Camping near Williamstown, Kentucky offers sites set within Kentucky's Bluegrass region at elevations between 800-1,000 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of deciduous forest and open fields, with most campgrounds situated near small lakes or creek systems. Several parks in the area remain open year-round, though water systems at some locations shut down from November through March.
What to do
Bison viewing: 20-minute drive from Williamstown at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground. "Great place to learn some history, hike a trail, and view the bison. There are places to have a picnic, and a small campground is available," notes Lisa S. The park features educational exhibits about prehistoric animals and live bison.
Fishing: Multiple options at Kincaid Lake State Park Campground where bank access and boat launches provide entry points. "There's a tent-only loop along the lake to avoid the many RVs," explains Dan N. The lake supports bass, bluegill, and catfish populations.
Mini-golf and swimming: Family activities available at several parks including A.J. Jolly Park. "There is a pool, mini golf, and tennis plus some play areas for the kids," shares Shelly S. Most recreation areas open May through September, with reduced hours after Labor Day.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Mixed options available at Three Springs Campground. "Very quiet campground in a beautiful place surrounded by trees very friendly personal. Not far from the Ark endounter," reports Susanne W. The campground's wooded setting creates natural spacing between sites.
Water features: Creeks and ponds run through Oak Creek Campground. "We prefer site 18 which offers nice privacy and is next to a stream," recommends Doug and Terri C. Water features provide both scenic value and recreation options for campers.
Accessibility to attractions: Strategic location for visiting regional sites. "This park is super convenient if you're planning on going to the ark encounter and the creation museum because it's about 30-45 minutes in either direction," explains Tiffany D. Most major attractions remain within a 45-minute drive of Williamstown.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Variable schedules affect services throughout the region. At Big Bone Lick, one camper noted, "There was also mini golf and pool to use." However, these amenities typically operate only during summer months.
Road noise: Highway proximity impacts some camping experiences at Northern Kentucky RV Park. "Road behind is loud but the campground itself was quiet," reports Nick & Allyssa S. Train noise also affects certain sites, with one camper noting, "The train comes at least 2 times per night (2am and 5am Sunday night anyway) blowing its horn."
Site leveling: Preparation needed at several parks. At A.J. Jolly Park, campers advise, "None are level looking so you will need to know what your doing to level your rig." Additional blocks and leveling equipment often prove necessary.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Natural history lessons at Big Bone Lick. "This is a small and simple park with a lot of opportunities to learn. There are a lot of little trails that criss cross each other and a lot of informational signs and a little museum," notes Lynn G. The park's museum features interactive exhibits appropriate for school-aged children.
Playground access: Multiple options at various parks. "The main playground is extremely nice. About 1/3 Mile walk. They do have a small playground in the rv section," explains Jeffrey D. at A.J. Jolly Park. Most campgrounds include at least basic play equipment.
Wildlife viewing: Kid-friendly animals at several locations. One camper exclaimed, "Great Attraction, you can walk the trails and even get the excitement of seeing REAL LIVE BISON. Pretty sweet experience!" Supervised wildlife viewing works best during morning and evening hours.
Tips from RVers
Water pressure variations: Bring regulators to Whispering Hills RV Park. "Water pressure is pretty high make sure you use a regulator," warns Mathew H. Another camper confirmed: "The water pressure was quite high (70 psi) according to the worker at the campground."
Site spacing: Research before booking at most campgrounds. "The spaces are very close together. There is not much space for parking your tow vehicle," explains Jill B. Site dimensions vary significantly, with pull-through sites generally offering more space than back-in options.
Dump station locations: Plan accordingly since not all parks offer full hookups. "Although they do have a dump station, I prefer to have a direct hook-up," notes Marci R. Dump stations typically remain open year-round except during freezing conditions.
