Best RV Parks & Resorts near Columbus, KY

This campground is located at the mouth of the Elkhorn Creek and Kentucky River. It is extremely popular among locals who want to sit in an tube float and float down the creek to the Kentucky River, a trip that takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. Note you have to bring your own tube. Nearly all of the campsites are spacious and have grass. You can park next to your campsite. The campground is very clean, full of trees and shade, and the lawn is well manicured. On weekends you can find campers playing corn hole and karaoke. Food trucks occasionally set up on weekends. Due to the location, only Verizon and Visible cell phone users have service. There is no local Internet. There are two dump stations for RVs. There is also a hiking trail to the top of a nearby mountain. The view of the Kentucky river is magical. The office is open Wednesday thru Sunday. Use of ground mats are frowned upon as they kill the grass at the campsite but are tolerated for long term campers. They have assorted types of camping sites, including: primitive, water and electric, and full hookup. They also offer daily, weekly, weekend, seasonal, and monthly rates. The public restrooms have no heat and are closed when the weather gets cold.

Stayed 2 nights mid week and campground wasn’t busy. Many nice tent sites and also good level RV sites. Easy access to hiking. Helpful resident manager. Management by Thousand Trails, although the campground is not associated at all with Thousand Trails. No reservations accepted. Self register and pay at the entrance.

Really can’t say enough good things about Cummins Ferry. Beautiful park with loads of amenities: full hook ups, camp store, pool disc golf, fishing, hiking, fire pits at sites, river views and event organized by resort. Staff is wonderful and very helpful. Sites are a bit bigger than what you find at most rv parks. However the WiFi is pretty crappy. I’m sure this place is packed full in the summertime so booking early then would be a smart idea.

Something that sets this place apart from others in the area is long term tent camping!! Yes you read that right, LONG TERM TENT CAMPING! For most of those who travel you know they often offer long term services for those in RVs which provides a discount for staying more than a night or two, but at this campground you as a tent camper can find a location that suits your Kentucky home needs on the road for a day, a week or even a month!

But what does that entail exactly?

This site is really nice, with level sites for RVs or tents, padded grass which is well maintained, nice gravel roads around camp and a river frontage with views which will make you just want to stop and take in the scenery.

When I visited I noticed a lot of people staying here near the weekend were visiting to launch their boats and troll the river fishing for what looked like some pretty large fish. It was pretty cool to see some of the people setting up their campground fish fry, and they were even friendly enough to invite me to join, though I don't eat fish so it didn't really work out that way.

The tent sites were shaded and had several different options, you could choose primitive which is only $17 or for a few dollars more you could have electricity. All sites come with a picnic table and fire ring and a pull in to keep you and your things closely together.

There was 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. There was also firewood available, a big plus!!

This place is a bit older looking in appearance but it is charming and the owner is very cool. I didn't meet a single person there that wasn't just enjoying life.

TIPS:

• If you are trying to check in the office has kind of strange hours. They are only open until 2 Sunday through Tuesday, not sure why but call in advance if you are running later than this time and want to check in.
• Check their online event schedule! This campground host tailgating for UK so you can find a good tailgate party if you plan in advance, right at your campground!!
• This is nearby the Bourbon Trail as well as so many other places where you will find activities. I was here to check out the Castle (I have attached a few photos) Can't miss this stop!!!

This place has some fascinating history and a unique outdoor summer stock theater experience. The oldest outdoor theater in Kentucky with 5 productions running through the summer months. Definitely a good time and casual dining evening with stories of many famous faces that have graced the stage: John Travolta, Lee Majors, Jim Varney...to name a few. The campground has 35 sites with little elbow room; all have electric(30 amp) and water, gravel/grass pads, shower facilities and bathrooms, and they do have a"rustic" dump station. Many of the sites seem to have long term tenants...so this is best for a one night stop and a show. The town of Danville has what you need for supplies and dining, loads of historical sites in the area and of course there is a Bourbon Distillery that must make the list of activities. pioneerplayhouse.com/visit-us/campground/

Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm and educational center. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 the tours were unavailable when we visited. Regardless, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The sites were spacious and well maintained. They all come with a picnic table, fire pit and full hook-ups. The bathrooms, showers and laundry room were clean and also well maintained. The staff was friendly and accommodating. A great location, especially if planning to visit Lexington during your stay.

There are two campgrounds within Natural Bridge State Resort Park—Whittleton and Middlefork. Three friends and I stayed at Middlefork, with a tent site right along the Middlefork Creek. The front part of this campground is RV/hookup, and you have to go over this hill to get to the primitive sites. The bathroom (toilets, showers, sinks) was decently kept (facilities were in the front half of the campground so we had to walk over that hill to get to it). We were able to purchase firewood on the grounds. The sites were pretty well spread out, but if you're looking to hang a hammock, it's not the most ideal spot with the trees tucked away or spread really far apart. We were a short drive from the park/bridge and several other hiking opportunities. The bridge was definitely busy, even at the end of September, but all of the trails we were on otherwise were pretty quiet. You can access some trails in the Daniel Boone National Forest by the Whittleton Campground. Overall, we had a great time, and plan to return!

This is a small well maintained campground right on the Kentucky river. It is down in a hollow which makes it secluded and quiet. There is a dock and a boat ramp. The customer service is exceptional. Under new management since November, they are making some very nice upgrades. 30/50 amp full hook ups with a number of pull throughs. The sites next to the river are level and easy to back into. There is a pavilion and a pool. It is about 30 minutes from Lexington and about 8 miles to the closest town. The one lane road coming in might give you the willies but it is worth it. They have 5 WiFi connections making this some of the best campground WiFi I have ever had. This is a lovely spot with nice amenities.

Lots of run down RV’s and shanty town in the back of the park. More long term renters than weekend warriors. One dump station, no sewage on the sites. One bathroom, for the whole Park. lots of tents sites (that were busy) makes for poor bathrooms. Not to mention its outhouse style with no climate control. 1/3 men’s bathrooms were out of order and 1/3 urinals were too. 2/3 showers where out of order and the two useable toilets, the door locks were broken. No wifi. Fires are allowed. Fire pits are run down so be mindful. 2/5 bars for ATT services. Sites aren’t labeled or labeled extremely bad. Electrical seems very out dated. Make sure you have protection. Over priced at $60 + tax for the night. Scattered shade. Pull through sites mainly. Picnic tables have seen better days (years more like it). Good space between sites and access to the river for water sports. Little lake for fishing. No pet area and strict leash laws. I wanna give this a 2/5 because they were pleasant. They encouraged me to review on multiple sites but I think that would be bad for them so I’ll stick to my main review site. 1/5, if the price was better like 30-40/night maybe 2/5 but for the price of a motel 6 and only electrical and that is sketchy. Save your money book elsewhere or avoid.

Small park restrooms and showers. Very clean. Nice pool. Camp store offers basics. Fairly close to shopping groceries etc. staff was friendly 30/50 amp service didn’t count the number of river view sites. But quite a few. Some sites have 20 X 12 elevated decks. Full hook ups. Pet friendly. Was very quiet the week we stayed. Didn’t feel like bringing the camper home so payed for another week and drive back the following week. Cell service. Isn’t the best WiFi was available if I remember. Correctly rates were reasonable

The folks in the office are Awaome. They take you to your sight assist you with backing in the rest rooms are very clean the pool is very clean they have a boat ramp into the Kentucky river a covered dock to fish off. Of the sites are average size all had fire rings an full hook ups they have occasional activities such as. Local food at a pavilion outside vendors. The camp store /office. Has a limited supply of the basic needs. Toilet paper tank deodorizer etc. the camp host DD was great Shops an groceries are with in a 30 min drive in both directions of the camp grounds 20 min ride to local sites. Shaker village. Lots of sites. Great for those who bring motorcycles an want to tour around WiFi is fair cell reception sux but hey your camping all the outside sites are wooded an have shade inner loop no shade. But are all pull through easily accommodate large rigs

You won't find full hookups or fancy bath houses, but what this campground lacks in amenities it makes up in scenic beauty.  The campground has several trails, ranging in length, that let you explore some of the natural beauty of Red River Gorge.  Sites are first come, first serve - which can be a pain…but if you plan for a Thursday / Friday morning arrival you shouldn't have a problem. Sites are well spaced and have major trees.  The majority of campers were in tents, but there are a few sites that would work well for RVs.  Some vault restrooms with a central bath house (showers, flush toilets, etc.) - nothing fancy, but gets the job done. Venture out of the campground and enjoy all Red River Gorge has to offer!

Over 250 full hookup sites, great shade, beautiful trees, good size lots, however, some are on a grade making leveling difficult. Electric and primitive sites available. Great for equestrian trailers, convenient location off Interstate and right next to Kentucky Horse Park. Bathhouse, game room, laundry, camp store available. Numerous playgrounds and basketball courts for the kiddos. Swimming pool and for the avid hikers a trail that takes you to downtown Lexington.

My husband and I stayed there for 8 months through the fall and winter of 2018 into the spring of 2019. The staff are very friendly and helpful. They have really worked hard to bring this campground back to a place you would like to stay. There are several who are residents there and are very nice as well. They do have camper storage at the top of the property which does have some older, broken-down looking units but also some very nice ones too. Full hook-ups for $395/mo if you are staying monthly. The only down-side to the stay was the husband of the couple that own it. He isn't very friendly at all. Our first night there, the electric went out at our pole and he kept trying to blame it on our RV when it turned out it was the main breaker for our line of electric poles and was his issue. He never apologized and was not nice at all. Any time he is there(which is very rarely) he is just an unhappy person. His wife is wonderful as are all the regular staff. I wouldn't let him keep you from staying there as he is not there normally but just know that his demeanor isn't the best. We have 4 dogs and they were very welcomed by everyone. The pool is nice although they do sell memberships to it for outside folks to use which means there can be a lot of people there on a holiday or very warm day. All in all, it was a pleasant experience and we would definitely stay there again if need be.

This is the closest RV Park Campground to the Ark Encounter-only 10 miles south.  It is on a beautiful piece of land with wooded acres all around.  It is quiet and peaceful with a true camping vibe.  It has 3 beautiful hiking trails.  It has a small fishing pond with a beautiful fountain that provides a neat camping experience.