Glamping in Oil Springs, Kentucky offers a rustic escape in the eastern Kentucky hills at elevations between 700-1,200 feet. Winters can drop below freezing while summers reach the mid-80s with high humidity. Terrain consists primarily of wooded hillsides with some water features, creating varied camping conditions across different elevations.
What to do
**Hiking trails: Access natural features at Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground where various landscapes await exploration. "Almost every hike is relatively short with an arch or natural bridge as a feature," notes Bryan G., highlighting the geological formations unique to this area.
**Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at Cave Run Lake where water activities dominate recreational options. One camper shares, "Very clean and fun lake, close to campgrounds, boat rentals, marina, and hiking close."
**Caving adventures: Explore underground at Carter Caves where guided tours provide educational experiences. "Various levels of cabing experience at a reasonable cost," according to Bryan G., making it accessible for different age groups and experience levels.
**Mountain biking: Find trails directly from Twin Knobs Recreation Area campsites. A visitor explained, "There are mountain biking trails that you can access right from the campground so that was nice."
What campers like
**Lakeside camping: Zilpo Campground offers direct water access with privacy between sites. "Great campground with a lot of privacy!" reports Angie F., highlighting the secluded nature of the sites despite lake proximity.
**Varied accommodation options: From primitive tents to luxury glamping, the region provides multiple comfort levels. At Twin Knobs, one visitor notes, "The campground is in a wooded area and each campsite is separate by woods from the nearby sites."
**Peace and quiet: Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours for tranquil evenings. At Jenny Wiley, Marc H. observed, "I spent a Friday night there in late June 2020. Most of the campers were in RVs. I found a site at the end of a cul-de-sac away from the other campers. It appeared that the campers observed the quiet hours rules."
**Natural beauty: The surroundings feature dramatic rock formations and water features. At Red River Adventures, one camper appreciates "Hanson's point at the red river gorge is often called the best view of the Gorge. To get to Hanson's point you'll have to earn it by hiking for about 2.5 miles, but trust me when I say it's worth it."
What you should know
**Water conditions vary: Some lakes have water quality concerns. At Jenny Wiley, Carrie J. advises, "Be warned, the lake is gross. People using house boats are known to dump waste directly into the lake. If you don't plan on diving in and would rather just fish and hike, make time to take a trip here."
**Site hookups: Water and electric connections may require extra equipment. At Carter Caves, campers report, "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites though."
**Cell service limitations: Connectivity is spotty throughout the region. At Jenny Wiley State Park Campground, Frances F. noted, "No WiFi no tv reception," while another visitor specified areas with better reception: "the Lodge (and Dewey's, the local 'watering hole')... are the best places for getting a cell phone signal."
**Seasonal operations: Most glamping sites run April through October. The operating season at Twin Knobs runs "April 25 to November 2," while Cave Run Lake operates similarly during warmer months.
Tips for camping with families
**Children's activities: Ashland Huntington West KOA offers family-friendly amenities. Brooke V. recommends, "Loved the fenced in soft play area for the toddlers. Great field for flying kites," adding "Pool was small but big enough to enjoy."
**Safety equipment: Bring proper gear for water activities. At Jenny Wiley, a local camper advises, "IF YOU ARE AT A LAKESIDE CAMPING SITE, HAVE A LIFE JACKET ON AT ALL TIMES! You might fall into the water by accident or you may have to jump into the lake at night in case of emergency!"
**Wildlife precautions: Be prepared for local fauna. The same Jenny Wiley visitor warns, "BEAR MACE - A BIG CAN OF IT! Not only do you have the Black Bears to deal with, you have the Coyotes too!"
**Campsite selection: Choose sites based on proximity to amenities. At Twin Knobs, families appreciate that "There are shower and toilet facilities close by," making hygiene maintenance easier with children.
Tips from RVers
**Hookup challenges: At Lago Linda Hideaway, RV campers should plan accordingly. "There are limited 30 amp sites and several sites with electric. Lazy Oaks and Piney are in the trees, Cardinal which is good for larger RVs is in the field, no shade," advises Shelly S.
**Site layout considerations: Some parks have unusual utility arrangements. At Jenny Wiley, one camper observed, "Campsites are set up were the water hookups at in front of your camper. Bring long water hose."
**Drainage quality: Weather can impact site conditions. At Twin Knobs, Karen P. reports, "We stayed June 5th through June 9th and it rained every day, a lot. Our campsite (A-30) drained the rain off really well."
**Dump station access: Some facilities may have maintenance issues. One Jenny Wiley visitor warned after a difficult stay, "Dump station overflowed and closed," suggesting that backup options should be identified for waste disposal.
