Clear Creek Campground

4.20

57 reviews

Clear Creek Campground, Clear Creek Road, Kentucky

Peace & Quiet

Featured in:Primitive Camping Kentucky Camping Near Red River Gorge

Quick Facts

700 ft

Price

$15 - $20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open April 18 throug...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Cumberland Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

700 ft

Price

$15 - $20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open April 18 throug...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Cumberland Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Clear Creek Campground

$15.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Overnight fees are $15 for single sites and $20 for double sites. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to single...

Standard Site Fee$15.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS

Provider

606-784-6428

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What Campers Say

4.20

Satisfactory

Based on 57 reviews

50 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietpeacefulfriendly

Some mention

cell service

"User reviews highlight Clear Creek Campground as a quiet, clean, and peaceful primitive camping area. Positive sentiments often focus on the serene environment, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Clear Creek Campground, Clear Creek Road, Kentucky

Clear Creek Campground

Clear Creek Campground, Clear Creek Road, Kentucky

Driving directionsFrom I-64 take US 60 east to Salt Lick, then from Salt Lick take KY 211 south for 4 miles. Turn left (east) on Clear Creek Road for 2 miles to Clear Creek.

The campground is accessible via paved roads, and parking aprons are gravel. Seasonal closures do not apply as the campground is open year-round.

Nearby places

Salt Lick (4 miles, approximately 10 minutes), Clear Creek Market (approximately 5 miles, 15 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Ice and firewood available at the campground

gas and limited groceries at Clear Creek Market on Clear Creek Rd.

Best Time to Camp at Clear Creek Campground

Clear Creek transforms with the seasons, offering unique experiences throughout the year. Winter brings a crystalline wonderland where snow blankets the forest floor and freezing temperatures create a pristine, quiet landscape perfect for hardy cold-weather campers. As spring awakens the forest, moderate temperatures and occasional gentle rains bring wildflowers and rushing creek waters. Summer envelops the campground in warm, humid embrace – ideal for lazy afternoons in the shade and evening campfires. Fall paints the mixed hardwoods in brilliant golds and crimsons, with crisp air and comfortable temperatures making it, along with spring, the most popular time to experience Clear Creek's natural splendor.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Open in summer but reviews note mixed experiences due to privacy concerns and holiday crowds.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Top 23% in KY

Fall is particularly appreciated for beauty and solitude; foliage praised in reviews.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Opens mid-April; spring offers budding forest, seasonal creek flows and pleasant hiking.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground is closed November–mid April; winter rating not applicable.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 18 to November 2.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open April 18 through November 2.

About Clear Creek Campground

Tucked away in the heart of a verdant mixed hardwood and pine forest, Clear Creek Campground offers an intimate escape into nature with 20 thoughtfully spaced sites that welcome both tent campers and RV adventurers. Each site comes fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay – from sturdy tent pads and grills to lantern poles that cast a warm glow as evening falls. Gather around your fire ring under towering trees, or enjoy meals at your personal picnic table while listening to the whisper of seasonal creeks nearby. Modern restrooms and fresh drinking water ensure convenience doesn't compromise your wilderness experience. The well-separated sites and open forest canopy create the perfect balance of privacy and spaciousness, making this primitive campground a hidden gem for those seeking peaceful forest accommodations.

Clear Creek Campground is oriented towards primitive camping and offers facilities catering to both tent and RV campers. It is a small campground with 20 combined sites and emphasizes a natural, serene environment.

Historical SignificanceStep back in time at the neighboring Clear Creek Iron Furnace, where the echoes of early 1800s industry still resonate through the forest. This remarkable piece of regional heritage stands as a testament to the area's pivotal role in America's industrial awakening. An interpretive sign at the adjacent picnic area brings the furnace's story to life, detailing how pioneers once transformed raw iron ore into the building blocks of a growing nation, making your camping experience not just a retreat into nature, but a journey through history.

Weather and SeasonsClear Creek transforms with the seasons, offering unique experiences throughout the year. Winter brings a crystalline wonderland where snow blankets the forest floor and freezing temperatures create a pristine, quiet landscape perfect for hardy cold-weather campers. As spring awakens the forest, moderate temperatures and occasional gentle rains bring wildflowers and rushing creek waters. Summer envelops the campground in warm, humid embrace – ideal for lazy afternoons in the shade and evening campfires. Fall paints the mixed hardwoods in brilliant golds and crimsons, with crisp air and comfortable temperatures making it, along with spring, the most popular time to experience Clear Creek's natural splendor.

ElevationPerched at a comfortable 700-foot elevation, Clear Creek Campground occupies a sweet spot where mixed hardwoods mingle with stately pines, creating a diverse forest ecosystem that changes character with every turn of the trail. This modest elevation provides just enough lift to catch cooling breezes in summer while remaining accessible year-round.

Natural Features and SceneryThe gentle murmur of Clear Creek and Buck Creek provides a natural soundtrack to your camping experience, with these seasonal waterways dancing alongside select campsites when conditions allow. The surrounding tapestry of mixed hardwoods and pine creates an ever-changing canvas – from the deep greens of summer to autumn's fiery display. Towering trees filter sunlight into dappled patterns across the forest floor, while the understory offers glimpses of wildlife and wildflowers. This serene natural sanctuary within Daniel Boone National Forest invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world.

Geological RegionNestled within the vast Daniel Boone National Forest, Clear Creek Campground showcases the region's characteristic mixed hardwood and pine ecosystem. The area's seasonal creeks have carved gentle valleys through the landscape over millennia, creating the perfect setting where water, stone, and forest converge to form a quintessential Appalachian foothills camping experience.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in details are null.

Check-out

Check-out details are null.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 14 consecutive days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Recommended guest limits per site are null.

Groups

Group camping is not explicitly mentioned in authoritative sources.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground entrance splits into two areas. Sites to the right of the fee board have longer parking aprons, while sites to the left offer better privacy.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservation platforms available; first-come, first-served camping.

Walk-in AvailabilityCamping is offered on a first-come, first-served basis; sites may be less crowded outside holidays and hunting season.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations are not applicable as reservations are not supported.

AccessibilityVault toilet facilities meet accessibility standards for persons with disabilities. The campground is described as largely natural and primitive.

Site SizeUser reviews indicate sites are generally large and flat, with some offering better privacy than others.

PrivacySites to the left of the entrance tend to have better privacy, while those to the right have longer parking aprons.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesSites to the right of the fee board offer longer parking aprons suitable for larger setups, while sites to the left provide better privacy. Site 20 is highlighted for proximity to the creek.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Clear Creek Campground offers a range of activities typical of a primitive camping area, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The campground is situated near several trails and creeks, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation in a peaceful environment.

HikingSheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail #100, Clear Creek Lake Trail #103, and Buck Creek Trail #118 are accessible from the campground. Buck Creek Trail connects to Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail and is 0.25 miles long.

FishingFishing is available at Clear Creek Lake, with bass, bluegill, and catfish being common catches.

Wildlife viewingUser reviews frequently mention wildlife spotting opportunities, including bears in the area. Campers are advised to practice safe food storage techniques.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsThe nearby historic Clear Creek Iron Furnace, dating back to the early 1800s, features interpretive signs explaining its role in the region's development.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear activity is present. Seasonal creek water levels may rise after rainfall, resulting in swiftly running water. Practice bear-safe food storage techniques.

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

Fire PolicyCampfires are permitted within designated fire rings.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are unspecified; user reviews mention quiet nights and serene ambiance.

Emergency ServicesCumberland Ranger District Office, 2375 KY 801 South Morehead, KY 40351; Phone: 606-784-6428. Closest hospital and police station details are null.

Trash & RecyclingTrash facilities, including dumpsters, are available at the campground according to user reviews.

Water FeaturesClear Creek and Buck Creek run adjacent to some campsites, providing seasonal creek views and sounds.

Camp HostA campground host is sometimes present, providing services like coffee delivery, as noted by user reviews. The host is described as "wonderful" and "friendly."

Weather at Clear Creek Campground

Reviews

4.2

57 reviews

Satisfactory

Clear Creek Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight Clear Creek Campground as a quiet, clean, and peaceful primitive camping area. Positive sentiments often focus on the serene environment, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails.

Review Summaries

Based on 57 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers frequently praise the quiet and peaceful setting, the presence of wildlife, the nearby trails, and the friendly camp host. "We were serenaded by a Barred Owl," and "Wonderful host" are common...

Based on 57 reviews

Common Concerns

Critiques include limited cell phone service, the lack of modern amenities such as showers and flush toilets, and occasional noise from the nearby shooting range. "Not as family-friendly as it used...

Based on 57 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing sufficient supplies due to the remote location, practicing bear-safe food storage, and choosing campsites based on privacy preferences. "Site 20 has the creek running...

Based on 57 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews suggest the campground is quiet except during holidays and deer season. Fall is particularly appreciated for its beauty and solitude, while summer draws mixed reviews due to privacy concerns.

Based on 57 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This primitive campground is nestled into the woods alongside a creek near Cave Run Lake." "Great, cheap primitive campground." "So peaceful. So quiet. The old furnace is so cool." "If you just want...

Based on 57 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 20 is highlighted as a picturesque location with a creek running through it. Sites to the left of the entrance are noted for better privacy, while sites to the right offer longer parking aprons...

Based on 57 reviews