Zilpo Recreation Area
USFS · Campground · Fee
Fast facts
- Cost
- Fee charged
- Managed by
- USFS
- Type
- Campground
- Hours
- Only registered campers are allowed at Zilpo after 10 p.m.
- Reservations
- recreation.gov
- Coordinates
- 38.0709, -83.4843
- Last verified
- September 18, 2026
About this place
Zilpo Recreation Area is located at the end of the Zilpo Scenic Byway on a peninsula on the south shore of Cave Run Lake. Zilpo is a prime destination for families. The recreation area includes a large campground, a boat ramp, campground store, a sandy swimming beach, and scenic trails. The scenic campground offers cabin rentals, tent camping, RV sites with electric hookups, and a selection of lakefront sites. A stand of mixed hardwoods shades the campground, and campsites have good privacy. Each site has a picnic table and campfire ring. Electric hookups are available at some campsites. Bathhouses with showers are spread throughout the campground. An RV dump station is available. Camping cabins sleep up to seven, and have beds, table, porch, accessible ramp entrance and picnic tables. A campground store with ice, firewood, camping gear and food is on-site. Nearby Zilpo Mountain Trail #1802 leads to an overlook of the lake and Zilpo Connector Trail #113A provides access to many miles of mountain biking and hiking trails.
From the USFS.Official page
Is Zilpo Recreation Area free?
No. Zilpo Recreation Area charges a fee. It is managed by the USFS. Sites are reservable through recreation.gov.
How do I get to Zilpo Recreation Area?
From Salt Lick, take KY 211 south for 4 miles and turn left onto County Road 129 (Clear Creek Road). After approx. 4 miles, turn onto Forest Service Road 918 (Zilpo National Forest Scenic Byway) and continue for approx. 8 miles.
Nearby
- ZILPO - DANIEL BOONE NAT. FOR.0.9 mi
- Claylick Boat-In Campground1.1 mi
- Twin Knobs Recreation Area1.9 mi
- BOAT GUNNEL GROUP CAMPGROUND2.2 mi
- Boat Gunnel Group Camping2.2 mi
- TWIN KNOBS CAMPGROUND2.4 mi
- Cave Run Dam Tailwater4.3 mi
- White Sulphur Horse Camp5.1 mi
No other services within 50 mi on the record.
SourceData from the USFS. Last synced September 18, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.
