How much does camping cost at Holly Bay?

Camping fees at Holly Bay range from $38-$92/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Holly Bay first-come first-served or reservation?

Holly Bay 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 Holly Bay before I book?

Yes! Holly Bay has 8 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 Holly Bay?

Holly Bay is open March 13 to October 17. 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 Holly Bay?

Yes, Holly Bay has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Holly Bay have?

Holly Bay has 75 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Holly Bay?

Yes, pets are allowed at Holly Bay. 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 Holly Bay?

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

What activities can I do at Holly Bay?

Popular activities at Holly Bay include Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Holly Bay

Q: Can I have a campfire at Holly Bay?

Fire policies at Holly Bay: Firewood Guidelines – Don’t move firewood! Help protect our forests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. To learn more, visit Don't Move Firewood. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.59

677 reviews

LONDON RANGER DISTRICT, London, KY, 40744

Top 6% in KYFall

Summer Destination

Featured in:Mountain Camping Kentucky#2 Hiking Camping Kentucky

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,171 ft

Price

$38 - $92/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

75 campsites

Season

Open: April 9, Close...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on American Leisure Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,171 ft

Price

$38 - $92/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

75 campsites

Season

Open: April 9, Close...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on American Leisure Official Website

Get Directions

Holly Bay

$38.00 - $92.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $38.00; Stan Ele Double: $92.00; Stan Ele Single: $46.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

606-528-6156Help.DanielBoone.London@AmericanLL.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

LONDON RANGER DISTRICT, London, KY, 40744

Holly Bay

LONDON RANGER DISTRICT, London, KY, 40744

Nearby places

London (14.2 miles, approximately 30 minutes), Corbin (30 minutes drive), Somerset (approximately 45 minutes drive).

Weather at Holly Bay

Current alerts(8)

Bear Safety – Bears frequent in the area. Keep all food in approved containers at all times to protect yourself and wildlife.
Boat & Trailer Policy – Only one boat and trailer per campsite is allowed due to limited space at the boat ramp and within the campsites. Boat Trailers Count as a vehicle.
Campsite Occupancy & Vehicle Policy: Each single campsite is limited to 6 people and 2 vehicles. Double sites are limited to 12 people and 4 vehicles. Cars, trucks, trailers, boats, motorcycles ,etc. ARE considered vehicles. One boat or trailer per site only.
Electric Surcharge – Electric hookups include a surcharge in the campsite price.

Best Time to Camp at Holly Bay

Best season: fall. Fall offers the campground's most dramatic draw — peak hardwood foliage along the Laurel River Lake shoreline with crisp, quiet days ideal for hiking, photography and wildlife viewing. Expect daytime highs in the 55–70°F range in September–October with cool mornings in the 40s, making lakeside boating and shoreline fishing especially pleasant and comfortable. Crowd levels are lower than midsummer (weekends still busy in October), and autumn's calmer winds and clear air give the best visibility,聲 Peak months: October, September, June, May Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 6% in KY

Described as best conditions: peak hardwood foliage, calmer winds, excellent views and hiking.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: March 13 to October 17. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open: April 9, Closed: October 20 (Reservable Season). Non-reservable periods apply outside these dates.

About Holly Bay

Holly Bay sits on Laurel River Lake in Daniel Boone National Forest, operated by American Leisure as a premium lakefront campground with electric and water hookups. The mid-sized property offers spacious, private sites among hardwood forest, with direct access to boating, fishing, and swimming. Fall brings dramatic foliage and comfortable temperatures for exploring the lake and surrounding trails.

Holly Bay Campground offers a range of camping accommodations, including standard electric sites for RVs and tents. Group sites are available, as well as options with premium lake views. Walk-in and primitive camping are not explicitly mentioned.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the campground's most dramatic draw — peak hardwood foliage along the Laurel River Lake shoreline with crisp, quiet days ideal for hiking, photography and wildlife viewing. Expect daytime highs in the 55–70°F range in September–October with cool mornings in the 40s, making lakeside boating and shoreline fishing especially pleasant and comfortable. Crowd levels are lower than midsummer (weekends still busy in October), and autumn's calmer winds and clear air give the best visibility,聲 Peak months: October, September, June, May Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation1171 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground overlooks Laurel River Lake, a 5,600-acre reservoir with 192 miles of cliff-lined shoreline. Mature hardwood forests. Oak, maple, hickory. Surround the tiered sites and slope down to the water. The landscape sits at 1,171 feet elevation in the Appalachian foothills, where exposed rock faces along the shore reveal ancient sedimentary layers. Forested coves and inlets break up the shoreline. In late September through October, the hardwoods turn red, orange, and gold.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodges or luxury accommodations are available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesEducational programs are occasionally held during the summer months, focusing on the local ecology and history of the region.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay permitted is 14 nights during all seasons.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum occupancy per single site is 6 campers, as stated in the reservation rules.

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 on Recreation.gov or through associated mobile apps.

AccessibilityThe campground includes an accessible flush toilet. However, accessibility for individuals with disabilities might be limited in some areas, as one review noted that the showers were difficult to use for wheelchair users due to the need to keep pressing the water button continuously.

Site SizeCampsites at Holly Bay are described as spacious and well-separated, providing privacy. Users frequently mention ample room for RVs, tents, and additional vehicles.

PrivacyHolly Bay's campsites are frequently noted for their privacy, with many surrounded by mature hardwood trees. One review stated, 'The campsites are wooded with lots of space in between.

Total Campsites75 campsites

Recommended SitesLake-access sites in Loops G, H, and F are preferred. Families might avoid sites near high foot traffic areas like bathrooms.

Best CampsitesSites G5 and F5 get consistent praise for space and lake proximity. Loops F and G overall rank highest for water views. Some sites on steeper grades need extra leveling blocks or gravel.

Need help booking Holly Bay?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Holly Bay Campground offers a variety of amenities to ensure a comfortable camping experience. These include single and double-family campsites, some with 20, 30, or 50-amp electrical hookups, providing options for both RV and tent campers. Many campsites overlook Laurel River Lake, offering scenic views and privacy amidst a mixture of hardwood trees. The campground features two shower houses, flush toilets (including an accessible unit), potable water, and a dump station. Firewood and ice are available for purchase on-site. Additionally, visitors can enjoy picnic tables, fire rings, and grills at their campsites. Educational programs are occasionally offered during the summer months. However, there is no WiFi available, and cell phone reception is inconsistent, with some users reporting no service with T-Mobile and others managing with AT&T.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Holly Bay Campground offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming. The campground is connected to the 4.2-mile Sheltowee Trace Trail, which leads to the Laurel River Dam. Visitors can also enjoy boating and water skiing on Laurel River Lake, which spans 5,600 acres with 192 miles of shoreline. Wildlife viewing and birdwatching are popular due to the area's natural beauty and forested setting.

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Cultural and Educational Programs

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Fire PolicyFirewood Guidelines – Don’t move firewood! Help protect our forests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. To learn more, visit Don't Move Firewood

Trash & RecyclingTrash facilities are available, but there is only one dump station for RVs, which reviews indicate can lead to long waits during busy weekends. Recycling facilities are not specifically mentioned.

Cell CoverageCell phone service is inconsistent at Holly Bay Campground. Some users reported no signal with T-Mobile, while one user with AT&T was able to work and stream via hotspot.

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

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.6

677 reviews

Top-Rated

Holly Bay is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, Holly Bay Campground receives high praise for its spacious and private campsites, friendly staff, and beautiful natural surroundings. However, some recurring issues include outdated restrooms, inconsistent cell service, and long waits at the single dump station.

Review Summaries

Based on 677 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 677 reviews.

Campsite H09Loved
Campsite H09 is popular for its spacious layout and proximity to restrooms.
Campsite D06Mentioned
Campsite D06 was noted as having trash left by the previous guest.

What Campers Love

Users frequently praise the campground's natural beauty, spacious and private campsites, and friendly and helpful staff. Activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking are highlighted as top...

Based on 677 reviews

Common Concerns

The most common complaints include poorly maintained restrooms and showers, long waits at the dump station, and inconsistent cell phone service. Some users also mentioned issues with the cleanliness...

Based on 677 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Many users recommend booking early as the campground is frequently full. Campers also suggest bringing extra gravel or leveling blocks for steeper sites and being prepared for limited cell service....

Based on 677 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Holly Bay Campground is particularly popular in the summer for its lake activities and trails. However, some users note that the lake and campground can become busy on weekends. Fall is another...

Based on 677 reviews

Camper Quotes

'The campsites are wooded with lots of space in between.' 'The lake is beautiful and has easy access from sites.' 'The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful.' 'The restrooms need updating badly.'...

Based on 677 reviews

Accessibility Features

One user mentioned difficulty using the showers with a wheelchair due to the need to continuously press the water button. Overall accessibility features are noted as minimal.

Based on 677 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The campground is pet-friendly, and most users reported a positive experience. Users appreciate the enforcement of leash rules and the general respectfulness of other pet owners.

Based on 677 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want spacious, private lakefront sites with full hookups and direct water access for boating and fishing.

Skip if

You need modern, well-maintained facilities or prefer rustic pricing over premium lakefront amenities.

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Craigs Creek Group Area sits in the Daniel Boone National Forest foothills near London, Kentucky, operated by the London Ranger District for seasonal group camping. The small facility serves organized groups with access to Laurel River Lake fishing and biking trails through forested terrain. Campground hosts maintain the grounds and assist visitors during the peak summer months.