Lake Cumberland in Kentucky features over 1,200 miles of shoreline with terrain ranging from limestone bluffs to forested hills. The region offers dedicated equestrian facilities with camping options across the Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Many horse campgrounds maintain year-round accessibility, though amenities vary significantly between primitive and developed sites.
What to do
Horseback riding trails access: Nathan McClure trailhead begins directly within Little Lick Campground. "The Nathan McClure trailhead is in the campground so there will be other traffic coming in," notes one camper. "There are several other nice/challenging trails nearby and the Rattlesnake Motorcycle route in the area."
Night sky viewing: The surrounding national forest offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Camped here a few years ago and got wonderful night sky shots. Definitely worth a stay if you're visiting Big South Fork," writes a visitor about Bandy Creek Campground. "Dark and starry skies, quiet and woodsy," another camper mentions about the area.
Water recreation: The region provides numerous water-based activities beyond the lake itself. "You can fish off the banks of the Cumberland river or take a swim. Close to trails and a waterpark too," writes a camper about Clayton Geneva Memorial Campground. "Sanded, river front tent sites... Great place for canoe, kayak & swimming activities. Fishing, hiking and more."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Horse-friendly campgrounds typically offer larger sites to accommodate trailers and equipment. "The sites are big enough for more than one tent or hammock," reports a visitor to Little Lick Horse Camp. Another camper at Bear Creek Horse Camp notes, "Each campground had a place for horses, the campground was clean, easy to drive, easy to set up."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities despite equestrian use. "Campground was clean and barely smelled like a farm despite being filled with horses," writes a visitor to Bear Creek Horse Camp. At Bandy Creek Campground, a camper appreciated that "The shower house was heated and well maintained. The campground was clean and well taken care of."
Diverse terrain: The area offers varied landscapes for different outdoor pursuits. "Big South Fork is an amazing place to hike in... Literally anything you want to do, you can find it here- horseback riding, ATV riding, hiking, biking, rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, camping, fishing, hunting, swimming," reports an enthusiastic camper about the region.
What you should know
Primitive conditions: Many horse camps offer minimal facilities. A Little Lick Campground visitor explains, "This is primitive, to include no toilet so bring your bucket or whatever you use... remember Leave No Trace." Another camper adds, "You will drive and drive and drive...and drive on the gravel road. However the road is good and the signage will get you there!"
Wildlife considerations: The area is home to various wildlife species. "We needed a spot for Labor Day weekend and discovered Barren Fork Horse Camp in Daniel Boone National Forest near Whitley, KY," reports a camper who advises that "you might want to bring a generator too."
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come basis while others require booking. "Free, no reservations, likely fills up most days in the summer," notes a camper about Great Meadow Campground. Another mentions, "We were told that getting a spot is difficult during the busy summer because this is first come, first serve but in the fall we seemed to have good luck getting a nice site."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly layouts: Look for campgrounds with family-oriented designs. "Campsites are on loops off the main loop/road. It puts 7-8 sites in a circle so it's possible for families to rent multiple site in same loop. Plenty of room for kids to play and also has a swimming pool!" writes a visitor to Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.
Trail difficulty assessment: Evaluate hikes for accessibility with children. "The sites were a bit short and we couldn't park our tow vehicle in front of our 17' camper. So large campers beware," notes a Bandy Creek visitor, adding that "most of the trails are much longer than 2 miles, so there wasn't much to do with our two toddlers."
Safety considerations: Plan for wildlife encounters and campground layout. "The sites are pretty private and mostly wooded. There were acorns everywhere that our littles kept getting ahold of," cautions a family who visited Bandy Creek Campground. Another camper points out that "Each site has a food storage box" to keep supplies secure from wildlife.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully based on rig size and layout needs. "Sites are organized to prioritize visitors with horses, though non-equestrians are welcome when space permits," notes an RVer about equestrian campgrounds. At Green River Lake State Park, a visitor advises: "Easy check in and nice level sites close to the water. The newer section has very few trees for shade. The older section had plenty of shade and nice sites."
Hookup considerations: Verify what services are available at each campground. "I also wish they would have mentioned the length to water hookup. We ended up having to go buy a longer water hose bc the hookup was more than 30 foot away," shares a Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park camper. "We now keep a 50 foot hose, but didn't realize at the time there was actually hookups that far away."
Generator policies: Check noise regulations if staying at primitive horse camps. "There are no rules on generator use, so beware that your neighbor may run the generator all day and night," warns a visitor to Barren Fork Horse Camp, where electrical hookups are not provided.
