Nolin River Lake offers premium yurt camping options located at the heart of south-central Kentucky's cave country. The lake sits at approximately 515 feet above sea level when at normal pool levels and covers over 5,800 acres with 150 miles of shoreline. Temperatures range from mid-80s in summer to below freezing in winter months, making late spring through early fall the ideal season for yurt accommodations. The surrounding hardwood forests provide natural habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and numerous bird species that campers might encounter during their stay.
What to do
Hiking trail exploration: The area features multiple trail systems for hikers of all skill levels. At Nolin Lake State Park Campground, the extensive trail network allows for serious distance hiking. One camper noted, "We loved the quaintness of the park, the sites are very roomy and flat. We put in over 14 miles of hiking there."
Cave tours: Located just 15-20 minutes from the lake, Mammoth Cave Campground provides access to the world's longest known cave system. A visitor mentioned, "Make sure you check out the tour offerings online well before your visit and reserve a place. If you wait until your visit you will probably have a hard time getting past the cathedral."
Fishing opportunities: The lake offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. Many sites have direct water access where campers can fish right from their campsite. According to one camper at Baileys Point, "We love that our boat can be moored into a cove very near site. Always beautiful views of Barren River Lake."
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, the lake supports swimming, boating, and paddling. "The campground has two tent camping locations and a rv area. The scenery was amazing. Highly recommend campsite 23 by the beach, it has the best view," shared a Nolin Lake visitor.
What campers like
Lakefront access: Many campsites offer direct water proximity, especially valued by boaters and anglers. At Baileys Point, "We had reservations for a cave tour dec22. We didn't stay at the campground. We parked our 40ft skoolie in the parking lot of the visitors center and slept there for 2 nights. Thanks to the park ranger who didn't make us leave and told us to enjoy our visit!"
Spacious campsites: The yurt and glamping sites around Nolin Lake typically feature larger-than-average spaces. A visitor noted, "The tent campground has spacious, level sites. The sites are located in a grove of pine trees, which makes for well shaded sites with a pleasant surface of soft pine straw to pitch your tents."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent positive feedback from visitors. At Diamond Caverns RV Resort and Golf, one guest mentioned, "Helpful and over-the-top nice office staff. We arrived early and they made room for us."
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting provides opportunities for wildlife observation. One camper at Mammoth Cave noted, "Very clean & quiet! The wildlife are very friendly!" while another mentioned, "Deer & turkey walk thru ur campsite!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: During peak season (May-September), yurt accommodations book quickly. "This campground books 6 months out. Very hard to get a spot, but so worth it!" according to one Nolin Lake camper.
Weather considerations: The region experiences high humidity in summer months. A visitor at Cave Creek - Rough River Lake shared, "Just know that in June, it's hot as heck and 100% humidity here."
Site selection: Not all sites offer the same amenities or setting. "The older sites are more established with shade but most are gravel and not as easy to access while walking or biking. The newer section have paved roads and new playgrounds. Downfall is zero shade," explained a camper about site differences.
Insect preparation: Ticks and other insects can be prevalent in warmer months. One Nolin Lake camper advised, "Really nothing bad to say at all (except for all the ticks....spray up)!!!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer specifically designed areas and activities for children. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave, "This is the kind of campground you can take your kids, never leave the campground, and have fun for days. We did arts and crafts, bingo, trick or treating, watched the golf cart parade, played on several of the different playgrounds, and putt putt golf."
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with beach access or pools. "Karst beach is so nice with the wibit (extra cost but worth it). The pools are OK in my opinion," mentioned one family about their experience.
Playground access: Multiple play areas keep kids entertained. A visitor noted, "Awesome playgrounds. Will be back. Lots of things for the children to do."
Pet-friendly considerations: Many families travel with pets, and several campgrounds accommodate them well. "They have a very nice dog park with obstacles for them in a central location to be accessed by everyone," explained one camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require extra preparation for level setup. One RVer at Diamond Caverns mentioned, "Even on the concrete pad, we had to level side to side."
Power management: Electrical service quality varies between campgrounds. "Would have got 5 stars but the power would spike several times a day to 129-132 volts setting off alarm in coach. Highly recommend Surge Protector at this park," advised an RV camper.
Access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. An RVer shared, "The road is twisty and skinny. I'm not pulling a boat and would be concerned about passing in the curves."
Dump station timing: Plan accordingly for end-of-stay services. "Also gets a little crowded at the dump station on the weekends at check our time," noted one RVer about weekend departures.
