Camping areas near Columbus, Kentucky include both private RV parks and dispersed sites on public land. Campers can access the Kentucky River at Cummins Ferry RV Park, which sits at approximately 580 feet elevation. The region experiences humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, making late spring and early fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cummins Ferry RV Park provides direct access to the Kentucky River with a boat ramp and docks. "If you love water and nature this is the place for you! Beautiful river front campground that is peaceful. There is a boat ramp (perfect for my kayak), docks to go fishing off of, lots of nature and trails," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: Explore the wooded areas around Three Springs Campground, which maintains several walking paths through the forest. "It has 3 beautiful hiking trails. It has a small fishing pond with a beautiful fountain that provides a neat camping experience," according to a recent camper.
Swimming facilities: Many rv sites near Columbus, Kentucky offer pools during summer months. "They have a playground and volleyball, but I didn't see anyone using these when I was there. A small camp store has a lot of the essentials in case your forgot something or just needed to pick up a snack," notes a visitor to Camp on the Kentucky.
What campers like
Peaceful river settings: Waterfront campsites provide tranquil environments away from traffic noise. "The river and waterfall makes it feel like a tranquil place. The walking trail by the river is nice, we walked it almost every day," reports one guest at Cummins Ferry RV Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean restrooms and shower facilities are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. "The showers were great and clean. There were 9 of them, each in its own lockable room with a sink and toilet. There was also a laundry in the shower building. Three washers and dryers," notes a camper at Whispering Hills RV Park.
Family-friendly amenities: 4 Guys RV Park receives praise for its range of activities for children. "This place is gorgeous. Friendly staff and campers. They have a small fishing pond, swimming pool, basketball court, and a playground. They are very close to Natural Bridge/Red River Gorge area," mentions one reviewer.
What you should know
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds have unusually high water pressure that can damage RV plumbing. "Water pressure is pretty high make sure you use a regulator," cautions a visitor to Whispering Hills RV Park.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites requiring extensive leveling equipment. "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 reviewer at Elkhorn Creek RV Park.
Seasonal considerations: Some amenities close during cooler months. "The pool looked great, but it closes really early at 8 o'clock which seems too early for the summer when it's hot and light way past that. We didn't get a chance to get in the pool as we get back to the campground about 8:15," explains a camper at Whispering Hills.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near recreational facilities for convenient child entertainment. "We had a great time. This was one of the quietest campgrounds we have ever been to. The pool was huge and very clean. We seen the staff checking it every hour," shares a visitor to Camp Nelson RV Park.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "We absolutely LOVED it! The staff was friendly and the scenery was amazing! Our sites overlooked the river and we loved the walking trails along the river! We had kids that fished and played in the playground and sat by the fire every night," reports a family at Cummins Ferry.
Weekend planning: Many campgrounds near Columbus, Kentucky host special weekend events. "Live music and food trucks every Saturday are a nice touch!" notes a visitor about the entertainment at Cummins Ferry RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Extension cords needed: Outpost Campground has well-organized sites but prepare for hookup logistics. "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," shares an RVer.
Big rig access: Some rv sites near Columbus, Kentucky can accommodate larger motorhomes. "Not to far off the interstate and very big rig friendly. Stayed here while shooting some sporting clays in the area. If I were ever back in the area I would stay there again," reports a camper at Whispering Hills RV Park.
Weather preparations: The region can experience significant rainfall causing site flooding. "They had a bad storm the night before our stay so alot of flooded sites. Megan called me before our arrival to warn me and check if there would be anything else we would need. Most of all the sites were gravel but grass areas were still under water," explains a visitor to Walnut Meadow RV Park.
