Located in central Kentucky about 30 miles south of Louisville, Lebanon Junction sits near the western edge of the Knobs region where rolling hills transition to flatter terrain. The area receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with hot, humid summers where temperatures often exceed 90°F from June through August. Camping options near Lebanon Junction range from developed campgrounds with modern amenities to more primitive sites along waterways.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground, trails range from 1.5 to 13.0 miles through diverse forest. "Lots of trails ranging from easy to difficult" with "miles of walking trails ranging from easy to difficult," notes Mike G. The trails showcase "gorgeous mixed forest of old and new growth deciduous and coniferous hardwoods."
Cave exploration: Mammoth Cave National Park offers various guided tours ranging from easy walking paths to more adventurous options. A visitor shared, "Do the twilight tour! It is also a dry county, so the only alcohol are some $5 beers near the visitor center." Another camper recommended, "Reserve the all day guided tour with crawling about in small spaces for the best experience."
Water activities: Green River Lake provides fishing, boating and swimming opportunities near Smith Ridge Green River Lake. "There is plenty of great fishing spots and beautiful views," notes Jessica C. The area features "beaches, a boat ramp available to those that wish to fish," and even "houseboats available at Smith Ridge."
What campers like
Natural surroundings: O'Bannon Woods State Park offers a peaceful wooded setting. "Nice state park with several shaded sites with electric and water hookups," reports Donald S. Campers appreciate that it's a "nice, but quiet campground" with "several hiking trails with various difficulties."
Close proximity to Louisville: Many campgrounds offer easy access to urban amenities while maintaining a natural setting. At Jefferson Memorial Forest, "You are literally ten minutes from anything you want or need. Once you get to the top of the hill you are far removed from the noise, hustle and bustle of city/suburb living."
Lake access: Nolin Lake State Park Campground features waterfront sites for easy water access. "Great place for relaxing," notes David R., who appreciated the "beautiful campgrounds" with "nice sized sites most with direct access to the water." Another camper mentioned it's "very beautiful and peaceful."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer heat and humidity can be intense from June through September. At Nolin Lake State Park, one visitor warned, "Spray up!" due to ticks being prevalent in warmer months.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. For Nolin Lake State Park, a camper noted, "This campground books 6 months out. Very hard to get a spot, but so worth it!"
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways or air traffic. Jefferson Memorial Forest sits "in the departure path of Louisville's airport, so be prepared for once-a-minute takeoffs if the airport is using its southbound runways for departures. UPS releases about 100 planes from around 3-5am."
Glamping options: For those seeking glamping in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, several campgrounds offer upscale accommodations. Horse Cave KOA features "some really cool wagon tents, teepee's, and actual tree houses" according to a recent visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Playgrounds and recreation areas keep children entertained. At Horse Cave KOA, "There were a ton of things for kids and families to do. There was a pool, playground, pond, etc."
Unique attractions: Beyond standard camping amenities, seek out special features. "The kids loved the jump pillow and playground" at Louisville South KOA, while Horse Cave KOA has "a small barn with animals penned up so you can just walk up to the fence and pet them."
Halloween camping: Some campgrounds offer special seasonal activities. At Otter Creek Park Campground, "We go every fall with our entire family to enjoy the Halloween activities. The campers all go all out and let the kids trick or treat. There is even a group who does a haunted house and it is so fun!"
Water features: Swimming areas provide relief from summer heat. Otter Creek Park has "great trails for hiking, great creek for swimming, close to Louisville," while O'Bannon Woods State Park features "a beach at the park."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully based on your needs and rig size. At Louisville South KOA, sites are "longer than other KOAs, which enabled the tow vehicle and TT to be parked. Full hook-ups and 30/50 amp services at the sites, some leveling required."
Dump station considerations: Plan ahead for dumping your tanks. At Horse Cave KOA, "our main issue was the dump station, horrible layout. What takes us maybe 10 minutes took over 25. Plan ahead or decide to dump elsewhere."
Electrical reliability: Some campgrounds experience power issues. At Smith Ridge Green River Lake, a camper reported, "They have a known power issue, 30amp service went out several times at the pole. Their solution was to use less appliances."
Pad dimensions: Check site specifications before booking. At Lake Shelby Campground, "pads are small in length so be aware of that when it mentions it on the website," though the campground has "a nice parking lot in front of sites to back your rig up."
