Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Clay City sits at an elevation of approximately 640 feet within the Red River watershed area. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s°F and winter lows dipping into the 20s°F. Fall brings vibrant foliage that transforms the surrounding forests into a mosaic of red, orange, and gold from late September through mid-November.
What to do
Hiking at Daniel Boone National Forest: The extensive trail system offers varying difficulty levels within 30 minutes of Clay City. Lago Linda Hideaway provides easy access to forest trails. As one visitor noted, "The trail around the lake was very nice, short but hilly so a good morning walk. It rained the first evening which led to some pretty little waterfalls the next day."
Kayaking on Red River: Paddling opportunities abound with several access points along the Red River. The water level varies seasonally, with spring offering faster currents. Red River Gorge Adventures offers kayak rentals and shuttles. "This is my all time favorite campground... The entire campground runs alongside the river bank, so you can put in your own kayak/canoe or rent one from them," shares one camper.
Rock climbing in Red River Gorge: With over 2,000 established routes, climbers of all levels find challenges in the sandstone cliffs. Most climbing areas require a short hike from parking areas. "This is a climbers haven, so expect to see a lot of 'down to earth', modern 'hippie' types in their converted/or not vans," mentions a visitor to Lago Linda.
What campers like
Private lake access: Several campgrounds feature private lakes for swimming and fishing during warmer months. At Twin Knobs Recreation Area, "The campground is in a wooded area and each campsite is separate by woods from the nearby sites. There are shower and toilet facilities close by. The campground is located on a lake."
Year-round yurt camping options: Yurt camping in Clay City, Kentucky and surrounding areas has grown increasingly popular. Outpost Campground & RV Park maintains premium yurt accommodations throughout all seasons, with full amenities just minutes from Cave Run Lake. "We stayed 5 nights at the Outpost and the owner was extremely nice! Brought me some fresh tomatoes and watermelon for my birthday!"
Secluded camping spots: Many campers appreciate the private, wooded sites available in the region. A visitor to Lago Linda commented, "Our site was spacious and pretty, with plenty of room for our two tents and a hammock. I will say we found a few lone star ticks (dead thanks to her prevention) on our dog. Just as a heads up to campers."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the region have minimal or no cell coverage. "We looked for photos, I just have one from our trip and It was after we packed up. See below. Happy Camping my friends!" noted one visitor to Red River Gorge Adventures, who mentioned there was no cell service at the campground.
Tick prevention: Ticks are common from April through October. Bring repellent and check daily. "We found a few lone star ticks (dead thanks to her prevention) on our dog. Just as a heads up to campers. Always do your tick checks!" advises a Lago Linda camper.
Winter camping considerations: While some campgrounds close during winter, others remain open with limited amenities. HomeGrown HideAways offers yurt accommodations year-round, though amenities may be restricted. "HomeGrown HideAways is open year-round, but some amenities are limited during winter months."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer playgrounds, swimming areas, and hiking trails suitable for children. "This time of year (October) this campground is walk up only. We got there as quick as we could and are glad we did as we were able to grab an awesome site. There are tent sites and RV sites here and the campground is gorgeous," notes a visitor to Twin Knobs Recreation Area.
Plan for varying weather: Pack layers as temperatures can fluctuate significantly, especially in spring and fall. "We pulled into the Outpost late evening, and easily found our reservations, clearly detailed map, and access codes. The pull through sites were all flat and oriented well. We were fully set up in 15 mins. There is a great, centrally located playground where the kids were able to run around after being in the truck for eight hours," shares a visitor at Outpost Campground.
Check campground rules: Some locations have quiet hours, pet policies, and firewood restrictions. "This is a primitive campground which is not a problem for us, but it had a neglected feeling to it. Fortunately, the vault toilets had recently been serviced and were not too bad," explains a camper who visited Red River Adventure.
Tips from RVers
Reserve level sites in advance: Many campgrounds have limited level spots suitable for larger RVs. "The sites here are not level. We used our normal 2x green blocks for the Jack, but needed all 10 of our leveling blocks, plus 8 paving stones to get the appropriate height," notes a camper at Cummins Ferry RV Park.
Check road access: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads that can be challenging for larger rigs. "The road getting to the campsite is mostly one lane so is you are in an RV, go slow. The area for RV's is a little tight in the trees and probably won't accommodate an extremely large vehicle," advises a visitor to Lago Linda Hideaway.
Confirm hookup availability: Water and electric hookups vary significantly between campgrounds. "There are limited 30 amp sites and several sites with electric. Lazy Oaks and Piney are in the trees, Cardinal which is good for larger RVs is in the field, no shade," explains one RVer who stayed at Lago Linda Hideaway.
