Primitive camping is available near Taylorsville, Kentucky at several locations within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 700 feet elevation with rolling hills throughout the Kentucky Bluegrass Region. Winter temperatures typically range from 25-45°F while summer months reach 75-90°F, making April through October the primary camping season for most visitors.
What to do
Hiking extensive trail systems: Jefferson Memorial Forest offers over 35 miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult. "Some of the hiking trails were well marked and up kept but some others were not so if you aren't good with navigation, choose wisely. Biggest issue we had was with the Gazebo Loop Trail/Pioneer Trail. Several spots were overgrown and not marked," notes a visitor to Taylorsville Lake State Park.
Bourbon distillery tours: The region provides excellent access to Kentucky's bourbon country with multiple distilleries within driving distance. A camper at White Acres Campground shared, "Well I really have nothing bad to say, it's a country setting on the outskirts of Bardstown, KY. It's just a few miles away from the scenic parts of town...Located near Makers Mark and Jim Beam distilleries."
Water recreation opportunities: Multiple lakes in the area offer boating, fishing and paddling options. "Didn't do any lake activities but the water looked nice and there was a lot of activity on it. Nice boat ramps as well," observed one camper at Taylorsville Lake. Some campgrounds provide rental equipment: "They also rent paddle boats," mentioned a visitor to Lake Shelby Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites with good separation: Beyond Taylorsville Lake, campers appreciate room between sites at several nearby campgrounds. "The tent sites were shaded by nice trees and were located right next to the lake. The group tent sites looked nice and had shade and open areas," noted a visitor to Lake Shelby Campground.
Clean facilities despite high usage: Many campgrounds maintain their restrooms well even during peak season. One camper at Charlestown State Park reported, "There is always a bathhouse close by and they are usually very clean. Staff is always super nice."
Convenient location for touring: The area serves as an excellent base for exploring the region. "We camped here for three days in early August and used it as a 'home base' while we explored Louisville (Louisville Slugger Factory, Churchill Downs, etc.), bourbon country, etc," shared one Taylorsville Lake visitor.
What you should know
Varying site conditions and layouts: Sites differ significantly across campgrounds. At Guist Creek Marina & Campground, a camper observed, "I have a small trailer which is easy to level up but most of the sites are not very level." Meanwhile, a visitor to My Old Kentucky Home State Park noted, "Very small campground and narrow roads. Many sites were not level and some sites were very short so make sure you review the site description."
Limited staff availability: Some campgrounds have inconsistent staffing hours. "The main overall issue is the lack of staffing. I'm not sure if it's the usual or if there is a lack of staff in general but we got in shortly after 7PM and there was no ranger or staff to be found to get firewood," reported a Taylorsville Lake camper.
Primitive sites vary in privacy: The primitive camping experience can differ significantly between locations. A camper at Jefferson Memorial Forest commented, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreational facilities: Several campgrounds offer facilities specifically for children. "Very nice campground. Great place for families with young kids," noted a visitor to Elkhorn Campground, where they offer "water wars and different events for them to participate in."
Safety considerations: Some locations provide more security than others. A visitor to Jefferson Memorial Forest shared, "I felt extremely safe and secure in this location. The town of Bardstown is also all-American hometown at its best."
Consider site locations carefully: Families should research specific site details before booking. A camper at Taylorsville Lake advised, "We stayed at site P02, but I don't recommend that specific site. It was probably the worst site in the primitive camp... It was far from flat, and the space provided for the picnic table was pretty much unusable. Just about every other site there looked amazing though."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: RV sites often have different utility setups. "Also some had sewer hook ups and others did not," mentioned a camper at My Old Kentucky Home State Park, while a visitor to Brooks RV Park noted, "All 50 amp full hook up sites. Every site has a picnic table and a fire pit."
Site size limitations: Some parks have restrictions that affect larger rigs. At Louisville South KOA, a camper experienced, "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."
Road condition awareness: Access varies across campgrounds, with some having tighter approaches. A camper at Charlestown State Park observed, "Charlestown State Park is a great, quiet campground for us to get away in our RV. We love that all of the sites are paved and most of the full-hookup sites offer a lot of privacy."
