Clarksville sits along the Ohio River across from Louisville, with elevations ranging from 420 to 490 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions in the 60-70°F range. The area's riverside location provides unique camping opportunities with access to both urban amenities and natural settings within a 30-mile radius.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation changes: The Knobstone Trail offers challenging terrain for hikers and their pets. "The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail and creek beds," reports Maris H. about the Knobstone Trail. Water access varies by season but is generally available along the route.
Disc golf courses: Buffalo Trace Park features disc golf as its primary recreation activity. According to Kelsie E., "Disc golf is the big activity at this park. Awesome walking path and a petting zoo. The park is exceptionally clean." Buffalo Trace Park also offers a lake for fishing and paddling opportunities.
Historic exploration: Charlestown State Park provides opportunities to learn about local history. "Enjoyed rose island trail lots of cool history to learn. Also enjoyed trail 6 with the waterfalls," writes Bryana D. The park's Rose Island area features remnants of a former amusement park that operated in the early 20th century.
What campers like
Secluded forest camping: Jefferson Memorial Forest offers primitive camping close to Louisville. "The seclusion here and the closeness to nature is a grand slam! Due to fall, the sites seem much closer than they are due to the thinning foliage," notes Robert P. about Jefferson Memorial Forest. The campground provides fire rings and access to multiple trails ranging from 1.5 to 13 miles.
Well-spaced lakeside sites: Campers appreciate the layout at Buffalo Trace Park. "The sites are well-spaced and there's a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc," reports Kelsie E. The park's petting zoo adds another attraction for families with children.
Cabin accommodations: Deam Lake offers comfortable cabin options for those wanting pet-friendly camping near Clarksville without tent camping. "We stayed last night in the Cardinal Cabin. Tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink," shares Angela F. about her experience at Deam Lake State Recreation Area.
What you should know
Train noise impacts: Some campgrounds near Clarksville experience significant train noise. "OMG, the trains. All night, every night. I'm a heavy sleeper and it sounded like the trains were going to crash into our RV and we were across the row from them," warns Jenifer K. about Louisville North Campground. Sites closest to the tracks experience the most disruption.
Aircraft overhead: Jefferson Memorial Forest sits under flight paths from Louisville's airport. Derek P. cautions, "This is a great little well-kept campground. Unfortunately it's in the departure path of Louisville's airport, so be prepared for once-a-minute takeoffs if the airport is using its southbound runways for departures. UPS releases about 100 planes from around 3-5am."
Wildlife considerations: Ticks pose a significant concern for hikers and pet owners. "Watch out for ticks. My dogs and I got loads of them in April 2020 from Leota to Spurgeon Hollow," warns Maris H. about the Knobstone Trail. Carrying tick prevention products is essential, particularly in spring and early summer.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin camping for beginners: Cardinal Cabins at Deam Lake provide a comfortable entry point for new campers with pets. Angela F. reports, "The staff was super helpful. The beach was fun to swim and water was clean. They have boats for rent which are fun and paddle around the lake." Cabin reservations should be made well in advance during summer months.
Petting zoo access: Buffalo Trace Park offers animal encounters kids enjoy. "The park is exceptionally clean. Sites on the lake view side are noisy due to traffic on the highway," notes Kelsie E. The petting zoo operates seasonally, typically from late spring through early fall.
Playground facilities: Charlestown State Park Campground has playground equipment but may not impress all families. Greg S. mentions, "The campground playground is small, not much to write home about. Nice flat paved loops and sites that are good for biking." The paved areas provide safe spaces for young children to ride bikes.
Tips from RVers
Site selection at campgrounds: Many RV parks in the Clarksville area feature tight spacing between sites. Never Sitting S. advises about Louisville North: "When people say tight, they mean it here. Wouldn't classify this as a campground at all. We have never stayed in a place that the spaces were this close. We have a 41' Class A towing and I don't think we would fit of any bigger."
Full hookup options: Brooks RV Park provides full hookups with 50-amp service. Scott C. recommends this option: "This is a hard to find gem in Louisville, KY! Nice sized sites, reasonable priced compared to the KOA, all good full hookups, nicely kept, and most importantly it is in a safe country setting surrounded by large trees and on a dead end road."
Leveling requirements: Many sites in the area require significant leveling. Curtis J. notes about Buffalo Trace Park: "Make sure you have plenty of leveling blocks. We used all of ours and was not level." Having extra leveling equipment ensures comfort regardless of site assignment.
