Camping options around Canmer, Kentucky span a 30-mile radius with elevations ranging from 550-800 feet above sea level. The region's limestone terrain contributes to the area's significant karst topography, creating distinctive camping environments with natural springs. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through September, with limited winter camping available.
What to do
Fishing and kayaking on Nolin Lake: At Wax - Nolin River Lake, visitors can enjoy direct water access for fishing and paddling. "I had been here only once in 2018. The water was up high so it made it an amazing waterfront campsite," notes Brian W. Another visitor adds, "Loved paddle boarding in the early morning before the boat traffic got going. Water was very warm."
Wildlife observation: The area hosts diverse bird populations, particularly at lakefront campsites. "We value nature and privacy and we loved this campground! Right from our camps we could see a trip of Redheaded Woodpeckers playing as well as a mama Northern Flicker feeding her babies. We even saw a giant Pileated Woodpecker!" reports Alison K. from Wax campground.
Hiking local trails: Moutardier Campground offers the Shady Creek Trail, a two-mile loop through woodland terrain. "There is also a two mile hike that is in the campground called Shady Creek Trail. It looked like it had not been hiked in a while but it went through woods, small stream and had a cool rock formation at one part," notes a visitor.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Smith Ridge Green River Lake receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "I've been to a couple of CoE campgrounds before but this is now my favorite one. Each of the sites came with a stack of firewood already in place when you got there," states Estus H. The commitment to upkeep extends across multiple campgrounds.
Lakefront access: Many sites offer direct water access for swimming and boat launching. At Dog Creek Campground, "site selection is all important at this campsite. Some have wonderful lake access, shade, and a bit of seclusion. Others no trees, no lake, in the middle of everyone. Section C has some of the nicer sites, even one with a little lagoon perfect to launch your yaks from," advises Casey C.
Night sky viewing: The low light pollution creates opportunities for stargazing. A visitor to Wax campground reports, "Stars at night were beautiful." Another camper at Smith Ridge noted: "We were in site A2 and it was a little closer to the road than we expected, and the picnic tables were secured to the ground taking up a good bit of the site for our rug and chairs."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds and even between sites. At Holmes Bend, "cell service Verizon & AT&T Service 3 bars depending above or below hill in camping area," reports Ron B. Other campgrounds report spotty coverage.
Train noise at some locations: Some campgrounds near Cave City experience railroad noise. A visitor to Cave Country RV Campground advises, "Do not camp close to the railroad tracks. Loud horns in the middle of the night."
Site variations and reservations: Site quality varies widely even within the same campground. "Some have wonderful lake access, shade, and a bit of seclusion. Others no trees, no lake, in the middle of everyone," notes a Dog Creek visitor. Advance research on specific sites is recommended, especially during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible fishing for children: Wilson Creek Recreation Area provides opportunities for young anglers. "We chose to camp in a primitive site and ended up right on the lake. We are here during the week so it's really nice and quiet!" shares Nancy B. Campsites along creeks and lakeshores offer fishing directly from camp.
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Singing Hills RV Park, "The owner, Eldon, was such a pleasure to work with. My son caught his first fish that weekend and has been begging to go back already," reports Marissa G.
Halloween festivities: For fall camping, Moutardier Campground hosts special events. Laura O. shares, "Family friendly Halloween fun. Has a decorating contest with trick or treat in the campground. Safe and clean with lots of restrooms and lake front sites."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require additional leveling equipment. Jennifer noted about Wax campground: "The road in/out is very narrow, very tight and not easily navigated with a 40' 5th wheel. Also, be very careful about sites, many are extremely undeveloped and while we booked a 70' pull thru, it was actually down on the side of the hill with an almost 90° curve."
Electrical capacity issues: Some campgrounds have power limitations. A visitor to Smith Ridge reports, "Location was excellent, close to the water. They have a known power issue, 30amp service went out several times at the pole. Their solution was to use less appliances."
Waste tank considerations: Not all RV sites offer sewer hookups. Beth R. from Dog Creek Campground notes: "Pros: 50 AMP, Water, Overlooking Nolin Lake. Cons: No sewer (dump station only), Limited cell service, No wifi."
