Campgrounds near Grayson Lake offer varied terrain options from riverside flat spaces to more rocky ground across eastern Kentucky. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures often reaching 85°F and cool falls with temperatures dropping into the 40s at night. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 600-900 feet, creating moderate hiking challenges and decent fishing opportunities.
What to do
Fishing in the river: At The Ole Cornfield, campers can fish in the Licking River which is 1-2 feet deep in this area. "The Licking River has several fish species from the fun to catch bluegill to the Muskellunge," notes a reviewer. Another camper mentions, "Plenty of spots to fish."
Kayaking adventures: Multiple campgrounds offer kayak rentals or shuttle services. "They have kayaks for rent at the campground or you can bring your own. They shuttle you up to the dam and it takes a couple of hours to get back down to their campground," explains a camper at The Ole Cornfield. Equipment rental costs typically range from $20-40 per day.
Cave exploration: Carter Caves State Resort Park offers guided cave tours for various skill levels. "The park is amazing and I have no idea how it took me 39yrs to find it so close to home. The caves are absolutely amazing and the park has some of the best natural bridges I have ever seen," writes one visitor. Tours generally run 1-2 hours and require closed-toe shoes.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the ample room at certain locations. At The Ole Cornfield, one camper noted, "We were able to put up a 20 x 10 canopy outside of our camper canopy with plenty of extra room. Lots of space for the kids to run."
Clean facilities: Sheltowee RV Park & Cabins earns praise for its upkeep. "The campground is very well maintained. It's quite and tucked away. Nature trails, ponds for relaxing and watching the wildlife or fishing," writes one reviewer. Another notes it's "kept up to date."
Swimming opportunities: Oasis Point RV Resort offers unique water recreation. "They have a large pond that has a nice beach, a huge slide and a zip line. They have kayaks, paddle boards and floats first come first serve," shares one camper. For families with children, this makes a significant difference in summer months.
What you should know
Extended hookup distances: At Carter Caves, be prepared for utilities that may be far from your parking pad. "The only issue was that some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up. Thankfully we were able to switch spots instead of renting an extension cord," warns one camper.
Varying pad surfaces: While some campgrounds feature level concrete pads, others require more setup work. At Outpost Campground & RV Park, a visitor noted, "The pull through sites were all flat and oriented well. We were fully set up in 15 mins."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad disruptions. At Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park, a reviewer warns, "The only real problem comes with the train tracks right here. The trains are close and do blow their whistle for crossing by the office."
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Multiple campgrounds offer safe areas for children to enjoy water. At The Ole Cornfield, a grandparent shared, "My grandkids loved playing in the river catching crawdads and tadpoles. Perfect for wading."
Playground access: Some campgrounds have dedicated play areas. A visitor at Outpost noted, "There is a great, centrally located playground where the kids were able to run around after being in the truck for eight hours."
Educational activities: Carter Caves offers nature programs suitable for various ages. A camper recommends, "Grab a ranger-guided tour and learn something! Great for the kids!" Tour schedules typically run daily during summer months with fewer options in shoulder seasons.
Tips from RVers
Check hookup positions: Before booking rv camping near Grayson Lake, verify utility locations. As one Carter Caves camper warned, "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for proper setup. A visitor at Valley Breeze RV Campground observed the well-maintained grounds but noted leveling was still necessary for proper RV positioning.
Overnight restrictions: Not all RV parks near Grayson Lake accept extended stays. One camper at Valley Breeze reported, "I was going to be in the area for 5 days. I went to the office, asked for 4 nights, I have a 2021 travel trailer. He said 'overnight only'."
