Equestrian camping near Russellville, Kentucky offers access to well-developed trail systems spanning diverse terrain. Located in the western portion of Kentucky, campgrounds in this area sit at elevations ranging from 400-600 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate that supports lush forests and numerous water features. During summer months, temperatures typically range from 85-95°F during the day with overnight lows around 65-75°F.
What to do
Hiking extensive trail networks: At Nolin Lake State Park Campground, visitors can access multiple trail systems suitable for day hikes. "The trail system in the park was great and we put in over 14 miles of hiking there. The staff was very friendly and helpful!!" notes camper Nancy B.
Water recreation on multiple lakes: The region's lakes provide swimming, boating and fishing opportunities during warmer months. "The campground had two tent camping locations and a rv area. The scenery was amazing. Highly recommend campsite 23 by the beach, it has the best view," recommends Katrina R. about Nolin Lake.
Photography opportunities: Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park hosts seasonal photography contests. "I was there for a fall photography contest it was a little too soon and there was very little color. You can camp in tents or campers, ride horses or enjoy the lake and many miles of walking trails," explains J K.
Mountain biking: Maple Springs provides direct trail access with varying technical challenges. "We stayed on the Maple Springs side of the Green River to be closer to the mountain bike trails and are glad we did. The trails were great for both of us and we could ride straight from the campground," shares reviewer Bounding Around.
What campers like
Spacious, shaded sites: Maple Springs Campground offers generously sized sites with good separation. "Each site was spacious with room for up to three tents without feeling crowded. The sites were also spaced far enough apart that you never have to interact with your neighbors," reports Carrie J.
Direct lake access: Many campers appreciate sites with water frontage. "Great place for relaxing," mentions David R. about Nolin Lake State Park, adding "Beautiful campgrounds nice sized sites most with direct access to the water."
Quiet atmosphere: Dad's Bluegrass Campground provides a peaceful setting despite highway proximity. "Spent Thanksgiving here as a way to just have a quiet relaxing time. A lot of people pull in for the night since it's right off the highway and behind a Pilot/Flying J, but it was still quiet," notes Stephen G.
Pine forest settings: Some campgrounds offer distinctive natural environments. "The tent campground has spacious, level sites. The sites are located in a grove of pine trees, which makes for well shaded sites with a pleasant surface of soft pine straw to pitch your tents," describes Christina M. about Nolin Lake.
What you should know
Varied site conditions: Site levelness can be challenging at some parks. "The sites are hard to back in with a camper, we had to buy longer extension cables and a longer water hose, sites are very close together," warns Erin R. about Pennyrile Forest.
Seasonal operations: Many facilities operate seasonally. "This campground books 6 months out. Very hard to get a spot, but so worth it! Water front sites in cove so not a lot of boat traffic. Quiet park with great gravel spots," advises Laura O. about Nolin Lake.
Tick prevalence: Barren River Lake Resort and surrounding areas have significant tick populations during warmer months. "The only downside to the entire trip is that the park is infested with seed ticks and deer ticks. I was pulling ticks off of every inch of me even though I was coated in several layers of hardcore bug spray," cautions Carrie J.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds require specific approach routes. "If you are in a RV note that you can't go across the ferry with your rig!!! You have to go around the park to access this campground. We are so glad we realized that ahead of time and didn't have to back track," warns Bounding Around about Maple Springs.
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Several parks offer swimming beaches with amenities. "The beach was amazing and clean, the food at lodge very excellent," recommends Erin R. about Barren River Lake.
Playground facilities: Mammoth Cave Horse Camp and other parks provide play areas for children. "There is a swimming beach and a place to rent canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats. Also at the beach are picnic tables, grills, a playground, and concessions," notes Myron C.
Weekday visits recommended: Weekends can bring crowds and noise. "Thursday night we were kept awake by loud campers and campground staff weren't around to enforce quiet hours. Quiet hours do not start until 11 PM which is not ideal for campers with young children. The park started filling up on Friday and Saturday and was obviously very crowded on the weekend," advises Christina M.
Mini golf options: Some parks offer additional recreational activities. "The miniature golf course was good but a little expensive," notes Erin R. about on-site activities.
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: For RVs, some campgrounds offer significantly better sites than others. "I would suggest paying the extra $15.00 to get one of the equestrian sites," recommends Myron C., explaining they're level pull-through sites.
Hookup positioning: Several campgrounds have challenging utility placement. "My site was slightly uphill where I had to park to reach the water hookup. The water hookup is very close to the ground and leaked for me. Made it very hard to connect the hose and pressure regulator. Used all of my 25 foot hose to reach my connection," shares Jon P. about Dad's Bluegrass.
Satellite considerations: Tree coverage affects signal reception in many campgrounds. "We sweltered our middays, chasing the limited shade," reports Shelly S. about Barren River Lake, noting middle sites have almost no shade while others are well-covered.
