Kentucky is a superb place to do some exploring, and RVing in Kentucky is the perfect option to go about it. Touring in an RV permits you to discover all the wonderful points of interest the state has to supply earlier than settling down in one of many state’s many pure areas for some relaxation and leisure.
All that mentioned, you’ll most likely need a little bit of steering when planning your RV journey to Kentucky. That’s what this text is for!
Beneath, we’ve gathered all the information it’s essential to have an incredible time RV tenting in Kentucky.
Getting ready for RV Tenting
The very first thing you’ll have to do when planning your Kentucky journey is ensure you have a cushty place to remain, together with all of the gadgets it’s essential to be comfortable and secure when you’re out. Those that personal RVs possible have already got every part they want, however those that don’t will most likely wish to look right into a Kentucky RV rental.
Selecting the Proper RV for Your Wants
For those who’ve by no means been RVing earlier than, selecting the best rental RV would possibly really feel a bit intimidating. The perfect place to begin is by asking your self whether or not you’d prefer to drive the RV you hire or if you happen to choose a supply. If supply is your desire, it will slender your choices a bit.
Plan to drive the rig your self? If you need a trailer, you’ll wish to guarantee you’ve gotten a automobile that’s robust sufficient to tow it. In any other case, a driveable rig is perhaps a greater choose.
Different issues to think about when selecting out the proper rental RV embrace facilities, flooring plan, RV measurement (make certain it’s sufficiently big to be comfy and can match into no matter web site you select), and any gadgets which are included (issues like camp chairs and linens could be very useful).
Packing Necessities for a Profitable Journey
Something that isn’t included along with your rental will in fact have to be packed by you. Packing an RV is totally different from packing a suitcase. You is perhaps stunned by how a lot gear you want.
Beneath is a really primary RV packing listing, which could be constructed upon to fulfill your wants:
- Garments
- Toiletries
- Medicines
- First help equipment
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Instruments
- Leisure (books, video games, motion pictures, toys for teenagers)
- Outside recreation gear
- Electronics and chargers
- Pots, pans, and dishes
- Paper towels
- Groceries
- Flashlights
- Folding chairs
- Mattress sheets
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Pet gear
- RV leveling blocks
- Sewer hose and adapter
- Freshwater hose
- RV surge protector
Suppose you might want greater than what’s on the listing above? Take a look at this RV packing listing for extra concepts.
Concerns for Tenting in Kentucky
It’s at all times a good suggestion to test on native legal guidelines and guidelines relating to RVing earlier than you hit the highway. Whereas Kentucky’s guidelines are fairly typical, understanding them earlier than your journey would possibly prevent numerous bother down the road.
Some guidelines to know: Kentucky requires that each one rigs be below 65 ft whole. Trailers and motorhomes can not exceed 45 ft in size, 8.5 ft in width, or 13.5 ft in top. Triple towing is allowed, however that 65 foot size restrict nonetheless applies.
Trailers over 3,000 lbs will need to have a security chain, a breakaway change, and brakes.
Discovering Campgrounds
Subsequent on the listing of issues to do: discovering a spot to park the RV. The excellent news is that Kentucky has loads of campgrounds to select from. From luxurious RV resorts to campgrounds within the metropolis to wilderness tenting in the course of nowhere, there’s something for everybody on this camping-friendly state.
Exploring Public Campgrounds in Kentucky
Let’s begin by having a look at Kentucky’s public campgrounds. On this specific state, these embrace state park campgrounds, campgrounds run by the Nationwide Parks Service, and Nationwide Forest Service tenting choices. All are wonderful picks for individuals who like tenting in stunning locations.
Nationwide Park Tenting
Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park is situated in Kentucky. That is an incredible park for anybody who’s considering caves, as it’s house to the most important cave system on the planet. It’s additionally a perfect place to take a hike and absorb the fantastic thing about nature.
Two of Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park’s three campgrounds welcome RVs. Mammoth Cave Campground is only a brief stroll from the customer middle and options pretty, shaded websites close to all of the motion. In the meantime, Maple Springs Campground additionally has well-shaded websites, however is about a ten-minute drive from the customer middle, making it a quieter place to remain.
Nationwide Forest Tenting
Kentucky is house to 2 nationwide forests: Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest and Jefferson Nationwide Forest. Each of those forests characteristic some wonderful hikes and tenting alternatives.
In Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest, we advocate staying within the Zilpo Recreation Space. It is a giant tenting space with loads of RV websites, some with partial hookups. It gives stunning mountain views, lake entry, and an ideal escape into nature.
Truthfully, little or no of Jefferson Nationwide Forest makes its means into Kentucky. Due to this fact, if you happen to want to camp on this forest, we advocate crossing over into Virginia and staying at Bark Camp Recreation Space.
State Park Tenting
Kentucky’s state parks are one other incredible possibility. They’re in a number of the most stunning areas within the state and supply very inexpensive tenting charges, making tenting on a finances a cinch.
Pure Bridge State Resort Park is one among our favorites. We additionally love Inexperienced River Lake State Park. Each supply loads of campsites and plenty of alternatives for outside recreation.
Exploring Personal Campgrounds and RV Parks
Personal campgrounds and RV parks in Kentucky are additionally plentiful, and plenty of are completely incredible locations to remain. From glamping resorts to easy household parks with comforts and facilities comparable to clear laundry rooms, bathhouses, and dump stations, we’re guessing you’ll discover an excellent place to remain fairly simply.
Considered one of our favourite campgrounds in Kentucky is the Tween the Lakes Campground in Grand Rivers. This park is only some minutes from Land Between the Lakes Nationwide Recreation Space, that means outside enjoyable is rarely laborious to seek out. It options some pull-through websites, room for large rigs, and free Wi-Fi.
One other good choose? Whispering Hills RV Park. This one is situated in Georgetown and is correct off the freeway, that means it’s tremendous simple to entry. Facilities embrace particular person bogs, a ebook change, and occasional occasions comparable to concert events.
Boondocking in Kentucky
On an excellent tight finances? Desire to camp without cost? Boondocking in Kentucky is one other good possibility. No, you received’t have the facilities provided within the state’s many campgrounds, however you’ll avoid wasting cash whereas staying in stunning locations.
Considered one of our prime picks is Swain Ridge Street Dispersed Tenting. It is a giant clearing that’s good for RVers. It’s close to Parkers Lake and is a part of the Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest. The tenting space supplies quick access to trails, streams, and extra.
Researching Campground Choices and Making Reservations
Wish to see much more superior Kentucky campgrounds? Campspot is a superb place to begin. BookOutdoors, RoverPass, and The Dyrt are additionally good locations to analysis and ebook campgrounds. In the meantime, websites like Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp give some extra distinctive tenting choices.
Planning Your Itinerary
Alright, now it’s time to begin occupied with what you will note and do whereas in Kentucky. The state has quite a bit to supply! From the museums and different points of interest present in Louisville to the attractive parks, trails, and our bodies of water scattered throughout the state, we’re betting you’re going to discover a complete listing of the way to fill your time.
Options and Sights in Kentucky
Scenic byways are an effective way to get to know any state, and Kentucky isn’t any exception! Our favourite drive within the state is the Crimson River Gorge Scenic byway, which takes you by a number of the most stunning locations within the state. For those who can, make some extent of taking this drive.
Landmarks are one other biggie. In Kentucky, a number of the most iconic landmarks embrace Churchill Downs and the Louisville Water Firm Pumping Station. Remember to add no matter Kentucky landmarks sound attention-grabbing to you to your itinerary.
In fact, we should additionally point out the state’s many nationwide websites. These embrace locations just like the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Nationwide Historic Park and Camp Nelson Nationwide Monument. Websites like these are at all times value seeing.
Festivals, Festivals, and Occasions in Kentucky
Wish to add an additional little bit of spice to your Kentucky adventures? Throw an occasion into the combination! Kentucky performs host to a wide range of nice occasions all year long, and including one to your journey itinerary is bound to make your getaway a memorable one.
A few of our favourite Kentucky occasions embrace the Kentucky Derby Competition in Louisville within the spring, the Kentucky E-book Competition in Lexington throughout November, and the Worldwide Bar-B-Q Competition in Owensboro throughout Might.
Exploring Outside Actions
Spending a while outside is a must-do whereas RV tenting in Kentucky. Fortunately, this state has loads of superior outside areas, so discovering methods to reconnect with Mom Nature whereas having time is a breeze.
Climbing, Biking and Nature Trails
We’ll begin by speaking about a few of Kentucky’s trails. Whether or not you like climbing or biking, there’s a path for you on this state, and we’re going that will help you discover one which fits your fancy.
Hikers will recognize the next superior trails:
Cyclists would possibly choose to hit these Kentucky bike trails:
Don’t see something that jumps out at you? You would possibly strive heading over to AllTrails and working a fast search to see what sorts of different trails you possibly can give you.
Fishing, Boating, and Water Actions
Those that choose water-based actions will likely be equally happy, as there are tons of the way to have enjoyable within the water in Kentucky. From fishing and boating to swimming and chasing waterfalls, you’re going to seek out some option to get pleasure from water throughout your go to.
Let’s begin with fishing. Kentucky is house to quite a lot of wonderful fishing spots. Lake Cumberland State Resort Park is one among our prime picks and is loaded with crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and trout. We additionally like fishing in Dale Hole Lake State Resort Park and Kentucky Lake’s Large Bear Resort.
Oddly sufficient, you’ll additionally discover some fairly good seashores in Kentucky. Pennyrile Forest State Resort Seashore gives loads of sand to play in, and the greenery surrounding the lake is beautiful. We additionally love the seaside at Lake Malone State Park, because the waters are comparatively shallow, making it good for teenagers.
In fact, we additionally should point out the waterfalls present in Kentucky. Broke Leg Falls is a pleasant little fall that may be accessed through a brief and straightforward hike. We choose Flat Lick Falls although. This one is situated close to Grey Hawk on the Flat Lick Creek, and the moss-covered rocks and timber surrounding the falls make it a really picturesque place.
Wildlife Viewing and Images
Animals are plentiful in Kentucky’s pure areas, making this a perfect place for wildlife viewing and images. Just about any of the state parks talked about up to now will supply some degree of wildlife viewing, as nicely the nationwide forests and Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park.
For much more animals, strive heading to the Elk and Bison Prairie at Land Between the Lakes Nationwide Recreation Space.
Household-Pleasant Actions and Sights
Taking the children with you? They’re possible going to like all the sightseeing choices we’ve talked about already. That mentioned, you would possibly wish to add a couple of family-friendly choices to your listing only for them. To not fear, there are lots to select from.
Historic Websites and Museums
We like to squeeze a little bit of schooling into any journey with youngsters. In Kentucky, you are able to do that by visiting all or any of these NPS websites we talked about earlier. The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Nationwide Historic Park is an efficient choose, as is the Cumberland Hole Nationwide Historic Park.
One other good way so as to add some studying to your adventures? Museums! We love the Louisville Slugger Museum, in addition to the Kentucky Derby Museum. The Kentucky Science Heart can also be in Louisville and gives hands-on enjoyable, and the Explorium of Lexington is a enjoyable one. Many households additionally adore the Ark Encounter in Williamstown.
Amusement Park, Zoos, and Wildlife Refuges
What about including a Kentucky amusement park to your itinerary? The state has fairly a couple of good ones, and so they supply an effective way to have enjoyable as a household. Our favourite? Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay in Louisville.
For those who choose animals over curler coasters, you would possibly look into zoos within the space. The Louisville Zoo is great, the Newport Aquarium is without doubt one of the finest on the market, and the Kentucky Down Underneath Journey Zoo in Horse Cave is a novel attraction that the entire household will get pleasure from.
Security and Preparedness when RV Tenting in Kentucky
Clearly, you’ll want to keep secure whereas RV tenting in Kentucky. Because of this you pack a primary help equipment and drive as safely as potential. Along with these precautions, it’s additionally a good suggestion to go in ready for potential pure disasters and animal encounters.
Climate Situations and Pure Catastrophe Preparedness
A few of the commonest Kentucky pure disasters embrace flooding, earthquakes, and typically landslides because of the previous two.
With a view to keep secure from flooding, keep away from parking your RV in an space that’s vulnerable to flooding (campsites very close to our bodies of water ought to be averted) and skip driving in heavy rains. Additionally, you will wish to keep away from tenting anyplace {that a} landslide would possibly occur.
To remain within the find out about incoming storms, ensure you have climate app downloaded and permit it to ship you push notifications.
Wildlife Encounters and Precautions
Animals that make themselves at house in Kentucky embrace black bears, coyotes, foxes, and a few venomous snakes and spiders.
Keep away from bites from spiders and snakes by watching your step to make sure you don’t step on them, in addition to at all times checking darkish enclosed areas earlier than sticking your hand inside. For those who do encounter one among these critters, make sluggish actions away from them. Know the place the closest hospital is, in order that in case you are bitten by a venomous snake or spider, you possibly can head there for assist.
On the subject of bears, foxes, and coyotes, it’s best to make loads of noise whereas climbing with a purpose to let the creatures know you’re coming. For those who encounter a fox or coyote alongside the best way, make some noise and slowly again away. For those who come throughout a bear, make your self look greater by holding your arms up and again away slowly and quietly, getting your bear spray prepared in case the bear expenses.
Extra Inspiration for Your Kentucky Travels
As you possibly can see, going RV tenting in Kentucky is a memorable and enjoyable trip possibility. Need much more choices of issues to see and do? Take a look at the hyperlinks beneath: