$32 - $38 / night

Camper submitted image from Wax - Nolin River Lake - 1

Camper submitted image from Wax - Nolin River Lake - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Wax - Nolin River Lake - 3

Facilities

Camper submitted image from Wax - Nolin River Lake - 4

Water

Camper submitted image from Wax - Nolin River Lake - 5

People

Established Camping

Wax - Nolin River Lake

14 Reviews

About

US Army Corps of Engineers

Nolin River Lake

Overview

Wax Campground sits on the shores of Nolin River Lake in the rolling landscape of southern Kentucky. The large lake and surrounding greenery create a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts. Click here for a tour of the lake.

Recreation

Known for its unique blue/green water, Nolin Lake is one of the top lakes in Kentucky for catfish, bass, crappie, and walleye fishing. Visitors can enjoy scenic canoe and boat trips along the river, part of which is located within Mammoth Cave National Park. Boat ramps are provided around the lake for campers' convenience. The Moutardier, Ponderosa and Wax Marinas are located around the lake and offer pontoon and john boat rentals, as well as boat slips and groceries, bait, gas and more. Several hiking trails also wind along the shoreline and into the surrounding forest. Shady Creek Trail, located within the Moutardier Recreation Area, is known for its array of wildflowers and greenery.

Facilities

Wax Campground offers 110 reservable campsites, complete with modern amenities like electric hookups and flush toilets. Campsites are located along the shoreline, allowing easy access to the lake and beaches for visitors.____

Natural Features

Nolin Dam creates a 5,795-acre lake that draws more than two million visitors each year to enjoy water sports and camping in the surrounding expanse of rolling forest.

contact_info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (270) 286-4511.

Nearby Attractions

Mammoth Cave National Park is located a short drive or ferry ride away from the campground, and several golf courses and riding stables are located around the lake.

Charges & Cancellations

* Once your reservation has been created, there will be a $10.00 fee to cancel and a $10.00 fee to change your site or dates.* Cancellations made the day before, or up to the day after your arrival date will also be charged the first nights use fee.* No-Shows are charged a $20.00 fee plus the first nights use fee.* If your reservation is for 1 night, and you have been charged the first nights use fee, there is no $10.00 service fee.

Fee Info

No Refunds for recreation use fees may be made at the project or campground.

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Location

Wax - Nolin River Lake is located in Kentucky

Directions

From Bowling Green, KY Follow US 31W North from Bowling Green for approximately 14 miles then turn left onto KY 101. In approximately 6 miles, Hwy 101 becomes Hwy 259 North. Follow Hwy 259 North for about 22 miles. Stay straight at the intersection of Hwy 259 and Hwy 226; follow Hwy 226 for about 2 miles. Turn right on Hwy 88 and follow it for approximately 7 miles. The Wax campground will be on your right. Total driving distance from Bowling Green is about 51 miles; driving time is around 1 hour, 20 minutes. From Louisville, KY Take I-65 south for approximately 59 miles to exit 76. Follow Hwy 224 for approximately 10 miles before turning left on Hwy 479. In approximately 8 miles turn left on Highway 88. Signs for Wax campground will be less than 1/2 miles down Hwy 88, on your right. Total driving distance is about 78 miles, driving time is about 1 hour, 40 minutes. From Nashville, KY Take I65 North for approximately 66 miles. Merge onto KY 446 via exit 28. Merge right onto Hwy 31W North and follow it for approximately 10 miles, then turn left onto KY 101. In approximately 6 miles, Hwy 101 becomes Hwy 259 North. Follow Hwy 259 North for about 22 miles. Stay straight at the intersection of Hwy 259 and Hwy 226; follow Hwy 226 for about 2 miles. Turn right on Hwy 88 and follow it for approximately 7 miles. The Wax campground will be on the right. Total driving distance from Nashville is about 114 miles; driving time is around 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Address

14069 Peonia Road
Clarkson, KY 42726

Coordinates

37.3416667 N
86.1291667 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Good
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE

$32 - $38

/ night

First Come - First Served

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Contact

General Info

Mashael A.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2023

Gorgeous site, not very friendly people Gorgeous site, not very friendly people

This place is amazing with direct view and access to the lake, it was spacious, leveled, had a fire pit, picnic table and small cooking table. Tip: pick a site with trees so you can get some shade as it gets really hot during the day. The only problem we had was the people nearby, we arrived late (10pm) and they called the sheriff on us to make sure we had reservations (which we did) it was very aggressive of them the camp was empty. It kind of gave the vibe of a local people place only. Two sheriff cars arrived and we showed them our reservation so they just wished us a good night and left, our neighbors didn’t like it so the proceeded to take turns watching us all day 🤣 (maybe it was because we are foreigners). We enjoyed our stay nonetheless.

SiteC20

Month of VisitAugust

(8) View All

Jennifer

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2022

Not Big Rig Friendly

The road in/out is very narrow, very tight and not easily navigated with a 40' 5th wheel. Also, be very careful about sites, many are extremely undeveloped and while we booked a 70' pull thru, it was actually down on the side of the hill with an almost 90° curve. We ended up canceling, still had to pay them $35 in fees and finding another campground last minute.

Site14

Month of VisitSeptember

Alison K.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 23, 2022

Peaceful waterfront birder’s paradise

We value nature and privacy and we loved this campground! We were looking for a campground with electric hookups for our teardrop near Mammoth Cave due to forecasted 97 degree temps. This is about an hour away and was very peaceful. Sunset over the lake was spectacular and we loved watching all the birds here. Right from our camps we could see a trip of Redheaded Woodpeckers playing as well as a mama Northern Flicker feeding her babies. We even saw a giant Pileated Woodpecker! There were also herons, mourning doves, ravens, and more! Sites are close together without a lot of shade but this campground was very quiet and peaceful mid-week. Stars at night were beautiful.

Sitec13

Month of VisitJuly

(8) View All

Amy B.

Guide

Reviewed May. 30, 2022

Close to Mammoth Cave

We chose this campground due to the convenient location near Mammoth Cave National Park. The campground was very clean, spacious campsites, nice playground and loops A and C had beautiful waterfront sites.

SiteB 009

Month of VisitJune

Faith J.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Great place

We spent a few days at Wax while heading home. It was quiet, even with all the boat traffic and kids. Lots are gravel and decent size. The area surrounds Lake Nolan, which is an added bonus. The water was warm and calm. It is off the beaten path and you are about 30 min from a grocery store, so make sure you stock up before you go. There are several road side veggie stands where you can get fresh from the ground veggies. There are no laundry services and the trash cans are by the dump station. They have late check in and check out (5p)which is nice if you wanted to spend the morning on the lake or hiking. The long and winding roads to get there are lovely. Watch out for the Amish buggies.

SiteA-20

Month of VisitAugust

Faith J.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2021

Beautiful on the water

Don’t expect anyone to greet you at the ranger station. It is unmanned. Sites have your parking pass clipped to the post. Gravel, mostly flat, pads with lots of shade trees. Very quiet. Sits on Lake Nolan, which is huge. Loved paddle boarding in the early morning before the boat traffic got going. Water was very warm. Warning…there are no trash cans on the sites. Also there is no laundry service either.

SiteA-20

Month of VisitAugust

Daniel B.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2021

Peaceful

Great campground. Wooded and water sites available

Siteb18

Month of VisitAugust

Brian W.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2020

Amazing!

I had been here only once in 2018. The water was up high so it made it an amazing waterfront campsite the grounds and the bathrooms were incredibly clean. Not many attractions close by and not close to an interstate made for a long country road drive.

Gary P.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 13, 2019

Possibly the best campground yet

At first look even the empty campground appears congested and close together. But it's the long site entrances and the site itself all framed with synthetic timbers with white chat fill. Simply beautiful. Sites were well spaced and spacious with a fire ring and table.

A few OTA stations and good cell, Verizon & ATT. Shower houses were newer and spotless with good water pressure and even hot water.

Our agenda was one night, but it was so nice we spent two. Other campground should aspire to use the park as a model. We were in loop C and the other loops seemed just as nice. We will stay here again.

SiteC13

Month of VisitJuly

Dan R.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 11, 2019

Rainy

Nice Campground, We would like to go back for another stay when it’s not so wet.

Angie B.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2018

Hidden jewel

My family and I loved this little campground. It was well maintained and had great activities for the kids.

Laura O.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2018

Serene setting, extreme relaxation

First time at Wax and we will be back! Some of the nicest shower houses, cleanest sites and nice shade. Even when the campground was full over the holiday week, you didn’t know you had neighbors!

SiteB25

Month of VisitAugust

(4) View All

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2017

Choices...

Wax on, Wax Campground. Off Route 88, south of Leitchfield, Ky on Nolin River Lake.

Pack your yak, fishing gear and sunscreen cause it is the perfect water oriented campground. The Army Corp of Engineers do a good job of using all the designated space for campsites but still keep it picturesque and clean.

The facilities are newer and well maintained, more or less centrally located in the loops. The water is accessible from most of the sites but the Corp is a little picky about were you park your canoe and place your tent. Keep it neat.

The retirees that host the campsites are friendly and very informative, including about other campsites and the area. Talk them up for info.

We had a nice weekend enjoying the water and the interesting wild life. Cornelius got bit by a turtle when he got a little too close and we saw a turkey. Plus there are a multitude of vultures, sorta creepy, like don't lay out to sun bath you may wake up to a crowd...

The Nolin Lodge and Marina are right across the road. Dog Creek Campground is nearby. When I went to Rec Gov to reserve a site it said that the campground was full, but when I arrived a bunch of the sites were empty. The Corp closes whole loops I was told so they don't have to "count" them. But the site hosts are able to open them if their needed. Don't rely on that information though, you may want to call if you can't get a reservation and inquire.

SiteC13

Month of VisitJuly

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2017

Water!

Wax Campground is located on Nolin River Lake, which is managed by the Army Corp of Engineers. Translated; well maintained, picturesque and organized.

Off Western Kentucky Parkway or KYI65 depending on where your coming from and an interesting drive through the Kentucky countryside will get you there. Nearby is Mammoth Cave National Park, also worth a visit but reserve your spelunking way ahead or you ain't getting down under;)

Wax Campground is all about the water. It's directly across from the Nolin Lodge and Wax Marina. Some of the sites are right above the lake and easily accessible with your watercraft or fishing rods.

The sites are packed in the loops they are in, you will see a lot of your neighbors when on shore. Some of the sites are better shaded then others.

One thing I learned about The Army Corp of Engineers is that they will close certain loops so that they don't have to carry them on their books. So when you arrive it may be possible to scope out another spot and change sites. I wouldn't rely on that and skip reserving though.

SiteA13

Month of VisitJuly