Buckhorn Lake in eastern Kentucky features several established campgrounds across the Appalachian foothills. Buckhorn Dam Campground offers water and electric hookups with both tent and RV sites, while Trace Branch provides lakeside camping with water access for boaters and anglers. Several campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails and fishing opportunities, with most sites providing at least basic amenities like drinking water and trash collection.
Access to some campgrounds requires navigating winding mountain roads that may challenge larger vehicles. "Do not take Pleasant Valley Road 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," cautioned one visitor to Trace Branch. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from early May through late September, with limited or no services available during winter months. Cell service varies throughout the region, with some campgrounds like Trace Branch offering no connectivity, making it ideal for those seeking to disconnect. Campers should check road conditions before arrival, especially after heavy rainfall when mountain roads may wash out.
Waterfront camping ranks highly among visitors to the Buckhorn Lake area, with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Many sites at Trace Branch back directly to the water, though these tend to fill quickly during peak season. The playground facilities at Buckhorn Dam Campground receive praise from family campers, with one visitor noting it was "hands down the best playground for kids we have seen in a campground." Wildlife viewing opportunities extend beyond the immediate campground areas, with the region known for elk viewing. While bathroom and shower facilities exist at most established campgrounds, their cleanliness and maintenance varies significantly according to visitor reports. The more remote locations offer peaceful settings but require self-sufficiency as amenities and services are limited.
$14 - $60 / night
"Nestled in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, this campground has all the things your family could want to do in nature. Check in was super easy and the staff was great."
"This is a small campground near Buckhorn Lake. It is close to the water for boating and swimming, there is a playground, but for much else you will need to travel outside the area. "
$24 - $60 / night
"We took Louis Branch Rd, then turn right on 3425, after you go under the highway bridge take the next left on Kentucky River Bridge. After you cross the bridge turn right on 257/Drywall road."
"RV spots are a little close to your neighbor but it was quiet and peaceful. This is a great spot if you don't mind not having a network connection or Wi-Fi."
"This is a small campground near Buckhorn Lake. It is close to the water for boating and swimming, there is a playground, but for much else you will need to travel outside the area. "
$12 - $999 / night
"This big campground is a hidden gem near Red River Gorge. The road getting to the campsite is mostly one lane so is you are in an RV, go slow."
"The trail around the lake was very nice, short but hilly so a good morning walk. It rained the first evening which led to some pretty little waterfalls the next day."
$27 - $45 / night
"We've some spent time now in Kentucky and Red River Gorge area is one of favorites in this state. The campground is good pretty simple."
"It is located just off Exit 11 on the Bert T Combs Parkway (the highway that runs through the area, which is a beautiful drive itself)."
$23 - $35 / night
"I would rank the Red River Gorge area as the most beautiful place in the Kentucky. Any time I get the chance to head out this way, I do."
"Pros: clean bath house, convenient to SUP Kentucky/Gorge underground, level sites (smaller though) Cons: traffic noise, no cell service (which is a pro for some)"
$33 / night
"Small beach area, clear water for swimming, but have quite a few steps to walk down to the lake. Playground equipment was taken down, only had a couple of swings."
"The beach is nice but a lot of steps to get down to it. Overall the campground is clean and staff is extremely helpful. The bathhouses are a bit run down and updated or something."
$23 - $35 / night
"Located off I-64 in eastern Kentucky, RRG and Natural Bridge offer a wide variety of activities including hiking, camping, backcountry camping, kayak and canoe rentals, and the area has various local"
"Close to the Natural Bridge trail and multiple SUP Kentucky sites."
"There’s a privy near the campsites and a creek the runs nearby. All sites have fire rings and lamp post along with picnic tables."
"Beautiful remote location. Great moderate hiking trails. Clean 🚻."
GuideThis was the creepiest place I have ever stayed. I had all kinds of strange vibes from it. Maybe because it was raining. I don’t know. The guy who worked there was super nice. I won’t be back though.
GuideI only got to stay here one night passing through. I usually never use the bathrooms/showers when traveling. But when I went to check them out I decided to try them. Very clean. I’ll definitely stay here again. There weren’t many people when I stayed on a week day. So it was very peaceful and quiet. They had a nice pavilion to have a gathering at.
ScoutWhether you’re in a tent or an RV, it’s tough to find a bad spot to Grove Campground in Daniel Boone National Forest. Sites are both spacious and well spaced. They are paved and mostly level with a gravel pad for the fire ring and picnic table - well laid out in classic USFS fashion. Located near Corbin, KY, Grove serves as a great staging location to explore the area including Laurel River Lake and Cumberland Falls State Park. Time well spent!
TravelerWe were greeted by the owner upon arrival. There are more adventures for kids at this 90 acre campground than I can list.
ScoutIn live locally and they keep it carry nice and always a great spot for family and kids
TravelerGoldenrod Gap was a beautiful location to unwind for a weekend within reach of Red River Gorge. We stayed at a primitive campsite located next to the convenient showerhouse. Had anyone been using the nearby RV camping spot, we might have been a little too close to neighbors, but our stay was quiet, fun, and filled with cool wildlife sightings on the guest-only trails. Access to the campground was easy, the facilities were clean and fully functional. The hiking trails were varied in difficulty and scenery. Our favorite was Mushroom Loop Trail, which gave us a wide path up to the highest ridgeline on the property that is blooming with colorful mushrooms. But I'd like to give a shout out also to the Frog Trail that lazily followed a small stream flowing through a serene grove. Many great memories were made here, and I'm sure we will return to try out the other campsites on offer!
ScoutI enjoyed a much-needed weekend getaway with friends at Goldenrod Gap! Staying at the Sand Pad site offered plenty of amenities that made the stay comfortable. The Maranda showerhouse was a pleasant surprise—easily the nicest I've experienced on a camping trip! The property is a short drive from Broke Leg Falls and offers a variety of its own trails to explore, each unique in its own way. I loved seeing all of the moss, flowers, and mushrooms along the trails. Closing out a day full of hiking with s'mores by the campfire and stargazing at Goldenrod Gap was a perfect way to kick-off the summer camping season!
GuideAn awesome, secluded spot! Each site includes a picnic table, tent section, lantern post, and a ringed in fire pit with a rotatable grill. They are all mostly graveled in too. The creek is close and fun to explore and there is nice shade throughout. The fellow campers we had were great and not loud, however, the space does echo quite a bit, so if you were to good some rude campers, you would almost definitely hear them. There is also no cell service (which for me is kind of a plus).
Free is free, so it’s that’s also a great plus. If you choose to visit just make sure to keep it clean!
GuideThis beautiful camping area owned by the US Forest service is just the spot. Fits my small camper perfectly. The sites have enough room to be enjoyed and have great gravel pads to prevent flooded tents in the rain. Add the hot shower house and it’s just what the doctor ordered.
Buckhorn Lake campsites sit among the Appalachian foothills of eastern Kentucky where the elevation ranges from 750 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The lake spans approximately 1,230 acres with camping options scattered around its 65 miles of shoreline. Weather conditions vary significantly between seasons with summer temperatures averaging 80-90°F and winter lows frequently dipping below freezing.
Fishing from your site: At Trace Branch - Buckhorn Lake, campers can fish directly from their campsites. "I stayed here for two night and enjoyed my time. RV spots are a little close to your neighbor but it was quiet and peaceful. This is a great spot if you don't mind not having a network connection or Wi-Fi," notes Maze M.
Explore mountain biking trails: The surrounding Daniel Boone National Forest offers numerous trails suitable for mountain bikes. "Koomer Ridge campground has a great location for mountain biking (what we went for), hiking, fishing - anything really! The Daniel Boone Nat Forest is, I think, at its most beautiful in late spring," shares Erin H.
Watch for wildlife: Eastern Kentucky is known for its wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly elk. "This area is the best place to see Elk in the east! This is a small campground near Buckhorn Lake. It is close to the water for boating and swimming, there is a playground, but for much else you will need to travel outside the area," writes Lynn G. about Buckhorn Dam Campground.
Quiet, remote camping: For those seeking to disconnect, several campgrounds offer peaceful settings. "This campground is a hidden gem. It's in the hills, far off the beaten path, and half of the campsites are right on the water. In addition to campsites, the park has picnic areas, bathrooms, showers, a playground, and a boat ramp," explains Damon O. about Trace Branch.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate free sites like Turkey Foot Campground. "For a free campsite this was very well maintained. There's a privy near the campsites and a creek the runs nearby. All sites have fire rings and lamp post along with picnic tables," says David M.
Recreation facilities: Many campgrounds offer additional amenities beyond basic camping. "Very nice playground, basketball court, swing, and volleyball court. We got to fish right beside our camper," writes Martha about Buckhorn Dam Campground.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region. "This area looks to be prone to flooding in the spring months when the snows thaw so time your visit accordingly. There is also no cell service here, so be prepared to unplug and unwind," cautions Damon O.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. "Be aware that one of the entrances is blocked off due to a mud slide so make sure to check ahead for directions and updates on road closures," warns David M. about Turkey Foot Campground.
Bathhouse maintenance varies: Facility upkeep can be inconsistent between campgrounds. "The men's bathrooms don't appear to have been cleaned in awhile and weren't cleaned during my week there. Only half of the toilets would flush," reports a camper at Trace Branch.
Playground access: Middle Fork Campground offers recreation for children. "We stayed here Mothers Day weekend. Had perfect weather and our tent site was by the creek so we could hear running water all night. It was so peaceful! The Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge area is beautiful with great hiking!" shares Mary B.
Swimming options: Multiple locations offer swimming opportunities for children. "The beach is about 100 yds long. Water was clean and clear. It might be a slight challenge walking back up the steps to the parking lot if you're not in good shape," notes Lee D.
Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with room for kids to play. "This has ranked #1 for campgrounds for our family this season. Nestled in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, this campground has all the things your family could want to do in nature," writes Marissa G.
Site leveling: Most campgrounds have varying terrain. "We were on site 13 and it was nearly perfectly level from left to right. It had both 30 and 50 amp hookups and water (about 35psi on pressure)," notes Marissa G. about Carr Creek State Park Campground.
Size limitations: Larger rigs may struggle at some campgrounds. "Access to the camp may be tough for larger rigs as theres a few miles of windy, one-lane roads with switchbacks, drop-offs, and the occasional washout," warns Damon O. about Trace Branch.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. "Campsites have hookups for electric and water, with a dump site nearby. There are also picnic tables and fire rings, with firewood available to purchase," explains a reviewer about facilities at Trace Branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Buckhorn Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, Buckhorn Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 83 campgrounds and RV parks near Buckhorn Lake and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Buckhorn Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Buckhorn Lake is Buckhorn Dam Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Buckhorn Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Buckhorn Lake.
What parks are near Buckhorn Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Buckhorn Lake that allow camping, notably Carr Creek Lake and Daniel Boone National Forest.
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