most scenic views in the region.
Kayaking and canoeing down the Green River, starting at the Tailwater Boat ramp is a popular outdoor activity in the area.
Facilities
Tailwater Picnic Shelter is located within theTailwater Recreation Area of Green River Lake. The shelter is located .3 miles off of KY-55 and is 2 miles from the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center. Green River access as well as the Tailwater boat ramp are just a few hundred feet from the shelter. The Stilling Basin, where may like to fish and view the water discharge out of the dam, is located within the same recreation area just a .5 mile up the road. Amenities at the shelter include electricity hookup, 8 picnic tables, grills, parking and access to a playground and restroom. The shelter restroom is only open seasonally (closed over the winter months).
If the shelter has been reserved for the day, a "Reserved Today" sign will be placed on the shelter's sign to indicate that it not avaible for walk-ups.
If the shelter has not been reserved for a particular day, it may be used free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Natural Features
Green River Lake area encompasses a total of some 32,000 acres in the central portion of Kentucky, creating countless recreational activities for visitors on the water and on land. The Green River is Kentucky’s crown jewel of river systems and a national treasure of biodiversity. At 384 miles, it is one of Kentucky’s largest, longest, and most navigable rivers.
Nearby Attractions
The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and the Historical Civil War Atkinson-Griffin Log Cabin are located only a short 2 miles from the shelter. Lake access as well as a boat ramp are also located 1.7 miles from the shelter at the Site 1 boat ramp area. Several trailheads are located nearby and the Green River Lake State Park is only a 3.4 mile drive away.
Several historical attractions and National Parks are located within an hour of Green River Lake, including the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and Mammoth Cave National Park.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (270) 465-4463.
Charges & Cancellations
Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →
Tailwater Picnic Shelter FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Tailwater Picnic Shelter?
Tailwater Picnic Shelter is rated "Very Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.
How do I find last-minute availability at Tailwater Picnic Shelter?
Cancellations happen frequently at Tailwater Picnic Shelter, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Tailwater Picnic Shelter have?
Tailwater Picnic Shelter has 1 campsites.
Campgrounds
Browse Campsites
Monitor campsite availability across federal and state parks. Get alerts when sites open up at sold-out campgrounds.
Kentucky
8 popular campgrounds
- Houchin Ferry Campground
- Bear Creek Campground - Ky
- Blue Heron Campground
- Dewey Lake Campground Shoreline Sites
- Fall Creek Campground
- Lake Malone State Park Campground
- Mammoth Cave Backcountry Camping
- Mammoth Cave Campground
California
8 popular campgrounds
- Crystal Springs Campground
- Atwell Mill Campground
- Buckeye Flat Campground
- Canyon View Group Sites
- Cold Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites
- Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping
Oregon
8 popular campgrounds
- Little Crater Lake Campground
- Cave Creek Campground
- Acorn Woman Lakes Campground
- Big Lake West Campground
- Cavitt Creek Falls Recreation Site
- Cultus Lake Boat In - West Campground
- Hart-Tish Park at Applegate Lake Campground
- Hebo Lake Campground
Utah
8 popular campgrounds
- Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
- Devils Garden Campground
- Natural Bridges Campground
- North Campground (Ut)
- South Campground (Ut)
- Sunset Campground (Ut)
- Watchman Campground
- Anderson Meadow Campground (Fishlake NF, Ut)
Ohio
8 popular campgrounds
- Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Grand Lake West Bank Marina
- Kiser Lake State Park Kiser Lake Grandview Area Tie Ups Campground
- Lake Logan State Park Lake Logan Marina Beach 1-18 Campground
- Lake Loramie State Park Earls Island Dock Back Campground
- Pike Lake State Park Pike Lake Cabins and Day Use Shelters
- Scioto Trail State Park Stewart Lake Campground
- Buck Creek State Park G Dock Campground
- Buckeye Lake State Park Fairfield Beach a Docks Campground
Minnesota
8 popular campgrounds
- Cass Lake Loop Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- Glacial Lakes State Park Lower Campground
- Jeanette Lake Campground
- Lake Bronson State Park Lakeside Extension Campground
- Lake Maria State Park Backpack Campsites
- Lake Shetek State Park Prairie Campground
- Maplewood State Park Grass Lake Campground: Hollow Loop
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our campground pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Takes less than a minute.