Trace Branch Campground
The Trace Branch Campground, located on Buckhorn Lake, is a great launchpad for outdoor activities in Kentucky's lush Cumberland Plateau. The facility features plenty of shade and open grassy areas for spreading out and enjoying the landscape of the Appalachian Mountain Range.
More like this: electric hookups in Kentucky · full 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 | 28 |
| group shelter electric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
29 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 6 / 2 | Yes | |||
| S-02 | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| S-03 | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| S-04 | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| S-05 | Electric | Back-in | 70 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| S-06 | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| S-07 | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| S-08 | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| S-09 | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| S-10 | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 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 4:30 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 55 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Site S-28 is listed accessible |
Trace Branch Campground boasts mostly waterfront campsites with electric and water hookups. Amenities include a shower house, playground, horseshoe pits, and a convenient fishing area.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Lexington, KY, take I-75 south 83 miles to London. Take exit 41 or 38 to Daniel Boone Parkway east and continue 44 miles to Hyden Spur. Exit towards Tim Couch Pass and turn left towards Thousandsticks onto Bull Creek Road. Go 2.5 miles to KY Highway 257, then head north about 9 miles to the Confluence bridge.
| Nearest town | Buckhorn, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37.2417° N, 83.3728° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Sky Bridge Station ↗ | 38.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Trace Branch Campground, KY from Maze M.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Daniel Boone National Forest.
- inDaniel Boone National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,043,073 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Buckhorn Lake is situated in the Cumberland Plateau of eastern Kentucky. The rugged plateau landscape is deeply traversed by a series of narrow, winding valleys separated by steep watersheds with branching streams. The Kentucky River feeds the lake, originating in the southeast of the state and flowing generally northwestward.
Recreation
Buckhorn lake offers ideal conditions for anglers including seclusion from fishing pressure and boat traffic, producing some of the best muskie fishing in the area. With comfortable water temperatures,swimming and water skiing are popular in summer months and hikers are encouraged to take advantage of the area's many miles of trails.
Nearby
Nearby destinations include the Lilley Cornett Woods, Daniel Boone National Forest, Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Red River Gorge Geological Area.
Guidebooks for Kentucky
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Trace Branch Campground?
Sites at Trace Branch Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Trace Branch Campground?
Check-in 4:30 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Trace Branch Campground have?
29 sites, including 28 standard sites with power and 1 group shelter electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Trace Branch Campground?
The longest site here provides 55 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 Trace Branch Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Trace Branch Campground?
Amenities include a shower house, playground, horseshoe pits, and a convenient fishing area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Trace Branch Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Trace Branch Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Trace Branch Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Trace Branch Campground?
Site S-28 is 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 Trace Branch Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Trace Branch Campground?
Buckhorn lake offers ideal conditions for anglers including seclusion from fishing pressure and boat traffic, producing some of the best muskie fishing in the area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Trace Branch Campground?
Buckhorn, Kentucky. Nearby destinations include the Lilley Cornett Woods, Daniel Boone National Forest, Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Red River Gorge Geological Area.
Source: Getting there