Are you in need of a campground near Rough River Lake, KY? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Rough River Lake, KY. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
$20 - $60 / night
"Axtel is a nice COE campground on Rough River Lake. Very family friendly and clean."
"Axtel is located on the shore of Rough River Lake and has over 150 camp sites. Almost every site has quick access and/or views of the lake. There is a designated swimming and beach area."
$18 - $50 / night
"It was empty, possibly because it has no direct access to the lake? It is a nice shaded area, very open, spread throughout a small hilly area."
"Cave creek is conveniently close to the water. Setting up was fast easy and convenient."
$25 - $50 / night
"This campground is a walking distance to the visitors center. It's a well established campground and geared towards folks visiting mammoth caves."
"green river, which was enjoyed by all, and we appreciated avoiding the main entrance besieged by spring break campers!"
$27 - $45 / night
"Near Brownsville, Ky and a little off the beaten path. But definitely worth a visit or two."
"This lakeside getaway is one that will keep us coming back!! If you've never been to Kentucky...this will keep you coming back to the Bluegrass to camp for years to come!"
$20 - $60 / night
"There is a day use area in between the first and second campgrounds with a short nature trail."
"Close to Litchfield in Grayson county KY. Also has people selling wood along the way. Dollar general within a few miles for supplies."
"The Rough River Lodge , Falls of Rough , Ky no longer has a campground co-located, it was closed a few years ago when the dam was renovated."
"We stay in various places all over the park and the best thing about this is there are no fees to access the public areas of the dam to fish or lake!"
$20 - $60 / night
$18 - $50 / night
".**
Campground Review: Coming from Western Kentucky Parkway W or KY I65 either way you drive in to **Moutardier Campground you will"
"It is located on Nolin River Lake. Our site was lakeside which was beautiful (Site D6). This campsite offered electric/water hookup, fire pit, picnic table, filet table, bathrooms, and showers. "
$18 - $50 / night
"Wax Campground is located on Nolin River Lake, which is managed by the Army Corp of Engineers. Translated; well maintained, picturesque and organized."
"The area surrounds Lake Nolan, which is an added bonus. The water was warm and calm. It is off the beaten path and you are about 30 min from a grocery store, so make sure you stock up before you go."
GuideGreat overnight stop on our drive from Tennessee to Indiana. The hosts Valette and Greg were absolutely wonderful. The campground was well tended with a playground for the little ones. We don’t have little ones, but I couldn’t resist a ride on the merry-go-round! The facilities were pristine with piping hot showers that had great water pressure. Perfect TMobile signal and ***free WiFi *** which allowed us to get some work done. Conveniently located near 65 without too much traffic noise. Would definitely return here. Pick site 14 for the best view beside the lake.
TravelerThis is a bare bones location. There was evidence of a homemade fire pit and a small cleared area. No cell service at the site but there was a bar or two on the road just a few feet away. With a weboost there was att and tmobile service. Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there. 38.515995, -85.870726, 871 ft
TravelerNice quiet place. Very level. He takes very good care of the lot with gravel. The owner also runs an RV repair so you can get on-site repairs. Very useful. The shower house and bathroom are for emergency use only. Laundry room has a four-digit security code to get in. Most of the people staying here are long-term or semi-long-term. Lots of pipeline inspectors currently. Everyone has really nice rigs. Rate discount rates for 6 months or longer. Everything included except electric. Meters red monthly. Accepts mail delivery and package delivery.
TravelerNice facilities. Camping spots not on top of each other. Great hiking. Quiet.
GuideThis is a very nice and clean campground with about 10 sites. It is part of Mammoth Cave National park. That means I could use my lifetime pass and it only cost $10 per night. Ranger came by twice a day. Very clean port a pottys that are maintained well. Dumpster for trash and each site has a fire ring. Road in is paved and not bad, but has a few hills and is narrow. These sites are listed as "Tent Only" but I got my Dodge van in no problem. In my 3 days here I saw many tents, a small pop up camper, and 2 vans. Anything larger would be a problem I think. Reservation only and pay online. Not much cell signal here, maybe 1 bar on Visible. (Verizon) Decent signal on Starlink mini at site 1. Sites are right along the side of the Green River and the temperature here was a consistent 3 degrees F lower than in town. Lot of shade, not good for solar.
ScoutThis place could be nice but it is full of permanent trailer occupants, which is fine but . It shouldn’t be advertised as a RV park. There were 3 empty spaces, we chose one and we couldn’t hook the sewer up because the pipe is too high off the ground. They charged us 45.95 which is too high for the amenities offered. The spaces are very close, no table, no place to set up a bbq. We should have left but we were very tired.
LegendStaff is very nice and informative.
Close to Mammoth National Park…we were lucky to book a tour and it was really good, our teenagers liked it. We also rode Alpine slide across the street near the RV park.
Campground had small catch and release pond. Lots of nibbles, one catch…sunfish. No laundry here…laundry mat 10 mins away, Wash n Fold? Super clean but expensive with nice machines. No bathroom there! Connected to car wash if you need. Bath house at Campground has everything you need but dated.
Our site had issues, no fire ring,,,other sites had one, we didn’t ask about getting one…it probably wouldn’t have been a big deal to grab one from another site. Our parking area was level with gravel. Our water hookup was weird…it ended up under our back bumper were we had to crawl under to connect. And we had issue with 50 amp…the plug needs attention…it turned off at 0430 and we switched to 30amp. No big deal with any of it, but all together we will pick a different site next time.
RangerSites are well spaced. Clean, professional state park. Lake is being drained, so no beach until 2026.
TravelerKid friendly park, no mature trees in new section but concrete pad with grill and fire pit. Pool with splash pad, pools, pillow pads, multiple playgrounds, dog parks and kennels are available. Also, lots of golf carts to rent.
Camping near Rough River Lake, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping near Rough River Lake, Kentucky, is a fantastic way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy all the area has to offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds at Rough River Lake?
COE Rough River Lake Axtel Campground stands out as one of the best options at Rough River Lake with over 150 campsites, most offering beautiful lake views and water access. This family-friendly campground fills up quickly, so reservations are recommended. For a different experience, COE Rough River Lake North Fork provides a drive-in campground with reservable sites. Both are maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers and offer scenic locations with water recreation opportunities. While Peter Cave is another option on the lake, it has received mixed reviews regarding maintenance.
Is Axtel Campground a good place to camp at Rough River Lake?
COE Rough River Lake Axtel Campground is generally considered a good place to camp at Rough River Lake. Campers rate it highly for being clean, family-friendly, and offering excellent lake access with most sites providing views of the water. The campground features approximately 150 sites, many with power and water hookups that have been updated in recent years. Facilities include several restrooms throughout the grounds and a designated swimming beach area. The sites are somewhat closer together than typical Corps of Engineers campgrounds, which works well for groups camping together. Due to its popularity, making reservations is strongly recommended as this campground fills up quickly, especially during peak season.
What amenities are available when camping at Rough River Lake?
Camping at Rough River Lake offers a range of amenities depending on which campground you choose. Rough River Dam State Resort Park provides drive-in sites with water hookups, toilets, and accommodations for big rigs. At Laurel Branch campground, you'll find reservable sites with water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. Many campgrounds around the lake feature designated swimming areas, boat ramps (some with usage fees), fishing access, and basic facilities like restrooms. Electricity and water hookups are available at select sites, particularly at the Corps of Engineers managed campgrounds, though amenities can vary by location.
How do I get to Rough River Lake State Resort Park for camping?
Rough River Lake State Resort Park is located near Falls of Rough, Kentucky. From Louisville, take I-65 South to the Western Kentucky Parkway, then exit onto KY-79 and follow signs to the park. From the Bowling Green area, take I-65 North to the Western Kentucky Parkway, then follow KY-79 to the park entrance. The resort park is approximately 95 miles southwest of Louisville and about 75 miles northeast of Bowling Green. For reference, Nolin Lake State Park Campground is in the same general region, near Brownsville, KY, and makes for an alternative destination if Rough River is booked. Check the Kentucky State Parks website for specific GPS coordinates and current road conditions before traveling.
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