Taylorsville, Kentucky sits at approximately 700 feet elevation in the outer Bluegrass region where rolling hills meet the Knobs. The area experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching the 90s and mild winters with occasional snowfall. Several campgrounds within 30 miles of Taylorsville offer varied terrain from lakeside settings to forested hills with multiple equestrian facilities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Taylorsville Lake spans 3,050 acres with multiple species including largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. "We really enjoyed this park. Fishing one evening on Taylorsville Lake, though it was a drive from our campsite, so wish the campsites were closer to the lake!" shares Sara U. from Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground.
Bourbon trail excursions: The campgrounds near Taylorsville provide convenient access to Kentucky's famous distilleries. Joe B. notes, "Plenty of places to visit while here. We did parts of the bourbon trail and just enjoyed our time at the campsite." Many visitors use My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground as a base for exploring distilleries, with John D. mentioning, "We will be back to spend time strolling the streets of Bardstown and taking a Distillery Tour."
Trail exploration: The region offers diverse hiking options through varied terrain. At Jefferson Memorial Forest, Matt reports, "The location to trails, access to water, latrines, secured gate access are all nice." Robert P. adds, "Lots of trails ranging from 1.5 to 13.0 miles through gorgeous mixed forest of old and new growth deciduous and coniferous hardwoods."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many horse campgrounds near Taylorsville, Kentucky feature generously sized sites. At Kentucky Horse Park Campground, campers appreciate the layout with Lisa M. noting, "We 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."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and amenities rank high with visitors. Heather K. comments about Taylorsville Lake, "We were near the restroom facilities which were very clean. The camping area was recently mowed." Similarly, at Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground, Angela F. reports, "Tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink."
Natural settings: The rural character attracts many campers seeking quiet surroundings. Mike G. describes Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground: "Once you get to the top of the hill you are far removed from the noise, hustle and bustle of city/suburb living. The camp sites are all wooded and primitive, preserving the peaceful serenity of such a beautiful and heavily forested area."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer equal amenities or layouts. Cassandra C. warns about Taylorsville Lake, "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."
Reservation considerations: Planning ahead is essential for equestrian camping facilities. Justin S. notes about campsites: "Unfortunately I couldn't find any pictures online of the sites so the one we got was not private... The biggest issue with site #4 is there is no picnic table. Luckily we were only staying one night so not a big deal but there was no mention of it on the booking website."
Seasonal operations: Several equestrian campgrounds near Taylorsville have limited operating seasons. At Otter Creek Park Campground, Ella L. advises, "This campground does allow you to make reservations," which is helpful since many regional facilities close during winter months or have limited services.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sites with children's play areas provide entertainment options. At Taylorsville Lake State Park, Heather K. mentions, "Playground was close and perfect for everyone to go run and play." Several campgrounds in the region feature similar amenities for younger visitors.
Noise considerations: Sound travels in many campgrounds, affecting families with early bedtimes. Ella L. observes, "The loop itself is a bulky gravel road that is VERY NOISY when campers drive on it, or in our case... a child drives their Barbie Power Wheels up and down the road until 10pm in the dark."
Water recreation: Several sites offer swimming and boating opportunities. Brandy A. shares about Deam Lake, "Perfect lake to kayak for a beginner bc no wake zone" while Melissa A. notes about Otter Creek, "Beautiful trails for hiking, great creek for swimming, close to Louisville."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check specific site measurements when booking. M&P M. advise about My Old Kentucky Home State Park: "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."
Hookup variations: Not all sites offer the same utilities. According to Bethany W., "Sites are spaced out which has been really nice. Feels more like camping. Very shaded. Sites are a bit uneven and water and electric is about 40 feet away. Make sure to have levelers to handle 7+ inches."
Satellite challenges: Dense tree cover affects reception at several campgrounds. John G. reports from Deam Lake, "Stayed in D04. Had 30 amp plus 20 amp hookups," but notes connectivity challenges in wooded areas that require alternative internet solutions for those needing to stay connected.
