Near the Ohio River in northeastern Kentucky, Ashland sits at approximately 550 feet elevation in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The area features rolling forested terrain with several lakes and waterways for recreation. Summer temperatures often reach the high 80s, making water activities and shaded camping sites particularly valuable from June through September.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Vesuvius: Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius provides direct access to the lake, perfect for paddlers. "The lake while not overly big, is clean and great for swimming(there's a beach), kayaking, and fishing. They have plenty of crappie, bass, and catfish stocked in the lake and there are bait shops close by," notes camper Jackson B.
Cave exploration: Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground offers guided tours through fascinating cave systems. "Lots to do hiking, fishing, caves and caverns to explore," confirms Ron & Bonnie D. Another camper advises, "Make sure to get a permit for Horn Hollow on a day of no rain or else you will not be able to enter it."
ATV trails: Hanging Rock Recreation Site provides dedicated trails for off-road enthusiasts. "The Hanging Rock Recreation area features tons of well kept ATV trails for motor bikes or quads (max width allowed is 50 inches)," explains Lucille W. Trails accommodate vehicles up to 50 inches wide, making them suitable for most standard quads and dirt bikes.
What campers like
Beach and water attractions: Oasis Point RV Resort & Adventure Lake offers unique water recreation facilities. "They have a large pond that has a nice beach, a huge slide and a zip line. They have kayaks, paddle boards and floats first come first serve," shares Karen P.
Natural forest settings: Oak Hill Campground provides immersion in Wayne National Forest. One camper describes, "This orientation allowed us to savor the tranquility of the forest, adding a layer of privacy and a more intimate connection with nature."
Kid-friendly amenities: Ashland Huntington West KOA includes activities specifically designed for children. "Loved the fenced in soft play area for the toddlers. Great field for flying kites," explains Brooke V. Another camper mentions, "The campground has miniature golf, A playground, A fenced area for dogs a pond and A swimming pool."
What you should know
Water pressure issues: Some campgrounds have water system challenges. At Iron Ridge, one camper warns, "Beautiful place to camp. Some sites are more difficult for parking a camper than others. We stayed at site 6 which wasn't too difficult to park but the water pressure was extremely high."
Electrical hookup limitations: Greenbo Lake State Resort Park has a unique electrical setup. "They advertise the sites with 30 and 50 amp hookups. What they didn't say was that you had to share a post. The people beside me already had the 50 amp," reports Karen P.
Limited shade at some locations: Newer campgrounds may lack mature trees. At Ashland Huntington West KOA, Jerry S. notes, "Not much shade but then again it's a fairly new KOA and the trees haven't had time to grow."
Tips for camping with families
Pet-friendly activities: For those seeking dog-friendly camping near Ashland, Kentucky, Blacks Camper Lots offers a peaceful environment where pets can relax. "The area is calm. You can expect no disturbances and peaceful sleep," reports Josh M., making it ideal for pets sensitive to noise.
Food options: Some campgrounds offer convenient meal solutions. At Ashland Huntington West KOA, one camper mentions, "Excellent food trucks which is good since there's not much else in the area."
Monitoring children on wheels: At Greenbo Lake, be aware of traffic concerns. "There were way too many young kids on electric bikes that were turned loose. We were almost ran over a couple of times," cautions Karen P., suggesting close supervision of younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Check site conditions before setup. At Ashland Huntington West KOA, Felicia H. advises, "Site was NOT very level. On gravel. Picnic tables and fire ring."
Extension cord requirements: Some campgrounds have unusual utility layouts. At Carter Caves, Amanda S. notes, "Most of the sites that are labeled electric share one electric box for 2 campsites and can be pretty far from your pad." Bring extra-long cords and water hoses.
Full-hookup availability: Virginia Point Campground offers concrete pads that simplify setup. "Every RV site has a level concrete pad, making setup easy. Otherwise the rest of the RV area is gravel, without any trees or obstructions," reports Jon C.
