Camping sites near Greenup, Kentucky range from waterfront locations along the Little Sandy River to mountainous terrain with elevations from 550 to 1,200 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 80-90°F and winters dropping to 20-30°F. Most campgrounds in the area sit within the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, creating varied terrain with limited cell service in several locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Little Bear Island Campground offers direct access to the Little Sandy River where campers can enjoy fishing throughout the day. "We fished all day and night. Caught a bunch of fish and had a catfish fry," reports one visitor at Little Bear Island Campground.
Cave exploration: The region contains multiple cave systems perfect for guided tours. At Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground, visitors can explore underground formations. One visitor notes, "The park has a lot to do, not just the caves. There's tons of waterfalls off the trails, and other things to see. The caves are great to explore as well. Grab a ranger-guided tour and learn something!"
Hiking trails: The campgrounds connect to multiple trail systems ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty. A reviewer at Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius mentioned, "Great campground with super easy access to the trail and lake. The sites are spread apart enough so you aren't right beside someone - and shaded."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate locations that offer natural separation between campsites. At Shawnee State Park Campground, campers found unique tent sites: "Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites. Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives positive comments across several locations. At Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, visitors noted, "Bathhouses are clean and maintained really well, good selection of primitive, electric and water, and full hook up sites. A nice lake for fishing, trails and a nice lodge with good food."
Waterfront camping: Sites along rivers and lakes rate consistently high. At Sandy Springs Campground, visitors enjoy views of the Ohio River. "We had a riverfront site. The camp hosts are very nice and attentive to your needs," shared one camper, while another mentioned "It is so peaceful to watch the river and see the occasional boat or barge go by."
What you should know
Electrical hookup limitations: Several campgrounds have unusual electrical setups that can cause issues. A visitor to Greenbo Lake State Resort Park explained: "They advertise the sites with 30 and 50 amp hookups. What they didn't say was that you had to share a post. The people beside me already had the 50 amp."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds in the region. One visitor noted about Greenbo Lake State Resort Park: "There was no AT&T service, but Verizon had service."
Site spacing concerns: Site proximity varies widely between campgrounds and within the same facility. At Carter Caves State Resort Park, one reviewer mentioned, "When we drove up to the campground we did not like the feel so we left. There is no space between sites."
Water and electric access issues: Campers frequently mention needing extra equipment. At Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius, a visitor warned: "Plenty of sites, including pull thrus. More affordable than some of the nearby state 'resort' parks, though without much in the way of shade or scenery."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Family campers recommend locations with built-in recreation options. At Ashland Huntington West KOA, families appreciate the amenities: "Loved the fenced in soft play area for the toddlers. Great field for flying kites. Camp store had lots of food options and coffee."
Site selection for kids: Consider campgrounds with open play spaces between sites. At Oasis Point RV Resort, a visitor with children shared: "This is great for kids. They have a large pond that has a nice beach, a huge slide and a zip line. They have kayaks, paddle boards and floats first come first serve."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. At Carter Caves State Resort Park, a long-time visitor noted: "Yes it can get crowded, yes there are kids and lots of noise. they're coming here to have fun too!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers often mention uneven terrain at campgrounds near Greenup. A camper at Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area reported: "Some sites are sloped from slight to more severe. We did have to take our camper off our truck (truck camper) in order to get level."
Hookup distance issues: Many campers mention needing extra-long cords and hoses. At Carter Caves State Resort Park, one RVer advised: "The only issue was that some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up. Thankfully we were able to switch spots instead of renting an extension cord."
Size restrictions: Larger RVs face limitations at several campgrounds. A visitor to Shawnee State Park noted: "We were told that the site we'd been assigned was room enough for 52'. Our RV is only 34' so that would be more than enough. we got there and it was maybe 20-24" in length, with no wiggle room because one end was the park road/driveway, the other end a hill."
