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Established Camping

Laurel Branch

Laurel Branch is located near Rough River Lake in Kentucky, offering a landscape of rolling hills and forested areas. The area experiences temperatures ranging from the 30s in winter to the 80s in summer. Nearby attractions include Rough River Dam State Resort Park and the lake itself, providing opportunities for hiking, fishing, and boating.

Description

US Army Corps of Engineers

Rough River Lake

Overview

Laurel Branch Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky. The 5,100-acre lake is a hometown paradise for visitors who love the outdoors, and more than two million visitors camp, picnic, fish, swim, boat and relax on the lake shore each year.

Recreation

A wide variety of recreational activities and facilities are provided at the lake, including ample opportunities for boating and fishing. The most sought after fish are bass, crappie and catfish, and bass tournaments occur at the lake throughout the year. Additionally, pontoon, johnboat and jet ski rentals are available at the nearby marinas.

Natural Features

The rolling, forested hills of rural south central Kentucky offer an extraordinary setting for those who visit the lake. Rough River Lake provides views of ancient sandstone, shale and limestone cliffs. An abundance of water in the area, both surface and underground, has carved through limestone to create a myriad of sinks and caverns. The lake itself is home to numerous species of wildlife, including migratory songbirds and waterfowl.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (270) 257-8839.

Nearby Attractions

The historic Green Farm is adjacent to the lake. It consists of about 3,000 acres, a large ancestral home, an old water-powered mill and store and a golf course. George Washington once owned part of the land. Mammoth Cave National Park, which boasts the longest cave system in the world with more than 240 miles of mapped passageways, is about a one-hour drive away. Other nearby attractions also include the historic Holt House in Hardinsburg, the Jack Thomas House in Leitchfield, and the new Aquatic Center in Leitchfield.

Charges & Cancellations

Once a reservation has been created, there will be a $10 fee to cancel your reservation, change sites, or change dates. Cancellations made the day before you are scheduled to arrive through the day after your arrival date will also be charged the first night's use fee. No-show's are charged a $20 fee plus the first night's use fee. If your reservation is for only 1 night, and you have been charged the first night's use fee, there is no $10 or $20 service fee charged.

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Location

Laurel Branch is located in Kentucky

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Louisville, KY: Begin at ramp onto I-64 West toward New Albany/St. Louis, traveling 22.3 miles. Take the IN-135, Exit Number 105, toward Palmyra/Corydon, onto IN-135 South toward Corydon, traveling 16.7 miles. Continue on Bypass Road KY-79 for 2.1 miles. Turn right onto KY-79, traveling 10.1 miles. Continue on 1st Avenue, KY-79S for 495 feet. Turn a slight right onto US-60, traveling 11.8 miles. Turn left onto KY-259/KY-79, traveling 10.1 miles. Turn right onto KY-110, traveling .4 miles. End at 991 Laurel Branch Road, McDaniels, KY. Distance is approximately 74 miles with an approximate travel time of 1 hour, 20 minutes.

Address

991 LAUREL BRANCH ROAD
Mcdaniels, KY 40152

Coordinates

37.6075 N
86.4536111 W

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Access

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

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

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

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

3 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 27, 2023

Excellent and friendly

My wife, service dog Noobeus and I stayed in a tent one night here. It sits on Rough River. Liked it so much going back for three days this time. It has private shower rooms, beach, rocky shore line, fishing, boating, swimming and so much to offer.
Close to Litchfield in Grayson county KY. Also has people selling wood along the way. Dollar general within a few miles for supplies. Also bank, gas, post office, liquor store, restaurants and much more for a small area. It is ran by the Corps of Engineers. Check out the discount programs they have. If you are a senior disabled or veteran it could be free for life to get card. They have different tiers.
I'm a disabled veteran and have the access card. It gives me half off stays at federally run places and free day passes. Many more discounts yet to discover.

SiteA03
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Laurel Branch by silas S., September 27, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 18, 2018

Choices

Laurel Recreation Area on Rough River Lake has three separate campgrounds that run along side the road with the boatramp between the second and third areas.

In the very first campground the sites along the road to me are not good if you have kids or dogs due to road traffic.

The “wood” side sites are better in that you can set up a more private area for camp life. 

The second campground area is smaller with less sites. There is a day use area in between the first and second campgrounds with a short nature trail.

The third campground down is the largest and is adjacent to the day use beach area

There were no direct put ins at the first two campgrounds. All three campgrounds had the usual; shower house, picnic tables and fire rings.

The boat ramp is not very long and has limited parking, you will get the opportunity to practice your backing skills with the trailer if you use this one. 

This is a nice camping area but crowded and to use any of the recreation areas you will need to load up your vehicle to get there. The third campground does have some sites with put in possible but you will need to reserve ahead.

Month of VisitJune
  • The boatramp
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  • Review photo of Laurel Branch by Shelly S., June 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Laurel Branch by Shelly S., June 18, 2018
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Laurel Branch have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Laurel Branch has 50 amp electric hookups and water hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Laurel Branch?

    Laurel Branch allows vehicles up to 82 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Laurel Branch?

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

  • Is there cell phone reception at Laurel Branch?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is fair, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Laurel Branch?

    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 Laurel Branch. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Laurel Branch, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Laurel Branch?

    There are 62 campsites at Laurel Branch and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts