How much does camping cost at Trace Branch Campground?

Camping fees at Trace Branch Campground range from $24-$60/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Trace Branch Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Trace Branch Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Trace Branch Campground before I book?

Yes! Trace Branch Campground has 3 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Trace Branch Campground?

Trace Branch Campground is open May 01 to September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Trace Branch Campground?

Yes, Trace Branch Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Trace Branch Campground have?

Trace Branch Campground has 28 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Trace Branch Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Trace Branch Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Trace Branch Campground?

Trace Branch Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Trace Branch Campground?

Popular activities at Trace Branch Campground include Fishing, Swimming, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Trace Branch Campground

3.98

92 reviews

804 Buckhorn Dam Road

Top 13% in KYSummer

Summer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Kentucky

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

968 ft

Price

$24 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

28 campsites

Season

Open from May 1 - Se...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Trace Branch Campground Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

968 ft

Price

$24 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

28 campsites

Season

Open from May 1 - Se...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Trace Branch Campground Official Website

Get Directions

Trace Branch Campground

$24.00 - $60.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Pavilion: $60.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$60.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

606-672-3670

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

804 Buckhorn Dam Road

Trace Branch Campground

804 Buckhorn Dam Road

Nearby places

London, KY (approximately 44 miles away)

Hyden, KY (approx. 9 miles away).

Driving directionsFrom Lexington, KY, take I-75 south 83 miles to London. Take exit 41 or 38 to Daniel Boone Parkway east and continue 44 miles to Hyden Spur. Exit towards Tim Couch Pass and turn left towards Thousandsticks onto Bull Creek Road. Go 2.5 miles to KY Highway 257, then head north about 9 miles to the Confluence bridge. Turn right and cross the bridge, then take a left on Mosley Bend Road. Continue 2 miles to Trace Branch Campground on your left.

Weather at Trace Branch Campground

Best Time to Camp at Trace Branch Campground

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Trace Branch because warm, pleasant weather (typical highs around 80–90°F / 27–32°C, nights in the 60s°F / 15–20°C) makes Buckhorn Lake ideal for swimming, boating, and all-day fishing. Waterfront campsites and lake access are at their peak use, with long daylight hours and reliably warm water for water sports; misty mornings over the lake add atmospheric scenery. Expect the highest crowds in July–August and holiday weekends, so book early (reservable dates begin Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 13% in KY

Summer is peak season: warm days, lake warms for swimming/boating and long daylight favored by reviewers.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 1 - September 30 during peak season. Reservable dates start June 20.

About Trace Branch Campground

Trace Branch Campground sits on Buckhorn Lake in eastern Kentucky, offering full-hookup RV sites and tent camping with direct lake access. Operated seasonally during peak months, it draws anglers and boaters who appreciate clean facilities, attentive camp hosts, and a quiet setting. The narrow, single-lane access road requires careful navigation, and GPS directions can be unreliable.

Trace Branch Campground primarily accommodates RVs and tent camping, with standard electric and group shelter sites available. Primitive camping is not mentioned.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Trace Branch because warm, pleasant weather (typical highs around 80–90°F / 27–32°C, nights in the 60s°F / 15–20°C) makes Buckhorn Lake ideal for swimming, boating, and all-day fishing. Waterfront campsites and lake access are at their peak use, with long daylight hours and reliably warm water for water sports; misty mornings over the lake add atmospheric scenery. Expect the highest crowds in July–August and holiday weekends, so book early (reservable dates begin Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation968 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a narrow valley where steep, forested watersheds drop toward Buckhorn Lake, a reservoir created by damming the Kentucky River. The terrain is classic Cumberland Plateau: rugged ridgelines, branching streams, and tight hollows that channel morning fog across the water. Sites face the lake directly, with views of the opposite shore's wooded slopes. Misty mornings are common, especially in summer, and the combination of still water and surrounding peaks creates strong reflections at dawn. The area sits at 968 feet elevation, low enough to stay warm in summer but high enough to feel the Appalachian topography.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotel-style lodges or other accommodations beyond campsites and shelters.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural or educational programs are not specifically mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights and 14 nights total within rolling 30 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Guest limits per site are not specified in authoritative sources.

Groups

Group shelter sites are available with electrical amenities, suitable for larger gatherings or events.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov

AccessibilityAccessibility paths are limited, with steep roads or stairs noted as challenges for some users. A concrete winding path to improve accessibility is suggested by reviewers.

Site SizeCampsites are described as generally small; larger trailers may face difficulties fitting. Waterfront sites are recommended but may require reserving two spots for space.

PrivacyPrivacy is noted as minimal; campsites are close together, and interaction with neighboring campers is common.

Total Campsites28 campsites

Recommended SitesSites near the waterfront are recommended for views, but small sites might require renting two for larger setups.

Best CampsitesWaterfront sites at the back of the campground are the ones to target. They offer better spacing and more direct lake access. Some campers reserve two adjacent sites to accommodate larger trailers and avoid crowding. Front sites are tighter and closer to the road, which cuts into privacy.

Need help booking Trace Branch Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Trace Branch Campground offers primarily waterfront campsites equipped with electric and water hookups. Amenities include a shower house with hot showers, a playground visible from campsites, horseshoe pits, and a convenient fishing area. Picnic tables and fire rings are available at all campsites. There are clean and well-maintained flush toilets, accessible trash containers, and a communal garbage area that is regularly emptied to ensure cleanliness. Laundry facilities are not available at the campground.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Flush toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Trace Branch Campground include swimming, hiking, fishing, boating, water sports, and wildlife viewing. The nearby playground enhances the experience for families. The campground's proximity to Buckhorn Lake makes it ideal for water-based recreation.

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

92 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Trace Branch Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews of Trace Branch Campground highlight mixed experiences, with praise for cleanliness, helpful staff, and scenic surroundings, but concerns about small campsites, poor road conditions, and limited privacy. Accessibility challenges and lack of cell service are also noted.

Review Summaries

Based on 92 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive highlights include clean facilities, friendly and accommodating camp hosts, scenic views, peaceful environment, and good fishing conditions.

Based on 92 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include poor road conditions leading to the campground, small campsite sizes unsuitable for larger trailers, limited privacy, lack of cell service, and accessibility issues with...

Based on 92 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews highlight issues like incorrect site numbering and size challenges for larger trailers. Some users recommend specific sites for better views and access.

Based on 92 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips recommend reserving waterfront sites at the back for better space, using surge protectors due to flooding risks, and contacting the campground for safe driving directions to avoid narrow or...

Based on 92 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Seasonal reviews suggest summer as ideal for water activities and fishing; however, flooding risks and muddy conditions are noted during rainy periods. Winter temperatures may make some amenities...

Based on 92 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The showers and restrooms were very clean and well kept, the communal garbage reciprocal was always emptied so it was never smelly." - Anneliese Mulder. "The camp host is fantastic. Getting your...

Based on 92 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility concerns include steep pathways to restrooms and showers, limited accessible routes, and no clearly marked paths for those with mobility challenges.

Based on 92 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but specific pet-friendly features or policies are not detailed in the reviews.

Based on 92 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

You want full hookups and lake access for fishing or boating in a quiet, well-maintained setting.

Skip if

You drive a large RV and can't handle narrow, steep one-lane roads with tricky navigation.

Nearby Campgrounds

Buckhorn Campground sits on Buckhorn Lake in the Kentucky foothills, offering electric and water hookups for tent and RV campers. The small seasonal campground features a swim beach, boat access, and amenities including showers, laundry, and a camp store. Families appreciate the accessible facilities and lake-focused recreation during the warm summer months.

$14.00 - $60.00 / night

Highly Popular

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(48)

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Carr Creek State Park sits on the shores of 750-acre Carr Fork Lake in southeastern Kentucky's rugged mountains, about 15 miles from Hazard. The park holds Kentucky's longest sand beach at any state park. Sites range from $1 to $25 per night and include full hookups, with tent and RV camping available.

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Campgrounds

Buckhorn Lake

Trace Branch Campground

About Buckhorn Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Trace Branch Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Buckhorn Lake, KY is situated in the Cumberland Plateau of eastern Kentucky. This is an area that possesses a landscape as rugged as any found in the State. The plateau is deeply traversed by a series of narrow, winding valleys separated by steep watersheds and covered by a network of continuously branching streams. Originating in the southeast and flowing generally northwestward, the Kentucky River is one of the region's major rivers.

Directions

From Hazard, 9 miles north on KY 15, 20 miles east on KY 28.