Established Camping
COE Rough River Lake North Fork
About
US Army Corps of Engineers
Rough River Lake
Overview
North Fork Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky. The 5,100-acre lake is a hometown paradise for visitors who love the outdoors, and more than two million visitors camp, picnic, fish, swim, boat and relax on the lake shore each year.
Recreation
A wide variety of recreational activities and facilities are provided at the lake, including ample opportunities for boating and fishing. The most sought after fish are bass, crappie and catfish, and bass tournaments occur at the lake throughout the year. Additionally, pontoon, johnboat and jet ski rentals are available at the nearby marinas.
Facilities
North Fork Campground offers 81 sites, 50 of which have electric hookups. Several campsites are on the waterfront, while others are just a short walk away. Additional amenities include a dump station, playground, public beach, showers, two group shelters, boat ramp, basketball court, fishing pier and a day use picnic area. Wi-fi is available from an outside source at an additional fee.
Natural Features
The rolling, forested hills of rural south central Kentucky offer an extraordinary setting for those who visit the lake. Rough River Lake provides views of ancient sandstone, shale and limestone cliffs. An abundance of water in the area, both surface and underground, has carved through limestone to create a myriad of sinks and caverns. The lake itself is home to numerous species of wildlife, including migratory songbirds and waterfowl.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (270) 257-8139.
Nearby Attractions
The historic Green Farm is adjacent to the lake. It consists of about 3,000 acres, a large ancestral home, an old water-powered mill and store and a golf course. George Washington once owned part of the land. Mammoth Cave National Park, which boasts the longest cave system in the world with more than 240 miles of mapped passageways, is about a one-hour drive away. Other nearby attractions also include the historic Holt House in Hardinsburg, the Jack Thomas House in Leitchfield, and the new Aquatic Center in Leitchfield.
Charges & Cancellations
Once a reservation has been created, there will be a $10 fee to cancel your reservation, change sites, or change dates. Cancellations made the day before you are scheduled to arrive through the day after your arrival date will also be charged the first night's use fee. No-show's are charged a $20 fee plus the first night's use fee. If your reservation is for only 1 night, and you have been charged the first night's use fee, there is no $10 or $20 service fee charged.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Electric Hookups
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Quiet, Relaxing, Getaway
Had a wonderful trip this weekend at North Fork. Will be going back soon. The camp host were very nice and very welcoming. We loved it here! I have Verizon Wireless and I had great cellular service.
Very scenic and nice layout!
This is a great campsite and it very well spaced and provides excellent scenery and there is plenty to do. Only issue we have come across was that the electric service on our site kept tripping the breaker. Only running ac and a CPAP machine and the breaker would not hold......very disappointing since it was 90 degrees in the middle of the day. It may just be our site but I thought a warning was needed.
No Flow
North Fork Recreation Area at Rough River Lake is a little discombobulated. The lay out of the area is missing any Feng Shui.
There is a nice picnic area with a large pavilion , parking area and fishing pier next to but not connected to the boatramp. The boatramp has parking along one side, two ramps to use and it in turn is next to but not connected to the campground.
Pro: there is a nice size beach on the other side of the road with a large shaded picnic area that looks like it used to be a campground, a good size parking lot and a large pavilion.
Con: regardless your plans for the day/weekend it’s almost impossible to easily/safely move from one activity to the next without the use of a vehicle.
This campground was crowded , noisy and there was no privacy.
Con: sorta felt like setting your tent up on Main Street in a mid-size town.
Pro: you might make new friends (hopefully quiet, courteous friends)
Con: very strange lay out which uses every inch of space.
Con: there was a lot of noisy water traffic.
Pro: you could tie your water craft near your campsite in several areas.
Con: some of the sites had little room to park your car.
We ended up way down at the end in site 66
Pro:cut down on vehicle traffic
Con: we were right next to the boatramp area, very noisy.
Pro: there was a restroom nearby
Con: it was shared with the boatramp
When driving to North Fork you pass through a small town with a gas station, Dollar General and food available. I gave a three star due to the noise, crowd and lack of privacy. You may enjoy this kind of camping.
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Location
COE Rough River Lake North Fork is located in Kentucky
Directions
Begin at ramp onto I-64 West toward New Albany/St. Louis, traveling 22.3 miles. Take the IN-135, Exit Number 105, toward Palmyra/Corydon, onto IN-135 South toward Corydon, traveling 16.7 miles. Continue on Bypass Road KY-79 for 2.1 miles. Turn right onto KY-79, traveling 10.1 miles. Continue on 1st Avenue, KY-79S for 495 feet. Turn a slight right onto US-60, traveling 11.8 miles. Turn left onto KY-259/KY-79, traveling 9.1 miles. End at 9077 South Highway 259, McDaniels, KY. Distance is approximately 72 miles with an approximate travel time of 1 hour, 15 minutes.
Address
9077 South Highway 259
Mcdaniels, KY 40152
Coordinates
37.6297222 N
86.4366667 W