Campgrounds near Mount Eden, Kentucky range from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV accommodations. The area sits at approximately 850 feet above sea level in the rolling hills of central Kentucky, characterized by limestone terrain and mixed hardwood forests. Summer temperatures often reach the upper 80s while winter lows can drop below freezing, making spring and fall optimal for comfortable camping experiences.
What to do
Hiking trails with water features: The Pioneer Trail at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground offers moderate terrain for day hiking. "Plenty of places to visit while here. We did parts of the bourbon trail and just enjoyed our time at the campsite," notes Joe B. Some trails require navigation skills as Justin S. explains, "Several spots were overgrown and not marked so you had to guess a little bit until you ran back into a well worn trail."
Fishing opportunities: Guist Creek Marina & Campground provides lake access for anglers, though experiences vary. "The lake is beautiful. Dog and I took a little canoe ride," says Brandon E. The campground offers fishing licenses at their store, which campers appreciate for convenience.
Distillery tours: The Bardstown area near White Acres Campground serves as an excellent base for bourbon enthusiasts. "Being minutes away from all the Bardstown brewery's this is a MUST SEE PLACE!" shares Justin W. Another camper mentions, "If you want easy access to Bardstown and the various Bourbon Distillery Tours this place will work."
What campers like
Riverfront experiences: Cummins Ferry RV Park offers sites overlooking the Kentucky River with walking trails. "We loved the walking trails along the river! We had kids that fished and played in the playground and sat by the fire every night!" reports Maison H. The natural setting provides a peaceful backdrop for camping.
Farm animal interactions: Wildcat Creek Farm offers a unique camping experience with resident animals. "The resident goats, mules, donkeys and horses are very friendly - just like the hosts!" says Elizabeth R. Another camper notes, "A campsite settled upon the bank of the Kentucky River with a friendly farm cat, goats, horses and cow we delighted in a campfire as the sun set."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain good bathroom facilities. At Elkhorn Campground, Tim F. appreciates the "great pool and bathhouse with full bath suites in beautiful tile. Very clean." While at Lake Shelby, Jenny O. found that "the shower facilities were clean" though another camper noted bathhouses "could have been a lot cleaner."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require equipment for leveling. At Cummins Ferry, one camper warns, "The sites here are not level. We used our normal 2x green blocks for the Jack, but needed all 10 of our leveling blocks, plus 8 paving stones to get the appropriate height."
Variable tent site configurations: Different campgrounds offer varied tent experiences. At Lake Shelby Campground, Pj F. describes site #11: "nice shade tree, lots of roots exposed, set up tent on stone to avoid roots. Great space between the tent sites, but virtually no real privacy as public traffic into park was steady."
Staff availability fluctuations: Justin S. observed at Taylorsville Lake: "The main overall issue is the lack of staffing. I'm not sure if it's the usual or if there is a lack of staff in general but we got in shortly after 7PM and there was no ranger or staff to be found to get firewood."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some locations feature kid-friendly areas. Heather K. at Taylorsville Lake appreciated that the "playground was close and perfect for everyone to go run and play." Maison H. mentions that at Cummins Ferry, "We had kids that fished and played in the playground."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer chances to observe local animals. At Lake Shelby, one camper was impressed with the "awesome wildlife for a park within the city: herons, geese (except for poop), ducks, turtles, beavers."
Educational experiences: Kentucky Horse Park Campground combines camping with learning opportunities. "Great place to take the family! A lot of Kentucky heritage here!" notes David O. Another camper recommends, "Right next-door to the Kentucky Horse Park, which is a must see. Very interesting museum and lots of barn with different types of horses."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Chase G. advises, "The best site, in my opinion, is site 26. It is more private, has a wide pad and a little 'yard' to the side. Site 20 is one to avoid. It's at the corner of the loop, across from a dumpster, right next to the bathroom AND the dump station."
Hookup considerations: RV sites vary significantly in amenities. At White Acres, Rick G. found, "Utilities all worked, but this is a no fringe experience." Another camper noted the campground has "full hookups for 50 amp" but warns there's "no laundry on site and only one local laundromat."
Parking logistics: Some campgrounds have specific parking arrangements. At Louisville South KOA, Craig F. observed, "The sites were close to each other but provided plenty of space for the average sized rig. Many were longer than other KOAs, which enabled the tow vehicle and TT to be parked."
