Established Camping
Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground
Warning 6 Alerts are In Effect
There are 6 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 6 Alerts are In Effect
There are 6 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Burn Bans may be in effect. Please contact the Park for details on restrictions.
Carter Caves' campground will be closed for the 2025 season due to renovations. Limited primitive and equestrian sites will be available during this time.
Carter Caves' campground will be closed for the 2025 season due to renovations. Limited primitive and equestrian sites will be available during this time.
Carter Caves' campground will be closed for the 2025 season due to renovations. Limited primitive and equestrian sites will be available during this time.
Due to weather, Kentucky State Parks cannot guarantee the availability of water or other resources at our campgrounds during inclement weather months when freezing temperatures are possible. Please contact the park directly for available resources if traveling during months that are conducive to freezing temperatures.
Reservations for the Equestrian Campground are accepted ONLY by contacting the Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground directly at 606-286-4411. Select option 4 for the campground. Online reservations or calls to ReserveAmerica are not available for the Equestrian Campground. Camping in the Equestrian Campground is open to Equestrian Campers year round. Non-Equestrian Campers choosing this campground must wait until 10 days before chosen arrival date to make a reservation. As always, all information is SUBJECT TO CHANGE without notice.
Carter Caves State Resort Park, near Olive Hill, Kentucky, is a fantastic spot for those who love nature and adventure. With a backdrop of stunning caves and lush hiking trails, it’s a great place to immerse yourself in the great outdoors.
The campground offers a range of sites for tents, RVs, and even cabins for those who prefer a bit more comfort. Visitors often highlight the friendly staff and the clean facilities, including well-maintained bathrooms and showers. One camper noted, “The staff cleans the bathhouse every hour,” which speaks to the park's commitment to cleanliness.
For adventure seekers, the park is a treasure trove of activities. You can explore the fascinating caves, hike scenic trails, or just enjoy the beauty of the natural bridges scattered throughout the area. Families will appreciate the playground and the camp store for any last-minute needs. As one reviewer put it, “There’s so much to do at Carter Caves that I didn’t mind the noise from other campers.”
While the sites can be a bit close together, many find the atmosphere welcoming and enjoyable. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer stay, Carter Caves State Resort Park has plenty to offer for a memorable camping experience.
Description
Kentucky State Parks
Carter Caves State Resort Park
Hidden deep under the northeast forests of Kentucky, strange formations with names like Giant Turkey, Headache Rock, and The Cathedral mingle with cave corals, underground waterfalls and thousands of endangered bats. This is what awaits visitors to Carter Caves State Resort Park, approximately 90 miles east of Lexington. The park was only established, and the cave environments protected, in 1946. Prior to this, the land—and caves—have a long and storied history. It begins millions of years ago, when North America was in its development stage, with the land rising and falling, cracking and washing away. This began forming the caves as seen today. Fast-forward to the 1800s, and the caves served as a resource during the War of 1812. Today however, this 2000-acre park—both above and below ground—serves as a recreation destination for campers and adventurers. The resort at Carter Caves offers a variety of overnight options, including camping, cottages and a lodge. Campers will find a large campground with 89 RV sites with utilities, 30 primitive tent sites, eight equestrian sites, and two bunkhouses. Most RV sites are back-in, and can accommodate vehicles/trailers up to 60 feet; bunkhouses can accommodate up to six people. The campground features bathhouses with showers, water faucets, picnic shelters, horse stables, and a playground. The park’s cottages are fully equipped with linens, cookware, and most have wood-burning fireplaces; these can accommodate up to eight people. The Lewis Caveland Lodge offers 28 rooms with full amenities, balconies and patios. Dogs are permitted in designated areas, and must remain leashed. Campsite rates are $18–$55/night; cottages and lodge rooms are $75–$240/night. The main attraction at Carter Caves State Resort Park is … the caves! There are six named caves in the park for exploring. Some are open year-round, some are only open during the summer. The park offers guided walking tours in four of the caves. Tours range from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours, and require some stair-climbing and stooping. There are also two caves open for self-exploration. These are undeveloped, and require visitors to provide their own light source. For the adventurous, there are also two cave crawling expeditions. These tours are three hours long, and explore tight, undeveloped passages that require lots of crawling, stooping and duck-walking in muddy conditions. For visitors who would rather stay and play above ground, the park features 26 miles of hiking trails, guided horseback rides, putt-putt golf, rock climbing, and fishing and paddling on Smoky Valley Lake.
Location
Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground is located in Kentucky
Directions
Take I-64 to exit 161. Turn EAST onto US 60 for 2 miles. Then turn left onto NORTH KY Route 182. Park Entrance is 3 miles from turning north onto Rt. 182.
Address
344 Caveland Drive
Olive Hill, KY 41164
Coordinates
38.37200043 N
83.11800018 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonGood
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly