RV camping near Morehead, Kentucky centers around Cave Run Lake, a 8,270-acre reservoir with 83 miles of shoreline. The Daniel Boone National Forest surrounds the camping areas, with elevations ranging from 730 to 1,300 feet. Campgrounds in the region operate on varied schedules, with most closed from November through April due to winter conditions that bring average lows of 22°F in January.
What to do
Kayaking at The Ole Cornfield: Located on the Licking River, this campground offers kayak rentals and shuttle service. "The grandkids love to play in the river, which is about 1 to 2 feet deep at this location. Great for wading and catching minnows, crawdads, and such," notes a visitor at The Ole Cornfield.
Cave exploration at Carter Caves: The state park features multiple cave systems with ranger-guided tours available. A camper mentioned, "The caves are great to explore as well. Grab a ranger-guided tour and learn something! Great for the kids!" Tours run year-round with rates from $8-15 depending on the cave.
Natural bridges and hiking: Carter Caves State Resort Park offers numerous marked hiking trails featuring natural arches. "The park has a lot to do, not just the caves. There's tons of waterfalls off the trails, and other things to see," reports one reviewer at Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground.
Fishing at Oasis Point: The resort maintains a designated fishing pond with catch-and-release policies. "Great fishing, kind people, and wonderful views," states one visitor. The pond requires no additional permits beyond standard Kentucky fishing licenses.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention the spacing between campsites at Twin Knobs. "The campground is in a wooded area and each campsite is separate by woods from the nearby sites," explains a reviewer at Twin Knobs Recreation Area.
Water activities: Many campgrounds feature direct water access. "We went kayaking (they have a kayaking service on site) and played in the river. Far enough away from the road that we didn't hear any noise, just the river running," shares a camper at The Ole Cornfield.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high in visitor priorities. "The bath/shower house is really clean and with heat/air. They provide fire rings, tables, and wood," notes a reviewer, while another at Zilpo Campground states, "Great campground with a lot of privacy!"
Level camping pads: Campsites throughout the region feature well-maintained gravel pads. "Our campsite drained the rain off really well. The site is level and graveled," reports a Twin Knobs visitor who experienced several days of rain.
What you should know
Extension cords and water hoses needed: At Carter Caves, hookup locations can be distant from pads. "The only issue was that some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up. Thankfully we were able to switch spots instead of renting an extension cord," warns one camper.
Seasonal popularity: Weekends see significantly higher occupancy rates. A visitor at Outpost Campground & RV Park shared, "Very full this weekend. Stayed 3 nights as a rest point in our travels. Very clean and well laid out."
Rock-based camping surfaces: Twin Knobs features rock sites rather than grass. "You camp on rock sites so it drains great if it rains," explains one camper, noting the practical benefit during wet weather.
Limited shade at newer campgrounds: Some recently developed areas lack mature trees. A visitor at 4 Guys RV Park noted, "My only complaint, and I will say it is a very small complaint — it must be a relatively new park because there are no shade trees."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At 4 Guys RV Park, a visitor praised "a small fishing pond, swimming pool, basketball court, and a playground."
Water features for children: Many campgrounds incorporate kid-friendly water activities. "This is great for beginning kayakers. The tent sites along the river are so peaceful with the river running below you," shares a camper at The Ole Cornfield.
Organized activities: Some parks offer structured recreation options. "There is a great, centrally located playground where the kids were able to run around after being in the truck for eight hours," notes a visitor at Outpost Campground, highlighting the benefit after long travel days.
Weekend scheduling: Family-oriented events increase during peak times. "Halloween is a hoot," mentions a Carter Caves visitor, referencing the popular seasonal activities that draw families with children.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and access: Several reviewers note the importance of checking specific site details. "There are about 20 or so sites that are back in for the 'Backyard' that has fire pits, picnic tables, playground equipment, and large tent. All of the sites in this area are gravel, and have 50/30/20 amp, water and sewer hookups," details a camper at Oasis Point RV Resort.
Late arrival procedures: Some campgrounds provide after-hours check-in options. "We pulled in late, around 7:30pm and had been in contact with Justin prior to arrival. He was waiting for us with a colleague and escorted us to our site," shares a visitor at The Ole Cornfield.
Laundry access: Limited campgrounds offer laundry facilities. "Laundry was inexpensive and accessible all hours," notes an Outpost Campground visitor, providing a valuable practical detail for extended stays.
Off-season availability: Year-round options exist for winter camping. "We have been here for a month. It's very quiet, they have a beautiful lake for fishing only," reports a long-term visitor at Oasis Point, confirming the campground's extended-stay capabilities.
