Cave Run Lake forms the centerpiece of camping spots near Morehead, Kentucky, covering 8,270 acres with 83 miles of shoreline. The region sits within the northern section of Daniel Boone National Forest where elevations range from 800 to 1,200 feet. Most campgrounds operate from April through early November, with average summer temperatures between 75-85°F, while a few locations remain accessible during winter months.
What to do
Kayaking on Licking River: The Ole Cornfield campground offers river access with kayak rentals or shuttle service for visitors bringing their own. "We brought our kayaks and were shuttled up river by the staff. The staff are the friendliest and helpful people that you could ever meet," notes camper Karen P., adding that the trip "takes a couple of hours to get back down to their campground."
Hiking local trails: Daniel Boone National Forest Boat Gunnel Group Campground connects to several trail systems. "The trails are well maintained," reports Karen P. Nearby Clear Creek Rec Area offers additional hiking opportunities with one camper mentioning, "Nice hiking trails from campsite."
Exploring caves: Carter Caves State Resort Park contains multiple cave systems with ranger-guided tours available. "Various levels of caving experience at a reasonable cost," notes Bryan G., who visited with scouts. The park features "lots of hiking, fairly well marked. Almost every hike is relatively short with an arch or natural bridge as a feature."
What campers like
Riverside camping sites: Campers at The Ole Cornfield particularly enjoy the waterfront locations. "We just spent a relaxing long weekend at this campground. My grandkids loved playing in the river catching crawdads and tadpoles. Perfect for wading," mentions Karen P. Another visitor notes it provides "Beautiful spot right on the water."
Dark night skies: The region offers excellent stargazing opportunities away from city lights. At Zilpo Campground, camper Taylour B. states the site is "Perfect for stargazers. Nobody is there during the weekday. But the weekend is usually packed."
Clean facilities: Twin Knobs Recreation Area maintains well-kept grounds and restrooms. "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," reports Stephen H. Another camper notes, "The staff are constantly working to keep everything clean and repaired."
What you should know
Limited water hookups: Some campgrounds have restricted water access points. At Twin Knobs, camper Karen P. reports, "We had a lot of kids, so we ended up running out of water. I had to carry water from about 500 or 600 ft away. They also need more water hookups."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. As one Carter Caves camper mentioned, "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites."
Early reservations needed: Zilpo Campground fills quickly during peak season. Camper Aaron I. advises it's a "Nice secluded area with a lot of privacy," but popular sites book months in advance.
Variable cell service: Coverage remains spotty throughout the region. At Clear Creek, one visitor reports, "No cell signal (verizon)," while other campgrounds have limited connectivity depending on carrier.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water play: The Ole Cornfield offers shallow water perfect for children. "The grandkids love to play in the river, which is about 1 to 2 feet deep at this location. Great for wading and catching minnows, crawdads, and such," notes Karen P.
Playground access: Outpost Campground & RV Park provides recreational facilities for children. "There is a great, centrally located playground where the kids were able to run around after being in the truck for eight hours," reports Jason G., who stopped with his family.
Group camping options: Boat Gunnel Group Campground works well for family gatherings with multiple units. "We usually have 3 campers with a tent or two," reports one regular visitor who appreciates that "you can let the kids run around and play without worrying about traffic."
Tips from RVers
Power management: Some campgrounds have electrical limitations. At Boat Gunnel, Karen P. advises, "The only problem that we have is that I kept blowing the breaker on the box when I was hooked up alone. It says 70 Amps and I am 50 Amps. We ended up running our hot water heater off of propane to fix the problem."
Site selection: Sheltowee RV Park & Cabins offers RV-friendly spaces but with some limitations. "The sites are a little tight but overall very nice and kept up to date," reports Brad L.
Seasonal drainage: Weather impacts site conditions differently across campgrounds. At Twin Knobs, one camper reported, "Our campsite (A-30) drained the rain off really well," despite experiencing continuous rainfall during their June visit.
