Riverside camping options near Shelbyville, Kentucky extend beyond standard RV facilities to include primitive sites and cabins within an hour's drive. Most area campgrounds operate seasonally, with limited availability from December through March. The region's rolling terrain means campsites often feature elevation changes requiring leveling equipment for comfortable stays.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 15 minutes from Cummins Ferry RV Park, campers find abundant angling along the Kentucky River. "We spent 2 nights at Cummins Ferry with 2 other families! We absolutely LOVED it! The staff was friendly and the scenery was amazing! Our sites overlooked the river and we loved the walking trails along the river! We had kids that fished and played in the playground and sat by the fire every night!"
Kayaking access: Rentals available near several campgrounds with boat launches. "This is a small well maintained campground right on the Kentucky river. It is down in a hollow which makes it secluded and quiet. There is a dock and a boat ramp. The customer service is exceptional."
Live entertainment: Saturday events at multiple locations provide evening activities. "Live music and food trucks every Saturday are a nice touch!" One Elkhorn Creek RV Park visitor noted, "The classic rock singer who came in and sang in the pavilion on Saturday night was fun."
Hiking trails: 3 maintained paths at Three Springs Campground and RV Park near the Ark Encounter. "It has 3 beautiful hiking trails. It has a small fishing pond with a beautiful fountain that provides a neat camping experience." Another camper mentioned, "Uphill trails are spectacular, with plenty of pet friendly areas."
What campers like
Riverside sites: Premium waterfront locations with views at select campgrounds. "The grounds are full of grass and well manicured. The river and waterfall makes it feel like a tranquil place. The walking trail by the river is nice, we walked it almost every day."
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathhouses at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground. "We were near the restroom facilities which were very clean. The camping area was recently mowed. Plenty of parking for guests and tents." Another reviewer confirmed, "The bath house was pretty immaculate for such a full weekend."
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and recreation areas for children at multiple locations. "The park does have a large number of seasonal tenants however; they have reserved a number of great sites, even some on the river front, for nightly RVers(and have plans to expand that number)." One camper at Whispering Hills RV Park noted, "Swimming pool with small water slide, fishing pond, jumping pillow, events at picnic shelter."
Helpful staff: Campground owners provide assistance with setup and local information. "Within an hour of buying my 1966 Airstream (only 17' but I needed a pull through!) I chose this beautiful campground because of the people! Starting with the needed reassurance on the phone, then setting me up and checking in to make sure I was doing ok."
What you should know
Site leveling requirements: Terrain variations throughout the region create challenges. "The sites here are not level. We used our normal 2x green blocks for the Jack, but needed all 10 of our leveling blocks, plus 8 paving stones to get the appropriate height."
Limited staffing hours: Office closures affect check-in and supply purchases. "We got in shortly after 7PM and there was no ranger or staff to be found to get firewood. No honor system or anything so we had to venture out to find some after we got our tent up because the main office was closed as well."
Reservation policies: Strict cancellation terms at some rv parks near Shelbyville, Kentucky. "We had a family emergency and had to cancel our week at CAMP ON THE KENTUCKY. I gave them almost 3 weeks notice."
Varied site privacy: Spacing between campsites differs significantly. "The majority of the sites are spaced out and private but unfortunately I couldn't find any pictures online of the sites so the one we got was not private. We stayed at site #4 and it is best suited for a group of friends because your neighbors are 10-15 yards away with no trees or anything in between."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas available at family-oriented campgrounds. "Kids were none stop walking the dogs, and scootering up and down the road. Everyone was so kind, there was even live music! And can I take a moment to say the restroom/shower was the cleanest I have EVER used."
Fishing spots for children: Stocked ponds separate from river fishing locations. "We had kids that fished and played in the playground and sat by the fire every night! We will absolutely return!"
Pet-friendly areas: Designated dog parks at several locations. "There is a dog park w/a side for large dogs & small dogs. It was shaded and had seating." Many campgrounds allow pets but have specific containment rules.
Activity planning: Weekend events scheduled throughout summer months. "We camped there in July for my son's birthday party. We were near the restroom facilities which were very clean. The camping area was recently mowed. Plenty of parking for guests and tents."
Tips from RVers
GPS routing caution: Specified entrances required for larger rigs. At Follow The River RV Resort, one camper advised, "Make sure you take the exit they tell you & do NOT follow gps or you'll go down a long country road."
Water pressure regulation: High pressure systems at some campgrounds require equipment. "Water pressure is pretty high make sure you use a regulator."
Site selection strategy: Research specific sites before booking. "The sites are gravel and not level, but not too bad. There is all manner of leveling going on! There seem to be some full-time residents. The ones next to us were friendly."
Electric service variations: Amperage availability differs between campgrounds and sites. "They offer both full hook-up and electric, 30-50 amp with water sites on a daily, weekly or monthly rate." Many campgrounds offer discounts for weekly or monthly stays.
