Urban Camping in Kentucky

Urban Camping

Though many visitors think of Kentucky as a state filled with rural areas, it also has big cities that are home to millions of people. When looking for parks for urban camping in Kentucky, start your search in Louisville and Lexington. These two cities have great restaurants and fun attractions such as the Louisville Slugger Museum. You can then expand your search to other major cities such as Frankfort and Mammoth Cave. It’s easy to find Kentucky campgrounds in urban areas that put you close to the action.

The skyline of downtown Louisville with several tall buildings stands against a blue sky with a bridge in the foreground.

Urban RV Parks in Kentucky

Elkhorn Campground

Located in Frankfort, Kentucky, Elkhorn Campground has 125 sites that are spacious enough for big rigs and large RVs. All sites offer full hookups and come with free cable. Families love this campground for its miniature golf course and swimming pool along with sports courts, including courts for basketball and volleyball.

Jellystone Park Mammoth Cave

Jellystone Park Mammoth Cave has sites for tents and RVs as well as cabins that can accommodate groups of all sizes. Karst Beach is a new addition to the campground that features a swimming beach and an inflatable splash park. You can play miniature golf and hit the fishing pond or take part in the special events and activities in the amphitheater. 

Whispering Hills RV Park

Just 30 minutes outside of Lexington in Georgetown is Whispering Hills RV Park, which has more than 200 sites with full hookups and free Wi-Fi. Some of the sites are close to the swimming pool, but others overlook the fishing pond. Many guests play on the basketball court and gather around the community fire pit for special events.

Kentucky Horse Park

Not only can you visit one of the world’s only equine theme parks, but you can also camp at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Horse lovers looking at urban camping in Kentucky will find that the campground offers convenient access to the park, which has multiple statues and memorials and four museums. The 12-mile Legacy Trail is right outside the campground, and discounted tickets to the theme park are sold in the campground’s on-site store.

Louisville South KOA

Louisville South KOA is only minutes away from Louisville in nearby Shepherdsville and has full-hookup sites that can accommodate very large RVs. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the campground has planned daily activities and an open swimming pool. You can also visit the store to rent a bike or use the book exchange.

Where to Urban Camp in Kentucky

As you look at where to urban camp in Kentucky, give some thought to Louisville, where you can tour the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory to see how the company makes its famous bats and buy a customized one. Churchill Downs is one of the most famous horse tracks in the world and hosts the annual Kentucky Derby. Not far away is the Muhammed Ali Center, which hosts special events every month. Waverly Hills Sanatorium is another unique place to visit, especially if you take one of the haunted tours.

Lexington offers much more to do than just Kentucky Horse Park. The Raven Run Nature Sanctuary has multiple trails for runners and hikers along with open spaces where you might see ravens and other wild animals. History buffs like the Mary Todd Lincoln House, which was her childhood home. There are also multiple horse tracks, including Keeneland where you can watch live races.

Frankfort is the state capital and one of Kentucky’s biggest cities. History fans can explore the gardens and buildings at the Liberty Hall Historic Site and the Old State Capitol Building. The Kentucky History Center has several museums on site that explore the state’s history. If you prefer the great outdoors, there is also Cove Spring Park with an archery range and hiking trails.

Though Mammoth Cave isn’t as large as the other cities, it still offers plenty of things to do, and of course, you won’t want to leave the area without visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. The Mammoth Cave Visitors Center lets you learn about this unique cave system and sign up for a guided tour. Big Mike’s is nearby and has a Mystery House that seems to defy the law of gravity, along with dinosaur skulls, sculptures, and a souvenir shop. When you’re ready to just relax, Nolin Lake State Park has a large lake that is perfect for boating and fishing. 

Urban RV Camping in Kentucky

Both Louisville and Lexington have strong public transportation systems that make it easy to hit your must-see attractions when urban RV camping in Kentucky. You’ll also find some options in Frankfort if you want to avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot and traffic jams. You should also consider using a rideshare app as most campgrounds have Wi-Fi.

You should also keep in mind that urban RV parks in Kentucky are a little smaller than you might expect. If you need more space, consider staying in a campground within driving distance of a big city, such as one in a suburb. It’s also helpful to bring headphones from home and listen to music or books at night. The campgrounds are sometimes noisy, and even if they have quiet hours, you’ll still hear noises from the surrounding city.

Get ready for your Kentucky urban camping trip with our top RV travel tips that are perfect for anyone visiting the Bluegrass State.

With an RV rental, your urban vacation will be a little more comfortable! After you’ve spent a long day exploring the city, you can relax around the fire at your campsite. Then, retire inside to enjoy all the comforts of home onboard your RV. Plan your perfect urban getaway with an RV rental from RVshare.