Zilpo Campground in Kentucky on map
Zilpo Campground
The atmosphere at this secluded campground belies its large size.
I walked the entire campground at I Zilpo. This is a big campground, and the excursion ate up the better part of a summer afternoon. That evening I took a shower and relaxed at campsite 14. My walk convinced me to include Zilpo in this guidebook. Just one big question remained, though: How the heck did it get the name Zilpo? Turns out the answer isn't dramatic. Zilpo was a small town that was flooded by the damming of the Licking River to form Cave Run Lake, alongside which the campground sits. Name aside, Zilpo is a large recreation area that is well run and well maintained. You are never far from the water here, as Zilpo is located on a large peninsula extending deep into Cave Run Lake. So, with just the right mix of land and water, you can tent-camp and otherwise enjoy this part of the Daniel Boone National Forest and the water that it overlooks.
The campground is divided into numerous loops that are not in alphabetical order, as sites have been added over time. Overall, the campground is well kept, and the sites are in good shape. The sites are generally large and far apart from one another. There's a real mix of reserv-able and nonreservable, electric and nonelectric sites. In order, extending out onto the peninsula, C Loop comes first. It has 18 sites. All are large and most are shaded, but, unfortunately, like the sites in the next loop, B, there are no direct waterfront camps. A Loop also has no waterfront camps. Not that these are bad campsites, but folks coming to lakeside campgrounds prefer water vistas where possible. And if they weren't competing with lakefront sites, then these sites would be snapped up in a heartbeat.
D Loop has large, well-spread-apart sites. These are mostly electric, thus drawing the big rigs in. F Loop is mostly nonelectric and has sites with watery views, but some sites are open to the sun, which could be hot in midsummer. E Loop has very large sites that are well spread apart from one another, but this isn't a popular loop. A couple of sites, 84 and 86, are close to the water here, though.
G Loop comes next. It is the second-best loop and has large, leveled sites, many of which are shaded. The loop is situated on somewhat of a slope and has several double sites that can be used by larger groups and families. H is the best loop. It is farthest out on the peninsula on surprisingly high ground. Sites 1 and 3 are on a bluff overlooking the lake and are first-rate. Curve around and come to a series of sites that are well shaded, like mine, 14. As the loop curves around, more desirable sites come up, such as 22.
Amenities, such as bathhouses and water spigots, are well distributed in the campground, and numerous campground hosts keep the place clean, well patrolled, and orderly. With 160 sites, this place could seem like a tent city. But the widespread nature of the campground, the thick woods, and a good site plan keep it from being overwhelming. And once you find your spot, all that is left is to have a good time. By the way, Zilpo fills only on holiday weekends because it is out of the way and doesn't receive interstate traffic.
Here, having a good time centers on Cave Run Lake. A swim beach is located on the north end of the peninsula, near the camp store. And having a camp store
means you can keep those supply runs down, leaving you to spend more time on the lake. A campground boat ramp ensures easy entry into the water for skiers and anglers alike. Interpretive programs are held on weekends. Hiking trails thread through the peninsula. Plus, the plethora of campground roads makes for fun bicycling—kids and adults alike pedal their hearts away here. And surveying the entire campground by bike is a lot more efficient than doing it by foot, like I did.
Key Information about Zilpo Campground
ADDRESS: 2375 KY801 South, Morehead, KY 40351
OPERATED BY: U.S. Forest Service
CONTACT: 606-768-2722, www . fs . usda . gov / dbnf ; reservations: 877-444-6777, reserveamerica . com
OPEN: Mid-March-October
SITES: 129 nonelectric, 31 electric
SITE AMENITIES: Picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, tent pad
ASSIGNMENT: First come, first served and by reservation
REGISTRATION: At campground entrance station
FACILITIES: Hot showers, flush toilets, camp store, ice machine, phone
PARKING: At campsites only
FEE: $22-$33 per night
ELEVATION: 770 feet
RESTRICTIONS in Zilpo Campground
¦ Pets: 6-foot leash only
¦ Fires: In fire rings only
¦ Alcohol: At campsites only
¦ Vehicles: Campers must back into sites
¦ Other: 14-day stay limit on 1 site
Getting to Zilpo Campground
From Exit 123 on I-64 near Owingsville, take US 60 East 6.5 miles to Salt Lick. Turn right onto KY 211. (Ignore the left turn on KY 211 that precedes the right turn.) Follow KY 211 3 miles to KY 129. Take a left onto KY 129, Clear Creek Road, to Forest Service Road 418, Zilpo Scenic Byway. Turn left on Zilpo Scenic Byway and follow it to dead-end at the campground.
GPS COORDINATES N38° 4.284' W83° 29.051
