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Best Campgrounds near Louisville, KY

511 Reviews

The camping landscape around Louisville, Kentucky encompasses a range of options from established campgrounds to recreational areas with various amenities. The Dyrt lists campground options across the Louisville, Kentucky area that include Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground, Louisville South KOA, and Charlestown State Park Campground. These locations accommodate tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals, with some offering glamping experiences. Most developed campgrounds are within a 30-minute drive from downtown Louisville, providing convenient access for weekend getaways or longer stays while exploring the city and surrounding attractions.

Campground availability varies seasonally, with many sites requiring advance reservations, especially during summer months and weekends. While some campgrounds like Louisville South KOA operate year-round, others such as Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground are open from April through mid-December. Full hookup RV sites are common at commercial campgrounds, while state parks typically offer electric sites with water access. Road conditions are generally good with paved access to most established campgrounds. Cell service is reliable near the city but may be spotty in more remote areas. As one camper noted, "Great weekend trip from Louisville. Lots of raccoons in the area, so make sure your food is secure."

Campers report mixed experiences with noise levels at campgrounds near Louisville. Several visitors mentioned that Louisville North Campground provides convenient access to downtown attractions but suffers from train noise throughout the night. Jefferson Memorial Forest receives praise for its hiking trails and natural setting but sits under flight paths from Louisville's airport. Water recreation opportunities are abundant, with Taylorsville Lake and Deam Lake offering popular boating and fishing access. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campgrounds with full hookups like Brooks RV Park are described as "safe and lovely" with amenities such as picnic tables and fire pits at each site. Most developed campgrounds provide shower facilities and restrooms, though quality and cleanliness vary by location.

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Best Camping Sites Near Louisville, Kentucky (68)

    1. Horine Reservation Camping at Jefferson County Memorial Forest

    18 Reviews
    Fairdale, KY
    9 miles
    Website

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Super cute and tranquil surprise right outside of Louisville (20 minutes). Great little stop over if you are hitting the Bourbon Trail! Clean, quiet and spacious!"

    "Ear plugs are a must as it is in the direct flight path of a major airport. "

    2. Charlestown State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Charlestown, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 256-5600

    $30 - $40 / night

    "Great location close to Louisville. Local hiking in the park is good. Enjoyed just the weekend, likely not a ton to do for more then a weekend."

    "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. "

    3. Louisville South KOA

    22 Reviews
    Shepherdsville, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 543-2041

    "Full hookups, dog park, lots of places to walk, even trails. We had a great stay here and will most likely come back next time we’re near Louisville."

    "This is a hidden little gem in the bustle of Louisville. We visited in the off season and during COVID. But the staff were friendly, grounds were clean, sites are very close together."

    4. Brooks RV Park - full hookup The safest park in Louisville!

    4 Reviews
    Brooks, KY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 276-6090

    $45 - $50 / night

    "What a nice RV campground near all Louisville and the surrounding areas have to offer visitors. It is nicely landscaped with fairy lights at night. The Manager Annie is awesome."

    "There are nearly 80 super nice RV sites and only 4 mobiles. It is a safest RV Park in the Louisville, KY area, right off I-65 in the Greater Louisville area."

    5. Louisville North Campground

    5 Reviews
    Clarksville, IN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 282-4474

    $40 - $45 / night

    "If you are looking to be close to downtown Louisville, this is the campground for you. The staff was super nice and the location is very convenient for getting downtown."

    6. Add-More Campground

    7 Reviews
    Clarksville, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 283-4321

    "Close to shopping and restaurants. We will stay here again when back in the Louisville area."

    7. Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground

    18 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 246-5421

    $30 - $69 / night

    "Great sites close to the lake"

    "There are horse trails, a beach, and great water for swimming/kayaking/canoeing. It is pet friendly as well. The bath house in our area was older but fairly clean."

    8. Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Mount Eden, KY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 477-8713

    $24 - $50 / night

    "Good weekend trip from Louisville."

    "We had a pretty decent time at Taylorsville Lake. The spots were spacious, and very nice picnic tables. We did a trail which was nice and went down to a boat ramp to see the lake."

    9. Grandma's RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Shepherdsville, KY
    15 miles
    +1 (502) 543-7023

    "it was a very nice place to just pull in off the interstate and stay the nice. had a laundromat so you could to your laundry. the owner was very nice person. they have a dog walk also so you can walk your"

    10. Camp Escape

    1 Review
    Fairdale, KY
    13 miles
    Website

    $15 - $80 / night

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Recent Camping Photos near Louisville, KY

120 Photos of 68 Louisville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Louisville, KY

511 Reviews of 68 Louisville Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Elkhorn Creek RV Park

    Wonderful place to stay with easy access to the Bourbon Trail and Frankfort

    We stayed for several days so that we could visit distilleries on the Bourbon Trail. Frankfort is almost close enough to bicycle to. Lexington is less than an hour away. It was a great base for visiting many interesting places.

    Elkhorn Creek RV Park was fantastic. The sites were clean and everything worked. The staff was super friendly. We stayed in a creekside site so we had a little bit of scenery. It is a pretty urban place, not a state park, so we didn't expect it to be as pretty as it turned out to be.

    The pool was plenty warm. The bathroom was clean. The classic rock singer who came in and sang in the pavilion on Saturday night was fun.

  • Patrick T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Hones Pointe Campground

    Amazing camp site

    Wonderful campsite. They put a lot of time and thought into this property. It’s truly incredible.

  • Amanda W.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Elkhorn Campground

    Quiet & friendly

    I stayed here for 2 weeks while visiting family in the area. Very safe & quiet campground with very friendly staff.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Very clean and friendly state park. Quick stop over but would definitely stay again if in the area. Would like to do some of the trails there

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Quick stop over. Would definitely return if in the area. Would have like to have had more time to do some of the trails. Very clean, friendly. Be aware of an additional $9 feet at the gate besides the camp fee.

  • Desert B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Knobstone Trail

    not accessible

    Maybe Google Maps took me to the wrong place (probably not).  I drove back and forth on the road several times looking for this place  The only thing I found was what I believe was the entrance with a cable across it.  There was no place to park otherwise.

  • Becca M.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Grand Trails RV Park

    Not for rv stsys

    This place could be nice but it is full of permanent trailer occupants, which is fine but .  It shouldn’t be advertised as a RV park.  There were 3 empty spaces, we chose  one and we couldn’t hook the sewer up because the pipe is too high off the ground.  They charged us 45.95 which is too high for the amenities offered.  The spaces are very close, no table, no place to set up a bbq.  We should have left but we were very tired.

  • Kyle J.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Clifty Falls State Park Campground

    High quality state park

    My only few gripes with this place. One all though the dnr staff is friendly I got pointed in the wrong direction 2 times about where to check in for camping. It is a very clean park. Just be sure if tent camping to hide your trash as wildlife is very brave to get up close and personal with your things

Guide to Louisville

Camping near Louisville, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Clifty Falls State Park Campground. One visitor said, "The wooded hiking trails helped keep us comfortable," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing and Boating: At Patoka Lake Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. One camper mentioned, "The beach of sorts with rocky sand was good enough for a dip."
  • Historical Exploration: Visit the historic Rose Island Theme Park while camping at Charlestown State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, "Great hiking opportunities and cool exploration of historic Rose Island."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Entry Fees: Be prepared for entry fees at some parks. For example, Clifty Falls State Park Campground charges a $9 fee to enter, even if you’ve booked a campsite.
  • Cell Service: Cell service can be spotty in some areas. A camper at Patoka Lake Campground noted, "Cell service was poor," so plan accordingly.
  • Level Sites: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. A visitor at Spring Mill State Park Campground mentioned, "It is mostly uneven and the shaded loop is very unlevel."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. Louisville South KOA has a nice pool and playground. One family said, "Lots of activities for kids. Nice pool, great playground."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on little ones, especially near water. At Patoka Lake Campground, a reviewer advised, "Parents with small children should be especially vigilant."
  • Plan for Wildlife: Be cautious of wildlife. A camper at Starve Hollow State Rec Area mentioned seeing raccoons, so secure your food.

Tips from RVers:

Camping around Louisville, KY, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does camping typically cost at sites around Louisville?

Camping costs around Louisville vary by amenities and location. Lake Shelby Campground offers tent sites for approximately $20 per night with lakeside options, restrooms, and showers. Louisville North Campground provides sites conveniently located near downtown but expect to pay more for the urban location. Primitive sites at state parks like Taylorsville Lake State Park are generally more affordable, requiring advance reservations. Most private campgrounds with full hookups (water, electric, sewer) range from $30-50 per night, while partial hookup sites typically cost $25-40. Many campgrounds offer weekly or monthly rates for extended stays, and most state parks have additional entrance or day-use fees on top of camping fees.

What state parks offer camping facilities close to Louisville, Kentucky?

Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground is a popular state park option near Louisville with spacious campsites, picnic tables, and access to trails. The park offers boat rentals and water activities on the lake, though bathroom facilities may need improvement. Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground is another option across the Indiana border, offering lake access though it can get busy during peak times. Just across the Ohio River in Indiana, Charlestown State Park Campground provides additional camping facilities within reasonable driving distance of Louisville. State parks typically offer a mix of primitive sites, electric hookups, and occasionally full hookups, with most requiring reservations, especially during summer months and weekends.

Are there any waterfront or lakeside camping options near Louisville?

Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground offers excellent water-based recreation with great kayaking opportunities and beautiful sunsets over the lake. While campsites aren't directly on the water, the park provides lake access via boat ramps and is known for fishing. Lake Shelby Campground features lakeside RV and tent sites with fishing opportunities and waterfowl viewing. Campers can enjoy swimming at a nearby pool for $5. Other water-adjacent options include Otter Creek Park Campground with creek access for swimming and fishing. For those willing to drive a bit further, Deam Lake State Recreation Area provides lake swimming and boating options. Most waterfront campgrounds fill quickly during summer months, so advance reservations are highly recommended.

What are the best campgrounds near Louisville, KY for weekend getaways?

For weekend getaways near Louisville, Otter Creek Park Campground is a popular option with excellent hiking, biking, and horse trails plus fishing opportunities along Otter Creek. Just 25 miles south of downtown, Louisville South KOA offers pull-through gravel sites, back-in spaces, and tent sites with convenient access from I-65 and nearby stores for resupplying. For those wanting to explore Louisville's attractions like the Louisville Slugger Factory or Churchill Downs, consider Elizabethtown Crossroads Campground, about 35 minutes from the city with electric and water hookups. Military families should check out Camp Carlson Army RV Park on Fort Knox, which offers a quiet setting with both Otter Creek and a stocked fishing lake nearby.

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