Tent camping near Parkers Lake, Kentucky offers backcountry solitude in the Daniel Boone National Forest at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,100 feet. The area experiences humid summers with temperatures typically reaching 85-90°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall bring milder weather and spectacular forest color changes. Winter camping is possible at certain sites that remain open year-round, though temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
Horseback riding excursions: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park provides guided 45-minute trail rides suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike. According to a camper at Clifty Campground, "Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is the perfect destination to introduce the family to the thrill of horseback riding... Riders, age 6 and up will enjoy a 45-minute ride through an eastern Kentucky forest, beautiful in any season."
Disc golf course: Pulaski County Park offers a challenging disc golf course that takes you through varied terrain. A visitor noted, "The disc golf will take you on quite a hike and to another parking lot and trailhead totally outside the park."
Kayaking to remote sites: For adventurous campers, paddling to Grove Boat-In Campground offers a unique experience. One camper shared, "I parked at the Grove marina and packed all I could on my kayak and headed to the sites. This was a pretty decent paddle away and I waited til too late to get there."
Winter exploration: White Oak Boat-In Campground can be accessed during winter months using alternative transportation. A reviewer mentioned, "You can XC ski or snowshoe to the site (3+ miles) in the winter. Great wildlife all year."
What campers like
Privacy at select sites: Clifty Campground offers a few secluded tent sites away from the main camping area. A reviewer stated, "I loved site 48 at Clifty Campground. It was the most secluded spot we could find. Definitely book ahead of time if you can."
Spacious wooded sites: White Oak Boat-In Campground provides tent sites with more room to spread out. According to a visitor, "Great spacious sites, beautiful and wooded. It's a medium sized campground."
Hiking trail variety: The network of trails around Pulaski County Park offers diverse terrain and experiences. As one camper described, "The trails are varied and pretty cool. They twist and turn and cross creeks and hill tops. I won't say they're easy to navigate but it's doable if you pay attention to the names and direction you're going."
Moonbow viewing: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park stays open until midnight during certain moon phases. A camper noted, "The moon bow is best when the moon is high over the falls. We were hoping to see it around sun set at 9:30 - 10:00 but we actually had to stay later."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campsite quality varies significantly within the same campground. At Pulaski County Park, a camper advised, "The campsites are close together, so perhaps we just got unlucky with our 'neighbors'. We do visit a lot during the day just to swim at the lake and give the kids playtime."
Trail mapping challenges: Trail signage can be inconsistent and sometimes misleading. A hiker at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park warned, "Even some of the signs such as where the waterfall was for the nearby Dog Slaughter Falls Trail said the falls were 1 mile away but it was actually several more miles. I used the All Trails App and kept track of the miles on my Fitbit."
Seasonal closures: Always check if your chosen campground is open. A visitor to Rockcastle noted, "Campground is closed, but the boat launch is open. Might be able to park in boat launch parking. Clean pit toilets."
Boat-in site planning: When camping at boat-in sites, arrive with plenty of daylight. A kayaker shared, "This was a pretty decent paddle away and I waited til too late to get there. It was dark once I set up but an awesome couple helped me with fire wood."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Pulaski County Park offers designated swimming areas suitable for children. A reviewer mentioned, "There's a very large walking trail, and archery area. You can put a boat right in at their little dock as well. The lake view is gorgeous. There's many places for kids to play, a basketball court, volleyball court, disk golf, and a small beach area."
Pool access at Clifty: Clifty Campground provides convenient access to a swimming pool. According to a camper, "The perk about the Clifty campsites is that they are close to the pool. You can easily walk to the pool with your family when it opens. The pool is free for campers."
Pre-download maps: Cell service is spotty throughout the region. A visitor advised, "I would pre-download maps for the area on All Trails as that was extremely helpful. We did have cell phone service (Verizon) at the campground. My friend that was T-Mobile did not have cell service."
Off-peak visits: For a quieter family experience, avoid summer weekends. One camper noted, "Very busy on labor day weekend!!" while another mentioned weekdays offered more solitude.
Tips from RVers
Site restrictions: At Hidden Ridge Camping, tent sites are spacious but don't accommodate RVs. A reviewer commented, "These sites are spacious and secluded, the perfect spot for your next family adventure."
Limited RV-friendly options: The majority of boat-in and remote tent sites in the region exclude larger vehicles. As one camper at White Oak Boat-In Campground explained, "It can't be accessed by car but you can bike in on a dirt service road. Most of the docks are quite small, so plan to visit by small boat or by canoe/kayak, though we did see some larger boats at some of the docks."
Parking challenges: Some campgrounds have tight parking that requires careful maneuvering. A camper at Clifty Campground shared, "I had to be careful when parking as I had to avoid the water supply, 2 trees, a safety pole for the water supply (painted brown), electricity box, and then the drop off on the other side of the road. It did take a few turns to get in and out of the campsite."
