Situated in eastern Kentucky's mountainous terrain, glamping close to Blue River offers outdoor recreation in diverse national forest and state park lands. The area features multiple water bodies with varying conditions for fishing and boating. Several campgrounds provide primitive to upscale accommodations with seasonal operation between April and November.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Twin Knobs Recreation Area offers multiple fishing spots on a large lake. According to Kellie Dawn T., "You camp on rock sites so it drains great if it rains. The sites are kinda secluded from one another by tree and bush lines." For catfish enthusiasts, David O. notes that at Jenny Wiley State Park, "the fishing on Dewy Lake is awesome. The water is muddy a lot. But if you like catfishing, this is your Lake."
Trail exploration: Kingdom Come State Park Campground features several interconnected hiking paths across varying terrain. Brian B. explains, "There are plenty of hiking trails. Our favorite is the Raven Rock trail which leads to a 450 foot 40 degree angle granite rock facing that you can climb to get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains." Some trails lead to unique geological features: "There is also a natural rock bridge close to the campsites called Log Rock."
Kayaking options: Small watercraft access points exist at multiple locations in the region. At Buckhorn Dam Campground, Marissa G. reports "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." For those seeking river adventures, Marc H. at Jenny Wiley State Park notes the lake "accommodates speed boats and jet skis so I didn't put my kayak in."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: While some campgrounds feature close quarters, others offer separation. At Zilpo Campground, Angie F. appreciates the "great campground with a lot of privacy!" Aaron I. confirms this benefit: "Nice secluded area with a lot of privacy." This contrasts with other campgrounds where spacing can be limited.
Mountain views: The elevated terrain provides scenic vistas from several campgrounds. At Breaks Interstate Park Campground, Bob M. reports: "Very scenic place!! We spent 6 nights here, hiked & biked a lot. Off season, so some of the amenities were closed (pool looks awesome). The campground itself isn't really all that great, prepare for some levelling." Paul C. adds that the park offers "some of the most gorgeous trails in the region."
Wildlife sightings: Several campgrounds report bear and other wildlife activity. Sarah at Kingdom Come State Park notes, "The area is known for bear activity, but we saw none." Jess B. had a different experience: "I saw more bears while at this park than any other time. But it was never scary because they were always far away. We were really careful to keep our campsite very clean as to not attract the bears closer."
What you should know
Water conditions vary: Lake and river water quality differs significantly across locations. Tena G. warns about Jenny Wiley State Park: "DO NOT DRINK THE WATER FROM THIS LAKE... AND DON'T SWIM IN IT EITHER! FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK,,, CATCH & RELEASE!" Similarly, Pamela S. reports seeing "all the trash and debris in the lake. I've never seen so much garbage in a lake in my life."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. For Trace Branch - Buckhorn Lake, j B. cautions: "DO NOT TAKE 'PLEASANT VALLEY RD' into the campgrounds! That road takes you on a single lane road and if you meet another vehicle, someone will have to backup. The road is extremely washed out and huge chunks are gone. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!" Similarly, Grant M. notes about Kingdom Come State Park: "The road in from Cumberland is STEEP! We made it in a mini van pulling a scamp, so you'll probably be fine."
Cell service limitations: Many locations have poor or no connectivity. Damon O. notes at Trace Branch campground "there is no cell service here, so be prepared to unplug and unwind." Frances F. mentions that Jenny Wiley has "No WiFi no tv reception," while Wyman M. simply states that Kingdom Come State Park has "no service or wifi."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Buckhorn Dam Campground offers excellent recreation areas for children. Marissa G. reports "Hands down the best playground for kids we have seen in a campground." Martha confirms: "Very nice playground, basketball court, swing, and volleyball court. We got to fish right beside our camper. Definitely recommend!"
Water activities: Several locations offer swimming opportunities close to campsites. At Zilpo Campground, Megan D. notes it's "In walking distance to the lake so you can have a nice swim." Elizabeth C. adds it's a "great spot right on the water."
Space for bikes: Multiple campgrounds provide areas for children to ride bicycles. Marc H. mentions that at Jenny Wiley State Park "most of the campers were in RVs. I found a site at the end of a cul-de-sac away from the other campers." Damon O. notes Trace Branch "is a popular place for the locals with kids on the weekends so if you're looking for peace and quiet it's best to visit during the week. Great place to let the kids run wild and make friends though."
Tips from RVers
Hookup placements: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds. Frances F. advises about Jenny Wiley State Park: "Campsites are set up where the water hookups at in front of your camper. Bring long water hose." Similarly at Trace Branch, j B. notes that "RV spots are a little close to your neighbor but it was quiet and peaceful."
Leveling requirements: Several campgrounds require equipment to level RVs. Bob M. warns about Breaks Interstate Park: "prepare for some levelling." Karen P. reports a better experience at Twin Knobs: "The site is level and graveled. This is one of the most popular sites and we booked it 6 months in advance."
Seasonal concerns: Weather and maintenance issues affect campground conditions. John D. warns about Jenny Wiley State Park: "Dump station overflowed and closed. Toilets broken, plugged or poop all over toilets and floor. People parking 4-30' campers in one site, on the grass. One person left in the evening, got stuck and had 1' deep ruts. Had to leave to get another truck. It didn't help that there was also 5"-8"+/- rain over the 3 days."
