Camping areas near Clarkson, Kentucky cluster around Nolin River Lake, a 5,795-acre reservoir with 9,470 acres of surrounding public lands. The region sits at approximately 700 feet elevation with humid summer temperatures often exceeding 85°F from June through September. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically closing from mid-September through early May due to the significant temperature drop during winter months when overnight lows frequently fall below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Nolin River Lake provides year-round fishing access for campers staying at Moutardier Campground. The lake is known for bass, catfish, and crappie fishing, with shore fishing available directly from many campsites. "Moutardier Campground is a fisherman's paradise. It is located on Nolin River Lake. Our site was lakeside which was beautiful (Site D6)... We kayaked around the lake which was very enjoyable - saw ducks, and birds such as a grey heron. Also lots of fish jumping," notes one camper.
Boating access: Multiple boat ramps available at Dog Creek Campground for day trips on the water. Campsites near the boat launches fill quickly during summer weekends. "Awesome campground. Great views of the lake from sites, very clean bathrooms. Sites each have a fire ring, nice picnic table, and extra 'cooking' table that was an added plus. Lake is perfect for swimming, boating, or kayaking," shares a visitor.
Cave exploration: Mammoth Cave National Park sits approximately 30 minutes from most Clarkson area campgrounds. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features the world's longest known cave system with over 400 miles of explored passages. Tours require advance reservations during peak season. "We came here while on a trip to Mammoth Cave (very near- ½ hour drive)," mentions one Moutardier camper.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the lakeside positioning at Wax - Nolin River Lake campground. Sites offer direct lake views and water access from most locations. "First time at Wax and we will be back! Some of the nicest shower houses, cleanest sites and nice shade. Even when the campground was full over the holiday week, you didn't know you had neighbors!" reports one camper.
Clean facilities: Campground bathhouses receive regular maintenance throughout the camping season. Most campgrounds feature modern restrooms with flush toilets, though not all offer shower facilities. "Sites are level and have tables, fire rings and lantern hooks. The sites are pretty close together so okay nice with the neighbors, or at least realize you will probably get to enjoy their music and conversations with them whether you intend to or not," notes a visitor to Dog Creek Campground.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Singing Hills RV Park And Campground offers activities for children including fishing. The campground maintains a small catch-and-release pond stocked with fish. "We stayed in site 7 for a couple of nights with our tent-camping friends who stayed in site 8. The little catch-and-release pond is well-stocked and there is a catfish pay lake across the street, so our boys had plenty of fishing to keep them busy," mentions a Singing Hills visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most rv sites near Clarkson, Kentucky operate on limited schedules. Wax - Nolin River Lake campground typically opens from early May through late September. Outside these dates, camping options become very limited. "We stayed at a006. Very close to beach, but that means you hear everything at the beach. Very humid and virtually no shade at our site," reports one Dog Creek camper.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. Some campgrounds report virtually no signal while others have moderate coverage. "T-mobile 5G internet worked well, and even better with a cell booster. Aside from being so close to the NP, best part of this campground is the staff. They were so friendly and accommodating. I also really appreciated how quiet it was," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Diamond Caverns RV & Golf Resort.
Weather considerations: Summer storms can develop quickly in the region. The lake area experiences periodic heavy rainfall and occasional severe weather. "We pulled in later than we hoped to, because of stormy weather. When we arrived at 815pm, the storm was raging... Then the quarter + sized hail joined in. It was a crazy night, with a tornado hitting a town just 28 miles away," shares a camper from Singing Hills.
Tips for camping with families
Halloween celebrations: Plan an October visit for special events. Some campgrounds host Halloween-themed weekends with organized activities. "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," reports a Moutardier visitor.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas. Some offer beach access directly from the campgrounds while others feature swimming pools. "Moutardier Campground offered electric/water hookup, fire pit, picnic table, filet table, bathrooms, and showers. There were boat ramps, a marina nearby to rent boats, and also offered a playground," notes one family.
Playground availability: Cave Country RV Campground provides recreation facilities for children. The campground includes a swimming pool and play areas suitable for various age groups. "This RV Park is clean and well maintained. The dog park is beautiful with well trimmed grass and large. They have a nice swimming pool, picnic tables, and fire rings," shares a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many rv sites near Clarkson, Kentucky require additional leveling equipment. Gravel pads are common throughout the region, and sites may not be perfectly level. "For the price it's great to have all the hookups but it's not level at all. I parked at an angle, propped up the front and our full slide gives it a wonky tilt so got it pretty good. It could probably use another level of blocks at the front. Just wonky sites. But nice and wide," notes a visitor to Jellystone Park at Mamoth Cave.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. Larger rigs may face difficulties navigating narrow, winding roads to certain campgrounds. "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," cautions an RVer about Wax campground.
Utility connections: Water hookups are sometimes shared between sites. This can lead to reduced water pressure when both sites use water simultaneously. "Sites in row B are 30 amp hookups. Some sites has short concrete pads in between gravel while others are just gravel. I would not recommend the concrete pads as most of them are too short for most rigs and will make it challenging to level," advises a visitor to Diamond Caverns.
