Laurel Branch
Laurel Branch Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky. The 5,100-acre lake is a hometown paradise for visitors who love the outdoors, and more than two million visitors camp, picnic, fish, swim, boat and relax on the lake shore each year.
More like this: electric hookups in Kentucky · reservable in Kentucky · big rigs in Kentucky · pets allowed in Kentucky · group sites in Kentucky
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 48 |
| Standard, no hookups | 13 |
| group shelter electric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 82 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
62 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter 1 | Group Shelter Electric | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 50 / 32 | Yes | Yes | |||||
| A01 | A | Electric | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A02 | A | Electric | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A03 | A | Electric | Pull-through | 35 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| A04 | A | Electric | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| A05 | A | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A06 | A | Electric | Back-in | 33 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A07 | A | Electric | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | |||
| A08 | A | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A09 | A | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | 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 5:00 PM, checkout 3:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 82 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites Shelter 1, A03, A04 are listed accessible |
Laurel Branch Campground offers 62 campsites, several of which have electric hookups. Most of the campsites are waterfront, while others are just a short walk away from the lake. Additional amenities include flush toilets, showers, playground, boat ramp, drinking water, nature trail, public beach, and fish cleaning station. Wi-fi is available from an outside source.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Louisville, KY: Begin at ramp onto I-64 West toward New Albany/St. Louis, traveling 22.3 miles. Take the IN-135, Exit Number 105, toward Palmyra/Corydon, onto IN-135 South toward Corydon, traveling 16.7 miles. Continue on Bypass Road KY-79 for 2.1 miles. Turn right onto KY-79, traveling 10.1 miles. Continue on 1st Avenue, KY-79S for 495 feet.
| Nearest town | Mcdaniels, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37.6075° N, 86.4536° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Once a reservation has been created, there will be a $10 fee to cancel your reservation, change sites, or change dates. Cancellations made the day before you are scheduled to arrive through the day after your arrival date will also be charged the first night's use fee. No-show's are charged a $20 fee plus the first night's use fee. If your reservation is for only 1 night, and you have been charged the first night's use fee, there is no $10 or $20 service fee charged.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 17.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sierra ↗ | 35.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 40.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Laurel Branch, KY from Shelly S.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Hardin Springs SchoolBuilding · Hardin Springs · 11.1 mi
- Walnut Grove SchoolBuilding · Caneyville · 11.6 mi
- Court Square Historic District (Boundary Increase)Historic district · Leitchfield · 12.3 mi
Natural features
The rolling, forested hills of rural south central Kentucky offer an extraordinary setting for those who visit the lake. Rough River Lake provides views of ancient sandstone, shale and limestone cliffs. An abundance of water in the area, both surface and underground, has carved through limestone to create a myriad of sinks and caverns. The lake itself is home to numerous species of wildlife, including migratory songbirds and waterfowl.
Recreation
A wide variety of recreational activities and facilities are provided at the lake, including ample opportunities for boating and fishing. The most sought after fish are bass, crappie and catfish, and bass tournaments occur at the lake throughout the year. Additionally, pontoon, johnboat and jet ski rentals are available at the nearby marinas.
Nearby
The historic Green Farm is adjacent to the lake. It consists of about 3,000 acres, a large ancestral home, an old water-powered mill and store and a golf course. George Washington once owned part of the land. Mammoth Cave National Park, which boasts the longest cave system in the world with more than 240 miles of mapped passageways, is about a one-hour drive away. Other nearby attractions also include the historic Holt House in Hardinsburg, the Jack Thomas House in Leitchfield, and the new Aquatic Center in Leitchfield.
Guidebooks for 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 Laurel Branch?
Sites at Laurel Branch are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Laurel Branch?
Check-in 5:00 PM, checkout 3:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Laurel Branch?
Once a reservation has been created, there will be a $10 fee to cancel your reservation, change sites, or change dates.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Laurel Branch have?
62 sites, including 48 standard sites with power, 13 standard sites without power, and 1 group shelter electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Laurel Branch?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Laurel Branch have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Laurel Branch?
Additional amenities include flush toilets, showers, playground, boat ramp, drinking water, nature trail, public beach, and fish cleaning station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Laurel Branch?
Yes, pets are allowed at Laurel Branch. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Laurel Branch?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Laurel Branch?
Sites Shelter 1, A03, and A04 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Laurel Branch?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Laurel Branch?
A wide variety of recreational activities and facilities are provided at the lake, including ample opportunities for boating and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation