Frankfort's campground options sit along the Kentucky River at 500 feet elevation with steep limestone bluffs rising on either side. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers more comfortable conditions with daytime highs in the 60-70°F range. Most campgrounds near Frankfort require reservations during peak season from May through October.
What to do
Kayaking on Elkhorn Creek: Visitors can access multiple kayak entry points within minutes of Elkhorn Campground. "From the kayaking, to the fishing, great place!" notes David O., highlighting the creek's popularity for paddlers of all skill levels.
Bourbon Trail exploration: Located just 10-30 minutes from several major distilleries. "Nice campground with great access to KY Bourbon," writes Barbara F. about Elkhorn Campground's convenient location. Many campgrounds provide designated driver services for bourbon tours with advance notice.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple access points exist for bank fishing on both Elkhorn Creek and the Kentucky River. At Kentucky River Campground, Patty C. mentions, "Our site had a level concrete parking pad and concrete deck overlooking the river," providing direct water access for anglers.
What campers like
River views: The waterfront sites at Kentucky River Campground offer unobstructed views and water access. "We were lucky enough to get a spot close to the river, so at night we could hear the river rushing next to us," shares Isabella H. about her camping experience.
Private bath facilities: Many campers highlight bathroom cleanliness as a standout feature. At Whispering Hills RV Park, Laura H. notes, "The property has a fishing pond, swimming pool, dog waste station, inflatable playground, blob, community area, basketball, shower houses, restrooms, and laundry."
Level sites: Concrete pads at several campgrounds provide stable, level platforms for tents and RVs. "Gravel and grass FHU sites mostly level. Great pool and bathhouse with full bath suites in beautiful tile. Very clean," reports Tim F. about his stay at Elkhorn Campground.
What you should know
Limited primitive camping: Most pet-friendly sites near Frankfort offer developed camping with hookups. For primitive options, Taylorsville Lake State Park stands out. Justin S. advises, "Choose your site wisely. I took several pictures of each site to help others in the future."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October. "We stayed in site 6 on May 18, 2019. It was a gravel, back in site and backed up to the lake. It was fairly sloped towards the lake," reports Martin M. about his spring visit to Lake Shelby Campground.
Water pressure issues: Several campgrounds have extremely high water pressure. At Whispering Hills RV Park, Mathew H. warns, "Water pressure is pretty high make sure you use a regulator."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several pet-friendly campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Still Waters Campground, Kristen S. reports, "Campsites are shady and flat, bathhouse is clean and well maintained. Office staff are friendly and helpful. We had a blast spending the day in the creek!"
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule family events on weekends. "This campground is very busy. Lots of people coming and going," notes Mathew H. about Whispering Hills RV Park's active atmosphere. Call ahead to learn about scheduled activities.
Farm animal interactions: For a unique experience with children and pets, consider Wildcat Creek Farm where Elizabeth R. shares, "Such a quiet place. The resident goats, mules, donkeys and horses are very friendly - just like the hosts!"
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: At many dog-friendly campgrounds near Frankfort, RV site length can be deceptive. Never Sitting S. explains at Lake Shelby Campground, "Very weird at first as the sites are 20 feet long, but they allow front ends to stick out."
Leveling requirements: Prepare with adequate leveling blocks for Frankfort-area campgrounds. Whistle P. advises about Cummins Ferry, "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."
Accessibility to the Bourbon Trail: RVers appreciate the proximity to distillery tours. Art Z. shares about Elkhorn Creek RV Park, "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."