The forests surrounding Winchester, Kentucky reach elevations up to 1,300 feet in the foothills of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with high humidity, while winters can drop to 20-40°F. Several equestrian campgrounds near Winchester limit water access during winter months when temperatures regularly dip below freezing.
What to do
Paddling adventures on the Licking River: From The Ole Cornfield, guests can rent kayaks or bring their own for trips down the Licking River. "They shuttle you up to the dam and it takes a couple of hours to get back down to their campground. Justin pulls your kayaks out and takes them up the hill for you," notes Karen P. The shallow water depth near the campground (1-2 feet) creates safe wading conditions.
Fishing for diverse species: Cave Run Lake near Twin Knobs Recreation Area provides excellent fishing opportunities. The nearby Licking River contains "several fish species from the fun to catch bluegill to the Muskellunge," according to Karen P. Most shoreline fishing spots are accessible without special permits beyond standard Kentucky fishing licenses.
Hiking natural landmarks: Multiple trails near Lago Linda Hideaway connect to popular destinations. "Natural Bridge State Park is nearby as well as several adventure based businesses," mentions Shelly S. Lockegee Rock offers a moderately difficult 0.6-mile hiking trail with panoramic overlooks of the surrounding forests.
What campers like
Open space camping: The Ole Cornfield provides spacious campsites with room for additional structures. "We were able to put up a 20 x 10 canopy outside of our camper canopy with plenty of extra room. Lots of space for the kids to run," reports Karen P. Sites include complementary firewood, fire rings, and picnic tables.
Privacy between sites: Twin Knobs Recreation Area features natural buffers between campsites. "The campground is in a wooded area and each campsite is separate by woods from the nearby sites," explains Stephen H. The woodland buffer provides noise reduction and visual separation that maintains camping privacy even during busy weekends.
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds offer swimming options beyond standard showers. Karen P. notes about The Ole Cornfield: "The grandkids love to play in the river, which is about 1 to 2 feet deep at this location. Great for wading and catching minnows, crawdads, and such." Lago Linda Hideaway features a small lake with a dock and life jackets available for campers.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. At S-Tree Campground, Amy K. reports, "I have cell service with Verizon. I was able to make & receive calls. Internet signal was not the best." Most campgrounds in the area have spotty coverage that supports basic text messaging but limited data usage.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful driving. Andrew G. notes about S-Tree Campground: "The northern road in isn't all that bad, but the south road is what I NEEDED to use to get to my various destinations, and it was a rough one. I made it in and out twice in an HHR, but I was bottoming out on gravel."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and availability of restrooms vary between locations. At The Ole Cornfield, "Their bath/shower house is really clean and with heat/air," according to Karen P. Other campgrounds like S-Tree offer vault toilets without running water, while White Sulphur Horse Camp has basic restroom facilities that are "stocked with TP."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly water features: Campgrounds with shallow water access provide natural entertainment. At The Ole Cornfield, "The grandkids love to play in the river... Great for wading and catching minnows, crawdads, and such," shares Karen P. These activities require minimal equipment—just small nets and containers for temporary observation.
Consider proximity to amenities: Logan-Hubble County Park offers standard county park amenities alongside camping. Jeff C. notes it has "Beautiful medium size lake in the park plus standard county park amenities. Does have a disc golf course." The combination of camping with recreational facilities provides activity options without requiring travel away from camp.
Check for recreation equipment: Twin Knobs includes "shower and toilet facilities close by. The campground is located on a lake," according to Stephen H. Some campgrounds provide life jackets for lake swimming or offer rental equipment for water activities, reducing what families need to pack.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: RV sites vary significantly in accessibility. At Kentucky Horse Park Campground, Lisa M. observed that "most of the campsites had probably at least 50 to 60 feet between each one and lots of grass and trees. The campsite we stayed in, 140, was a pull through so that was bonus."
Hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups rather than full-service sites. "There is water and electric at each site," notes Karen P. about The Ole Cornfield. Twin Knobs campers mention that some sites lack water hookups, with Becky H. noting "lovely site, totally private, on the lake, but really inconvenient if you want water hookup."
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies across equestrian camping near Winchester. At Kentucky Horse Park Campground, Lisa M. found "most of the campsites had probably at least 50 to 60 feet between each one and lots of grass and trees." S-Tree Campground offers "gravel lots with picnic tables and fire pits," according to Sam C.
