Alum Ford Campground

Star3.19
34 reviews
Alum Ford Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

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Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area site

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Alum Ford Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

3.19

Mixed Reviews

Based on 34 reviews

36 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulcleansites

"Reviewers overwhelmingly describe Alum Ford Campground as a small, very primitive, and peaceful riverside campground with beautiful scenery and well‑maintained basic facilities. Campers highlight the seclusion, quiet atmosphere, and rustic feel, with only occasional mentions of noise on busy nights. Most feedback is strongly positive, aside from a note about temporary closure due to a washed‑out access road and one outlier negative comment."

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About Alum Ford Campground

Tucked away at the end of Highway 700, seven miles west of Whitley City, Alum Ford Campground offers an intimate escape with just six thoughtfully appointed sites in Kentucky's Big South Fork region. Each site comes equipped with a tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring, while the campground's prime location grants immediate access to both the Alum Ford Boat Launch and the legendary Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail.
The campground comprises six campsites with tent pads suited for tent camping. The source does not specify other campsite types or on-site accommodations.
Historical SignificanceStep back in time with a visit to the haunting Blue Heron Mine (Mine 18), where an abandoned coal mining community has been reimagined as an evocative outdoor museum. Audio recordings of former residents echo through the reconstructed buildings, sharing stories of life in this remote mining town. Just nine miles away, the Big South Fork Scenic Railway Depot in Stearns offers another window into the region's rich industrial heritage, when coal and timber ruled these mountains and railways carved paths through the wilderness.
Natural Features and SceneryPerched above the Alum Ford Boat Ramp, the campground occupies a forested haven where the wild Big South Fork River surrenders its current to the sprawling waters of Lake Cumberland. This transition zone creates a unique ecosystem within the Big South Fork NRRA, where river and reservoir meet beneath a canopy of hardwoods. The setting provides an ideal base for paddlers, anglers, and trail enthusiasts seeking to explore where moving water gives way to the calm expanse of one of Kentucky's most beloved lakes.
Geological RegionBig South Fork National River and Recreation Area (Kentucky portion); region associated with Daniel Boone National Forest/Big South Fork NRRA
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Campsite details

Sites SizeSix campsites with tent pads
Total Campsites6 campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSix individual campsites with tent pads; each site includes a picnic table and a fire ring with grill. Vault toilet on site; bear-proof garbage cans and food storage lockers available.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground provides direct access to river-based recreation via the adjacent Alum Ford Boat Launch and is traversed by the Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail, offering trail-based opportunities. Nearby historical and educational attractions expand visitor activity options.
Hiking
The Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail passes through the campground; the trail is described as a 260-mile backcountry trail through Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork NRRA, and several state parks.
Boating
Adjacent to the Alum Ford Boat Launch, providing access for motorized and non-motorized watercraft to the Big South Fork River where it becomes Lake Cumberland.
Cultural and Educational Programs
Nearby attractions include the Big South Fork Scenic Railway Depot (about 9 miles away) offering train rides and educational opportunities, and the Blue Heron Mine outdoor museum with audio presentations from former residents.
Water Sports
Access for motorized and non-motorized watercraft via the adjacent boat launch.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed
  • Each campsite includes a fire ring with grill (fire rings provided at sites).

Hazards


Weather at Alum Ford Campground

35
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 10.6 mph
Overcast

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Good to know

Trash and recyclingBear-proof garbage cans provided; food storage lockers available for secure storage of food.
Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to the Alum Ford Boat Launch with direct access to the Big South Fork River / Lake Cumberland.

Campground Map

Alum Ford Campground
Driving directionsLocated in the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork seven miles west of Whitley City, Kentucky, at the end of Highway 700.
Nearby places
Whitley City — 7 miles (campground is 7 miles west of Whitley City)
Stearns — about 9 miles

Reviews from booking and map sources

3.2
34 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Alum Ford Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers overwhelmingly describe Alum Ford Campground as a small, very primitive, and peaceful riverside campground with beautiful scenery and well‑maintained basic facilities. Campers highlight the seclusion, quiet atmosphere, and rustic feel, with only occasional mentions of noise on busy nights. Most feedback is strongly positive, aside from a note about temporary closure due to a washed‑out access road and one outlier negative comment.
Review Summaries
Based on 34 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the primitive, rustic character and the seclusion created by the campground’s small size (about six sites) and separation between many sites. Reviewers repeatedly praise the beautiful...
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Based on 34 reviews

Common Concerns

The main recurring concern is the lack of potable water—multiple reviewers emphasize that there is no water available, so campers must bring their own or rely on nearby streams. A few reviews mention...
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Based on 34 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers suggest arriving early if you want one of the limited sites, especially those closer to the water, since the campground is small. Bring your own drinking water and be prepared for primitive...
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Based on 34 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Really nice primitive campground. No water available, but there are streams. Pit toilets are very clean with no smells. Sites are nice, fairly secluded from each other." "Great primative campground....
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Based on 34 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Several reviewers note that there are only about six campsites, with some described as on the side of a hill and not very level, while others are flatter and more spacious. One camper mentions...
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Based on 34 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility appears mixed: some sites involve significant stairs between the parking area and the fire ring/picnic table, which may pose challenges for people with mobility issues or for...
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Based on 34 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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