Best Campgrounds near Prospect, KY

The Ohio River valley shapes camping options near Prospect, Kentucky, with established campgrounds like Louisville North Campground and Deam Lake State Recreation Area among the closest facilities. Campers can find a range of accommodation types throughout the region, including full-hookup RV sites, tent camping areas, and cabin rentals. Several developed campgrounds within a 30-minute drive offer electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, while more rustic options exist along Knobstone Trail for those seeking a backcountry experience.

Seasonal considerations affect campground availability, with many established campgrounds operating year-round while others have specific opening dates. "Campsites 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," noted one visitor to Taylorsville Lake State Park. Water levels on nearby lakes and rivers can fluctuate seasonally, particularly after heavy rainfall. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near developed campgrounds closer to Louisville and more limited connectivity in forested areas. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities fill quickly.

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive feedback from visitors, with lakeside sites at Lake Shelby and riverfront locations near the Ohio River being particularly popular. Campers frequently mention the accessibility of fishing opportunities, with multiple campgrounds providing dock access or boat launches. Several reviews highlight the convenience of camping facilities that balance natural settings with proximity to Louisville's attractions. Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds, with state parks generally offering more reliable amenities than smaller private facilities. Noise levels differ between locations, with campgrounds closer to highways or urban areas experiencing more ambient sound than those in more remote settings like Jefferson Memorial Forest, where reviewers appreciate the seclusion and natural surroundings.

Best Camping Sites Near Prospect, Kentucky (69)

    1. Charlestown State Park Campground

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

    $30 - $40 / night

    "The spots were decently spaced out, the bathrooms are clean, and there are some hiking trails from the campground."

    "There is always a bathhouse close by and they are usually very clean. Staff is always super nice."

    2. Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground

    18 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    16 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."

    3. Add-More Campground

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

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

    4. Horine Reservation Camping at Jefferson County Memorial Forest

    18 Reviews
    Fairdale, KY
    20 miles
    Website

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Having lived 62 years in Kentucky, less than twenty minutes from the Jeff. Forest, leaving to explore USA, then returning to my home state allows me a unique point of view."

    "Tent sites have so many trees surrounding them. If you're looking for more privacy anything off of the loop will do just fine."

    5. Louisville North Campground

    5 Reviews
    Clarksville, IN
    9 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. Clifty Falls State Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Madison, IN
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 273-8885

    $19 - $32 / night

    "Most of the sites border wooded areas, so they are in the open. Great access to the hiking trails, and the nice lodge for those who may want to check-in to a room or enjoy the indoor pool."

    "If you live outside of Indiana you have to pay a $9 entrance fee on top of the campground reservation fee, which makes for a pricey weekend trip for those on a budget."

    7. Louisville South KOA

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

    "Will absolutely come back again especially with the proximity to the city but having peace and quiet to the south. The walking trail was much longer than expected and really nice."

    "There was corn hole, ladder ball, pool, walking trails, access to the river, cat fish pond, small dog park, and washers & dryers."

    8. Lake Shelby Campground

    14 Reviews
    Shelbyville, KY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 633-5069

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Lots of mud still around the camp sites. A nice parking lot in front of sites to back your rig up. Pads are small in length so be aware of that when it mentions it on the website."

    "RV sites and tent sites lakeside. Fishing, ducks. $5 swimming pool nearby. $20/night tents. Showers and restrooms. Nice parks nearby for equestrian, playground, disk golf course."

    9. Knobstone Trail

    4 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 358-2160

    "The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail snd creek beds."

    "Most people, even Hoosiers don't realize the Knobstone Trail exists. It's often referred to The Little AT by those who know about it. It's no walk in the park."

    10. Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground

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

    $24 - $50 / night

    "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."

    "Better if you have a boat ( or rent one at the marina across the lake) good access to the lake, gets busy in the summer. Stores in decent proximity off property. Can get loud at times."

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Recent Reviews near Prospect, KY

530 Reviews of 69 Prospect 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 Prospect

Camping near Prospect, Kentucky, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From beautiful landscapes to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this area.

What to do:

  • Explore the Kentucky Horse Park: This campground, located at Kentucky Horse Park Campground, is surrounded by horse country and features beautiful rolling hills. One visitor mentioned, "Beautiful campground surrounded by horse country," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Visit Big Bone Lick State Park: At Big Bone Lick State Park Campground, you can enjoy hiking trails and a museum. A reviewer noted, "A well-groomed and cared for campground surrounded by a museum, bison prairie, hiking trails & other outdoor activities."
  • Hike at Clifty Falls State Park: The Clifty Falls State Park Campground offers stunning trails. One camper shared, "The trails were really great! It was hot (July) and the wooded hiking trails helped keep us comfortable."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Kentucky Horse Park Campground said, "Very nice grounds, clean restrooms, and quiet."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer plenty of space between sites. A reviewer at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Sites are not tight but spread out and plenty of space."
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Whispering Hills RV Park have amenities for kids, including inflatables and a pool. One parent noted, "This park is great for kids. From the inflatables to the pool to the weekend activities."

What you should know:

  • Level sites can be hard to find: Some campgrounds have uneven ground. A camper at Clifty Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites suck not level," so be prepared with leveling blocks.
  • Limited cell service: Many areas have spotty cell reception. A visitor at Spring Mill State Park Campground noted, "I usually have 1-2 bars with Verizon."
  • Busy during peak seasons: Campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially during holidays. A reviewer at Patoka Lake Campground said, "It got crowded with all the lake people wanting to shower frequently."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose campgrounds with amenities: Look for places like Starve Hollow State Recreation Area that offer clean facilities and fun activities. A family shared, "The bathrooms and showers were clean. We will definitely be going back to this jewel of a campground."
  • Plan for wildlife: Be cautious of raccoons and other animals. A camper at Big Bone Lick State Park Campground warned, "Put ALL your food away! Even scraps and Yes even DOG FOOD."
  • Bring outdoor games: Many campgrounds have open spaces perfect for games. A visitor at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "We really enjoyed this park. Plenty of room for camper and car."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check for electric hookups: Make sure your campground has the right hookups for your RV. A reviewer at Whispering Hills RV Park said, "Lovely water pressure, clean bathrooms, lots of showers."
  • Be prepared for tight spots: Some campgrounds have close sites. A visitor at Whispering Hills RV Park noted, "Spots were a smidge tight but totally do-able."
  • Bring extension cords: Many sites require longer cords for hookups. A camper at My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground advised, "Be prepared for required extensions to your power and water hoses."

Camping near Prospect, Kentucky, has a lot to offer, so pack your bags and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Prospect, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Prospect, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 69 campgrounds and RV parks near Prospect, KY and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Prospect, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Prospect, KY is Charlestown State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Prospect, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Prospect, KY.