Rockcastle Campground in Kentucky on map
Rockcastle Campground
The campsites here are tucked into mountainside scenery overlooking the dammed portion of Rockcastle River.
Upon reaching the Rockcastle area, I first came to the wide-open marina and boat-launch area. The marina is small, but the openness of the setting took me back. Then I entered the green coolness of the mountainside campground. The hot summer day cooled a good 10 degrees. Furthermore, the natural beauty around the campsites mightily impressed me. The sites are carved out of steep, heavily forested woodland punctuated by mammoth gray boulders.
The campground overlooks an impounded portion of the Rockcastle River just before it reaches the Cumberland River. Stone bluffs lie across the
impoundment, Lake Cumberland, whose dam lies many miles downstream. Up here, the lake is but a long green ribbon of alluring water. Rockcastle Campground is stretched out on a long road that parallels the shoreline. Enter the shady tunnel of woods, and immediately come to the first set of sites. Nearly all of them have to be reached by many steps leading down to leveled areas where the actual campsites lie. These can be considered walk-in tent sites.
Beech, maple, and oak trees fight to reach for the sky, while moss adorns huge boulders. Campsite 3 backs into a rock cliff. Away from the lake are a couple of vault toilets and a picnic pavilion for rainy days. The campground road continues to more well-separated and private sites (the steep hillside does limit campsite size, though). Some sites share a common walkway from the road and then divide once they near the lake. Some of the sites away from the lake are very isolated. Pass the Dutch Branch Trail to reach more appealing sites closer to the lake. Water spigots are here too. Come to the auto turnaround, which has six sites. The first three, away from the water, are little used, but sites 17,18, and 19 are the campground's most popular. Well shaded, they abut the lake, so campers can pull their boats right up to them. Rockcastle fills on holiday weekends, but first come, first served means you take your chances. That said, most weekends you can find a site if you arrive on Friday. The nearby marina has a small camp store with supplies, as well as food for hungry campers who don't feel like cooking.
Hiking trails are a highlight here at Rockcastle. They leave directly from the campground. Dutch Branch Trail makes a 0.75-mile loop in a rich forest, passing under several cliffs and rock shelters. A waterfall pours over the rocks during rainy times. This trail connects to the Scuttle Hole Overlook Trail, a moderately easy path that passes three overlooks of Lake Cumberland and the Rockcastle River as it straddles a dramatic cliffline. The Ned Branch Trail runs up a gorge beneath giant beech and buckeye trees, reaching KY 3497, your campground access road, after 2 miles. Lakeside North Trail spurs off the Ned Branch Trail and runs alongside the Rockcastle River for a mile. Bank fishermen use this for a quiet angling experience. Lakeside South Trail starts at the south end of the marina parking area and follows the shoreline of Lake Cumberland for 4 miles through Clarks Bottom. This trail is easy and has little elevation change. The Twin Branch Trail climbs away from Clark Bottom to reach the Ned Branch Trail, creating an 8-mile loop opportunity.
Walking around looking at all the water will make you want to be on the water. Many campers will swim the lake near their campsites. Campers with their own boats can use the marina launch, or they can rent johnboats for angling or pontoon boats for pleasure riding and swimming. Motor up the Rockcastle River or up and down Lake Cumberland on the impounded Cumberland River, making for gorgeous boat trips in the valley. Don't miss this lake or your opportunity to tent-camp at Rockcastle.
Key Information about Rockcastle Campground
ADDRESS: 761 South Laurel Rd., London, KY 40744
OPERATED BY: U.S. Forest Service
CONTACT: 606-864-4163, www. fs. usda. gov/ dbnf
OPEN: Early May-September
SITES: 23
SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, fire ring, lantern post
ASSIGNMENT: First come, first served REGISTRATION: At marina
FACILITIES: Vault toilets PARKING: At campsites only FEE: None
ELEVATION: 730 feet
RESTRICTIONS in Rockcastle Campground
¦ Pets: On 6-foot leash only
¦ Fires: In fire rings only
¦ Alcohol: At campsites only
¦ Vehicles: None
¦ Other: 14-day stay limit
Getting to Rockcastle Campground
From Exit 38 on I-75 near London, head west on KY 192 14 miles to KY 1193. Turn left on KY 1193, and follow it 1 mile to KY 3497. Turn right on KY 3497 and follow it 6 miles to dead-end at the campground.
GPS COORDINATES N36° 57.929' W84° 20.751'
