Campgrounds near Danville, Kentucky offer diverse experiences within central Kentucky's rolling hills at elevations ranging from 750 to 1,050 feet. The area experiences all four seasons with summer temperatures averaging 74-88°F and winter temperatures between 23-41°F. Camping options around Green River Lake and the Kentucky River provide water-based recreation with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Smith Ridge Green River Lake, visitors find excellent fishing spots. "I gave Smith Ridge 5 stars because it offers a lot of great fishing spots and beautiful views," notes Jessica C. The campground includes boat ramps for lake access.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds feature walking paths along waterways. At Cummins Ferry RV Park, guests appreciate the riverside paths. "The walking trail by the river is nice, we walked it almost every day," shares Whistle P. Some campgrounds offer unmarked trails through wooded areas.
Swimming and water recreation: Green River Lake provides swimming beaches near several campgrounds. "There is plenty of shade with hiking path and a playground for kids. Only down fall is if you want to swim you'll have to drive about a mile to the swimming area," explains Kenny P. about Smith Ridge.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Campers consistently praise the riverside and lakeside locations. "Our sites overlooked the river and we loved the walking trails along the river!" reports Maison H. about her stay at Cummins Ferry. These waterfront sites often command premium rates but provide direct water access.
Spacious sites: Holmes Bend campground earns praise for generous camping spots. "Easy to get to with loads of appeal. Most sites are spaced apart but close enough to make new friends like we did," writes Thomas R. Sites at the older section of Smith Ridge offer more shade and privacy than newer areas.
Peaceful atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the area provide quiet surroundings. "I am currently here and I gotta say I am impressed. The bathrooms are clean, I am not close to my neighboring campers, the parking spots are huge, and it's a great area to walk around," reports Maze M. about their experience at Smith Ridge.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds and even within the same park. "Bath houses are cleaned thoroughly every morning," notes Thomas R. about Holmes Bend. However, at Smith Ridge, "One bathroom hasn't had electric in two years and another women's bathroom only has hot water in one shower and the hand dryers don't work," according to Christina S.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity presents challenges at many rv sites near Danville, Kentucky. "Practically no cell service with Verizon or AT&T," reports Todd C. about Smith Ridge. Some campgrounds have invested in improved WiFi to compensate.
Power supply concerns: Wilson Creek Recreation Area offers primitive sites without electricity. At Smith Ridge, "They have a known power issue, 30amp service went out several times at the pole. Their solution was to use less appliances," warns Lindsey M. Campers should prepare for potential power fluctuations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "We had kids that fished and played in the playground and sat by the fire every night!" shares Maison H. about Cummins Ferry. Holmes Bend also maintains playground equipment that gets cleaned daily.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have regular security patrols. "There was a police officer driving out when I got there and I was awoken in the middle of the night by a police officer who was making sure everything was okay. I felt at ease because it was so heavily patrolled," explains Leandra P. about Wilson Creek.
Site selection strategy: Families should research specific site locations. "We stayed in the new section just pass the entrance on the right! It's a one way loop thru the woods that brings you back out on main campground road," recommends Kenny P. about Smith Ridge. Site numbering systems help identify more desirable locations.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites near Danville require additional 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," reports Whistle P. about Cummins Ferry.
Water pressure considerations: Some campgrounds have unusually high water pressure that can damage RV plumbing. Water pressure regulators are essential equipment when camping in this region.
Site layout variations: At Pikes Ridge, "All the RV sites are extremely open so there's no shade or privacy, but everyone has the same lovely view. Just a few sites are among the trees at the edge of the forest but further from the water," explains Lynn G. Selecting appropriate sites based on preferences improves the camping experience.
