Daniel Boone National Forest surrounds Campton, Kentucky, with its sandstone cliffs rising 400 feet above forest floors. The region sits at an elevation around 800-1,200 feet and experiences humid summers with temperatures often reaching 85°F. Primitive camping options exist throughout the area with varying levels of facilities and access.
What to do
**Cave exploring: Explore the underground limestone formations at Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground near Olive Hill. "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," notes Amanda S.
**Lake activities: Swim, fish or paddle at Cave Run Lake, which offers multiple camping options along its shores. "One of my wife and I favorite spot! Great campground with great views of lake and easy way to the beach," shares Vince B. about Zilpo Campground.
**Hiking local trails: Walk the trails around Lago Linda Hideaway for shorter hikes right from your campsite. "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," according to Sarah H.
What campers like
**Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at many campgrounds in the area. "The campsites are very large and spacious with firewood and porta-potties on site and it's right along the river," notes Mark W. about Red River Adventure.
**Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "Bathrooms are clean," states Lena L. about Lago Linda Hideaway, while Amanda S. found Carter Caves State Park's camp office "very clean and had practical items like batteries, firestarter, snacks and ice cream for the kiddos."
**Water recreation: Access to swimming opportunities ranks high with visitors. "Since it was so warm, we took a dip in the lake. Our site was spacious and pretty, with plenty of room for our two tents and a hammock," writes Lena L. about her experience at Lago Linda.
What you should know
**Variable hookup access: Electric and water hookups can be challenging at some sites. "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites," warns Ron & Bonnie D. about Carter Caves State Resort Park.
**Reservation timing: For glamping in Campton, Kentucky, advance planning is essential. "We stayed in the red roof cabin which was small but pretty awesome. Full kitchen, bathroom, gas fireplace heater and loft w/three beds. Then there's the porch overlooking the little lake," shares Shelly S. about Lago Linda Hideaway.
**Tick prevention: The forests around Campton have ticks during warm months. "I will say we found a few lone star ticks (dead thanks to her prevention) on our dog. Just as a heads up to campers. Always do your tick checks," advises Lena L.
Tips for camping with families
**Playground availability: Twin Knobs Recreation Area offers family-friendly amenities. "Good to stay for a relaxing weekend with you're family. Nice spots by the lake and includes and beach area with a little store for any last minute supplies you may have forgotten," recommends Megan D.
**Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "This place is gorgeous. They have a small fishing pond, swimming pool, basketball court, and a playground," writes Christy W. about 4 Guys RV Park.
**Educational opportunities: Ranger-led activities provide learning experiences. "The park has a lot to do, not just the caves. There's tons of waterfalls off the trails, and other things to see. The caves are great to explore as well. Grab a ranger-guided tour and learn something! Great for the kids," suggests Chris B. about Carter Caves State Resort Park.
Tips from RVers
**Site selection considerations: Research campsite configurations before booking. "The RV sites are in the trees, and probably won't accommodate an extremely large vehicle. However, there is a huge open field further into the camp that should be fairly easy to turn around in," advises Heather K. about Lago Linda Hideaway.
**Full hookup locations: Outpost Campground & RV Park provides convenient amenities for larger vehicles. "The pull through sites were all flat and oriented well. We were fully set up in 15 mins," notes Jason G. about the camping experience.
**Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "The road getting to the campsite is mostly one lane so if you are in an RV, go slow," cautions Heather K., highlighting the importance of careful driving when approaching glamping options near Campton.
