Nolin River Lake campgrounds offer primitive to full-service campsites nestled in a region where Kentucky's rolling hills meet limestone formations and 5,795 acres of water surface. The lake sits at an elevation of approximately 515 feet above sea level and features a 34-mile-long shoreline with several coves and inlets that create sheltered camping areas. Water levels can fluctuate up to 22 feet between winter and summer pools, affecting shoreline campsite availability during certain seasons.
What to do
Horseback riding: 10+ miles of trails at Maple Springs. Located on the north side of Green River, Maple Springs Campground offers direct access to equestrian trails. "The campground is well spaced out, horse trailer and horse friendly, pretty good shade. I am not a horse person so I can't speak from that expertise. Plenty of room for groups, there was a Boy Scout invasion when we visited," notes one camper.
Cave tours: Reserve early for special experiences. Mammoth Cave National Park offers limited-capacity tours that often fill up. "Reserve the all day guided tour with crawling about in small spaces for the best experience. Make sure your boots have enough tread or you won't be allowed to do the tour!" advises a visitor at Mammoth Cave Campground.
Kayaking: Launch from multiple access points. Several water entry locations around the lake support different paddling experiences. "We kayaked the Nolin and Green rivers. Both were very pretty! Recommend a trip on the Nolin," shares a camper who stayed at Houchin Ferry Campground.
Fishing: Multiple species in multiple spots. Bank fishing, boat fishing, and even small pond fishing opportunities exist throughout the area. "Awesome campground. Great views of the lake from sites, very clean bathrooms. Sites each have a fire ring, nice picnic table, and extra 'cooking' table that was an added plus. Lake is perfect for swimming, boating, or kayaking," reports a camper at Dog Creek.
What campers like
Waterfront sites with privacy. Despite the popularity of lakeside camping, many locations offer well-designed layouts. "At first look even the empty campground appears congested and close together. But it's the long site entrances and the site itself all framed with synthetic timbers with white chat fill. Simply beautiful. Sites were well spaced and spacious with a fire ring and table," notes a camper at Wax Campground.
Centralized amenities in multiple loops. Most campgrounds feature strategically placed facilities. "Shower houses were newer and spotless with good water pressure and even hot water," reports a visitor about Wax Campground. Another camper at Dog Creek notes, "Sites are level and have tables, fire rings and lantern hooks."
Abundant wildlife viewing. The natural habitat supports diverse animal sightings. "We enjoyed the water and the interesting wild life. Cornelius got bit by a turtle when he got a little too close and we saw a turkey. Plus there are a multitude of vultures, sorta creepy, like don't lay out to sun bath you may wake up to a crowd..." shares a visitor at Moutardier.
Off-peak serenity. Visiting during weekdays or shoulder seasons provides a different experience. "We value nature and privacy and we loved this campground! We were looking for a campground with electric hookups for our teardrop near Mammoth Cave due to forecasted 97 degree temps. Sunset over the lake was spectacular and we loved watching all the birds here," reports a camper at Wax Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Plan 6+ months ahead for prime spots. The most desirable sites book quickly, especially during summer. "This campground books 6 months out. Very hard to get a spot, but so worth it! Water front sites in cove so not a lot of boat traffic. Quiet park with great gravel spots," advises a camper at Nolin Lake State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Bug activity varies significantly. Tick and mosquito populations become more active in warmer months. "Ever see Deliverance? All the campgrounds in Mammoth are well maintained, that being said Houchins Ferry gives you the isolated feel that some people like," reports one camper, while another warns, "The only downside to the entire trip is that the park is infested with seed ticks and deer ticks."
Cell service limitations: Spotty to non-existent in many areas. Connectivity depends on location and provider. "Very nice place. Mark Smith was very helpful. No signal at all on my phone or my husband phone but it was okay," shares a Dog Creek camper. Another notes, "A few OTA stations and good cell, Verizon & ATT."
Ferry access considerations: Can impact travel times. Some campgrounds require ferry access that can be affected by water levels. "We first entered the park via the 'secret' entrance, byway of a narrow road at the very north of the park, in which we had to take a single car automated ferry across the green river, which was enjoyed by all, and we appreciated avoiding the main entrance besieged by spring break campers!" explains a Mammoth Cave camper.
Tips for camping with families
Pond fishing for kids: Stock up on simple gear. Several campgrounds offer small fishing ponds perfect for young anglers. "There is a stock pond for kids to fish with bamboo poles that the park provides (catch & release only). We really enjoyed our 2 day stay," notes a visitor at Singing Hills Campground. Another camper reports, "My son caught his first fish that weekend and has been begging to go back already."
Playground options: Multiple locations with different equipment. Several facilities feature family-oriented amenities. "Great for tents or trailers and everything in between. 3 playgrounds with safe clean equipment. Plant of lake view sites and positioned to provide a semi private experience," shares a camper at Moutardier.
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution in many areas. Clear nights provide stellar stargazing opportunities. "We saw hundreds of lightning bugs! It was magical, that really made the experience so much better for us!" reports a camper at Houchin Ferry. Another notes, "Stars at night were beautiful."
Beach access: Sandy swimming areas at specific locations. Several designated swimming areas allow for safe water play. "Family trip for spring break 2019. Kids loved it. Decent showers. Good sites with shade," reports a camper at Nolin Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Prepare for varied pad conditions. Site conditions vary significantly across campgrounds. "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 a Wax Campground visitor.
Hookup positioning: Some require extensions or adapters. Utility connections aren't always ideally placed. "Water spigots are also shared, which means you'll have low water pressure if you're both using water simultaneously," notes a camper at Diamond Caverns RV Resort.
Power management: Consider voltage fluctuations. Electrical stability can be an issue in some locations. "The electricity at the campground doesn't appear to be able to handle the amount of load that most campers will pull in the summer months. The checkin packet recommends not running multiple high wattage appliances simultaneously," reports a camper.
Space considerations: Some sites have unique configurations. Layout details matter for optimal positioning. "We had a nice bridge that crossed the creek from our main site to an additional space where our fire ring was. That area provided plenty of shade and quick access to the pond," shares a Singing Hills camper.
