Several campgrounds surround Shepherdsville, Kentucky, providing camping options within 30 miles of this Bullitt County community. Located in the knobby terrain between the Louisville Metro area and the more rugged hills to the south, this region experiences humid summers with temperatures typically reaching 85-90°F from June through August. Many camping locations near Shepherdsville offer water recreation access with varying degrees of tree cover at campsites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Wax - Nolin River Lake offers excellent water access for fishing enthusiasts. "Pack your yak, fishing gear and sunscreen cause it is the perfect water oriented campground," reports one visitor at Wax - Nolin River Lake. The area supports various fish species and waterfront access.
Bird watching: The natural areas around Taylorsville Lake State Park provide prime habitat for spotting woodpeckers and water birds. "Right from our camps we could see a trip of Redheaded Woodpeckers playing as well as a mama Northern Flicker feeding her babies. We even saw a giant Pileated Woodpecker!" notes a camper at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground.
Bourbon touring: The central location makes an ideal base for visiting Kentucky distilleries. "This spot is really just a place to come back to at night. Nothing to do at the campground. Perfect place to stay and go tour bourbon distillery," mentions a visitor at Little Patch of Heaven Campground.
What campers like
Lakefront settings: Many campers appreciate the water views available at select sites. "This place is amazing with direct view and access to the lake, it was spacious, leveled, had a fire pit, picnic table and small cooking table," reports a camper at Wax - Nolin River Lake.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathhouses. "The shower houses were newer and spotless with good water pressure and even hot water," notes a visitor at Wax - Nolin River Lake. Another camper adds, "The bath house was pretty immaculate for such a full weekend" when describing Taylorsville Lake State Park.
Spacious sites: Many RV parks in the region provide adequate space between campsites. "Nice sized sites, reasonable priced compared to the KOA, all good full hookups, nicely kept, and most importantly it is in a safe country setting surrounded by large trees and on a dead end road," reports a visitor at Brooks RV Park.
What you should know
Cell service considerations: Reception varies significantly throughout the region. "A few OTA stations and good cell, Verizon & ATT," reports one Wax - Nolin River Lake camper, while another campground has limited connectivity: "The ONLY bad thing about this campground is that it is in a bowl -- no cell service, no satellite, no internet. Perfect for a QUIET getaway!!" notes a visitor at Camp Carlson Army RV Park.
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds have strict payment policies. "Made a reservation... the requests for payment came into my junk email, and I didn't see them on my phone. So, my reservation was canceled," explains a potential visitor to Little Patch of Heaven Campground.
Campground staffing: Several locations have limited staff availability. "The guard house is only manned for a short period of time. We wanted to get ice and wood when we arrived, but it was closed," mentions a camper at Taylorsville Lake State Park. Another adds, "There was no ranger or staff to be found to get firewood."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Playground was close and perfect for everyone to go run and play," notes a visitor at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground. Another camper mentions, "Several playgrounds nearby if you have kids to occupy."
Site selection for shade: Summer temperatures make shade important for comfort. "Tip: pick a site with trees so you can get some shade as it gets really hot during the day," advises a camper at Longview RV Park.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds offer more secluded environments than others. "It is the safest RV Park in the Louisville, KY area, right off I-65 in the Greater Louisville area," states a visitor at Brooks RV Park, while another mentions, "We heard about some shady happenings and were a bit leery about our extended stay" at Camp Carlson Army RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds present navigation difficulties. "The road in/out is very narrow, very tight and not easily navigated with a 40' 5th wheel. Also, be very careful about sites, many are extremely undeveloped and while we booked a 70' pull thru, it was actually down on the side of the hill with an almost 90° curve," warns an RVer at Wax - Nolin River Lake.
Utilities information: Full hookup availability varies between parks. "Clean park. Decent location. The park manager Annie was very helpful," notes a visitor at Brooks RV Park. Another camper at Grandma's RV Park shares, "The sites are full hookups and are just pull right in."
Distance to services: Some RV camping near Shepherdsville requires planning for supplies. "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," advises a Wax - Nolin River Lake visitor.
