Camping near Stanford, Kentucky offers a mix of riverside locations and inland sites within rolling hills at elevations ranging from 750 to 1,100 feet. Several campgrounds provide direct access to the Kentucky River system, including the Dix River and its connecting waterways. Fall camping in this region features moderate temperatures in the 50-60°F range with colorful foliage displays typically peaking mid-October.
What to do
Fishing at riverside sites: Cummins Ferry RV Park provides direct access to the Kentucky River with boat ramps and docks for anglers. "Within an hour of buying my 1966 Airstream I chose this beautiful campground because of the people! Next time I'll explore the trails and enjoy the water," notes one visitor at Cummins Ferry RV Park.
Historical exploration: Fort Boonesborough State Park combines camping with 1800s historical interpretation. "The Fort was VERY cool. If my kids were still at home this would definitely be a field trip location! In the area is the Beer Cheese Trail check it out!" writes a reviewer at Fort Boonesborough State Park Campground.
Disc golf outings: Logan-Hubble County Park features a complete disc golf course alongside typical park amenities. "Beautiful medium size lake in the park plus standard county park amenities. Does have a disc golf course," mentions a camper who stayed at the park.
What campers like
Peaceful river settings: Campers consistently mention the quiet atmosphere along the Kentucky River. One visitor at LockRidge Park wrote: "We loved our overnight stay at Lockridge, it was quiet, peaceful, and absolutely beautiful. We camped at LockRidge Park in a Travel Trailer."
Well-maintained pool facilities: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools that receive positive reviews. "The pool was huge and very clean. We seen the staff checking it every hour," notes a camper at Camp Nelson RV Park.
Spacious campsites: Visitors appreciate roomier sites at certain campgrounds. "The sites were spacious and well cared for, and all are pull through. Picnic table and fire pit at each site. Some sites were shaded by trees, others were open," according to a review of Oh! Kentucky RV Park.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds in the area feature uneven ground. At Cummins Ferry RV Park, one camper noted: "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."
Seasonal water levels: The Kentucky River system experiences significant fluctuations that affect campgrounds. Spring typically brings higher water levels while late summer may see lower levels at riverfront sites.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have steep entrance roads. At Renfro Valley KOA, a visitor warned: "KOA staff was very friendly, constantly keeping the park clean and welcoming guest. Very nice. Big hill to get up to the KOA. Almost all paths are gravel."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly equipment. "We spent 2 nights at Cummins Ferry with 2 other families! We had kids that fished and played in the playground and sat by the fire every night!" reports a family who stayed at Cummins Ferry RV Park.
Organized activities: Fort Boonesborough offers structured programs for children. "There's always a list of planned activities from tie dying shirts to early morning putt putt competitions, so that's nice if you need to occupy any children," notes a visitor.
Swimming options: Plan for water recreation at campgrounds with pools. "Kids enjoyed the pool, Gaga ball, playground, jumping pillow, and passport activities. Overall an excellent stay!" shares a parent who stayed at Renfro Valley KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose campgrounds that accommodate bigger vehicles. "Perfect pull-thru site, we were able to stay connected and seconds away from the freeway. Site 61 is awesome!" notes an RVer at Oh! Kentucky RV Park.
Hookup placement: Pay attention to utility locations when selecting sites. At LockRidge Park, one RVer observed: "The utilities are essentially in the middle of the pad, but as stated prior the sites are long, so we maneuvered to get centered to fit our hookups and to be able to put our patio down."
Year-round options: Several of the best places to camp near Stanford include winter camping availability. "Our RV GPS, plus using Google Maps, brought us in on KY-34 heading east. There are two Chenault Bridge road turns. Be sure to take the turn near CR-1329(second going east or first one if coming in from the west)," advises a winter visitor at LockRidge Park.
