Holmes Bend Day Use
Situated along Kentucky's Highland Rim, Holmes Bend Recreation Area is surrounded by forested tracks, rolling meadows and the pristine banks of Green River Lake.
Holmes Bend Picnic Shelter is the only Corps managed group picnic shelter in the Holmes Bend Recreation Area. Amenities at the shelter include electricity hookup, 8 picnic tables, grills, firepit, lakefront views, 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.
Notifications and Alerts
Shelter reservations for any event other than a picnic (wedding, sporting event, etc.) or for over 50 attendees/participants require a Special Use Permit Application be submitted 30 days in advance of the reservation date. Please call (270) 465-4463 for more information and to request a permit application from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Green River Lake Office.
Need to Know
-Weddings, fishing tournaments and other special events require a Special Activity Permit to be submitted 30 days before your event. Please call the US Army Corps of Engineers office at (270) 465-4463 for additional information or to complete the Special Activity Permit.
-If the event will have more than 50 participants or if special equipment will be brought in (large grills, dj equipment, jump houses, etc..) a Special Event Permit may be required in addition to the shelter rental fee. Please call the US Army Corps of Engineers office at (270) 465-4463 for additional information or to complete the Special Activity Permit.
-Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
-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.
-No discounts can be applied to shelter reservations (America the Beautiful Senior or Access cards).
-Pets shall be kept on a leash not over 6 feet long or under physical control at all times. Pets shall not be left unattended. Pet owners are expected to clean up and properly dispose of their pet’s waste.
-The possession or use of fireworks is prohibited.
-Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
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.
Nearby Attractions
Holmes Bend Campground is located just 1 mile from the shelter area. The campground offers 125 campsites, 40 of which have electric hookups only and 62 of which have water and electric hookups. Amenities like flush toilets, showers, fire rings and drinking water provide a comfortable camping experience. A playground and an interpretive trail offer additional recreation opportunities within the campground.
Also nearby is the Holmes Bend Beach. This is public beach for visitors in the area. Several miles of multi-use trails to include horseback riding, parking areas, additonal playground and restroom facilities, boat ramp, courtesy dock, fishing pier, marina, and marina owned rental cabins are all located near the shelter area.
The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and the Historical Civil War Atkinson-Griffin Log Cabin are located only a short 10 miles northwest from Holmes Bend .
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.
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.
Changes & 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.
Contact Information
Mailing
544 Lake Rd Campbellsville KY 42718-9393
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 270-465-4463
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Columbia: Head south toward Burkesville St (266 ft). Exit the traffic circle onto Campbellsville St (1.6 mi). Turn right onto State Hwy 551 (2.4 mi). Turn left onto State Hwy 682/Holmes Bend Rd. Continue to follow Holmes Bend Rd (5.3 mi). Turn left, destination will be on the right.
From Campbellsville, KY: Head southwest on E Broadway St toward Lebanon Ave (0.6 mi). E Broadway St turns slightly right and becomes US-68 W/Greensburg Rd (0.5 mi). Turn left onto KY-55 S (10.9 mi). Turn left onto Cane Valley Rd/Old Ky 55 Loop No 2 Rd (0.4 mi). Turn left onto Kellyville Rd (0.9 mi). Turn right onto Mt Carmel Rd (2.6 mi). Turn left onto Holmes Bend Rd (3.9 mi). Turn left, destination will be on the right.
