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Best Campgrounds near Fort Knox, KY

689 Reviews

Fort Knox and its surrounding area has good camping options within easy reach. My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground has clean sites and puts you close to some interesting historic sites. COE Rough River Lake Axtel Campground sits right by the water where you can swim, fish or boat. You'll find drinking water and bathrooms at both places. It's smart to book ahead, particularly on weekends and during summer months when these spots fill up quickly. Keep in mind there might be fire bans depending on conditions, so check before you go. The woods around Fort Knox have plenty of wildlife and nice scenery. Most campsites in the area limit stays to 14 days maximum. Spring and fall tend to draw the biggest crowds because of the better weather. Pack layers since Kentucky temperatures can swing quite a bit, even in a single day. While some campgrounds are walk-up only, others let you reserve online beforehand. Always follow the posted rules while camping to keep things safe for everyone. The Fort Knox area works well for both quick weekend trips and longer camping vacations.

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Best Camping Sites Near Fort Knox, Kentucky (83)

    1. Otter Creek Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Garrett, KY
    6 miles
    Website

    $12 - $22 / night

    "Very popular campsite for the surrounding area. Otter Creek runs through the Outdoor recreation area. Lots of hiking, biking and horse trails. Great opportunities for fishing also abound."

    "Beautiful trails for hiking, great creek for swimming, close to Louisville."

    2. Louisville South KOA

    22 Reviews
    Shepherdsville, KY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 543-2041

    "Will absolutely come back again especially with the proximity to the city but having peace and quiet to the south. The walking trail was much longer than expected and really nice."

    "There was corn hole, ladder ball, pool, walking trails, access to the river, cat fish pond, small dog park, and washers & dryers."

    3. Horine Reservation Camping at Jefferson County Memorial Forest

    18 Reviews
    Fairdale, KY
    17 miles
    Website

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Having lived 62 years in Kentucky, less than twenty minutes from the Jeff. Forest, leaving to explore USA, then returning to my home state allows me a unique point of view."

    "Tent sites have so many trees surrounding them. If you're looking for more privacy anything off of the loop will do just fine."

    4. Camp Carlson Army RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Fort Knox, KY
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 624-4836

    $5 - $19 / night

    "Newer facilities on Fort Knox, Kentucky.

    Very clean and pleasant stay.

    Quiet and peaceful.

    Located conveniently near Louisville, Fort Knox, and central Kentucky area."

    5. Longview RV Park

    1 Review
    Radcliff, KY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 982-3526

    $38 / night

    6. South Harrison Co Park

    2 Reviews
    Laconia, IN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 969-2908

    "This park has a great walking trail that is wheelchair accessible and camping in spring to fall."

    7. Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    137 Reviews
    Mammoth Cave, KY
    49 miles
    +1 (270) 758-2424

    $25 - $50 / night

    "This campground is a walking distance to the visitors center. It's a well established campground and geared towards folks visiting mammoth caves."

    "green river, which was enjoyed by all, and we appreciated avoiding the main entrance besieged by spring break campers!"

    8. My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    New Haven, KY
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 348-3502

    $25 - $45 / night

    "Located very close to Bardstown and a lot of distilleries on the bourbon trail, the campground is great, very small fills up fast."

    "My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground is a small campground, clean, and friendly staff. There is a golf course on site. Plenty to see, including My Old Kentucky Home, the tour was amazing."

    9. Camp Escape

    1 Review
    Fairdale, KY
    13 miles
    Website

    $15 - $80 / night

    10. Cecilia Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, KY
    15 miles
    +1 (270) 723-4124

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Beautiful country farm setting old dairy farm located near Cecilia. There are several mowed areas one is near a fishing pond. Firewood purchasable from the host!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Fort Knox, KY

192 Photos of 83 Fort Knox Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Fort Knox, KY

689 Reviews of 83 Fort Knox Campgrounds

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Very clean and friendly state park. Quick stop over but would definitely stay again if in the area. Would like to do some of the trails there

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Quick stop over. Would definitely return if in the area. Would have like to have had more time to do some of the trails. Very clean, friendly. Be aware of an additional $9 feet at the gate besides the camp fee.

  • Desert B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Knobstone Trail

    not accessible

    Maybe Google Maps took me to the wrong place (probably not).  I drove back and forth on the road several times looking for this place  The only thing I found was what I believe was the entrance with a cable across it.  There was no place to park otherwise.

  • Overland O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Houchin Ferry Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    Very nice remote campground

    This is a very nice and clean campground with about 10 sites. It is part of Mammoth Cave National park. That means I could use my lifetime pass and it only cost $10 per night. Ranger came by twice a day. Very clean port a pottys that are maintained well. Dumpster for trash and each site has a fire ring. Road in is paved and not bad, but has a few hills and is narrow. These sites are listed as "Tent Only" but I got my Dodge van in no problem. In my 3 days here I saw many tents, a small pop up camper, and 2 vans. Anything larger would be a problem I think. Reservation only and pay online. Not much cell signal here, maybe 1 bar on Visible. (Verizon) Decent signal on Starlink mini at site 1. Sites are right along the side of the Green River and the temperature here was a consistent 3 degrees F lower than in town. Lot of shade, not good for solar.

  • Becca M.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Grand Trails RV Park

    Not for rv stsys

    This place could be nice but it is full of permanent trailer occupants, which is fine but .  It shouldn’t be advertised as a RV park.  There were 3 empty spaces, we chose  one and we couldn’t hook the sewer up because the pipe is too high off the ground.  They charged us 45.95 which is too high for the amenities offered.  The spaces are very close, no table, no place to set up a bbq.  We should have left but we were very tired.

  • B
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Louisville South KOA

    Avoid Louisville South KOA

    My family of 5 has camped at KOAs across the country with our professionally converted 12’x6’ RV trailer (electrical, but no AC/septic). Upon arrival at Louisville South KOA, I checked in and was escorted to our site by staff. Moments later, we were approached by the campground owners who told us we could not stay because our trailer did not come from a factory with AC or septic.

    I confirmed with KOA Corporate that no such rule exists, and this KOA’s justification was based on “KY Health Codes” which they could not show me in writing. Despite offering to tent-camp with our trailer in storage, we had to leave and pay $100 more to stay at a private campground over an hour away.

    Nowhere on the Louisville South KOA website is this “rule” disclosed. This was a clearly discriminatory and arbitrary. If you travel in a custom trailer or unique camper, avoid this location.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground

    Nice State Park

    nice state park. several shaded sites w electric and water hookups. clean restrooms. great nature center w ranger tours. several hiking trails w various difficulties

    lots of caving activity in area

    several local restaurants to visit. overlook and 1816

Guide to Fort Knox

Camping near Fort Knox, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore the Bourbon Trail: Many campgrounds, like My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground, are close to Bardstown, which is famous for its distilleries. One camper mentioned, "Located very close to Bardstown and a lot of distilleries on the bourbon trail, the campground is great."
  • Hiking and Nature Walks: The Jefferson County Memorial Forest Campground offers numerous trails. A visitor noted, "This is a great campground with private campsites. Lots of hiking trails."
  • Water Activities: At COE Rough River Lake Axtel Campground, you can enjoy kayaking and fishing. One reviewer said, "The lake was beautiful and the park was well maintained."

What campers like

  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers often mention the welcoming vibe. A review for Louisville South KOA stated, "The staff are super helpful. We had a great stay here."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Otter Creek Park Campground said, "The area we were in was nice and private. Campgrounds have showers with good hot water pressure."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. One review for Cave Creek - Rough River Lake mentioned, "The hosts were so nice... The bathrooms were clean, nice hot showers."

What you should know

  • Site Spacing: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground warned, "Sites were crammed close together. The picnic table for one site was right next to the picnic table for the next."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A review for Buzzard Roost Campground noted, "There is very limited spaces that are pretty close together."
  • Noise Levels: Some areas can be noisy, especially near roads or other campers. A visitor at Jefferson County Memorial Forest Campground mentioned, "Unfortunately it’s in the departure path of Louisville’s airport."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. One camper at Louisville South KOA said, "Lots of activities for kids. Nice pool, great playground, bounce pad."
  • Plan for Noise: Be prepared for some noise, especially if camping near busy areas. A review for Otter Creek Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are fairly close together with some only having as little as a few saplings or briars between sites."
  • Bring Entertainment: Since some campgrounds may not have many activities, bring games or outdoor toys. A visitor at COE Rough River Lake Axtel Campground suggested, "Great amenities."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Lengths: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Buzzard Roost Campground noted, "Spots aren’t as private as I would have liked, but definitely nice for free camping."
  • Bring Extra Cords: Many sites require long power cords and hoses. A review for My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground advised, "Be prepared for required extensions to your power and water hoses."
  • Plan for Dump Station Waits: Some campgrounds have busy dump stations. A visitor at COE Rough River Lake Axtel Campground mentioned, "The dump station could be better located."

Camping near Fort Knox, Kentucky, has something for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent, you'll find plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near Fort Knox, KY?

Several excellent campgrounds are located near Fort Knox. Camp Carlson Army RV Park is right on Fort Knox property with newer, clean facilities and convenient access to Louisville and central Kentucky. Fishing opportunities are available at the adjacent Otter Creek and stocked lake. Otter Creek Park Campground is another popular option with plenty of hiking, biking, and horse trails. For those willing to travel a bit further, Taylorsville Lake State Park offers spacious sites with nice picnic tables and boat rentals, while My Old Kentucky Home State Park provides access to Bardstown's historic sites and the bourbon trail.

What is the closest airport to Fort Knox, Kentucky for campers?

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the closest major airport to Fort Knox, located approximately 35 miles northeast of the base (about a 45-minute drive). This airport offers the convenience of multiple rental car options for campers needing transportation to nearby campgrounds like My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground or Nolin Lake State Park Campground. For those with private aircraft, Godman Army Airfield is located on Fort Knox but is restricted to military use. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is another option, though further away at about 100 miles northeast of Fort Knox (approximately 1.5-2 hour drive).

Is there an RV park at Fort Knox or nearby?

Yes, Camp Carlson Army RV Park is located directly on Fort Knox property. It features newer facilities that are clean and well-maintained. The park is quiet and peaceful, making it ideal for RV camping. For those looking beyond the base, Louisville South KOA offers pull-through gravel sites approximately 25 miles south of downtown Louisville in Shepherdsville. It's conveniently located off I-65 with a Walmart and other resupply stores nearby. Additionally, Longview RV Park provides water hookups and is big-rig friendly with reservable sites.

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