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Water

Established Camping

Buckhorn Dam Campground

Buckhorn Dam Campground, near Buckhorn, Kentucky, is a fantastic spot for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors. With a range of sites for tents, RVs, and even glamping, it’s designed to cater to all kinds of campers.

This campground shines with its clean facilities, including well-kept bathrooms and a laundry area. Families rave about the impressive playground and sports courts, making it a hit with kids. One visitor noted, “Hands down the best playground for kids we have seen in a campground.” Plus, you can fish right next to your site, which adds a nice touch to the camping experience.

If you’re into exploring, you’re in luck. Buckhorn Dam Campground is close to Buckhorn Lake, perfect for boating and swimming. The surrounding area is also a great spot for wildlife watching, especially if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of elk. Campers appreciate the friendly hosts who go the extra mile, like providing coffee and doughnuts on special occasions.

While the campground is simple and well-maintained, it offers everything you need for a memorable stay. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer adventure, Buckhorn Dam Campground is a solid choice for making lasting memories with family and friends.

Description

US Army Corps of Engineers

Buckhorn Lake

Overview

Buckhorn Campground on Buckhorn Lake, provides the perfect outdoor escape in eastern Kentucky's lush Cumberland Plateau. The campground is packed with activities to entertain all ages, including monthly interpretive programs offered during summer months and convenient access for boating and fishing on Buckhorn Lake.

Recreation

Buckhorn Lake welcomes fishing, boating, water skiing, hiking, swimming, hunting and just plain relaxing. The campground provides access to a nature trail and fishing areas as well.

Natural Features

Buckhorn campground sits near the dam on Buckhorn Lake, surrounded by the beauty of the scenic Appalachian Mountain Range. The rugged plateau landscape is deeply traversed by a series of narrow, winding valleys separated by steep watersheds with branching streams. Fed by the waters of the Kentucky River, Buckhorn Lake extends for 1,230 surface-acres, providing plenty of water recreation opportunities. Buckhorn Campground was also recently recongnized as the location for the largest River Birch Tree in the country by The National Register of Big Trees, the tree measures 205 inches around, 117 feet high and an 85 foot crown on top, making this tree surely a sight to see.

Nearby Attractions

The park is just minutes from attractions like Carr Creek Lake and the Buckhorn Log Church. Rent a pontoon from Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, explore the Red River Gorge Geological Area or hike through the Daniel Boone National Forest.

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Location

Buckhorn Dam Campground is located in Kentucky

Detail location of campground

Directions

Traveling north from Lexington, take I-64 to the Mountain Parkway. Exit at Slade, take KY 11 South through Beattyville. Continue on Highway 11 to Booneville, continuing past the courthouse to KY 28 West. Follow KY 28 about 23 miles to Buckhorn. Traveling east From Hazard, take KY 15 North 9 miles to 28 W (left turn) through Chavies. Follow Highway 28 West straight and go 15 miles to Buckhorn.

Address

804 BUCKHORN DAM RD
Buckhorn, KY 41721-8808

Coordinates

37.3508333 N
83.4727778 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 19, 2024

Ghost Town

The map for this campground isn’t quite accurate. Also, the price is $24 p/ night not $14. Not quite what we were looking for.

Sitedidn’t
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2022

Perfect for families with kids!

The bathrooms and showers was clean. They have a place to do laundry. Very nice playground, basketball court, swing, and volleyball court. We got to fish right beside our camper. Definitely recommend!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Buckhorn Dam Campground by Martha , August 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Buckhorn Dam Campground by Martha , August 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Buckhorn Dam Campground by Martha , August 11, 2022
Reviewed May. 12, 2021

Great Family Camground in the Mountains of E. KY

This has ranked #1 for campgrounds for our family this season.

Nestled in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, this campground has all the things your family could want to do in nature.

Check in was super easy and the staff was great.

The site was very easy to get to.

We were on site 13 and it was nearly perfectly level from left to right. It had both 30 and 50 amp hookups and water (about 35psi on pressure). Each site has a charcoal grill, a fire pit with a grate for cooking and a large picnic table.

Our site backed up to the creek and a nice little levee for fishing. You could also go up back the park and fish right at the spillway from Buckhorn Lake Dam. Really fun experience.

Hands down the best playground for kids we have seen in a campground.

They had a large bathhouse with super clean bathrooms. Unsure about showers as I use the one in my TT.

There were horseshoe pits in two locations in the campsite. Several locations to dispose of trash. They also provided trash bags upon arrival.

Laundry facilities onsite and firewood you could purchase.

The dump station was clean and easily accessible with a hose for flushing.

Erica and her husband are the hosts and were so friendly and helpful. We were there over Mother’s Day weekend and they provided coffee juice and doughnuts for Mother’s Day.

A ton of kiddos for kids to play with and a great area for their bikes, etc.

We 100% will be back to this campground this season.

SiteC13
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Buckhorn Dam Campground by Marissa G., May 12, 2021
  • Review photo of Buckhorn Dam Campground by Marissa G., May 12, 2021
  • Review photo of Buckhorn Dam Campground by Marissa G., May 12, 2021
  • (16) View All
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2017

Simple site outside Daniel Boone National Forest

This area is the best place to see Elk in the east! This is a small campground near Buckhorn Lake. It is close to the water for boating and swimming, there is a playground, but for much else you will need to travel outside the area.  There is a resort park called Buckhorn Lake nearby, which is a state facility with cabin camping (and a lodge), that is much more built up. Your GPS may be confused.

Yay: We liked the simplicity of the site, it is well taken care of.

Nay: No complaints but you need to bring your own boat.

Surprise: The ELK (not at the campground though).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Buckhorn Dam Campground have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Buckhorn Dam Campground has 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Buckhorn Dam Campground?

    Buckhorn Dam Campground allows vehicles up to 55 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Buckhorn Dam Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Buckhorn Dam Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Buckhorn Dam Campground have wifi?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Buckhorn Dam Campground does have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Buckhorn Dam Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Buckhorn Dam Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Buckhorn Dam Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Buckhorn Dam Campground?

    There are 38 campsites at Buckhorn Dam Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts