Paintsville Lake and its surrounding area sit in the eastern Kentucky foothills, with elevations ranging from 640 to 1,600 feet throughout the region. Water levels at area lakes can fluctuate 5-8 feet seasonally, affecting shoreline camping and boat launch access. The terrain features a mix of reclaimed mining sites and natural woodland, creating diverse camping environments with varying cell coverage.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Yatesville Lake State Park Campground offers excellent fishing with a dedicated pond. "There is a nice golf course in the park and boating was a popular activity. We had a great picnic on the water too," notes one camper.
Swimming and water activities: Oasis Point RV Resort features a man-made lake with recreational amenities. "They have a large pond that has a nice beach, a huge slide and a zip line. They have kayaks, paddle boards and floats first come first serve," explains a reviewer.
Cave exploration: At Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground, visitors can explore multiple caves and natural bridges. "The park is amazing and I have no idea how it took me 39yrs to find it so close to home. The caves are absolutely amazing and the park has some of the best natural bridges I have ever seen," shares a camper.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the generous spacing between sites at Paintsville Lake State Park Campground. "The sites are spacious and level. The surrounding hills and lake are gorgeous," reports one visitor.
Privacy and quiet: Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. "This campground is just as I'd hoped--small, clean, and peaceful," mentions another Paintsville Lake camper.
Clean facilities: Multiple reviews highlight well-maintained restrooms and grounds. "I checked out the bath house: it's the cleanest I've ever seen! Laundry facilities are available," notes a Paintsville Lake visitor.
Nature immersion: Sheltowee RV Park & Cabins offers a natural setting with wildlife viewing. "It's quite and tucked away. Nature trails, ponds for relaxing and watching the wildlife or fishing," mentions a reviewer.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Cell coverage varies significantly by carrier and location. At Paintsville Lake, Verizon service is reported as poor, while AT&T and T-Mobile work better at other campgrounds.
Distance to hookups: At Carter Caves, some sites require extended connections. "The only issue was that some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up. Thankfully we were able to switch spots instead of renting an extension cord," explains a camper.
Seasonal operation: While Paintsville Lake operates year-round, other parks have limited seasons. Carter Caves and Yatesville Lake operate from April 1 to October 31.
Reservation needs: High demand requires advance planning. "We reserved for the weekend. When we drove up to the campground we did not like the feel so we left. There is no space between sites," reports one Carter Caves visitor, highlighting the importance of researching specific sites.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation access: Outpost Campground & RV Park offers family-friendly swimming. "We stayed 5 nights at the Outpost and the owner was extremely nice! The pool was a nice addition," shares one family.
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. "There is a great, centrally located playground where the kids were able to run around after being in the truck for eight hours," reports an Outpost visitor.
Family-friendly activities: The area provides various options for children. "We pulled into the Outpost late evening, and easily found our reservations, clearly detailed map, and access codes. The pull through sites were all flat and oriented well. We were fully set up in 15 mins," explains a reviewer.
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secure at night. "There are raccoons who like to eat so be sure to put your food up at night," advises a Paintsville Lake camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For RV camping near Paintsville, Kentucky, check site details carefully. "Make sure to check in the details, which sites have sewer as they don't label it full hookups up front. The line of sites along the road into the campground all have sewer holes," advises a Carter Caves visitor.
Utility placement: Many parks have unusual hookup configurations. "Also make sure to check the details, which sites have sewer as they don't label it full hookups up front. The line of sites along the road into the campground all have sewer holes," notes a Carter Caves reviewer.
Access road challenges: Many campgrounds require navigating narrow roads. "The campground was a little confusing at first because the sign says next left, when the next left is the out driveway," explains another Carter Caves visitor.
Site leveling: Most sites require minimal adjustment. "Our site was very level, maybe 1/2" low on the camp side," reports an Oasis Point RV Resort visitor.
