Camping options near Mount Washington, Kentucky span from established state parks to smaller private campgrounds within 30 miles of town. The area sits in the Ohio River Valley, averaging 46 inches of annual rainfall with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F. Most campgrounds in the region remain open April through October, with limited winter accommodations.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation changes: Charlestown State Park offers several challenging routes with varied terrain. "Very beautiful trails, including trail 6 with the waterfalls," notes a visitor at Charlestown State Park Campground. The park has both shorter and longer options ranging from 1.5 to 13 miles.
Bourbon trail access: Bardstown serves as a hub for distillery tours, making it a popular base camp. "Being minutes away from all the Bardstown breweries, this is a MUST SEE PLACE," writes a camper staying at White Acres Campground. Many visitors schedule multiple days to visit several distilleries.
Lake activities and fishing: Several campgrounds offer water access for boating, fishing, and paddling. "There are several docks and a boat ramp. You can rent a paddle boat or canoe," explains a camper at Lake Shelby Campground, though they noted adult supervision is required for canoe rentals.
What campers like
Secluded natural settings: Despite proximity to urban areas, some campgrounds offer surprisingly secluded experiences. "Loved hitting the bourbon trail and being able to head back into nature! This place afforded us the ability to enjoy the city and then kick back at a nice scenic spot," reports a visitor at Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground.
Maintained recreation facilities: Many campgrounds offer family recreation options beyond trails. "The jump pillow, playground, and pool areas provide family recreation," mentions a Louisville South KOA visitor. Another notes, "There is a pool, play/game area, bounce pillow, and 2 miles of hiking trails around the campground."
Pet-friendly trails: For travelers with dogs, Jefferson Memorial Forest provides extensive trail access. "Lots of trees for hammocking. Lots of downed wood for easy collecting, lots of trails ranging from 1.5 to 13.0 miles through gorgeous mixed forest of old and new growth," writes a camper, making it suitable for those seeking pet-friendly camping near Mount Washington.
What you should know
Airport noise impacts: Several campgrounds experience flight path noise that can disrupt the camping experience. One Jefferson Memorial camper warns: "The campground sits below the route to Louisville's international airport. For an hour or two in the morning and afternoon, huge jets fly right over the campgrounds. Really throws me out of my mood."
Reservation policies vary: Some private campgrounds have strict payment requirements. "Made a reservation. I had read the reviews about reservations being canceled due to non-payment, so knew I would have to follow up with payment," reports a Little Patch of Heaven visitor who subsequently had difficulty securing a spot after missing payment deadlines.
Limited winter options: Most state parks close seasonal campgrounds by December. Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground operates April 1 to December 15, while My Old Kentucky Home State Park runs April 1 to October 31. For year-round camping near Mount Washington, Kentucky, private options like White Acres typically remain open.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: When selecting a site, consider proximity to play areas. "Playground was close and perfect for everyone to go run and play. Reservations were easy and staff friendly," notes a family at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground.
Historical sites: Families can combine outdoor recreation with educational opportunities. "We toured the My Old Kentucky Home historic house and gardens with our kids (13 & 5) and everyone enjoyed it," shares a visitor, highlighting options beyond typical campground activities.
Site selection for comfort: Choose sites carefully based on amenities and layout. "Most of the sites were really big, and there was plenty of space and trees in between," observes a Taylorsville Lake camper, though they caution, "We stayed at site P02, but I don't recommend that specific site. It was probably the worst site in the primitive camp... It was far from flat."
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Several campgrounds have shorter-than-average sites. "Very weird at first as the sites are 20 feet long, but they allow front ends to stick out," explains an RVer at Lake Shelby. Another notes, "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."
Parking configurations: Look for campgrounds with extra parking areas. "It was awesome backing into the spot as there is ample asphalt in front of all the sites," notes a visitor at Lake Shelby Campground. "The sights are easy pull through spots," mentions a Little Patch of Heaven camper, though they add it's "really just a place to come back to at night."
Utility hookups: Full hookup availability varies widely between campgrounds. "All 50 amp full hook up sites. Every site has a picnic table and a fire pit," reports a reviewer at Brooks RV Park, which offers better connections than many nearby options for those seeking pet-friendly RV camping near Mount Washington.
