Nolin Lake State Park campground in Kentucky

Nolin Lake State Park

We don’t stay at a lot of campgrounds during our travels as we usually boondock to save money. During our 2023 summer trip, my husband was able to go with us and I wanted him to be comfortable in our campervan so we chose to stay at a beautiful campground for conveniences such as bathrooms, showers and electricity.

Near Mammoth Cave National Park

I found this campground that was located at Nolin State Park in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. After staying here we have decided this is now one of our favorite campgrounds ever! It was so peaceful and it was a very relaxing couple of days. I highly recommend this park if you are ever in the area. This campground is located about 41 minutes from the visitor center at Mammoth Cave National Park. This campground is open year round with limited facilities in the winter months. If you are looking for a smaller quieter campground this is the place to visit.

Campsites

We had site 32 and you can see how long the driveway is from the picture. You could fit a large RV in this space. They had a picnic table, fire pit, gravel driveway and a hook for your lantern. You can have up to one tent on this campsite as long as it is not on the grass. This space is more private as there is only one campsite one the one side and the other side is surrounded by trees.

This campground is surrounded by the 5,795 acre Nolin River Lake so it made this space even more beautiful. There is a path to the lake from our campsite, as seen above. There is a sign not to launch your kayak from this space but we did come back this way after we kayaked.

Address: 2998 Brier Creek Road, Mammoth Cave, KY

Check in time is 2:00PM and check out time was 1:00PM.

Amenities: sewer dump, trash, electricity, water, restrooms, hot showers, laundry, firewood, basketball hoop, boat ramp, mountain bike trail, 9.2 mile hiking trail, fishing (with KY fishing license)

Campsites: 32 sites with hookups and 27 primitive sites

Restrooms and Laundry and Playground

The restrooms were decent and clean. There were about 4 bathroom stalls in the women’s restroom and 4 showers. Attached to the shower house is the laundromat as seen above. These were coin operated. I believe it was 4 or 5 quarters for each machine.

There was also a playground next to the restrooms.

Kayak or boat at the lake

We took our inflatable kayaks on the lake. It was very calm and easy to paddle. There was no strong current at the time we were there. I love our inflatable kayak that we purchased on Amazon. Price varies by season but they are around $115-$150.

There is also a boat ramp before you enter the campground. Next to the boat ramp is a small beach for swimming. No pets allowed at the beach.

Basketball hoop and Sunsets

They had a basketball hoop and volleyball net by the water for a fun way to relax at the end of the night as you watch the sun set. Nothing better than a beautiful sunset to end the night.

Camp Store

At the entrance of the campground they have a very small store, where the attendant is, where you can purchase fire wood for $6 a bundle. You can also purchase souvenirs, sunscreen, bug spray and more. The attendants were super friendly and helped us with any questions we had.

Nestled in the heart of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, Nolin Lake State Park Campground offers an idyllic retreat for camping enthusiasts. Our recent adventure at this picturesque location was filled with serene days spent camping along the lakeside, kayaking in the waters, and evenings gathered around campfires, roasting s'mores under the starlit sky.

The campground boasts not only natural beauty but also unique amenities that elevate the camping experience. A surprising find was a basketball hoop nestled next to the lake. The convenience of a well-equipped shower house with laundry facilities ensures a comfortable stay for campers.

For those seeking essentials or looking to indulge in a bit of camping retail therapy, the small camp store proves to be a valuable resource. Stocking up on supplies or finding helpful staff becomes a breeze with this on-site convenience.

Nolin Lake State Park Campground offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and modern amenities. Whether it's the tranquility of the lake, the camaraderie around a campfire, or the unexpected joy of shooting hoops in a unique setting, this campground captures the essence of a memorable camping experience in the heart of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.

I definitely recommend you put this campground on your list when in Kentucky.

Enjoy the journey,

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