Cummins Ferry Campground and Three Springs offer luxury camping experiences near Wilmore, Kentucky, within a 30-minute drive through the rolling hills of Bluegrass country. The region sits at approximately 850 feet elevation with temperatures ranging from mid-20s in winter to upper-80s in summer. Local campgrounds take advantage of the Kentucky River's 260-mile waterway that cuts through limestone cliffs creating distinctive camping environments.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Guist Creek Marina & Campground, anglers can purchase licenses directly at the marina store. "The place is beautiful with river view and valley overlooking sunsets every night. They have fishing licenses available, along with hunting," reports camper Nicklaus G.
Kayaking access: Cummins Ferry RV Park offers a boat ramp ideal for launching small watercraft. "There is a boat ramp (perfect for my kayak), docks to go fishing off of, lots of nature and trails," shares Jenn N. The Kentucky River access makes this spot popular for water activities.
Hiking trails: Lake Shelby Campground maintains walking paths around its shoreline. "Big fan of Lake Shelby - they have a few RV spots, some nice camping by the lake, overflow camping by the river past the dam, and primitive camping in the back along the lake trail," notes Dawn B.
What campers like
Weekend entertainment: Saturday events at Cummins Ferry create a social atmosphere. "Live music and food trucks every Saturday are a nice touch!" shares Whistle P. This adds structured activities for campers seeking community experiences.
Clean facilities: Three Springs Campground maintains well-kept washrooms. "Bathrooms are well maintained and clean. Lots of stars at night!" reports Sam O. Multiple reviews highlight the importance of clean restrooms for comfortable glamping close to Wilmore, Kentucky.
Secluded settings: HomeGrown HideAways offers a remote natural environment. "Nestled in a narrow valley between high ridges of The Knobs, this campground gives the feel of secluded country living with your own trails and creeks to explore," explains Carolyn S. The terrain creates natural separation from neighboring properties.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra equipment for RV leveling. "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," reports Whistle P. about their Cummins Ferry experience.
Access roads: Some locations require navigating narrow entries. "Final approach/exit to the park is very steep. Beautiful sites but fairly close together," writes Donald J. about Three Springs Campground.
Water conditions: Lake quality varies throughout the year at certain locations. "The lake was brown and had an oily film across the top. It smelled of dead fish and something else that I couldn't identify," notes Heather K. about Lake Shelby. Seasonal rainfall affects water clarity.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Shelby Campground offers recreation facilities for children. "There is an awesome play area for the kids and the shower facilities were clean," writes Jenny O. This provides structured activity options for younger campers.
Alternative shelters: Some locations offer unique accommodation options for families. "We stayed at the Yome, and it was perfect for our family of four. Instead of sleeping in it, which would have been perfectly comfortable, we actually used it as more of an extra shelter and we pitched our tents in the field in front of the Yome," shares Cassandra C. about their stay at HomeGrown HideAways.
Fishing with kids: Guist Creek provides shoreline fishing access for families. "The lake is beautiful. Dog and I took a little canoe ride," shares Brandon E. The shoreline allows supervised fishing without boat requirements.
Tips from RVers
Hookup assistance: Staff helpfulness varies between locations. "I just brought my RV here for an extended stay and the staff made every effort to make sure my stay would be enjoyable! They even came out and helped me hook everything up (I'm a newbie to RV camping)," writes Jenn N. about Camp Nelson RV Park.
Site dimensions: Verify length requirements before booking. "We stayed one night here, and it was great! We had been traveling all day and decided to find a place to camp. We ended up with a beautiful, quiet place, right on the lake, and we set up camp as the sun was setting," reports Jenny O. Site limitations can impact larger RVs.
Backing assistance: Some campgrounds provide parking guidance. "Quiet lil place clean showers and bathrooms extremely friendly staff who will go out of their way to help you set up. It's a back In Only but they are there with you to guide," notes Bobby C. about Three Springs Campground.
