Best Campgrounds near Central City, KY

The town of Central City in Kentucky sits close to several good camping areas. Mammoth Cave Campground in Santa Claus gives campers a base to check out the famous cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park. The sites are kept in good shape and have bathrooms and drinking water nearby, which works well if you're bringing kids along. Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park isn't far from Central City and has nice hiking trails and a quiet lake. You'll find electrical hookups and modern bathrooms at the campsites there. About 16 miles from Central City, Lake Malone State Park Campground has pretty views of the lake and basic stuff like picnic tables and fire rings. Keep your food stored properly since deer and birds are common in these parks. If you have an RV, Western Kentucky RV Park is just two miles from Central City with full hookups and plenty of room at each site. Remember that the weather changes a lot by season - summers get hot and sticky while winters can be cold. These campgrounds work for both tent and RV camping depending on what you prefer.

Best Camping Sites Near Central City, Kentucky (37)

    1. Western Kentucky RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Central City, KY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 757-0348

    $46 - $55 / night

    "Standard parking lot style rv park near highway, but we’ll kept, clean rr/shower/laundry, decent playground, grass strips on which you should NOT drive or park."

    2. Hopewell RV Park

    1 Review
    Central City, KY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 725-0364

    $38 - $50 / night

    "Just 5 miles south of Western Kentucky Parkway on US highway 431. Also has several seasonal workers from Paradise Power Plant staying here during an outage. School bus picks kids op at the stop sign."

    3. Lake Malone State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Dunmor, KY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 657-2111

    $20 - $25 / night

    "Nice lake, boat ramp very accessible, somewhat limited parking. Out of the way (as in not close to the interstate) , nice clean areas, picturesque:)"

    "While we haven't camped overnight yet, my husband and I frequent Lake Malone State Park to hike the trails."

    4. Livermore RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Mount Vernon, KY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 278-2854

    "These sites are right off the green river, there is a boat ramp adjacent. Good people all around , and the monthly is amazingly low. You can opt to pay for 50 or 30 amp service."

    6. Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

    19 Reviews
    Dawson Springs, KY
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 797-3421

    $12 - $40 / night

    "Pennyrile Forest State Park off Ky69 outside Dawson Springs, Ky. A newer trail Pennyrile Nature Trail is 13.5 mile long hiking trail, from Dawson Springs to the park."

    "We were on the very corner and even though it was close to the road it was beautiful and not super traffic heavy. There was however a streetlight at the corner and it was extremely bright."

    7. Diamond Lake Resort Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mount Vernon, KY
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 229-4900

    $34 - $38 / night

    "This is a resort not a get away from it all camping. It is well maintained, friendly staff, lots to do for kids. Sites are close, as in any resort style campground."

    "It was also nice to ride the golf cart around the park to get around. We brought ours but you can also rent. The swimming pool stays pretty full but is nice."

    8. Ohio County Park And Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hartford, KY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 298-4466

    9. RJourney Clarksville RV Resort

    25 Reviews
    Clarksville, TN
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 774-7901

    $49 - $75 / night

    "If only Clarksville wasn’t so close to the highway... great location, much shade, good distance between rigs, level gravel pads... great public areas, very hospitable staff.... just a bit noisy from the"

    "This campground is located real close to I24. You can see & hear it. Know that before you book. That aside, it’s a nice campground."

    10. Windy Hollow Camp and Recreation

    3 Reviews
    Mount Vernon, KY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 785-4150

    "Tucked in and away a beautiful holler, this is what modern day camping is at its finest. The staff are amazing, and friendly."

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Showing results 1-10 of 37 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Central City, KY

190 Reviews of 37 Central City Campgrounds



Guide to Central City

Camping near Central City, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore Mammoth Cave National Park: Just a short drive from the Mammoth Cave Campground, this park is famous for its stunning caves and hiking trails. One camper mentioned, "We really enjoyed the four days we spent at the Mammoth Caves Campground, right in the national park."
  • Visit Nolin Lake State Park: This park offers great opportunities for fishing, swimming, and hiking. A reviewer noted, "Our site was huge, with enough space for our RV, truck, dog fence and fire area."
  • Check out Lake Rudolph Campground: Located in Santa Claus, Indiana, this campground is perfect for families visiting Holiday World. One guest said, "Our family enjoyed the amenities and the easy 'special entrance' shuttle to Holiday World."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Kentucky Nolin Lake State Park stated, "The bath house was very clean and well maintained."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer large, level sites. A camper at Mammoth Cave Campground mentioned, "It’s a beautiful, wooded campground with large and generally level sites."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds like Lake Rudolph are noted for their friendly vibe. One reviewer said, "All of the staff is very friendly. The park is very clean."

What you should know:

  • Limited hookups: Some campgrounds, like Mammoth Cave Campground, do not have electric hookups at the sites. A camper pointed out, "There are no electric hookups. There is water available at spots throughout the campground, but not at the sites."
  • Road noise: Campgrounds near highways, such as Bowling Green KOA, can be noisy. One guest noted, "The only downside is at night due to the road noise from the I-65/I-165 split."
  • Reservations recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Kentucky Nolin Lake State Park mentioned, "We rolled in on the day of our stay with no reservations."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities for kids. A reviewer at Lake Lincoln Campground said, "The campground has a few playgrounds for the kids too."
  • Plan for shade: Some sites may not have much shade, so bring canopies or umbrellas. A camper at Kentucky Hurricane Creek noted, "Most have very little shade."
  • Pack games and activities: Keep kids entertained with outdoor games. One family at Lake Rudolph enjoyed playing putt-putt golf during their stay.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A reviewer at Clarksville RV Resort mentioned, "Concrete level sites. Pond to fish in and huge dog run."
  • Be prepared for tight spots: Some campgrounds have narrow roads and tight turns. A camper at Kentucky Hurricane Creek warned, "Some sites can be hard to back into."
  • Utilize dump stations: Know where the dump stations are located for convenience. A visitor at Kentucky Nolin Lake State Park mentioned, "The dump station is at the entrance."

Camping near Central City, Kentucky, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful parks and friendly campgrounds, you're sure to have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Central City, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Central City, KY is Western Kentucky RV Park with a 2.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What parks are near Central City, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Central City, KY that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.