Wax Campground in Kentucky on map
Wax Campground
Wax has plenty of waterfront sites on Nolin River Lake.
Wax is a well-cared-for campground. This is evident from the time you pitch your tent until you put the last piece of camping equipment back in the trunk. The campground host sees to that. During my weekday visit, I was one of the few campers there and received the attention and courtesy of the camp host, who not only helped me at the campground but also had a few other hints on getting supplies and other quandaries we tent campers find ourselves in. I did know what to do for recreation, as Wax Campground is set upon the shores of Nolin Lake, a pretty impoundment of the Nolin River.
The campground, set on the Nolin River Arm of Nolin Lake, is split into three areas. A Area has 35 electric sites. The first few sites are shaded by cedar trees; then come the lakeside sites. Trees partially shade the lakeside sites, but privacy is compromised by the sites' closeness to one another and having only grass between the average-size sites. Rock riprap borders the shoreline. A few sites, such as A10, are totally open to the sun. Leave the lakeside sites beyond A12, and ascend a hill away from the lake. Landscaping timbers keep the sites level. A bathhouse lies in the grassy center of the loop. Sites 2-12 are most recommended in this loop.
В Area, with 38 electric sites, is away from the lake and is less popular, but it is immaculate in its arrangement and landscaping. The sites are much farther apart up here. Cedars and other trees are common on this hill that slopes up from the lake. Privacy is better up here, with B20 being the best site for privacy seekers.
С is my favorite area. It has its own bathhouse, has a mix of electric and nonelectric sites, and is set across an embayment from A and В. С will be your favorite area too—if you get the right campsite. Most of the sites are close to the water, but most are also open to the sun overhead, as the recently planted trees haven't had time to grow tall yet; so bring a sun shelter, just in case. The shadier sites start with 13. Campsite 18 has first-rate lake views. The best sites are 23, 25, and 26. These are on the lake, are not too close together, and have shade— all characteristics you will want on a hot Kentucky summer day. Rock riprap borders the lake here too.
Many campers will walk onto the riprap from their campsite and access Nolin Lake. There is no formal swimming area at the campground. Most campers head a short distance to Iberia Recreation Area, just west on KY 88, to enjoy its swim beach. However, a boat launch, picnic shelter, and fishing pier are located across KY 88 from the campground. At first, you may think it an inconvenience to access these other facilities. On the other hand, having these day-use facilities away from the campground keeps only campers at Wax and makes it a less hectic place to be. When I stayed here, in fact, Wax was anything but hectic—С Area was nearly deserted. The summer sun beat down, but I was cool at campsite C23, taking an occasional dip in the water. Later in the day I boated over to Iberia, on the Rock Creek Arm of the lake, and got an eyeful of sun-bathers at the swim beach. That evening I switched gears and tossed in a line at dusk, hoping to pull in a few bass, but all I came back with was a sore arm from casting. That evening, as I sat around the campsite, the campground host gave me a few fishing pointers, then jokingly told me that if I really wanted to get some fish I should just head into Munfordville—to the grocery store! That was where he and other campers got their supplies. I laughed him off and vowed to hit the water at dawn to toss a few lures around. But next morning, I slept in, as vacationing tent campers are wont to do. As I left Wax the next day, the grinning camp host waved good-bye and asked if I was going to Munfordville. Hopefully, the fish will cooperate when you are here. But even if they don't, the campground host will!
Getting to Wax Campground
From Exit 65 on 1-65, take US 31 West just a short distance to downtown Munfordville to KY 88. Turn right on KY 88 and follow it west, passing under I-65, a total of 18.5 miles, to reach the campground, on your left.
GPS COORDINATES N37° 20.646' W86° 7.837'
Key Information about Wax Campground
ADDRESS: 2150 Nolin Dam Rd., Bee Spring, KY 42207
OPERATED BY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
CONTACT: 270-286-4511, www.lrl.usace.army.mil; reservations: 877-444-6777, reserveamerica.com
OPEN: Mid-May-Labor Day Weekend
SITES: 24 nonelectric, 86 electric
SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, fire grate, lantern post
ASSIGNMENT: First come, first served and by reservation
REGISTRATION: At campground tollhouse
FACILITIES: Hot showers, flush toilets, phone
PARKING: At campsites only
FEE: $15-$19 nonelectric, $15-$24 electric
ELEVATION: 530 feet
RESTRICTIONS in Wax Campground
¦ Pets: On leash only
¦ Fires: In fire rings only
¦ Alcohol: Prohibited
¦ Vehicles: No more than 2 per site
¦ Other: 14-day stay limit
