Central City, Kentucky camping areas sit at approximately 400 feet above sea level in the Western Coal Field region. This area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s and mild winters. Several campgrounds remain open year-round with seasonal attractions at state parks typically running from April through October.
What to do
Water activities at Lake Malone: Lake Malone State Park Campground provides excellent boating access with an accessible boat ramp, though parking can be somewhat limited. A camper noted, "For a short drive, you can access boat docks and a small sand beach on the water for all your boating/swimming needs."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning hours offer prime wildlife spotting chances. At Lake Malone, one visitor reported, "Got up at the crack of dawn and took a walk, saw lots of critters." Pennyrile Forest State Park features diverse wildlife, including occasional bald eagles within a 15-minute drive.
Hiking trail exploration: The Pennyrile Nature Trail extends 13.5 miles from Dawson Springs to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. A reviewer recommended, "The trails were nice. The Twisted Tree trail (and the Blue Heron loop attached)" as a favorite hiking option. The terrain in most parks is hilly with multi-level views and interesting rock formations.
Go-karting and recreation: Family fun activities are available at Diamond Lake Resort Campground, though one reviewer mentioned reduced hours: "With new owners, much cutback on staff and available hours for activities. Why oh why do you close a main attraction, go carts and pizza, during the week?"
What campers like
Peaceful environments: Some campgrounds offer quiet settings away from crowds. One camper at Western Kentucky RV Park shared, "If you're tired and need a quiet place to rest, look no further... Light up the grill, pull out the shade and relax in the peace and quiet."
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide direct water access. At Livermore RV Park, which sits "right on the boat ramp to the green river," anglers can enjoy freshwater fishing. The small-town setting creates a relaxed fishing atmosphere.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities matter to campers. At RJourney Clarksville RV Resort, one visitor noted, "Bathrooms were very clean and showers had locking stall doors." Another mentioned, "Landscape immaculate and staff beyond friendly."
Historical connections: Some campgrounds offer proximity to notable locations. Western Kentucky RV Park positions visitors near the county that inspired John Prine's song "Paradise," with one camper mentioning, "Maybe you're here to work coal, maybe you're here to see the county John Prine wrote 'Paradise' about."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. At Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, a visitor warned, "Sites are very sloped. Worst I've ever seen. Major drawback to this campground." Another noted, "Only reason I don't give campground a 5 is due to the very sloped sites. Most are very difficult to level up."
Varying pet policies: Dog friendly campgrounds near Central City have different restrictions. Some allow pets throughout all areas, while Windy Hollow Camp and Recreation enforces specific zones for pets. Several locations maintain designated dog exercise areas.
Seasonal operations: Many state parks operate campgrounds only from April through October. Lake Malone State Park Campground and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park both close for camping during winter months, though day use areas may remain accessible.
Payment requirements: Some campgrounds have specific payment policies. One visitor to Windy Hollow Camp noted, "Be sure to grab some cash on your way out because they accept nothing else at the moment." Another mentioned limited refund policies for cancellations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly play areas. Western Kentucky RV Park includes "a nice little playground for kids" according to one visitor, while other parks feature more extensive recreation options for children.
Swimming options: Lake Malone State Park Campground provides water recreation with "a small sand beach" for swimming. Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park features both a swimming beach and pool, though one camper noted the beach "opens up at 10am" and operates on "first come first serve regardless if u camped there."
Budget-friendly activities: Some parks offer affordable recreation options. A visitor to Livermore RV Park highlighted its value, noting it was "affordable" with "a shower house and a nice pavilion for use." Several campgrounds provide free fishing access to offset other activity costs.
Proximity to conveniences: Families appreciate nearby services. A Hopewell RV Park guest mentioned, "Dollar General just down the road" for supplies, and multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near Central City provide easy access to groceries and necessities within short drives.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: RVers recommend calling ahead for specific site information. At Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, one camper advised, "When you reserve your site make sure you ask about the specific site's terrain. Site 48, where I was, was sloped with no grass and had just been repaired."
Hookup requirements: Some sites require additional equipment. A Western Kentucky RV Park visitor noted, "We had to buy longer extension cables and a longer water hose" due to hookup placement. Many parks offer various amperage options with both 30 and 50 amp connections available.
Seasonal worker consideration: Several parks host long-term guests working locally. Hopewell RV Park has "several seasonal workers from Paradise Power Plant staying here during an outage," which changes the campground atmosphere compared to primarily recreational sites.
