Shepherdsville, Kentucky camping areas lie within the Ohio River Valley, where rolling hills and limestone formations characterize the landscape. Elevation ranges from 430 to 650 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 88°F and high humidity levels. The region's limestone geology has created numerous cave systems that provide unique camping and exploration opportunities throughout the warmer months, typically April through October.
What to do
Cave exploration: 25-30 minutes from camp sites. Visitors staying at Marengo Cave Campgrounds have immediate access to cave tours directly from their camping area. According to Sofia A., "The spots are just near and walking distance from the caves and other attractions. They have picnic tables, fire rings, grills and every spot faces the little river." Small pets are even permitted inside the cave if carried at all times.
Hiking trails: 2-13 miles in length. The Horine Reservation Camping at Jefferson County Memorial Forest offers multiple trail systems ranging from easy to difficult. Robert P. notes: "Lots of trails ranging from 1.5 to 13.0 miles through gorgeous mixed forest of old and new growth deciduous and coniferous hardwoods." The trails provide opportunities to see local wildlife while navigating varying terrain types.
Fishing access: Multiple locations throughout area. The fishing opportunities at Lake Shelby include both lake fishing and stream fishing below the dam. Martin M. reports, "The campground sits right next to the lake and dam and you can fish both in the lake and on the stream below the dam. A couple of docks on the lake side." Most fishing locations require Kentucky fishing permits, available at local camp stores.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Vary by campground. At Charlestown State Park Campground, campers appreciate the well-spaced sites and concrete pads. Lisa D. shared, "My husband & I spent 5 nights at Charlestown State Park in mid-September 2020. Campground was nice with concrete pads and full hookups." This layout creates a comfortable camping environment with moderate privacy between sites.
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance. Jefferson Memorial Forest maintains clean, well-kept bathroom facilities. However, a camper named Matt mentions: "The issues and why I no longer go here. The large group sites are peppered throughout the family sites so if you happened to have a loud crowd on your weekend then you'll hear the music and shouting sometimes well into the night despite quiet hours."
Recreational activities: Multiple options on-site. Otter Creek Park Campground offers a variety of recreational activities beyond standard camping. Melissa A. states, "One of our favorite spots to camp. Beautiful trails for hiking, great creek for swimming, close to Louisville." The park balances natural amenities with proximity to urban attractions.
What you should know
Climate considerations: Storms can impact sites. The region experiences frequent summer thunderstorms, especially July through September. At Guist Creek Marina & Campground, a camper noted: "Beautiful area, tent camping and pull thru available. Thunderstorms came though the night by noon everything was dry and perfect." Pack waterproof gear and consider site drainage when selecting spots.
Site spacing: Often tight at popular locations. Many campgrounds in the area feature closely packed sites. Jason M. observed at Guist Creek: "Campground is OK. You're literally on top of each other. They put a huge RV with huge jeeps and trailers backed up a foot from our car and tiny tent. I was afraid they would run us over while we slept."
Noise factors: Aircraft and trains. Several campgrounds experience noise from transportation routes. At Marengo Cave Campgrounds, Sarah S. mentioned: "Heavy truck and train traffic can be heard at all hours." Similarly, Derek P. noted about Jefferson Memorial Forest: "This is a great little well-kept campground. Unfortunately it's in the departure path of Louisville's airport, so be prepared for once-a-minute takeoffs."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Available at select sites. Several campgrounds offer playground facilities for children. At Lake Shelby Campground, Jenny O. reported: "There was an awesome play area for the kids and the shower facilities were clean." Consider bringing additional yard games for entertainment options.
Seasonal activities: Halloween events. Otter Creek Park Campground hosts special seasonal activities. According to Amber S.: "We go every fall with our entire family to enjoy the Halloween activities. The campers all go all out and let the kids trick or treat. There is even a group who does a haunted house and it is so fun!"
Water activities: Rental equipment available. Lake Shelby offers water recreation options during warmer months. Martin M. states, "They also rent paddle boats." Rentals typically cost $10-15 per hour with children under 12 requiring adult supervision.
Tips from RVers
Site lengths: Check restrictions. Louisville South KOA offers longer sites than many other area campgrounds. Craig F. observed: "The sites were close to each other but provided plenty of space for the average sized rig. Many were longer than other KOAs, which enabled the tow vehicle and TT to be parked."
Hookup availability: Varies by location. O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground offers electric hookups but no water at individual sites. Derek J. reports: "There was no water at the site though. Throughout the campground are potable water spigots that you can hook up to and add water to your tank. There is also no sewer hookup at the site."
Leveling requirements: Bring blocks. Many campgrounds in the area require some leveling. At Charlestown State Park, Greg S. noted: "The campground is very large and very well kept. All the sites are pretty much the same with good spacing between them. Most are electric only but we got one of the handful of full hookup sites."
