Zilpo Campground, Salt Lick, KY

Zilpo Campground is located in the Cumberland Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 35 min northeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 728 feet. There are a total of 165 campsites including 12 cabins. The campground is normally open from mid March to the end of October. 143 sites can accommodate RVs between 16 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 3 sites have electric and water hookups. 30 sites have electric hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $85.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, sewer hookup, dump station, general store, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, trash dumpster, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.

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38.07361, -83.48910
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(606) 768-2722 (Information)
(606) 768-2722 (Reservations)
$25 - $85

Campsite Reviews (686)

3.3 out of 5

5 star		13%
4 star		7%
3 star		77%
2 star		1%
1 star		2%

@ShawnS1271452 · Camped on Oct 23, 2024 at Campsite #H34

Water problems. Campground open but many areas closed off.

@BethanyF275530 · Camped on Oct 16, 2024 at Campsite #G19

We had a wonderful time at Zilpo, October 16-20, 2024. We stayed at site G-19 with three tents and loved the access to the lake. Unfortunately, they winterized the closest bathhouse the week prior and had a porta-potty instead. This was super clean and fine to use, the other bathroom was a short walk to site G11. Our hosts were awesome and the Halloween decor was a favorite of our toddlers. The site and entire campground was clean and well maintained. The noise was minimal from other campers, there was hardly anyone there during the week. We did find a total of three ticks after our nature walks across the toddlers and dog, but nothing major. We would definitely recommend this place to anyone with small children. Our family has stayed at Koomer Ridge Campground in October for over 40 years, due to Helene we shifted to Zilpo. We will be back. :)

@AnnaH8078719 · Camped on Oct 8, 2024 at Campsite #H22

Such beautiful, secluded sites! Perfect if you want to feel alone in the woods (and for paddlers who can get into the water from the edge of the campsite). I put up a hammock at the edge of the lake and lay there for hours.The water was off in our loop, which might have been due to the season or to the tree that had fallen on the bathhouse. But heading to another loop for water was a minor inconvenience for such a great site!

@CamiW98D6BCDF9 · Camped on Oct 4, 2024 at Campsite #G7

We camped at G7 and had a wonderful time. Campsites felt very private and comfortable, great tent pads and large picnic tables. The camp hosts were the best! They worked very hard cleaning debris and preparing for campers even days after the hurricane blew through. The lake was amazing and the trail around from the boat dock to the swimming area was easy and fun to meander. Fishing off the banks was fun and easy access, though we didn't have much success fishing this time. Bring tick and mosquito repellant, just part of the whole experience! The bathrooms were clean and well kept.

@JaredH8168368 · Camped on Oct 4, 2024 at Campsite #H22

Another fantastic weekend at the lake. The staff were friendly and helpful and the restrooms were well maintained. Can't wait to come back!

@LynnR9660293 · Camped on Sep 27, 2024 at Campsite #H16

Even though there was no power due to hurricane Helene it was a beautiful campground with spacious sites. Enjoyed the view of the lake and taking the path along it.

@AndrewC2299590 · Camped on Sep 17, 2024 at Campsite #H34

awesome place and great service

@EchoW3B5A7EC37 · Camped on Sep 14, 2024 at Campsite #H16

Very nice spot! Water access is amazing. Each site is mostly private. Some more so than others. Only complaint is that the noise from other sites carried over quite a bit. One had their dogs barking insensately the first night and the following morning at 7:30a.was surprised the campground tolerated this. It was pretty inconsiderate for both other campers as well as the poor dogs who were obviously anxious from being left there unattended during these barking periods. Also the loud music from another site near by traveled throughout the loop and pretty annoying to be in nature and having to hear all their music playing til 11pm. Otherwise it was super nice though and well try it again hopefully they are better about the noise issues however.

@DanaB7254836 · Camped on Aug 8, 2024 at Campsite #H39

All was good until the last night Our tent was apparently in the wrong spot. The sun just went down, it gets dark in the woods, at 9, some guy, who doesnt introduce who he is comes down and tells us that we need to move, Seriously?!. A mom, by herself, with 2 kids was expected to break down the tent, with all our current bug free personal items, and move it up the path with 4 large fallen trees on it, ummm. No and ummm. So not safe! I assume he worked for the campground, not sure he never said his name, he told me if a fish and wildlife officer came by we would get a ticket. Ugh ok, its still after dark, he left, my son starts crying, thank you campground! I tell him its fine if I get a ticket I will just pay it but it was our last night and no one has come by yet. Zilpo took the courtesy to give Fish and wildlife a call. 1030 at night he comes to our site to speak to us. This guy had a reasonable perspective on the situation, told me right away he was NOT going to give me a ticket, to just have the tent broke down before 7, which my daughter and I had already decided we would be up at 6 to do that exact thing. He agreed that would have been too late to move. lack of light and terrain. The officer was very nice and had a logical perspective on the situation, when he left my son who cried after the first guy showed told me. he was so nice. Obviously the campground has no tact. I practice zero trace when visiting these places, the first day I saw cigarette butts and various little trash that didnt need to be there. I told my kids we will pick up the other peoples garbage before we leave, visit from the campground person changed my mind I figured they can come clean other people stuff themselves! Not doing them any courtesies considering the courtesy they offered to us. My niece came that morning to visit and the gal working the shack was less than pleasant. KY should appreciate the tourism.

@JudithD7282028 · Camped on Aug 7, 2024 at Campsite #F11

Zilpo is an out of the way destination. The one thing I was not aware of when I made the reservation was the fact that only 30 amp service was available. Our RV is a 50 amp unit. we had to limit the AC to 1 unit. Our site was shady and 1 AC unit was sufficient. The swimming beach was rocky and very hard to get to the water. Once in the water the bottom was rocky. The store did not carry water or items one might need. It was a long drive back to the nearest store. I had to drive to a Dollar Store in Salt Lick to get bread and milk. lt would have been helpful if they had been available in the store.

@RandallB572981 · Camped on Aug 5, 2024 at Campsite #G17

We love going to Zilpo and Twin Knobs. Vista keeps everything clean and neat. We were almost the only people camping and the bathrooms were clean, the showers warm, and the site was clean. My husband said the hand dryer didn't work in the men's restroom. Thank you for a great stay!

@KelliS8708485 · Camped on Aug 4, 2024 at Campsite #D10

Cabins are great! Open the door to a small room with an open 4 square shelf, with room on top for storage. The table was a 4 person table with two chairs. The room was big enough for a bench and three large coolers. The sleeping room has two bunk beds, with mattress pads on them. Room under the beds for storing luggage. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill grate that slides overtop. We had two 15 year old boys, a 3 year old and myself and husband and all slept fine. The porches have overhangs. We liked how the cabin was backed up to a wooded area. Felt very alone in the super large campground.

@KelliS8708485 · Camped on Aug 4, 2024 at Campsite #D9

Zilpo Campground is incredible. The drive in is beautiful. We saw lots of deer on the way into the campground and more inside too! We enjoyed the beach, the boat dock, and hiked Zilpo Mountain trail at the entrance of the D loop. The hike is not an easy one with kids, but we did it. The #9 cabin was nice with an extra long driveway so we could park the car and boat at our spot. The bath house showed showers on the map, but this one is not a shower house, so we drove to the neighbor loops. It was VERY CLEAN. We cooked at the campsite on the fire circles with the grate on top. We didn't get to the store and during our stay there wasn't many campers but saw lots of employees cleaning and caring for the park. We highly recommend coming here. The water was so clean at Cave Run Lake and the kids had a blast catching all the blue gill.

@Harleys9CF3FF2 · Camped on Jul 29, 2024 at Campsite #F19

Me an my partner have came to zippo every year we been together an get a cabin an it's so peaceful that is something we keep doing together this year was our 3rd anniversary

@BeauSF65C661EE · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #H17

There is beach access trails from many of the campsites here. We were able to walk 2 campsites down to a trail and it was gorgeous. This is a great place for launching kayaks and less populated beaches.

@BrianH4556502 · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #H27

Zilpo is excellent been going there my whole life.

@FredG2438313 · Camped on Jul 21, 2024 at Campsite #D3

The park is awesome, very beautiful, well maintained, friendly staff. Drive out there was a bit to far. Make sure you have everything before you go. Electric and non electric sites. Water nearby. No showers? Couldn't find dump station!

@AnnS5848646 · Camped on Jul 18, 2024 at Campsite #H41

The campgrounds are beautiful with all the trees. We really enjoyed the beach both days. The only negative was the showers in H loop. They were scolding hot and you couldnt regulate them. This is a huge safety concern.

@ArrettiaLFF5CF · Camped on Jul 14, 2024 at Campsite #F2

Love this campground! Bathrooms/showers are very clean. People are very nice and i love that they are diligent about the rules being followed.

@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Jul 3, 2024 at Campsite #A2

Watch out for poison ivy, and check for ticks frequently, my party got lots of ticks. It was also very very humid, and hot. The beach was great, just beware of goose poop and Id recommend wearing water shoes because of the rocks. The Overlook hike nearby was great. The sites look really close together on the map, but they are fairly spaced out, especially between loops.

@DesireeBC59738 · Camped on Jul 3, 2024 at Campsite #A9

It was an amazing experience with my family. It fit all of us perfectly and we had a wonderful time. I didnt put all star review because we was a little annoyed because the other campers around let their kids run throughout the whole loop and scream and the boats at the beach were in the swimming area but other than that it was a great time.

@NicholasC11628 · Camped on Jul 3, 2024 at Campsite #D5

The campsite was clean, quiet, and conveniently near the beach. The staff at the gate and store were friendly and helpful. All activities at the campground are reasonably priced. My four children, my sister, and I stayed for five days and, despite some rain, had an excellent camping trip. The only downside to the whole trip was that at the top of our hike to Tater Knob Tower, the tower was inaccessible due to damage to the staircase. Still beautiful sights from the trail.

@MarkD7704923 · Camped on Jun 24, 2024 at Campsite #F13

Many of the water faucets do not work. Bathrooms are clean, but in need of paint and maintenance.

@SuzanneR204443 · Camped on Jun 10, 2024 at Campsite #H34

The campsites are beautifully lush and private-totally shaded. There are no water hookups so you have to fill jugs or your tank on camper, but there are places around park. This park is a ways away from town so pack what you need or you'll have to drive out to get it. I never did see the park store open. The camp hosts were great and delivered ice and firewood. The bathroom showers are less than desirable but everything else I loved.

@CarlU3CFAA0826 · Camped on May 24, 2024 at Campsite #D11

Our Cabin and campsite were very well maintained. The staff were all very kind and helpful. I plan to return.

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