Glamping near Carrollton, Kentucky offers outdoor accommodations beyond standard tent camping, with several locations situated along the Ohio River at elevations between 450-500 feet. Seasonal variations impact site availability, with summer months typically requiring reservations 1-3 months in advance. Winter camping options remain accessible with proper cold-weather gear, though some amenities may be limited.
What to do
Hiking trails: 7-mile Lake Shelby path at Lake Shelby Campground provides lakeside views and wildlife spotting opportunities. "Big fan of Lake Shelby - they have a few RV spots, some nice camping by the lake, overflow camping by the river past the dam, and primitive camping in the back along the lake trail - those are my favorite spots," notes camper Dawn B.
Fishing access: Year-round opportunities with multiple species available at Charlestown State Park Campground. "We biked throughout the park and hiked 4 of the trails, 3 of which were pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge," shares Lisa D. The park provides shore fishing with bass and catfish commonly caught.
Historic sites: Butler-Turpin Historic House located near tennis courts at General Butler State Resort Park. "Tennis courts are down by the Butler-Turpin State Historic House. Mini-golf and a gift shop are also available," explains Lisa S. The museum showcases local history with seasonal hours from April through October.
Water recreation: Kayak and canoe rentals available seasonally at several locations. "The campground was a little hard to find because it's hidden behind an actual park but once we found it, we found that each campground had a picnic table BUT not every site had water and electric outlets," reports Abigaile J. regarding riverfront access points.
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: Follow The River RV Resort features well-designed sites with concrete pads. "Very friendly staff. The bathrooms having regular working toilets and showers. The bathrooms are very nice. There is a pool, volleyball courts and a dog park," describes Jessica G.
Diverse accommodation options: From tent sites to luxury glamping pods, the region offers multiple price points. "The campground is easy to access and super well taken care of! I am honestly very impressed with this park! There is pool access, a tree for shade at every lot," notes Abigaile J.
River views and waterfront access: Paul Ogle Riverfront Park provides direct river access. "Very pretty view of the riverfront! The campground was a little hard to find because it's hidden behind an actual park," writes Abigaile J. The location offers unobstructed river views with boat launch facilities.
Pool access: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming pools with seasonal availability. "The lodge lets campers use the pool 4-7 pm for free which is nice," explains Liz S. regarding facilities at state parks in the region.
What you should know
Flooding concerns: River-adjacent sites may experience water level changes, particularly at lower elevations. "BIG WARNING would be that it floods tremendously because it is so close to the water! Be aware of rain and water rising!" cautions Abigaile J. about riverside camping.
Reservation requirements: Peak season (May-September) demands advance planning. "This campground is typically full of RVs which is good because it's super close to a busy road. So it's not your 'deep into the woods' kind of place," observes Liz S.
Site variations: Significant differences between campgrounds and even within the same facility. "Heads up to check the map and Google Earth when booking. Some sites have a lot of room and others are super close to neighboring sites," advises Rebecca F. from General Butler State Resort Park.
Limited amenities at some locations: Facilities vary widely across the region. "The only real downfall is there is no sewer hookups, but they do pump out 2-3 times a week," notes Carl J. about service frequency at certain campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple age-appropriate options at Oak Creek Campground for children. "Pool and new dog park with a very nice play area for the kids," shares Doug and Terri C. The playgrounds include equipment suitable for toddlers through pre-teens.
Educational opportunities: Butler Mansion tours provide historical context for school-age children. "The Butler Mansion was well taken care of though we didn't make it there when it was open," mentions Rebecca F. Tours typically run Wednesday through Sunday with varying seasonal schedules.
Recreation rentals: Paddleboats and canoes available for supervised family outings. "We stayed one night here, and it was great! We had been traveling all day and decided to find a place to camp. We ended up with a beautiful, quiet place, right on the lake," recounts Jenny O. about her family experience.
Swimming options: Pool access at select locations with lifeguard schedules varying by season. "We frequent this park since it is close to home and the smaller size makes it easier to turn the kids loose. They have enough to enjoy but not so much where we have to be active every second," explains Kyle about family-friendly atmosphere.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Swiss Haven RV Resort, riverfront sites require advance planning. "They have reserved a number of great sites, even some on the river front, for nightly RVers (and have plans to expand that number)," explains Stephen & Theresa B. The best riverfront spots often book 60+ days in advance.
Hookup variations: Water and electric configurations differ between locations. "Sites are fairly close together, gravel, and level," notes Matt M. describing typical setups in the region.
Access limitations: Some steep approaches require care for larger units. "Our wheel blocks were probably placed, but the grade was just too much. We ended up pulling the camper higher up on the blacktop almost in the road and had no issue," shares Rebecca F. about navigating challenging terrain.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping options exist with electric hookups for heating. "Clean, plenty of room b/w sites, nobody around as was last of February. Good size campground. Clean restrooms," reports Gregory R. about off-season availability.
