Camping near Frankfort, Kentucky centers primarily around the Kentucky River valley, with elevations ranging from 500-900 feet above sea level. The area experiences all four seasons distinctly, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winter lows regularly dropping below freezing. Campsites along Elkhorn Creek and the Kentucky River can become inaccessible during spring flooding, with water levels rising up to 15-20 feet above normal during heavy rainfall events.
What to do
Tube float adventures: A popular activity near Frankfort involves tubing down Elkhorn Creek into the Kentucky River. At Still Waters Campground, this leisurely float typically takes "approximately 3 to 4 hours" according to campers, and "you have to bring your own tube." The campground is "located at the mouth of the Elkhorn Creek and Kentucky River" making it ideal for water recreation.
Bourbon Trail access: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for bourbon tourism. At Elkhorn Campground, visitors note it offers "nice access to KY Bourbon" while another camper mentioned it's a "great place to use as a home base" for visiting distilleries. Cummins Ferry RV Park provides a tranquil setting after distillery visits, with "a small well maintained campground right on the Kentucky River" that's "down in a hollow which makes it secluded and quiet."
Fishing opportunities: Lake Shelby Campground offers fishing access from multiple points. As one visitor observed, "You can fish both in the lake and on the stream below the dam. A couple of docks on the lake side." The campground also rents paddle boats for water recreation.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: At Kentucky River Campground, campers appreciate the premium waterfront locations. "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," noted one reviewer, adding there was even "a clean gas grill with a full tank of propane and utensils!"
Farm animal interactions: Wildcat Creek Farm offers a unique camping experience with friendly farm animals. One camper shared, "The resident goats, mules, donkeys and horses are very friendly - just like the hosts!" Another mentioned, "A campsite settled upon the bank of the Kentucky River with a friendly farm cat, goats, horses and cow we delighted in a campfire as the sun set."
Weekend entertainment: Several campgrounds offer organized activities. At Elkhorn Creek RV Park, campers mention that "there was even live music" and the park hosts weekend entertainment. Cummins Ferry features "live music and food trucks every Saturday" which adds "a nice touch" to the camping experience.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Still Waters Campground, "due to the location, only Verizon and Visible cell phone users have service. There is no local Internet." For those needing to stay connected, Kentucky Horse Park Campground offers better connectivity with "good WiFi, cable and cell service."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites. At Cummins Ferry RV Park, campers report "the sites here are not level" with one visitor needing "all 10 of our leveling blocks, plus 8 paving stones to get the appropriate height." When reserving sites, ask specifically about leveling requirements.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally. Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground runs "from April 1 to December 15" while Elkhorn Campground operates only "from April 1 to October 31." Year-round options include Kentucky Horse Park Campground which remains open "all year."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Elkhorn Campground offers extensive children's programming. "There is a great deal of things to do with the kids (water wars and different events for them to participate in)," notes one camper. Another mentions it's a "great place for families with young kids" with organized activities that keep children engaged.
Playground access: Kentucky Horse Park Campground provides "several playgrounds nearby if you have kids to occupy" according to visitors. Lake Shelby Campground includes "a playground for the kids" along with paddle boats for rent, making it suitable for family outings.
Space between sites: Families appreciate campgrounds with adequate space. Taylorsville Lake State Park offers "big sites with shade" and visitors note "most of the sites were really big, and there was plenty of space and trees in between." This provides privacy and room for families to spread out.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: At Whispering Hills RV Park, RVers recommend choosing sites carefully. "The premium spots are much longer with smaller yards and have pull through access," notes one camper, while standard sites may present challenges as "there aren't very many standard sites available to big RVs."
Utility considerations: Water pressure can be an issue at some campgrounds. At Whispering Hills, campers warn that "water pressure is pretty high make sure you use a regulator." Kentucky River Campground offers sites with full hookups, with one visitor noting there are "level concrete parking pad" sites available with electric, water and sewer connections.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer sanitary dump stations, but access varies. Lake Shelby Campground has a dump station that "would be nice if you could pull through to dump but you have to back in" making it potentially challenging for larger rigs or less experienced drivers.
