Campgrounds within a 30-mile radius of Lebanon Junction, Kentucky provide access to various outdoor activities with terrain ranging from wooded riverfront areas to open fields. The region has hot, humid summers with temperatures reaching the 90s and mild winters, making April through October the primary camping season for seasonal facilities. Many campgrounds in this area connect to trail systems for hiking and horseback riding.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Jefferson Memorial Forest features over 35 miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult through heavily forested areas. One camper noted, "There is a nice laundromat, and the paved roads were repaved not long ago" at Brooks RV Park, which provides convenient access to the forest's trail network.
Visit historic sites: The My Old Kentucky Home mansion tour in Bardstown offers cultural exploration near camping areas. "The tour was amazing. We will be back to spend time strolling the streets of Bardstown and taking a Distillery Tour. The campground is close to everything," reports one visitor at My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access, with Camp Carlson featuring a stocked pond. A camper mentioned, "Otter Creek runs next to camp as well as a small stocked lake for fishing." Some locations also provide creek access for swimming during summer months.
What campers like
Shaded camping sites: Many campers appreciate the tree coverage at certain locations, providing relief from summer heat. At Horine Reservation Camping at Jefferson County Memorial Forest, a camper observed, "The camp sites are all wooded and primitive, preserving the peaceful serenity of such a beautiful and heavily forested area."
Quiet surroundings: Despite proximity to Louisville, some campgrounds maintain a secluded feel. A camper at White Acres Campground stated, "It's a country setting on the outskirts of Bardstown, KY. It's just a few miles away from the scenic parts of town."
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness rates highly among camper reviews. At Otter Creek Park Campground, one visitor noted, "Campgrounds has showers with good hot water pressure. Very nice campsite. The area we were in was nice and private."
What you should know
Campsite terrain varies: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring equipment for leveling. At My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground, a camper warned, "Very small campground and narrow roads. Many sites were not level and some sites were very short so make sure you review the site description."
Seasonal operations: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground runs from April 1 to October 31, while Louisville South KOA and White Acres operate year-round.
Airport noise considerations: Some locations experience aircraft noise due to proximity to Louisville International Airport. At Louisville South KOA, one visitor mentioned, "A nachteil der Platz liegt in der Einflugschneise des Flughafens. Auch die ganze Nacht hört man Fluglärm." (The campground is in the airport approach path with noise throughout the night.)
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Family-friendly amenities vary by location. Louisville South KOA offers organized activities during summer. A camper reported, "They did a great job with other things like tie dye T-shirts and movie nights."
Site selection for privacy: When camping with children, research specific site locations for space and separation. One reviewer of Otter Creek Park Campground mentioned, "We go every fall with our entire family to enjoy the Halloween activities. The campers all go all out and let the kids trick or treat."
Educational opportunities: Mammoth Cave National Park offers cave tours and nature programs suitable for children. A visitor shared, "Our normally restless kids were so taken by the 2 hr cave tour that they remained in near total silence and awe as we tunneled through this slow moving guided cave walk."
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: At some campgrounds, utility connections may be distant from parking pads. A camper at My Old Kentucky Home State Park noted, "Water and electric is about 40 feet away. Make sure to have levelers to handle 7+ inches."
Site length limitations: Some campgrounds have short sites that may not accommodate larger rigs. When staying at White Acres Campground, a camper advised, "Assigned a site in the new open area with no trees. Utilities all worked, but this is a no fringe experience."
Cell service limitations: Signal strength varies widely between campgrounds in the area. At Camp Carlson Army RV Park, a reviewer cautioned, "The ONLY bad thing about this campground is that it is in a bowl -- no cell service, no satellite, no internet. Perfect for a QUIET getaway!!"
