Camping sites near Owenton, Kentucky range from full-service RV parks to more basic family-oriented campgrounds, most within a 30-45 minute drive. The area sits at approximately 930 feet elevation in the rolling hills of northern Kentucky, where summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F while spring and fall can bring significant temperature fluctuations. Camping season generally runs from April through October, with fewer facilities available during colder months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Three Springs Campground offers a small fishing pond that's particularly popular with families. As one camper noted, "There is a pond the kids caught crawfish in," making it an easy activity that doesn't require leaving the grounds. The pond is catch-and-release only with no license required for registered campers.
Bison viewing: Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground provides educational exhibits alongside living history. "Great Attraction, you can walk the trails and even get the excitement of seeing REAL LIVE BISON. Pretty sweet experience!" reports one visitor. The bison enclosure is accessible via a short trail from the main camping area and offers viewing areas along the fence line.
Educational experiences: Families can explore natural history at several campgrounds. As one camper at Big Bone Lick explained, "This is a small and simple park with a lot of opportunities to learn. There are a lot of little trails the criss cross each other and a lot of informational signs and a little museum." The museum includes fossil displays and information about the area's prehistoric significance.
Swimming options: Kentucky River Campground provides direct water access for cooling off. "The river is close which is awesome and great for swimming. No life guards on duty," notes one visitor. River conditions vary significantly based on recent rainfall, with higher water levels typically occurring in spring and early summer.
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Many campsites serve as convenient bases for visiting regional highlights. One camper at Whispering Hills RV Park mentioned it's "Really nice for off-site attractions (Creation Museum, Ark Encounter)." Similarly, at Big Bone Lick, a visitor appreciated that "This park is super convenient if you're planning on going to the ark encounter and the creation museum because it's about 30-45 minutes in either direction."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness consistently receives positive mentions. At Elkhorn Campground, campers appreciate the "Clean showers and restrooms," while another visitor noted the "great pool and bathhouse with full bath suites in beautiful tile." Most campgrounds in the region offer shower facilities that are regularly maintained.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. "This is a great place to take the family! A lot of Kentucky heritage here!" said one visitor about Kentucky Horse Park Campground. Another camper at Elkhorn Campground shared: "Family friendly, clean, up to date, pool, activities super staff."
River views: Several campgrounds offer sites with water views. At Kentucky River Campground, a camper described their experience: "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."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is open "April 1 to October 31," while Elkhorn Campground also operates seasonally from spring through fall. Some facilities remain open year-round but with reduced services during winter months.
Site variations: Campsite quality and privacy can vary significantly within the same campground. At General Butler State Resort Park, one camper observed "Some sites have a lot of room and others are super close to neighboring sites. Heads up to check the map and Google Earth when booking." Another noted that "some of the sites were very narrow, and some had a huge drop off from the camping pad to the grass."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful driving. A camper at I-75 Camper Village reported that "road leading into campground is narrow and bumpy." At Kentucky Horse Park Campground, the entry roads are generally well-maintained but can become congested during special events.
Limited privacy: Many campgrounds feature sites in close proximity. A visitor at Three Springs mentioned "beautiful sites but fairly close together," while another at Whispering Hills RV Park noted that despite other positive features, "the spots are pretty small."
Tips for camping with families
Mini-golf and playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly recreational options. At Big Bone Lick, a visitor mentioned "There is a pool, mini golf, and tennis plus some play areas for the kids." Some facilities charge additional fees for these amenities, typically $3-5 per person for mini-golf.
Educational opportunities: Families can combine camping with learning experiences. "The museum and gift shop have a lot of educational stuff which would be excellent for a home schooling trip. A good interactive grade school age children campground," noted one visitor to Big Bone Lick. Several campgrounds offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Swimming options: When choosing a campground with kids, consider water access. At Follow The River RV Resort, one camper mentioned "There is pool access, a tree for shade at every lot, a picnic table at every lot and water access as well." Most campground pools operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with specific hours posted at each facility.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds present specific challenges for families. At General Butler State Resort Park, a visitor cautioned about one particular area: "At site 11 and a few others, they had no backstops at the back of the blacktop pad. If the site was level, it wouldn't have been as bad. Upon setting up our 16' camper, it began to slip backwards down toward the woods."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites requiring additional equipment. A camper at Whispering Hills noted that "The sites are gravel and most are not level, but not too bad. There is all manner of leveling going on!" Most experienced RVers recommend bringing extra leveling blocks.
Hookup variations: Water pressure can vary significantly between campgrounds. At Whispering Hills, a camper warned that "The water pressure was quite high (70 psi) according to the worker at the campground so make sure to have a water pressure regulator." Most campgrounds offer water and electric hookups, but sewer connections are less common.
Size considerations: Big rig accessibility differs across campgrounds. At Three Springs, one RVer mentioned: "Sites are pretty level, although we did have to unhook to keep truck from sticking out into road. Since the park wasn't full, the owners let us park our truck in site next to us. We stayed in our 38' travel trailer with our Ford F250 truck." Calling ahead to confirm measurements is recommended for vehicles over 35 feet.
Utility management: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. One camper at Three Springs noted: "I deducted a star from overall and value rating only due to no direct sewer connection. Although they do have a dump station, I prefer to have a direct hook-up." For stays longer than a weekend, plan accordingly for tank management.
