Zilpo
Zilpo, a large, fun-filled campground on Cave Run Lake, is a prime destination for families. The scenic campground offers a cabin rental, tent camping, RV sites with electric hookups and a selection of lakefront sites. Views of the lake are enjoyed by those who relax on the sandy beach. Tater Knob, a fire tower open to the public, is nearby, offering outstanding views of the area.
More like this: electric hookups in Kentucky · full hookups in Kentucky · reservable in Kentucky · big rigs in Kentucky · pets allowed in Kentucky
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 132 |
| Standard with electric | 19 |
| Cabins with electric | 12 |
| Host/management | 6 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
163 sites in 8 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A001 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | No | 6 / 1 | |||
| A002 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | No | 6 / 1 | |||
| A003 | A LOOP | Standard | Paved | Full | No | 6 / 1 | ||||
| A004 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | No | 12 / 2 | ||
| A005 | A LOOP | Standard | Paved | No | 6 / 1 | |||||
| A006 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | No | 6 / 1 | |||
| A007 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No | 6 / 1 | ||
| A008 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Paved | Partial | No | 12 / 2 | Yes | |
| A009 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| A010 | A LOOP | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Paved | Partial | No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 65 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
Electric hookups are provided at some campsites. Drinking water is located centrally within the loops. Flush toilets and showers are spread throughout the campground as well. Each site has a picnic table and campfire ring. A dump station and concrete boat ramp are also included. Each of the 12 cabins can accommodate up to six guests. They each have a table, two chairs and a sleeping area with two sets of bunk beds (4 beds). A picnic table, lantern post and campfire ring are provided outside. Pets may reside only in cabins 41,120,121 and 123. Cabins 109, 123 and 136 have ramps that can accommodate wheel chairs. A campground store with ice, firewood, camping gear and food is on-site. Roads are paved and level tent pads are gravel.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 22 |
| Forest | Daniel Boone National Forest |
| Fees | Zilpo Beach & Day Use $10/vehicle for visitor day use. Over 6 per vehicle: $2/person. Walk-in/bicycle $2/person. Commercial buses/vans: $2/person. Vista family annual pass for beach use $50. Interpretive programs $8/vehicle. Firewood $7. Zilpo Cabins $85/night. Up to 6 persons plus a vehicle. |
Weather by month
Getting there
In Salt Lick, KY, at the intersection of State Route 211 and U.S. Route 60, take Route 211 south for 3.6 miles to the Forest Recreation sign. Turn left at the sign, onto Clear Creek Road and go 3.9 miles to Zilpo Campground sign. Turn left at the sign onto Forest Route 918 and drive 8.7 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Salt Lick, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 38.0750° N, 83.5000° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Sky Bridge Station ↗ | 22.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bluegrass RV ↗ | 52.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Zilpo Campground Review
Worth a stop
The nearest community is 12 miles away.
- 2.1 mi
- 2.2 miClaylick Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 5.3 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miBuckskin Connector0.9 mi trail
- 0.5 miBuckskin ↗6.4 mi trail
- 0.7 miTwin Knobs Shoreline3.7 mi trail
- 0.7 miZilpo Mountain0.8 mi trail
- 1.4 miHog Pen1.2 mi trail
- 1.5 miKnob Overlook1.4 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Clifty Wilderness begins about 15 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 15 miClifty Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 12,371 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Farmers Voting House No. 2Building · Morehead · 5.4 mi
- Morehead Voting House No. 7Building · Morehead · 7.5 mi
- Morehead Voting House No. 10Building · Morehead · 8 mi
Natural features
Zilpo sits on a peninsula in the middle portion of Cave Run Lake at an elevation of 800 feet. The lake spans 8,270 acres with soft, sandy beaches. The campground is shaded by a stand of mixed hardwoods, and campsites have good privacy.
Recreation
Water skiing and swimming are wonderful ways to enjoy the lake. Muskie, large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish attract avid anglers. Hikers are fans of the Zilpo Mountain Loop Trail that extends for 2.25 miles, connecting to a network of other trails around the lake. Nature programs are regularly scheduled during peak season and wildlife watching is rewarding.
Guidebooks for Daniel Boone National Forest and Kentucky
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Zilpo?
Sites at Zilpo are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Zilpo?
Zilpo Beach & Day Use $10/vehicle for visitor day use. Over 6 per vehicle: $2/person. Walk-in/bicycle $2/person.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Zilpo?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Zilpo open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 22.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Zilpo have?
169 sites, including 132 standard sites without power, 19 standard sites with power, and 12 cabins with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Zilpo?
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Zilpo have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Zilpo?
Flush toilets and showers are spread throughout the campground as well.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Zilpo?
Yes, pets are allowed at Zilpo. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Zilpo?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Zilpo?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Zilpo?
Water skiing and swimming are wonderful ways to enjoy the lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation