Eastern Kentucky offers campers a mix of mountainous terrain and lakeside settings near Auxier. The area sits at elevations between 600-1,500 feet with humid summers and mild springs and falls. Local campgrounds feature diverse accommodations from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces, with many situated along Corps of Engineers-managed lakes.
What to do
Kayaking the backwaters: German Bridge on Dewey Lake provides excellent flat water for paddling. "It's right off the back waters of Dewy lake. So great to kayaking or any small boats," notes David O. about German Bridge - Dewey Lake.
Cave exploration: Carter Caves State Park offers multiple cavern tours within driving distance. "The park is amazing and I have no idea how it took me 39yrs to find it so close to home. The caves are absolutely amazing and the park has some of the best natural bridges I have ever seen," shares Amanda S. from Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground.
Mountain biking: Access trails directly from some campgrounds in the region. One reviewer at Twin Knobs Recreation Area noted, "There are mountain biking trails that you can access right from the campground so that was nice. You can also go on a short hike up one of the knobs."
What campers like
Lake fishing opportunities: Dewey Lake attracts anglers seeking specific species. "The fishing on Dewy Lake is awesome. The water is muddy a lot. But if you like catfishing, this is your Lake," explains David O. of Jenny Wiley State Park Campground.
Well-spaced campsites: Paintsville Lake State Park offers more room between sites than many other areas. "The sites are spacious and level. The surrounding hills and lake are gorgeous," reports Kim H., adding that "both the staff and the other campers were friendly and considerate. Quiet hours were observed."
Multiple recreation options: Campgrounds often include diverse facilities beyond camping. At Yatesville Lake State Park Campground, one camper mentioned, "The main attraction is the lake of course which is quite clean for swimming, boating or fishing, but can be a little busy at times. There is a golf course and... a place called The Cove at Yatesville lake that has a beach for swimming with climbable inflatables in the water, kayak rentals and among other things."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Several lakes in the region have reported issues. One camper at German Bridge warned, "DO NOT DRINK THE WATER FROM THIS LAKE... AND DON'T SWIM IN IT EITHER!"
Wildlife awareness: The forests around Auxier have native predators. "Not only do you have the Black Bears to deal with, you have the Coyotes too!" advises a German Bridge visitor.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At Grayson Lake, a camper reported: "Nice campground with no cell service what-so-ever. We could truly unplug for this camping trip but still have all of the luxuries of non-primitive camping."
Uneven sites: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region require leveling equipment. "Bring all the leveling blocks you own because very few sites are level and most are very sloped," recommends a visitor to Grayson Lake State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Some parks offer dedicated play areas. At Paintsville Lake State Park Campground, a reviewer mentioned "The campground has many full hookup sites. I checked out the bath house: it's the cleanest I've ever seen! Laundry facilities are available. There is a playground for children."
Consider seasonal activities: Special programming happens during specific times. One camper at Carter Caves noted, "We went to the campground during the Halloween festivities in October 2017. There are a lot of activities to do while at the state park, caving, hiking, kayaking, mini golf, golf, etc."
Choose walk-in sites for more privacy: Tent campers can find more secluded options. At Paintsville Lake, Kelley K. shared, "We tent camped at one of the hike-in (it's a well maintained gravel path) sites at PLSP, #33. This is the first site on your way in."
Tips from RVers
Bring extra water hoses: Hookup placement varies widely between sites. At Carter Caves, one RVer advised, "Lots to do hiking, fishing, caves and caverns to explore. Campgrounds was clean. You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites though."
Check site leveling before booking: Eastern Kentucky's terrain means many sloped pads. A Yatesville Lake camper noted, "On top of the hill there is camper sites with full hook ups which is actually quite spacious and spaced out from other sites compared to other campgrounds, but some sites are better than others of course."
Consider seasonal campgrounds: Many close during winter months. Twin Knobs Recreation Area operates from "April 25 to November 2" according to listing information, while several pet-friendly camping options near Auxier, like Jenny Wiley, operate from "April 1 to October 31."
