Frankfort, Kentucky provides a range of camping experiences along the Kentucky River and nearby waterways. Elkhorn Campground and Kentucky River Campground offer established sites with various amenities, while Still Waters Campground provides access to both Elkhorn Creek and the Kentucky River. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several offering full hookup sites. The region includes a mix of privately owned campgrounds and state park facilities, with many located within a 30-minute drive of downtown Frankfort.
Camping in the Frankfort area operates primarily from April through October, with some facilities like Kentucky Horse Park Campground remaining open year-round. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays. "We stayed at Elkhorn for 6 nights; it is a great place to use as a home base for the sites in Frankfort, as well as multiple distilleries. It is just 5-miles or 8-9 minutes to Buffalo Trace," noted one visitor. Cell service can be limited at certain locations, with one review mentioning that "due to the location, only Verizon and Visible cell phone users have service" at Still Waters Campground. Water levels on the Kentucky River and Elkhorn Creek can affect camping conditions, particularly after heavy rainfall.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Frankfort area. Several campgrounds provide direct access to the Kentucky River or Elkhorn Creek, popular for fishing, kayaking, and tubing. A review of Still Waters Campground described it as "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." Developed campgrounds typically feature amenities such as shower facilities, dump stations, and camp stores. Many sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and grassy areas. The proximity to bourbon distilleries, including Buffalo Trace in Frankfort and others within driving distance, makes these campgrounds convenient bases for exploring Kentucky's bourbon heritage while enjoying outdoor recreation.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
"We stayed at Elkhorn for 6 nights; it is a great place to use as a home base for the sites in Frankfort, as well as multiple distilleries. It is just 5-miles or 8-9 minutes to Buffalo Trace."
"Surrounded by rivers and open green fields. Very nicely maintained. Lots of campers even this early in the season! Looks like kids and fishing folk would be in heaven."
$45 - $48 / night
"I'll preface this with the fact that I am a Lexington, KY Native and have always lived close to the Kentucky Horse Park and Kentucky Horse Park Campground, but have never stayed there until this weekend"
"Clean bathrooms and sites, within easy walking distance to the Kentucky Horse Park. Pay attention to which site you pick- if you’re in c loop, it’s a long walk to the bathroom!"
$36 - $46 / night
"Stayed here for 5 nights while attending an equestrian event at the Kentucky Horse Park. The staff at the park are really helpful & friendly. "
"About 30 minutes away from the Ark. Easy trip on I75, about 30 minutes. Some level sites, but most seem to have a slope."
$50 - $65 / night
"Make sure you take the exit they tell you & do NOT follow gps or you’ll go down a long country road. Nice little family owned campground on Elkhorn Creek."
"We stayed for several days so that we could visit distilleries on the Bourbon Trail. Frankfort is almost close enough to bicycle to. Lexington is less than an hour away."
$45 - $55 / night
"The campground was a decent size, although we didn't drive around the entire loop. We were lucky enough to get a spot close to the river, so at night we could hear the river rushing next to us."
"Close to: Castle and Key, Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and West Sixth Brewery. Perfect location for some Bourbon Trail and beer hoping! I will definitely go back."
$24 - $50 / night
"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."
"Better if you have a boat ( or rent one at the marina across the lake) good access to the lake, gets busy in the summer. Stores in decent proximity off property. Can get loud at times."
$35 - $82 / night
"This campground is located at the mouth of the Elkhorn Creek and Kentucky River."
"Much less crowded out side of this event."
$32 - $82 / night
"A campsite settled upon the bank of the Kentucky River with a friendly farm cat, goats, horses and cow we delighted in a campfire as the sun set and the stars came out."
$30 - $55 / night
"It's situated high up on the Kentucky river bank which is nice but there's little access to the riverbank except from the floating dock and boat ramp."
"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."
$20 - $30 / night
"Lots of mud still around the camp sites. A nice parking lot in front of sites to back your rig up. Pads are small in length so be aware of that when it mentions it on the website."
"RV sites and tent sites lakeside. Fishing, ducks. $5 swimming pool nearby. $20/night tents. Showers and restrooms. Nice parks nearby for equestrian, playground, disk golf course."
TravelerThey are currently closed for renovation. We showed up needing some rest and the owner found us a place to park for the night. Will definitely come back when they reopen. It's a beautiful area.
GuideThe campground here has been very nice. Coming into the campground there are two areas of road that have been torn out and need repaired, but nothing you couldn't get over, just slow down. Otherwise, nice campsites, plenty of space, well maintained, water and showers already on at comfort station. Tons of kids with large play park. We liked that the park had small walk trails within the campground with direct routes to the comfort station, and lights at the start of the path to identify it. All around, great experience, will be back again.
ScoutCamp sites are very basic and somewhat run down. Very little tree coverage. Facilities, like pool, bathrooms and store are good.
TravelerWe had such a good time we extended our trip. Only 3 mile of trails, but fabulous for the family and well kept. Creek is great to play in. So much wildlife. The campground and facilities were in great shape. The only minor issue was the camp store and museum only open Thursday -Sunday, but we were visiting early in the season. Paved campground is great for bikes, scooters and roller skates! Spigots are far from some.of the sites and you may need more than a 50 ft hose for water hook up.
LegendGreat Location for Buffalo Trace, Woodford, Whiskey Thief, Wild Turkey, and castle key. Price is a bit stiff for amenities offered, but nice level concrete sites with stable electric
ScoutExcellent park for small to mid campers. Main road driving in is VERY narrow and curvy. Can be very difficult to pass oncoming traffic in various areas on road as there is nowhere to merge when meeting oncoming traffic. We have a 38’ pull behind and I will not take it here. Simply not safe as there is not enough room to maneuver at all for a camper that size. Beautiful park for small campers and tents!
ScoutSmall campground. Good for transient campers. A lot of full timers and campers that are older than 10 years. Office and women’s bathroom smelled like cat pee otherwise women’s bathroom was clean.
ScoutFriendly . Shower was dirty water never got hot. The woman told us we couldn't hook up our water cuz it wasn't pressure at site. That we needed go buy a px to put on water hookup . Which I never have to have at other sites. It cost more than motel does..
GuideIt was a complete mess and the area looked neglected. To make things worse, the staff were rude and unhelpful when we asked questions. Definitely not a place we’d recommend.
Camping near Frankfort, Kentucky centers primarily around the Kentucky River valley, with elevations ranging from 500-900 feet above sea level. The area experiences all four seasons distinctly, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winter lows regularly dropping below freezing. Campsites along Elkhorn Creek and the Kentucky River can become inaccessible during spring flooding, with water levels rising up to 15-20 feet above normal during heavy rainfall events.
Tube float adventures: A popular activity near Frankfort involves tubing down Elkhorn Creek into the Kentucky River. At Still Waters Campground, this leisurely float typically takes "approximately 3 to 4 hours" according to campers, and "you have to bring your own tube." The campground is "located at the mouth of the Elkhorn Creek and Kentucky River" making it ideal for water recreation.
Bourbon Trail access: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for bourbon tourism. At Elkhorn Campground, visitors note it offers "nice access to KY Bourbon" while another camper mentioned it's a "great place to use as a home base" for visiting distilleries. Cummins Ferry RV Park provides a tranquil setting after distillery visits, with "a small well maintained campground right on the Kentucky River" that's "down in a hollow which makes it secluded and quiet."
Fishing opportunities: Lake Shelby Campground offers fishing access from multiple points. As one visitor observed, "You can fish both in the lake and on the stream below the dam. A couple of docks on the lake side." The campground also rents paddle boats for water recreation.
Private waterfront sites: At Kentucky River Campground, campers appreciate the premium waterfront locations. "Our site had a level concrete parking pad and concrete deck overlooking the river. On the deck was a patio set with an umbrella and 4 chairs and 2 Adirondack style plastic chairs with a portable fire pit," noted one reviewer, adding there was even "a clean gas grill with a full tank of propane and utensils!"
Farm animal interactions: Wildcat Creek Farm offers a unique camping experience with friendly farm animals. One camper shared, "The resident goats, mules, donkeys and horses are very friendly - just like the hosts!" Another mentioned, "A campsite settled upon the bank of the Kentucky River with a friendly farm cat, goats, horses and cow we delighted in a campfire as the sun set."
Weekend entertainment: Several campgrounds offer organized activities. At Elkhorn Creek RV Park, campers mention that "there was even live music" and the park hosts weekend entertainment. Cummins Ferry features "live music and food trucks every Saturday" which adds "a nice touch" to the camping experience.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Still Waters Campground, "due to the location, only Verizon and Visible cell phone users have service. There is no local Internet." For those needing to stay connected, Kentucky Horse Park Campground offers better connectivity with "good WiFi, cable and cell service."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites. At Cummins Ferry RV Park, campers report "the sites here are not level" with one visitor needing "all 10 of our leveling blocks, plus 8 paving stones to get the appropriate height." When reserving sites, ask specifically about leveling requirements.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally. Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground runs "from April 1 to December 15" while Elkhorn Campground operates only "from April 1 to October 31." Year-round options include Kentucky Horse Park Campground which remains open "all year."
Kid-friendly activities: Elkhorn Campground offers extensive children's programming. "There is a great deal of things to do with the kids (water wars and different events for them to participate in)," notes one camper. Another mentions it's a "great place for families with young kids" with organized activities that keep children engaged.
Playground access: Kentucky Horse Park Campground provides "several playgrounds nearby if you have kids to occupy" according to visitors. Lake Shelby Campground includes "a playground for the kids" along with paddle boats for rent, making it suitable for family outings.
Space between sites: Families appreciate campgrounds with adequate space. Taylorsville Lake State Park offers "big sites with shade" and visitors note "most of the sites were really big, and there was plenty of space and trees in between." This provides privacy and room for families to spread out.
Site selection guidance: At Whispering Hills RV Park, RVers recommend choosing sites carefully. "The premium spots are much longer with smaller yards and have pull through access," notes one camper, while standard sites may present challenges as "there aren't very many standard sites available to big RVs."
Utility considerations: Water pressure can be an issue at some campgrounds. At Whispering Hills, campers warn that "water pressure is pretty high make sure you use a regulator." Kentucky River Campground offers sites with full hookups, with one visitor noting there are "level concrete parking pad" sites available with electric, water and sewer connections.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer sanitary dump stations, but access varies. Lake Shelby Campground has a dump station that "would be nice if you could pull through to dump but you have to back in" making it potentially challenging for larger rigs or less experienced drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV parks or RV-friendly campgrounds in Frankfort, Kentucky?
Yes, Frankfort and its surrounding area offer several excellent options for RV camping. Elkhorn Creek RV Park is a family-owned campground conveniently located near Frankfort with waterfront sites available, featuring both concrete and gravel pads. When visiting, follow their directions rather than GPS to avoid back roads. Elkhorn Campground is another great choice just minutes from downtown Frankfort and about 5 miles from Buffalo Trace Distillery, making it an ideal base for exploring the area. The campground features well-maintained facilities including an exceptionally clean bathhouse and full hookup sites for RVs.
What amenities are available at Wildcat Creek Farm camping area near Frankfort?
Wildcat Creek Farm offers basic amenities that cater to campers seeking a more rustic experience near Frankfort. The site provides potable water access and toilet facilities for campers. Sites are drive-in accessible, making it convenient to set up camp. The campground operates on a reservation system, allowing guests to secure their spot ahead of time rather than relying on first-come, first-served availability. While not as developed as some state parks in the area, Wildcat Creek Farm provides the essential amenities needed for a comfortable outdoor experience in a more intimate setting.
What are the best campgrounds near Frankfort, KY for tent camping?
For excellent tent camping near Frankfort, Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground offers spacious sites with nice picnic tables and access to hiking trails that lead down to the lake where boat rentals are available. Another great option is Two Rivers Campground, a peaceful campground where the Kentucky and Ohio Rivers meet. The grounds remain quiet even when full, and campers can enjoy pretty walks to the Kentucky River. Both campgrounds provide clean facilities and natural settings that make them ideal for tent campers looking to enjoy the outdoors within a reasonable drive from Frankfort.
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