The eastern Kentucky landscape around Blue River contains rugged terrain with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet above sea level. Camping options span across Daniel Boone National Forest and several state parks, with most campgrounds situated near lakes or streams that provide natural cooling during hot summer months. Water access determines campsite popularity, with lakefront sites typically booking 3-6 months in advance.
What to do
Kayaking at Paintsville Lake: Accessible from Paintsville Lake State Park Campground, the calm waters are ideal for paddling. "The lake is really calm. There are boats coming in and out but not 'traffic' per se, no issues at all kayaking and we went out several times," noted one visitor who enjoyed multiple paddling sessions during their stay.
Beach swimming at Carr Creek: The sandy beach area at Carr Creek State Park Campground provides lake swimming from April through October. "Great campground with a swimming area," explains a camper, though another mentions "a lot of steps to get down to it" which may present accessibility challenges for some visitors.
Fishing opportunities: Clear water conditions at Carr Creek make for productive fishing. "The area itself is very pretty and the water is clear with a ton of fish," reports one angler. Another fisher at Paintsville Lake suggests using "rooster tails and panther martin spinners (silver), 1/8 and 1/16 oz" for successful catches.
What campers like
Private camping areas: Zilpo Campground offers secluded sites within Daniel Boone National Forest. "Great campground with a lot of privacy!" notes a visitor. Another camper confirms this assessment: "Nice secluded area with a lot of privacy."
Spacious campsites: Yatesville Lake State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its site layout. "The campsites are a LONG distance from each other. You won't even hear your neighbors," writes one reviewer. Another camper agrees: "Plenty of space between campsites. Just wish they had sewer hookups."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At Paintsville Lake, a visitor observed "it's the cleanest I've ever seen!" regarding the bath house. At Yatesville Lake, a camper noted it's "small, quiet, very clean and sites are not crammed together," highlighting the overall maintenance quality.
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, particularly Paintsville Lake. "My only complaint is that the lake gets crowded with motor boats toward mid day. This makes the water choppy and difficult for kayaking and other sports," shares one visitor about afternoon conditions.
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facilities receive mixed reviews across campgrounds. At Middle Fork Campground one camper reported "the shower was wimpy at best. Took a long time to coax hot water, and then the flow was very weak," while Carr Creek visitors noted "bathrooms are disgusting. Half don't work and handicap doesn't have lock."
Wildlife awareness: Food storage precautions are necessary at most campgrounds. At Paintsville Lake, a camper warned "there are raccoons who like to eat so be sure to put your food up at night," emphasizing proper storage requirements to prevent unwanted visitors.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Backwoods Camping & RV Park provides grassy tent areas with playground amenities nearby. "Several cabins, RV spots and grassy tent areas. The staff are very easy to work with," notes one visitor, adding it's a "safe place - no issues with safety or security while we were there."
Kid-friendly swimming: Shallow entry points exist at several lakes. At Middle Fork, a camper mentioned "we really enjoyed swimming in and following the creek upstream," indicating water access suitable for children who can explore the water safely.
Noise considerations: Campground noise levels vary significantly. At Natural Bridge State Park, one visitor recommended: "You can stay in the tent site only area which I recommend if you want to be away from the noise and lights of a campground," suggesting families seeking quiet choose specific areas.
Tips from RVers
Site configurations: Most rv parks near Blue River, Kentucky offer mixed layouts. At Portal 31 RV Park, sites are described as "small, with electric hookups and a communal water spout," indicating shared facilities that require planning.
Seasonal availability: Many RV campgrounds close during winter months. A Carr Creek visitor noted the park operates from "April 1 to October 31," which is standard for most rv facilities in eastern Kentucky.
Hookup types: Electric service varies between campgrounds near Blue River. Yatesville Lake provides 50-amp electrical service, while some smaller rv parks may only offer 30-amp connections, requiring adapters for larger rigs with higher power demands.
