Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Elizabethtown, KY

Rest stops leading up to this RV spot were under construction. This was a last minute decision. It was late and I didn’t want to drive in the dark anymore. The price is HIGH. With discounts for goodsam and loves connect it was $50/night for 30 amp. The dog park at this loves is very nice and the spaces are okay. But it’s loud all night because it’s a truck stop. I like the idea of this for loves but the price needs to reflect it. $25/night. No one is staying longer than that and it’s a better deal.

We had a pretty decent time at Taylorsville Lake. The spots were spacious, and very nice picnic tables. We did a trail which was nice and went down to a boat ramp to see the lake. You can also rent boats there as well. The bathrooms in my opinion needed a major cleaning. They were nice just not very clean. We most likely won’t visit here again but was nice to hit a Kentucky campground. I have found that camping in Kentucky is much cheaper than in Indiana. Definitely worth a checkout.

Moutardier Campground is a fisherman’s paradise. It is located on Nolin River Lake. Our site was lakeside which was beautiful (Site D6). This campsite offered electric/water hookup, fire pit, picnic table, filet table, bathrooms, and showers. There were boat ramps, a marina nearby to rent boats, and also offered a playground. Pets were welcomed (we have a dog and a hiking cat). We also had cell service (Verizon). 

The view of the lake from the teardrop camper was awesome. We kayaked around the lake which was very enjoyable - saw ducks, and birds such as a grey heron. Also lots of fish jumping. There are power boats allowed in the lake. Many people were fishing from their boats, kayaks, or from the shore. 

There is also a two mile hike that is in the campground called Shady Creek Trail. It looked like it had not been hiked in a while but it went through woods, small stream and had a cool rock formation at one part that you would swear is a haven for snakes. Pets enjoyed it but beware if you do not like spiders. This trail was covered in spiders and webs. No exaggeration that we cleared about a hundred spiders out of our path. 

The campground was very well manicured and clean. Many of the sites were right on the lake. They were close together but did not seem it as they were on different levels and angles. Everyone was quiet and courteous. Bathrooms were very clean and well lit. The showers were “dated” - water stains but clean. Great water pressure and hot water. 

There was no store on the campground but 5 minutes away was a great little restaurant called Sherry’s that we had both lunch and breakfast at. Food was delicious (fried dill pickle chips!) and one could buy bags of ice. 

Overall this was a very relaxing campground. We met some wonderful people who have been coming to the campground for years. It is about 30 minutes from Mammoth Caves which was a great place to explore. Overall we gave the campground a 4 - lakeside and if you love to fish - it’s paradise.

We spent two nights at this campground and really enjoyed it.    

When we arrived, we were met by the lady working the registration desk and check in was very easy.  

Temperature had been below freezing for several days so water was off at the sites but they had a hose to fill tanks at the office and on the day we departed, turned on water at the sites to assist with dumping and to fill fresh water.  Much appreciated.

Most of the sites are pull through and large enough although I think it could seem crowded when more full than they were in the winter.

While it was closed for our visit, there was a nice small pool, a work out room, very very nice shower and laundry facilities. 

The dog park was just a run area but fairly large with a covered seating area at one end and the pups loved using it.  It was also very clean and either visitors clean up well or the staff take good care of the property.

They also had an activity building which I believe may be rented out.

Finally, they have propane fill on site and while were there, the owner filled our tanks himself.

We booked a group site and had 3 tents. It’s very woodsy and tranquil. Bathrooms were close by and air conditioned too! The showers are in the general store building where the post office is so a short walk or drive there. It’s coin operated with a change machine for bills. $1.50 to turn the shower on and insert more coins before it turns off for additional time if needed. The park is amazing and there’s lots of trails that lead to caves and cave openings. All the cave tours within the park were fully booked when we went so we booked some private tours outside the park in the surrounding area. Lots of opportunities to see caves! We stayed for two nights and did some star gazing! Overall great campground and facilities. They also have a kennel for a small fee at the park lodge if you bring your pet and you’re going in a cave tour whether in the park or outside of it. Pets are generally not allowed in caves. Just confirm pet is vaccinated.

How this place doesn't have their permit revoked is beyond me. It's ran like a truck stop. It's NOT family friendly. They are NOT pet friendly.

Tent sites: steep hill with rodents living there. Gravel driveway leading to tent sites: a trench sure to rip the exhaust off your car. The RVers and workers: they make it obvious you are beneath them. Pets allowed: you WILL be up all night with the barking chihuaua on the next site. Airplanes flying over head as you are getting ready to sleep. Traverse the lawn to the faraway bathroom to ruin your shoes at 2am. Laundry on-site but the workers will scowl while you use it. Catch all this ire for the grand old price of $50+ per night.

We stayed here almost 3 weeks and will visit again. It's a great little stop, almost right in town. Review doesn't include any wifi services or the pool because it was closed for the season. It's also not a place that has a bunch of organized activities etc but we don't care about that. Anyway, it's easy to navigate (we have a triple axl), clean, and owners were very nice and responsive. It's very shaded and pretty quiet. Huge open area for pets, and a nice little pond for catch and release. We didn't see the bath house but did use the washer/dryer area which was nice. Literally the only gripe I can make is the playground just needs torn down. Not repainted etc, just destroyed. It's so old and has some safety concerns, so we only used the swings.

I visited the Maple Springs Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park for a total of 3 days/2 nights. I chose this site because it was pet friendly. Each site was spacious with room for up to three tents without feeling crowded. The sites were also spaced far enough apart that you never have to interact with your neighbors. Each site has two grated fire pits as well as picnic tables.

The campground offered several facilities such as a communal fire pit and a few privies and water supply stations. Everything was clean and in order while I was there.

Horses are allowed in the campground and you will see a lot of people taking their horses for a few runs around the road through the campsite as a warm up in the early mornings. My dogs did not like the horses at first but they got used to it as the trip went on. Keep this in mind if you plan to bring any four legged friends!

The only downside to the entire trip is that the park is infested with seed ticks and deer ticks. I was pulling ticks off of every inch of me even though I was coated in several layers of hardcore bug spray and my gear had been treated with permethrin. Seriously, the ticks were gnarly.

Overall, this was a great place to stay. I would happily go back if I felt that I had more control over the bug situation. I hope I can learn a little more about tick control and make my way back there soon!

We stayed a few nights at this campground in October.  The campground is made for smaller sizes but we were able to negotiate the main ring road with our 37' travel trailer.  The spot that we had reserved was in an area were we could not get into but we went to the gatehouse and they gave us another spot that was on the main ring road that we were able to park in with no issues.  Cell service was great with Verizon and AT&T service.  The lake was beautiful and the park was well maintained.  Wished the beach, paddle boats, and petting zoo was open...  Still had a great time.  We will surely come back next year when everything is open!!  Had 30 and 50 amp service with water hookups and a dump station at the exit.  Make sure you have plenty of leveling blocks.  We used all of ours and was not level.

Cute campground. Dog friendly. Super convenient location to the cave tours. Pretty clean bathrooms. Showers closed due to covid.

My spot was a nice quite one (24B). Lots of room for tents, hammocks, chairs, or your dog to explore.

We were very impressed when we stopped on our road trip to visit Mammoth Caves National Park! They even had a nice area for our dog to stay while we were caving!

What's that name...

Campground Review: Coming from Western Kentucky Parkway W or KY I65 either way you drive in to Moutardier Campground you will end up on Rt 259.

Several interesting places along Rt 259; The Bee Spring motorsports ( MUD DRAGS!) and The Bee Spring Restaurant. Further out is Ralph's Market, fuel and groceries and Alexander's Farm about 6 miles down Rt 259 toward Litchfield, JOHN DEERE TRACTORS, enough said !

Right outside Moutardier Campground on Rt 2067 is Sherry's Red Roof restaurant (open Sunday! And local fare; catfish, ribs, spuds, fried appetizers and ice....it is NOT fast food but the locals were eating there sooo)

Now the Campground. Army Corp of Engineers knows how to landscape and maintain a Dam, Lake and beautifully manicured and laid out campgrounds. Moutardier fits the mold. The sites are strategically stacked in each loop. Close but angled so you see a lot of your neighbors but a lot of scenery too.

The staff was awesome; friendly, informative and helpful. The facilities were well maintained and clean. I asked to change sites due to there being no trees on the site I had reserved. The attendant opened C loop for me, which is not directly on the lake and was in the trees.

Product Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt I get to test gear, I won a Tentsile coupon in May from The Dyrt.

Tentsile's tree tent is an eco-friendly concept which is a totally cool. I upgraded to a Connect Tree Tent, which is a two person massively huge , lotsa head room tent. The set up is actually really easy once you get the hang of it. There are 4 zippered openings on the tree tent, mess pockets for your phone, keys, etc and the option to go topless or throw the rain cover on for rain and weather protection.

The one major con is finding an appropriate area to set up the Tentsile. If you don't know the campground you may end up in a site without any trees or not the right configuration needed. The Tentsile can be set up on the ground but what's the fun in that.

Otherwise I am totally liking this Tree Tent! I tried it with and without an air mattress. The mattress worked better for my decrepit self. Took the dogs a bit to get used to it, was like a slip and slide for them. We figured it out though, I put their mattress pad in and that worked well for them ;)

The camp host are incredibly helpful. We had a few issues with our camper and they did everything to help us trouble shoot it. The area is beautiful, my kids had a blast playing with other kids and running around. Super clean, well laid out, great showers. Lots of families and dogs.