Fishing, swimming, and paddling drive most visits to Carr Creek State Park Campground, a drive-in facility on Carr Creek Lake in Sassafras, Kentucky. The lake surrounds much of the campground, though it isn't visible from most sites through the tree cover. Access to the water varies by site: some have direct paths down to the lake, though reviewers consistently flag those routes as steep. The small beach area runs roughly 100 yards and has clear water, but reaching it requires descending a significant number of steps, which creates challenges for anyone with limited mobility.
All sites include electric, water, and sewer hookups, accommodating RVs up to 50 feet. Sites vary between open and shaded, with the outer loop generally offering more room. Several sites, including numbers 7, 8, 26, 28, and 31, have been noted as washed out and poorly suited for tents. The campground is small, and at full capacity the bathhouses have drawn repeated criticism across multiple years of reviews, with maintenance frequency and fixture condition cited as the main concerns. Cell service runs 4G at the site.
Todd C. notes that "the campground is clean and staff is extremely helpful," and that observation holds across several reviews, even from campers who found the facilities wanting. Firewood and ice are available on site, and stores are roughly five miles out in either direction. Nearby, Carr Creek Lake Shelters and Littcarr Campground provide alternatives for those wanting different setups in the same corridor. This campground works best for RV campers and anglers who want full hookups and direct lake access without needing extensive on-site amenities.
Description
Enjoy a variety of recreational activities at this park on Carr Fork Lake. Park your RV or pitch your tent and relax in one of the best campgrounds in southeastern Kentucky. The park features the longest sand beach in Kentucky State Parks system. Pleasure boaters and fishermen can explore the 750-acre lake with miles of shoreline and good bass, crappie and walleye fishing. The park is 15 miles southeast of Hazard on KY 15 South.
Please note:
- The maximum reservation window is 12 months in advance to the date.
- New Inventory is made available when the call center opens.
- There is a 1 night minimum stay during the week at all parks.
- There is a 2 night minimum stay on peak season weekends at all parks with the exception of the Kentucky Horse Park.
- The minimum stay on peak season weekends at the Kentucky Horse Park is 1 night.
- Customers may arrive on a Friday or Saturday and stay a minimum of two nights.
- Customer service is authorized to fill in any empty spaces caused by the 2-night weekend stay rule.
Please note the following:
- Longer minimum night stays are required at most campgrounds during holiday periods.
- Parks prohibits the importation of firewood by campers from any state outside of Kentucky. This is in an effort to help prevent the introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer into the state. Firewood is available for sale in the state park campgrounds. https://parks.ky.gov/firewood-policy
- Golf carts are allowed in the campground by purchasing a permit at check-in. Permits are $25 for the week or $100 for the calendar year. Annual permits can be used at all Kentucky State Park campgrounds and the Kentucky Horse Park. Disabled guests are not required to purchase a permit if they display their disability hanging tag.
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Burn bans may be in effect. Please contact the Park for details on restrictions.
Due to weather, Kentucky State Parks cannot guarantee the availability of water or other resources at our campgrounds during inclement weather months when freezing temperatures are possible. Please contact the park directly for available resources if traveling during months that are conducive to freezing temperatures.
Map & DirectionsCarr Creek State Park Campground is located in Kentucky near Carr Creek Lake
Directions
15 miles south of Hazard on Ky 15 South.
Address
2086 Smithboro rd. P.O. BX 249
Sassfrass, KY 41759
Coordinates
37.23253081 N
83.0018984 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 41 min from Kingsport, TN
- 1 hr 52 min from Johnson City, TN
- 1 hr 54 min from Huntington, WV
- 2 hrs 27 min from Morristown, TN














