Camping options near Oil Springs, Kentucky range from state park facilities to private RV resorts scattered throughout eastern Kentucky's hill country. The terrain features moderate elevation changes with wooded surroundings and access to multiple waterways including Paintsville Lake. Winter temperatures typically drop to the 30s while summer months average in the mid-80s with moderate humidity that affects camping comfort.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Paintsville Lake State Park Campground offers bank fishing access directly from the campground. "The lake was clean but small. We had a great time and would go again," notes one visitor who stayed during Memorial Day weekend. Another camper mentions, "Fishing was good with rooster tails and panther martin spinners (silver), 1/8 and 1/16 oz."
Water activities: Oasis Point RV Resort & Adventure Lake features a man-made lake with recreational equipment. "They have stand up paddle boards and kayaks. On the other side of the lake there is a large water slide and a zip line that both end in the water," shares one camper. Summer visitors note that equipment is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Kid-friendly amenities: 4 Guys RV Park at Red River Gorge provides multiple recreational facilities on-site. A visitor notes, "They have a small fishing pond, swimming pool, basketball court, and a playground." The campground's location provides access to trails and natural attractions in the Red River Gorge area.
What campers like
Peaceful surroundings: Tent campers at Paintsville Lake appreciate the quiet setting. One camper reports, "We tent camped at one of the hike-in sites at PLSP, #33. This is the first site on your way in... The lake is really calm." The walk-in tent sites offer a buffer from RV areas.
Spacious sites: Many rv camping areas near Oil Springs, Kentucky feature well-designed layouts. A visitor to Sheltowee RV Park & Cabins shared, "The campground is very well maintained. It's quite and tucked away. Nature trails, ponds for relaxing and watching the wildlife or fishing." Sites typically include gravel pads and full hookup options.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistent positive feedback at several campgrounds. One camper at Paintsville Lake noted, "The restrooms are clean. Three showers. NO ONE other than the tent campers seemed to use the bath house so I never waited for a shower." Another visitor described them as "the cleanest I've ever seen!"
What you should know
Cell service challenges: Mobile reception varies significantly by carrier. Sprint users report particularly poor service at Paintsville Lake. A camper noted, "I had terrible phone service with Sprint here." Some campgrounds offer WiFi to compensate for limited cellular reception.
Reservation difficulties: Securing spots at popular campgrounds requires advance planning. One visitor to Paintsville Lake reported, "I tried for two years before I finally got a reservation. While we were camping, I checked again and it was all booked up all summer, crazy."
Wildlife encounters: Backwoods Camping & RV Park and similar campgrounds in the area have active wildlife. A camper mentioned enjoying "quiet nights (other than woodland animals)." At Paintsville Lake, visitors warn, "There are raccoons who like to eat so be sure to put your food up at night."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water access specifically designed for children. At Paintsville Lake, "There is some access right at the campground for littles to get in the water. I really recommend water shoes as there are some hooks/lures in the water."
Playground access: Outpost Campground & RV Park maintains central recreational areas for children. A visitor notes, "There is a great, centrally located playground where the kids were able to run around after being in the truck for eight hours." Playground equipment is typically standard with swings and climbing structures.
Kid-friendly staff: Campground operators often provide special attention to families. A camper at Outpost shared, "We stayed 5 nights at the Outpost and the owner was extremely nice! Brought me some fresh tomatoes and watermelon for my birthday!" Many campgrounds maintain small stores with essential supplies for family needs.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: RV campers report varying experiences with site grading. At Valley Breeze RV Campground, visitors appreciate that the grounds are "very well kept and clean" with good amenities including full hookups. Site preparation typically involves minimal leveling on maintained gravel pads.
Overnight restrictions: Some RV parks limit stay durations. One visitor to Valley Breeze reported asking for a 4-night stay but was told "overnight only." Travelers planning extended stays should call ahead to confirm multi-night availability rather than relying solely on online information.
Summer shade considerations: Several newer RV parks near Oil Springs lack mature trees. A visitor to 4 Guys RV Park noted, "My only complaint, and I will say it is a very small complaint — it must be a relatively new park because there are no shade trees." During summer months, temperatures in the high 80s make shade a premium feature for rv camping in eastern Kentucky.
