Best Places to Go Camping in Kentucky
Reading Time: 11 minutes Kentucky, also known as the Bluegrass State, is home to iconic attractions such as the Kentucky Derby, Louisville Slugger, Mammoth Cave, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. With 45 state parks, two national parks, and ranking second only to Alaska in terms of river miles, Kentucky offers a wealth of sights and activities for visitors. But where should you stay while exploring this diverse state?
That’s a great question!
Let’s take a look at the top camping spots in Kentucky.
Best Campgrounds in Northern Kentucky
- Big Bone Lick State Historic Site:
Big Bone Lick is situated in Union, Kentucky, approximately 30 minutes south of Cincinnati, Ohio. It earned its name, Big Bone Lick, due to the salt springs and the presence of mammoth and mastodon fossils found in this area.
What you’ll discover here is a free museum showcasing the fossils of the animals that once inhabited this region, along with a diorama pit. You can also get a close and personal view of the live bison herd.
If museums aren’t exactly what you’re seeking during your camping trip in Kentucky, you’re in luck. Big Bone Lick boasts a 40-acre area for exploration.
You’ll find 4.5 miles of trails, miniature golf, bird-watching, tennis, orienteering, and fishing. You’re also very close to Cincinnati, Ohio, where there are plenty of tourist attractions and restaurants.
There are 62 camping sites in this well-maintained park, complete with a swimming pool and a playground. Laundry facilities, showers, and restrooms are available at a central location.
- General Butler State Park:
With 790 acres to explore, you’re sure to find something to do while camping in Kentucky at General Butler in Carrollton.
Their campground offers 100 year-round camping sites with facilities and grills. There are two areas with showers and restrooms, along with on-site laundry facilities at a central location.
If you have an interest in military history, you’ll love the Butler-Turpin Home Museum, where documents and memorabilia from this military family are on display.
There are also plenty of activities such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the 30-acre lake. Additionally, there’s a swimming pool, a miniature golf course, a 4.5-mile bike trail, and more.
In the evening, head to the lodge and enjoy beautiful piano music while you relax and savor the view, reflecting on your day of exploration in this area where the Kentucky and Ohio Rivers meet.
- Â Blue Licks Battlefield State Park:
Next on our list of camping destinations in Kentucky is a memorial to the final battle of the American Revolutionary War. Blue Lick Battlefield is a 148-acre park located near Mount Olivet.
The camping season at Blue Licks runs from March to November only, so be sure to plan accordingly. There are 51 camping sites equipped with water and electrical hookups.
In addition to camping, you can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, miniature golf, picnics, and playgrounds. Blue Licks Battlefield also features a leading museum with mastodon bones and Kentucky artifacts to explore.
If you’re a fan of flowers, be sure to visit the 15-acre natural preserve. Here, you’ll encounter the federally endangered Short’s Goldenrod and the state-threatened Great Plains Ladies’ Tresses orchid.
When you’re looking for a unique keepsake to take home and remember your stay, look no further than the lodge’s gift shop. Here, you’ll find handcrafted items made by local residents.
- Kincaid Lake State Park:
This 850-acre park includes Kincaid Lake, covering 183 acres, where you can enjoy boating, paddleboats, kayaking, canoes, fishing, and camping in Kentucky from March to November.
The campground features 84 open woodland sites, allowing you to stargaze at night and enjoy the shade of the trees during the day.
The sites are equipped with electrical and water hookups. There is also a centrally located grocery store and a service building with showers and restrooms.
The sandy beach at Kincaid Lake has disappeared, replaced by a lakeside swimming pool. All the fun of the water without the fishy smell and sandy feet.
Best Campgrounds in Eastern Kentucky
- Carter Caves State Park:
If your idea of camping in Kentucky involves horses, then check out Carter Caves, located in Olive Hill.
Carter Caves offers a variety of options: RV camping, tent camping, equestrian camping, primitive camping, and even backcountry camping. There’s bound to be a camping style that suits your needs.
This park features a miniature golf course, hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, swimming, and tennis. However, if you’re truly seeking adventure, try exploring the caves or attempting gemstone mining.
For those with the necessary experience, rock climbing and rappelling are available with a permit.
Is fishing more your style? Smokey Lake, spanning 45 acres, is Kentucky’s first bass lake. The park also offers a fishing pole loaner program in case you forget to bring your own. A fishing license is required.
Carter Caves, as the name suggests, boasts numerous caves to explore, along with five natural bridges. There’s even a guided lantern cave tour for an exciting cave exploration experience!
- Natural Bridge State Park:
The Natural Bridge is located in Slade, Kentucky, and is home to a natural sandstone arch bridge that spans an impressive 78 feet in length and rises to a height of 65 feet. If you’re not a fan of heights, don’t worry; there are also 22 miles of trails and a 60-acre lake for you to enjoy.
This park actually features two camping sites, offering a total of 86 tent and campsite locations. Restrooms and bathrooms are available in two service buildings.
Not interested in hiking up to the Natural Bridge? There’s an elevator that will take you on a one-mile journey above the treetops. After taking in the breathtaking views, you can choose to descend or take the suspended elevator back down.
- Â Grayson Lake State Park:
Grayson Lake, also located in Olive Hill, is a 1,512-acre reservoir that’s home to various fish species like bluegill, bass, crappie, and catfish. Fishing licenses are required, and equipment can be rented from the ticket booth at the campground.
Grayson Lake offers a fully serviced campground with 71 sites equipped with facilities and a dumping station. They also have restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities at a central location.
Activities at the lake include canoeing, boating, and kayaking. Explore the waterfalls and sandstone valleys in the area.
If long-distance hiking is your preferred camping activity in Kentucky, there are a few options here, including the Lick Falls Overlook. You can also check out some unique sandstone formations, such as the “Lizard’s Head.”
- Greenbo Lake State Park:
Greenbo Lake is located in Greenup, and it’s home to the 225-acre Greenbo Lake.
This park offers 103 camping sites along Clay Lick Creek. These sites range from primitive to equestrian to full-service sites. They also have three waste stations and shower and restroom facilities at the Kentucky camping facility.
As you can imagine, fishing is a favorite pastime here, but you can also go scuba diving in Greenbo Lake, as long as you meet all the requirements.
This park also features an outdoor theater and 16 miles of mountain biking trails for your enjoyment.
- Yatesville Lake State Park:
Are you in search of primitive camping in Kentucky that can only be accessed by boats? Look no further than Yatesville Lake in Louisa.
This seasonal park features 47 camping sites, with 16 of them located on the lake and only accessible by boats. Additionally, there are four hiking trails.
If golfing is on your list of activities, Yatesville Lake Golf Course stands out with its mountainous terrain and stunning views. It’s an 18-hole course with a par of 71.
Best Campgrounds in Southern Kentucky
- Dale Hollow State Park:
Dale Hollow Lake is located in Burkesville, Kentucky, and it’s a sprawling 28,000-acre lake with 145 camping sites, including 24 designated for equestrian camping.
In addition to an 18-hole golf course and plenty of water activities and 15 miles of hiking trails, Dale Hollow also offers a trail for motorcycle enthusiasts. This park also features an ADA-compliant miniature golf course.
However, if you’re looking for an adventure that involves exploring, getting muddy, and embracing the wilderness while camping in Kentucky, check out the Cindi Cave. When they provide helmets, lights, and knee pads, you know you’re in for an adventure!
This park offers beautiful views and full hookups along with laundry facilities. The nearest shopping area is about 20 miles away, so be sure to stock up on groceries before heading out.
- Â Nolin Lake State Park:
If you’re visiting Mammoth Cave National Park and looking for a camping spot in Kentucky that’s reasonably close and has water and electrical hookups, Nolin Lake is an excellent choice. Mammoth Cave is about a 25-minute drive if you take the Green River Ferry or 45 minutes if you don’t.
The campground sits along the shoreline of Nolin Lake, spanning 5,795 acres. It offers 32 standard sites, 27 primitive sites, and one group overflow site. There are no restrooms or dumping stations in the park.
There’s a 9.2-mile moderate hiking/biking trail, so come prepared. This park is known for its beautiful lake views, including a beach and waterfowl watching, as well as fishing opportunities.
- Â Green River Lake State Park:
Are you ready for hiking, biking, or horseback riding during your camping trip in Kentucky? Green River Lake offers all that and more with its multi-purpose trails spanning 28 miles in Campbellsville.
This campground features 227 sites with water and electrical hookups, along with 60 primitive tent sites. Unfortunately, none of the sites are equestrian-friendly.
The sites don’t have full hookups, but there is a dumping station available.
At Green River Lake, you can also enjoy activities like fishing, boating, mini-golf, and volleyball.
- Barren River Lake State Park:
Another option for camping in Kentucky when visiting Mammoth Cave National Park is Barren River Lake.
This park is located in Lucas, Kentucky, about 30 miles south of Mammoth Cave. It offers 99 sites, most of which have electrical hookups only. There are a few with full hookups.
There are two bathhouses with restrooms and shower facilities as well as dumping stations nearby. Laundry facilities and a playground are also available.
In addition to boating, fishing, and golfing, Barren River Lake also features paved hiking and biking trails, disc golf, and shuffleboard.
Best Campgrounds in Central and Western Kentucky
- Fort Boonesborough State Park:
Fort Boonesborough is located in Richmond and features a living history museum where you can interact with reenactors, purchase handmade items from the gift shop, and explore life in 1775 while enjoying camping in Kentucky.
This was the site where Daniel Boone and his men established the second settlement in Kentucky, so there is plenty of history to uncover.
The campground is open year-round and offers 166 sites with electrical and water hookups and 18 full hookup sites. There are also two bathhouses with restrooms and showers. Three dumping stations are available in the campground.
In addition to the fully reconstructed working fort, Fort Boonesborough also offers fishing, hiking, bird-watching, and mini-golf.
- Taylorsville Lake State Park:
Here’s another Kentucky campground to consider if you’re into mountain biking, hiking, or horseback riding. Thanks to its 24-mile-long multi-use trails, Taylorsville Lake offers beautiful views and a variety of activities, from bird-watching to boating. They even have a disc golf course.
The campground features 45 sites with water and electrical hookups, 15 primitive tent sites, and ten equestrian sites with water and electricity.
There are two bathhouses with showers and restrooms, as well as a laundry room and three dumping stations.
- Columbus-Belmont State Park:
Columbus-Belmont is located in Columbus, occupying a 156-acre site that was also the site of the First Battle of General Grant, rich in Civil War history.
This Kentucky camping site is open year-round, overlooking the Mississippi River, and offers 38 sites with water and electrical hookups. There’s a centrally located bathhouse with showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities. However, please note that this park does not have a dumping station.
There’s a 2.5-mile self-guided hiking trail that takes you through Civil War earthworks.
One unique feature to see is the anchor and chain strategically placed by Union soldiers across the Mississippi River to prevent Union ships from sailing up the river.
Other Things to Consider
While camping in Kentucky, there are some other considerations to keep in mind for an enjoyable time:
- Firewood Policy: Kentucky has strict policies regarding firewood. You can find all the information you need on the Kentucky Parks website.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed in any historical sites, government-protected wildlife sanctuaries, or archaeological areas.
- Fishing: Most campgrounds are situated near lakes, and fishing is a popular activity. A Kentucky fishing license is required, which can be obtained through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
- Water and Electric Hookups: When packing for your Kentucky camping trip and planning to use water and electric hookups, make sure to bring extra hoses and extension cords, as many sites share utilities.
- Water Availability: Keep in mind that water may not always be available, even if the campground is open year-round.
- Equestrian Camping: If you’re looking for equestrian camping, note that these sites are typically available only by contacting the camp directly, and they may not be available for online booking.
With numerous historical sites to visit, caves to explore, and waterways to traverse, there’s no shortage of things to do in Kentucky.
Read More:
