The Bluegrass State. House of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville Slugger, Mammoth Cave, and KFC.
With 45 state parks, two nationwide parks, and second solely to Alaska for the variety of miles of working water, there may be a lot to see and do in Kentucky. However the place do you keep whilst you’re exploring?
Nice query!
Let’s check out the 16 Greatest Locations to go tenting in Kentucky.
Greatest Campgrounds in Northern Kentucky
1. Huge Bone Lick State Historic Website
Huge Bone Lick is in Union, Kentucky, about half-hour south of Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s named Huge Bone Lick due to the salt springs and the bones of mammoths and mastodons discovered right here.
What you’ll discover is a free museum displaying the fossils of the animals discovered on this space, in addition to a diorama pit. It’s also possible to get an up shut and private view of the dwell bison herd.
If museums aren’t fairly what you’re searching for whereas tenting in Kentucky, you’re in luck. Huge Bone Lick has 40 acres to discover.
You’ll discover 4.5 miles of trails, miniature golf, birding, tennis, orienteering, and fishing. You’re additionally very near Cincinnati, Ohio, the place there are many points of interest and eating places.
There are 62 tenting websites at this well-maintained park, with a pool and playground. Laundry, bathe, and restrooms can be found at a central location.
2. Common Butler State Park
With 790 acres to discover, you’re certain to search out one thing to do whereas tenting in Kentucky at Common Butler in Carrollton.
Their year-round campground has 100 tenting websites with utilities and grills. There are two areas with showers and restrooms, in addition to a centrally positioned laundry facility.
In case you get pleasure from navy historical past, you’ll love the Butler-Turpin House Museum, the place they showcase paperwork and different memorabilia from this navy household.
There are additionally loads of actions like boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on their 30-acre lake. There may be additionally a pool, miniature golf, a 4.5-mile biking path, and extra.
Within the night, head as much as the lodge and take heed to the gorgeous piano music as you loosen up, benefit from the view, and reminisce about your day exploring this space the place the Kentucky and Ohio Rivers meet.
3. Blue Licks Battlefield State Park
Subsequent on our checklist of locations for tenting in Kentucky is a memorial to the ultimate battle of the American Revolutionary Warfare. Blue Lick Battlefield is a 148-acre park positioned close to Mt. Olivet.
The campground at Blue Licks is barely open March-November, so remember to plan accordingly. There are 51 campsites with water and electrical hookups.
In addition to tenting, you may get pleasure from birding, climbing, miniature golf, picnicking, and playgrounds. Blue Licks Battlefield additionally has a pioneer museum with mastodon bones and Kentucky artifacts to your exploration.
In case you get pleasure from flowers, remember to go to the 15-acre nature protect. Right here you’ll see the federally-endangered Quick’s Goldenrod, in addition to the state-threatened Nice Plains Women tresses.
If you’re searching for a novel memento to take house to recollect your keep, look no additional than their lodge present store. Right here you’ll discover objects handcrafted objects by native artisans.
4. Kincaid Lake State Park
This 850-acre park contains the 183-acre Kincaid Lake, the place you may boat, pedal boat, kayak, canoe, fish, and revel in Kentucky tenting from March via November.
The campground has 84 open woodland websites. So, you may see the celebs at night time and benefit from the shade of the bushes in the course of the day.
The websites have electrical and water hookup. There’s a grocery and a centrally positioned service room with showers and restrooms.
The seashore at Kincaid Lake is gone. As a replacement, they now have a lakeside pool. All of the enjoyable of the water with out the fishy scent and sandy ft.
Greatest Campgrounds in Japanese Kentucky
1. Carter Caves State Park
In case your concept of tenting in Kentucky includes horses, take a look at Carter Caves, positioned in Olive Hill.
Carter Caves has all of the choices: RV tenting, tent, equestrian, primitive, and even backcountry tenting. There’s sure to be a method of tenting that fits your wants.
This park has miniature golf and climbing trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, swimming, and tennis. However, if you happen to really need some journey, strive exploring the caves or attempting your hand at gem mining.
When you have the mandatory expertise, rappelling and mountain climbing can be found by allow solely.
Is fishing extra your model? The 45-acre Smoky Lake is Kentucky’s first trophy bass lake. The park even has a fishing loaner program in case you overlook to convey your pole. A fishing license is required.
Carter Caves, because the identify would suggest, has a number of caves to discover in addition to 5 pure bridges. There’s even a flashlight-guided cave tour to your spelunking pleasure!
2. Pure Bridge State Park
Pure Bridge, positioned in Slade, is house to the pure sandstone arched bridge that spans 78 ft and is 65 ft excessive. In case you’re not keen on heights, don’t fear, there are additionally 22 miles of trails and a 60-acre lake to your to get pleasure from.
This park really has two campgrounds to think about, with 86 websites for tents and campers. Restrooms and showers can be found within the two service buildings.
Don’t need to hike as much as the Pure Bridge? There’s a skylift to take you on a mile journey via the treetops. After having fun with the beautiful views, you may select to hike again down, or hop again on the skylift.
3. Grayson Lake State Park
Grayson Lake, additionally positioned in Olive Hill, is a 1512-acre reservoir that’s house to bluegill, bass, crappie, and catfish. A fishing license is required, and tools might be borrowed from the Campground Ticket Sales space.
Grayson Lake gives a 71-site full-service campground with utility hookups and a dump station. In addition they have centrally positioned restrooms, showers, and a laundry facility.
Canoeing, boating, and kayaking can be found. Be looking out for waterfalls and sandstone canyons.
If climbing is extra your model whereas tenting in Kentucky, there are just a few choices right here, together with the Lick Falls Overlook. It’s also possible to take a look at some distinctive sandstone formations, just like the “lizard head.”
In case you get pleasure from {golfing}, remember to pack the golf equipment and play a spherical at The Hidden Cove Golf Course.
4. Greenbo Lake State Park
Greenbo Lake is positioned in Greenup, and is house to the 225-acre Greenbo Lake.
This park has 103 tenting websites nestled alongside Clay Lick Creek. The websites vary from primitive to equestrian to full-service websites. In addition they have three dumping stations and bathe and restroom services at this Kentucky tenting facility.
As you may think about, fishing is a favourite pastime, however it’s also possible to scuba dive in Greenbo Lake, so long as you meet all the necessities.
This park additionally has an outside theater and 16 miles of mountain biking trails to your enjoyment.
5. Yatesville Lake State Park
Searching for primitive tenting in Kentucky which you can solely entry by boat? Look no additional than Yatesville Lake in Louisa.
This seasonal park options 47 tenting websites, with 16 of them positioned on the lake and solely accessible by boat, in addition to 4 hike-in tent websites.
If {golfing} is in your checklist of issues to do, the Yatesville Lake Golf Course has mountainous terrain and lovely views, oh, and an 18-hole, 71-par course.
Greatest Campgrounds in Southern Kentucky
1. Dale Hole State Park
Positioned in Burkesville, Kentucky, Dale Hole is a 28,000-acre lake that has 145 campsites, 24 of that are put aside for equestrian tenting.
Together with an 18-hole golf course, loads of water actions, and 15 miles of climbing trails, Dale Hole additionally gives a bike experience path. This park additionally gives an ADA-compliant miniature golf course.
Nonetheless, if you wish to go exploring and get muddy and moist whereas tenting in Kentucky, take a look at Cindy Cave. After they supply a helmet, lights, and knee pads, you already know you’re going to have an journey!
This park has lovely views, full hookups, and a bathhouse with laundry services. The closest procuring space is about 20 miles away, so remember to fill up on groceries earlier than you head out.
2. Nolin Lake State Park
In case you’re visiting Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park and wish a spot to go tenting in Kentucky that’s pretty shut by that has water and electrical hookups, Nolin Lake is a good possibility. Mammoth Cave is about 25 minutes away if you happen to take the Inexperienced River Ferry or 45 minutes if you happen to don’t.
Nestled alongside the shoreline of the 5,795-acre Nolin Lake, the campground has 32 normal websites, 27 primitive websites, and one group overflow web site. There isn’t a bathhouse or dump station on the park.
There’s a 9.2-mile climbing/biking path that’s thought of a average path, so be ready. This park is thought for its lovely lake views, which embrace a seashore and watching the waterfowl, in addition to fishing.
3. Inexperienced River Lake State Park
Able to hike, bike, or horseback whereas tenting in Kentucky? Inexperienced River Lake has all that and extra with its 28 miles of all-purpose trails in Campbellsville.
This campground has 227 water and electrical websites, with 60 primitive tent websites. Sadly, not one of the websites are equestrian-friendly.
The websites usually are not full hookups, however there’s a dump station.
At Inexperienced River Lake, it’s also possible to get pleasure from fishing, boating, miniature golf, and volleyball.
4. Barren River Lake State Park
An alternative choice for Kentucky tenting when visiting Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park is Barren River Lake.
This park is positioned in Lucas, Kentucky, about 30 miles south of Mammoth Cave. It has 99 websites, most of that are electrical solely. There are just a few which might be full hookups.
There are two bathhouses with restrooms and bathe and dump stations close by. In addition they have laundry services and a playground.
Along with boating, fishing, and golf, Barren River Lake additionally has a paved climbing and biking path, orienteering, and shuffleboard.
Greatest Campgrounds in Central and Western Kentucky
1. Fort Boonesborough State Park
Positioned in Richmond, Fort Boonesborough has a residing museum the place you may work together with the residents, buy handmade objects from the present store, and discover life in 1775, all whereas having fun with tenting in Kentucky.
This was the place Daniel Boone and his males arrange the second settlement in Kentucky, so there’s loads of historical past to be explored.
The campground is open year-round and has 166 websites with electrical energy and water and 18 websites with full hookups. In addition they have two bathhouses with restrooms and showers. There are three dump stations on the campground.
Along with the absolutely reconstructed working fort, Fort Boonesborough additionally gives fishing, climbing, birding, and miniature golf.
2. Taylorsville Lake State Park
Right here’s one other Kentucky tenting park to think about if you happen to’re a mountain biker, hiker, or horseback rider. With its 24-mile multi-use trails, Taylorsville Lake gives lovely views and loads of actions, from birding to boating. They even have an orienteering course.
The campground has 45 websites with water and electrical energy hookups, 15 primitive tent websites, and ten equestrian websites with water and electrical energy.
There are two bathhouses with showers and restrooms, a laundry room, and three dump stations.
3. Columbus-Belmont State Park
Positioned in Columbus, Columbus-Belmont is a 156-acre web site that was additionally the positioning of Common Grant’s first battle and is stuffed with Civil Warfare historical past.
This year-round spot for Kentucky tenting, overlooking the Mississippi River, has 38 websites with water and electrical energy. There’s a centrally positioned bathhouse with bathe and bogs, and a laundry facility. This park doesn’t have a dump station.
There’s a 2.5-mile self-guided climbing path via the Civil Warfare earthworks.
One distinctive merchandise you need to see is the anchor and chain that was strategically positioned by Union troopers throughout the Mississippi River to maintain Union ships from navigating the river.
Different Issues to Think about
Whereas tenting in Kentucky, there could also be just a few different issues which might be vital to bear in mind for an pleasing time.
Firewood Coverage
Kentucky has a strict firewood coverage. Every little thing you must know might be discovered on the Kentucky Parks web site.
Pets
Pets usually are not allowed in any historic websites, State Nature Preserves, or archaeological areas.
Fishing
As you in all probability observed, many of the campgrounds are on lakes. A Kentucky Fishing license is required and might be bought via the Kentucky Division of Fish and Wildlife Sources.
Water and Electrical Hookups
When packing to your Kentucky tenting journey, if you happen to plan to make use of the water and electrical hookups, remember to throw in an additional hose and extension twine. A number of of the websites share hookups.
Additionally, needless to say water isn’t at all times obtainable, even when a campground is open year-round.
Equestrian Tenting
Whereas most campsites might be reserved on-line, that’s not the case if you would like an equestrian web site. These websites are solely obtainable by calling the campground instantly.
Wrapping up Tenting in Kentucky
With so many historic websites to go to, caves to discover, and waterways to traverse, there isn’t any lack of issues to do in Kentucky.
After you’ve explored all that Kentucky has to supply, take a look at our checklist of different State Park Campsites to go to.
