Camping near Fort Knox, Kentucky offers sites with varied terrain across the Nolin Lake region. The area has hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F between June and August, while spring and fall provide milder conditions. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with many offering boat launches for kayaks and fishing access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Moutardier Campground provides direct lake access for anglers. "Moutardier Campground is a fisherman's paradise. It is located on Nolin River Lake. Our site was lakeside which was beautiful," notes a camper who appreciated the dedicated filet tables at sites.
Water recreation: Wax Campground offers paddling options on Nolin Lake. "Loved paddle boarding in the early morning before the boat traffic got going. Water was very warm," reports one visitor who appreciated the early morning calm before motorboats arrived.
Hiking trails: Explore the 2-mile Shady Creek Trail at Moutardier Campground. "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," according to one review that mentions the trail passes interesting geological features.
Holiday festivities: Dog Creek Campground hosts seasonal events for families. "Family friendly Halloween fun. Has a decorating contest with trick or treat in the campground," writes a camper who enjoyed the organized activities.
What campers like
Lake views: Dog Creek Campground offers waterfront sites with unobstructed views. "Seems all sites have a lake view. Very close to beach, but that means you hear everything at the beach," notes a visitor about the tradeoff between view and noise.
Quiet atmosphere: Wax Campground provides peaceful settings even when fully booked. "First time at Wax and we will be back! Some of the nicest shower houses, cleanest sites and nice shade. Even when the campground was full over the holiday week, you didn't know you had neighbors," shares a reviewer impressed with the site spacing.
Clean facilities: Army Corps of Engineers maintains high standards at these campgrounds. "The facilities are newer and well maintained, more or less centrally located in the loops. The water is accessible from most of the sites," reports a visitor about Wax Campground's amenities.
Bird watching: Several campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities. "We value nature and privacy and we loved this campground! Right from our camps we could see a trip of Redheaded Woodpeckers playing as well as a mama Northern Flicker feeding her babies," explains a birder who stayed at Wax Campground.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly between locations. "The ONLY bad thing about this campground is that it is in a bowl -- no cell service, no satellite, no internet. Perfect for a QUIET getaway!!" notes a camper at Camp Carlson Army RV Park, highlighting the connectivity tradeoff.
Military base access: Camp Carlson Army RV Park requires military or government credentials. "Campground for military, retirees, government employees and their families," explains a reviewer, clarifying the restricted access.
Reservation timing: During peak season, booking well ahead is necessary. "Don't rely on that information though, you may want to call if you can't get a reservation and inquire," suggests a visitor who found some sites were available despite online showing full.
Proximity to supplies: Most campgrounds require advance provisioning. "It is off the beaten path and you are about 30 min from a grocery store, so make sure you stock up before you go," advises a camper staying at Wax Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Moutardier Campground offers recreation facilities for children. "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," lists a camper who appreciated the family amenities.
Swimming areas: Dog Creek Campground features a beach area for water play. "Good for boaters as there is a nice sand bank to pull your boat up to," notes a reviewer about the accessible shoreline.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on shade and privacy needs. "Site selection is all important at this campsite. Some have wonderful lake access, shade, and a bit of seclusion. Others no trees, no lake, in the middle of everyone," advises a visitor to Dog Creek Campground.
Weather considerations: Summer heat requires shade planning. "Very humid and virtually no shade at our site," cautions a camper who visited Dog Creek during peak summer temperatures.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Brooks RV Park offers paved roads and level sites. "Nice sized sites, reasonable priced compared to the KOA, all good full hookups, nicely kept, and most importantly it is in a safe country setting surrounded by large trees and on a dead end road," reports an RVer who valued the secluded location.
Hookup quality: Camp Carlson provides reliable utilities for extended stays. "Newer facilities on Fort Knox, Kentucky. Very clean and pleasant stay," explains a military retiree who appreciated the updated infrastructure.
RV size restrictions: Not all roads accommodate larger rigs. "The road in/out is very narrow, very tight and not easily navigated with a 40' 5th wheel," warns a camper who had difficulty at Wax Campground despite booking a 70-foot pull-through site.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds reduce services during off-season months. "There are several road side veggie stands where you can get fresh from the ground veggies. There are no laundry services and the trash cans are by the dump station," notes a camper who visited during harvest season.
