Cabins near McKee, Kentucky range from basic wilderness shelters to fully-equipped modern accommodations nestled in the Red River Gorge area, at an average elevation of 1,200 feet. This eastern Kentucky region experiences humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, making spring and fall particularly popular for cabin stays when temperatures range between 55-75°F. Wooded terrain provides natural privacy between most cabin properties.
What to do
Hiking to natural arches: Natural Bridge State Park offers hiking trails that lead to impressive geological formations. "Princess Arch offers 105ft of elevation and is a quick 0.6 mi hike from the parking loop. There are bathrooms and trash bins at the parking loop," notes one visitor of Red River Gorge Campground.
Kayaking opportunities: Paddling the Red River provides a different perspective of the gorge landscape. "We did an 8-mile kayak down the Red River. Tons to do outdoors in this area of the Red River Gorge," reports a visitor at Lota. Rocks- Land of the Arches Campground.
Lake swimming: Several cabin properties include lake access for summertime recreation. "Since it was so warm, we took a dip in the lake. Our site was spacious and pretty, with plenty of room for our two tents and a hammock," shares a camper at Lago Linda Hideaway.
Rock climbing: The area attracts climbers year-round to its sandstone formations. "This is a climbers haven, so expect to see a lot of 'down to earth', modern 'hippie' types in their converted/or not vans," explains a visitor describing the atmosphere at cabin locations.
What campers like
Private cabin settings: Many cabins offer secluded locations with natural surroundings. "There are several cabins of varying size to rent, one with a HOT TUB! Definitely worth a visit," mentions a visitor to Lago Linda Hideaway.
Community gathering spaces: Some properties feature shared pavilions or lounges. "The Pavilion is a great place to gather and talk with friends or enjoy the big campfire next to it. The Shake Out Lounge has a tv, free wifi and free books to borrow," says a reviewer at Land of the Arches.
Cabin placement variety: Options range from lakeside to forest-enclosed locations. "The cabins are tucked in the trees and are very cozy. The cabin we stayed in on one of our visits, had a queen bed, kitchen area and bathroom with a shower. Plenty of trees to hang a hammock, as well. Some of the cabins overlook the beautiful lake."
Wildlife watching: Natural settings provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "The trail around the lake was very nice, short but hilly so a good morning walk. It rained the first evening which led to some pretty little waterfalls the next day," notes a visitor at HomeGrown HideAways.
What you should know
Seasonal conditions: Winter cabin stays may have limited amenities. "I went during late March and will definitely go again when it's warmer to enjoy swimming in the lake!" mentions one camper.
Grocery access: Remote cabin locations require advance shopping. "Buy groceries before getting to this campground. The nearest grocery store is a SAVE-A-LOT, 20 minutes away," advises a visitor.
Road access challenges: Some cabin properties have difficult entry roads. "The road getting to the campsite is mostly one lane so if you are in an RV, go slow," warns a camper. Another notes: "The entrance to the campground is surprisingly steep."
Ticks in warmer months: Take precautions against ticks during spring and summer. "I will say we found a few lone star ticks (dead thanks to her prevention) on our dog. Just as a heads up to campers. Always do your tick checks!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly cabin amenities: Look for properties with specific family features. "Kids enjoyed the pool, Gaga ball, playground, jumping pillow, and passport activities. Overall an excellent stay!" shares a visitor at Renfro Valley KOA.
Cabin spacing considerations: Family groups need room to spread out. "Our sites are small, not level and in need of some upkeep. Sites are small, and if it were totally full it would be tight between many spaces," notes one reviewer about site selection.
Bathroom access: When traveling with children, cabin bathroom proximity matters. "The bathhouses are heated which was a nice touch since it snowed the other two days I was there," mentions a camper appreciating winter amenities.
Swimming options: Many children enjoy water activities during summer stays. "The lake is perfect for swimming in and has a dock and life jackets for campers use. The gravel/dirt road getting to the lake is steep, so I recommend walking down to the lake."
Tips from RVers
RV accessibility to cabins: Some properties accommodate both cabin rentals and RVs with varying levels of access. "The area for RV's is a little tight in the trees and probably won't accommodate an extremely large vehicle. However, there is a huge open field on further into the camp that should be fairly easy to turn around in," notes a visitor to Natural Bridge Campground.
Utility connections: Hookup options vary widely between properties. "Our site was level, but it was hard to tell the sites if the campground staff hadn't led us to our site. The area around our site was all gravel. Made it a little tricky to see what was a road and what was a site," explains an RVer at Corbin - Laurel Lake KOA.
Leveling challenges: Some cabin areas present difficulties for RVs. "We were in the nicely shaded loop and had more than enough room to set up and visit with each other. My site was big and level," reports a visitor with a tent trailer at Corbin/Laurel Lake KOA.
Site selection strategy: RVers should request specific areas at some properties. "The sites 22-25 are on a hill. I could not pull through the site because of hill. Could not level trailer because when I got it level stairs and front stabilizers would not reach the ground."
