Best Campgrounds near Shelbyville, KY

Join the fun near Shelbyville. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Shelbyville, KY. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Shelbyville, Kentucky (67)

    1. Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Mount Eden, KY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 477-8713

    $24 - $50 / night

    "We had a pretty decent time at Taylorsville Lake. The spots were spacious, and very nice picnic tables. We did a trail which was nice and went down to a boat ramp to see the lake."

    "Better if you have a boat ( or rent one at the marina across the lake) good access to the lake, gets busy in the summer. Stores in decent proximity off property. Can get loud at times."

    2. Lake Shelby Campground

    14 Reviews
    Shelbyville, KY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 633-5069

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Lots of mud still around the camp sites. A nice parking lot in front of sites to back your rig up. Pads are small in length so be aware of that when it mentions it on the website."

    "RV sites and tent sites lakeside. Fishing, ducks. $5 swimming pool nearby. $20/night tents. Showers and restrooms. Nice parks nearby for equestrian, playground, disk golf course."

    3. Guist Creek Marina & Campground

    6 Reviews
    Shelbyville, KY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 647-5359

    "I asked for the most remote location to set up my tent. It’s still pretty close (across the gravel road about 100’ from RV/trailer campers). The row of tent sites backed up to a fence line."

    "The playground is nice and has a pavilion right next to it. I have a small trailer which is easy to level up but most of the sites are not very level."

    4. Charlestown State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Charlestown, IN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 256-5600

    $30 - $40 / night

    "The spots were decently spaced out, the bathrooms are clean, and there are some hiking trails from the campground."

    "There is always a bathhouse close by and they are usually very clean. Staff is always super nice."

    5. Elkhorn Campground

    19 Reviews
    Frankfort, KY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 695-9154

    "Surrounded by rivers and open green fields. Very nicely maintained. Lots of campers even this early in the season! Looks like kids and fishing folk would be in heaven."

    "It was a short walk to the beautiful Elkhorn Creek (at the back of the campground). Perfect little spot for fishing (you will need a fishing license to fish, as it’s public water). "

    6. Louisville South KOA

    22 Reviews
    Shepherdsville, KY
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 543-2041

    "Will absolutely come back again especially with the proximity to the city but having peace and quiet to the south. The walking trail was much longer than expected and really nice."

    "There was corn hole, ladder ball, pool, walking trails, access to the river, cat fish pond, small dog park, and washers & dryers."

    7. Lake Jericho Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    La Grange, KY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 743-5205

    $24 - $34 / night

    "The hubby and kids enjoyed easily accessible bank fishing while I was able to kick back and read a book by the beautiful, serene lake."

    8. My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    New Haven, KY
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 348-3502

    $35 - $65 / night

    "Located very close to Bardstown and a lot of distilleries on the bourbon trail, the campground is great, very small fills up fast."

    "My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground is a small campground, clean, and friendly staff. There is a golf course on site. Plenty to see, including My Old Kentucky Home, the tour was amazing."

    9. Kentucky River Campground

    5 Reviews
    Frankfort, KY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 227-2465

    $45 - $55 / night

    "The campground was a decent size, although we didn't drive around the entire loop. We were lucky enough to get a spot close to the river, so at night we could hear the river rushing next to us."

    "Close to: Castle and Key, Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and West Sixth Brewery. Perfect location for some Bourbon Trail and beer hoping! I will definitely go back."

    10. Hones Pointe Campground

    6 Reviews
    La Grange, KY
    23 miles
    Website

    $25 - $200 / night

    "Offering beautiful scenery, this is a great place to get away from it all."

    "Great location. Very very friendly staff with special giveaways lol. Will return if in the area."

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Recent Reviews near Shelbyville, KY

544 Reviews of 67 Shelbyville Campgrounds


  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Kentucky Horse Park Campground

    Beautifuly kept and right next to the amazing horse park

    We spent two nights here and were pleasantly surprised that most of the campsites had probably at least 50 to 60 feet between each one and lots of grass and trees. The campsite we stayed in, 140, was a pull through so that was bonus. Most of the campsites look like they had at least water and electric and I think there might have been some sites that had sewer as well. Right next-door to the Kentucky Horse Park, which is a must see. Very interesting museum and lots of barn with different types of horses in them to visit. If you buy your ticket at the campground, you would get five dollars off the admission fee.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Elkhorn Creek RV Park

    Wonderful place to stay with easy access to the Bourbon Trail and Frankfort

    We stayed for several days so that we could visit distilleries on the Bourbon Trail. Frankfort is almost close enough to bicycle to. Lexington is less than an hour away. It was a great base for visiting many interesting places.

    Elkhorn Creek RV Park was fantastic. The sites were clean and everything worked. The staff was super friendly. We stayed in a creekside site so we had a little bit of scenery. It is a pretty urban place, not a state park, so we didn't expect it to be as pretty as it turned out to be.

    The pool was plenty warm. The bathroom was clean. The classic rock singer who came in and sang in the pavilion on Saturday night was fun.

  • Patrick T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Hones Pointe Campground

    Amazing camp site

    Wonderful campsite. They put a lot of time and thought into this property. It’s truly incredible.

  • Amanda W.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Elkhorn Campground

    Quiet & friendly

    I stayed here for 2 weeks while visiting family in the area. Very safe & quiet campground with very friendly staff.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Very clean and friendly state park. Quick stop over but would definitely stay again if in the area. Would like to do some of the trails there

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Quick stop over. Would definitely return if in the area. Would have like to have had more time to do some of the trails. Very clean, friendly. Be aware of an additional $9 feet at the gate besides the camp fee.

  • Desert B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Knobstone Trail

    not accessible

    Maybe Google Maps took me to the wrong place (probably not).  I drove back and forth on the road several times looking for this place  The only thing I found was what I believe was the entrance with a cable across it.  There was no place to park otherwise.

  • Joshua R.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Kentucky Horse Park Campground

    Nice place

    Clean and quite. Nice bathrooms. Great place if you want to go the the horse park. Not far from Lexington.


Guide to Shelbyville

Camping near Shelbyville, Kentucky, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From well-maintained campgrounds to beautiful natural scenery, there’s something for everyone.

What to do

  • Explore local parks: Check out the Kentucky Horse Park Campground for a beautiful campground surrounded by horse country. One reviewer mentioned, “Beautiful campground surrounded by horse country. Slightly rolling hills in campground but mostly level sites.”
  • Visit historical sites: The Fort Boonesborough State Park Campground offers a chance to tour the historic fort. A visitor noted, “The park appears to get pretty soggy following any rains, but there are amenities for kids like miniature golf.”
  • Hiking and trails: The Clifty Falls State Park Campground has great trails. One camper shared, “The trails were really great! The wooded hiking trails helped keep us comfortable.”

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of restrooms and showers. A review for the Big Bone Lick State Park Campground mentioned, “The bathhouse was also clean... the showers here are awesome, like standing under Niagara Falls!”
  • Friendly staff: Many campers have noted the helpfulness of the staff. At the Whispering Hills RV Park, one visitor said, “Super clean. Very friendly staff and helpful.”
  • Spacious sites: Campers enjoy the spaciousness of sites at places like the Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground. A review stated, “Can get busy but sites are not tight but spread out and plenty of space.”

What you should know

  • Leveling issues: Some campgrounds have sites that require leveling. A camper at the Clifty Falls State Park Campground mentioned, “Most of the sites will require some extra leveling.”
  • Water access: Be prepared for water hookups that may be far from your site. A visitor at the My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground warned, “With exception of a couple of sites, everything is at least 30 to 36' away from your hookup.”
  • Wildlife: Expect to see wildlife, especially raccoons. One camper at the Big Bone Lick State Park Campground noted, “Put ALL your food away! This isn't a secluded campground.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. The Louisville South KOA has a great playground and bounce pad. A family shared, “Lots of activities for kids. Nice pool, great playground, bounce pad.”
  • Quiet times: Be mindful of noise levels, especially at night. One camper at the Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground mentioned, “Loud music started again at 7:58AM.”
  • Space for tents: Choose sites that offer enough room for tents and activities. A visitor at the Whispering Hills RV Park said, “Spots were a smidge tight but totally do-able.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check site levels: Make sure to check the level of your site before setting up. A camper at the Versailles State Park Campground noted, “Whole site is on a slope except for a small area near the woods.”
  • Bring extensions: Be prepared with extra hoses and cords for water and electric hookups. A review for the My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground advised, “Bring plenty of BLOCKS!”
  • Plan for dump stations: Some campgrounds have limited dump stations. A visitor at the Clifty Falls State Park Campground mentioned, “Only 1 dump station for 70+ sites.”

Camping near Shelbyville, Kentucky, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic experience for everyone involved!

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available near Shelbyville, KY?

The Shelbyville area offers several excellent camping options. Guist Creek Marina & Campground is the closest to Shelbyville, offering boat-in and drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. Just a short drive away, Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground provides spacious sites with picnic tables, hiking trails, and boat rentals. Other nearby options include Camp Carlson Army RV Park on Fort Knox, My Old Kentucky Home State Park near Bardstown, and Still Waters Campground at the junction of Elkhorn Creek and Kentucky River. Lake Jericho Recreation Area in Smithfield is another alternative for those seeking a more rustic experience.

How much does camping cost in the Shelbyville, Kentucky area?

Camping costs around Shelbyville vary by amenity level and location. My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground has typical Kentucky state park pricing, with sites filling up quickly due to its proximity to Bardstown and bourbon distilleries. Two Rivers Campground, a city-run facility near I-71, offers full hookup sites at competitive rates. Kentucky state parks generally charge $25-35 per night for standard electric sites and $30-45 for full hookups. Private campgrounds like Cummins Ferry RV Park typically range from $35-60 depending on amenities and season. Most campgrounds offer discounts for extended stays and may have different rates for weekdays versus weekends.

What amenities are available at Lake Shelby campground in Shelbyville, KY?

While specific details about Lake Shelby campground are limited in available reviews, nearby Kentucky Horse Park Campground offers over 250 full hookup sites with good shade, picnic tables, and various hookup options for all RV sizes and tent campers. The campground features clean bathrooms and sites within walking distance to the Horse Park. For water recreation similar to what Lake Shelby might offer, Cummins Ferry RV Park provides Kentucky River access with a floating dock and boat ramp. Based on similar Kentucky campgrounds, Lake Shelby likely offers basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, water access, and possibly electrical hookups.