Boat Gunnel Group Campground
Boat Gunnel Group Campground is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest on Cave Run Lake. Widely known for its scenic beauty and varied outdoor recreation opportunities, Cave Run Lake is home to Kentucky's state record Muskie. This 8,270-acre lake is jointly operated and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Forest Service.
More like this: electric hookups in Kentucky · reservable in Kentucky · pets allowed in Kentucky · group sites in Kentucky
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗



Site mix
| group standard electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Gunnel | Paved | Full | 30/50 amp | Lakefront | 100 / 12 | Yes | Standard |
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 |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
Boat Gunnel Group Campground offers a bathhouse with flush toilets and showers, picnic shelter, horseshoe pit and drinking water. The camping area accommodates large groups of up to 100 people and is available by reservation only. The picnic shelter is equipped with a grill, serving table and electricity.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | First Friday in March to First Sunday in November |
| Forest | Daniel Boone National Forest |
| Booking | Reserve through https://www.recreation.gov |
| Fees | $130/night (100 person capacity). Recreation Permits and Passes |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Lexington, Kentucky, on I-64, take exit 133. Turn right at the top of the exit ramp to proceed south on KY-801. Proceed 8.4 miles on 801. The campground entrance is on the right.
| Nearest town | Morehead, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 38.0993° N, 83.5023° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 24 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Miguel's Pizza Restaurant ↗ | 24 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bluegrass RV ↗ | 52.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Boat Gunnel Group Campground, KY from Daniel S.
Worth a stop
The Morehead Office Visitor Center offers information about the Daniel Boone National Forest in addition to interpretive exhibits. A popular attraction within the Daniel Boone National Forest is the Red River Gorge Geological Area, which features more than 100 natural sandstone arches.
- 0.6 mi
- 3.4 miClaylick Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 6.2 mi
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miBoat Gunnel Shoreline0.6 mi trail
- 0.1 miWildlife Habitat0.5 mi trail
- 0.1 miOak Ridge0.5 mi trail
- 0.5 miLakeview Ridge2.3 mi trail
- 0.6 miShallow Pond Trail0.1 mi trail
- 0.6 miShallow Flats Trail0.09 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Farmers Voting House No. 2Building · Morehead · 3.9 mi
- Morehead Voting House No. 7Building · Morehead · 6.1 mi
- Morehead Voting House No. 10Building · Morehead · 6.6 mi
Natural features
The Daniel Boone National Forest embraces some of the most rugged terrain west of the Appalachian Mountains. The forest lies within the Cumberland Plateau, where steep forested slopes, sandstone cliffs and narrow ravines characterize the land in this region. Cave Run Lake is in the Cumberland District in the northernmost part of the forest. The lake is surrounded by the rolling hills of northeastern Kentucky.
Recreation
Nearby Twin Knobs Campground offers a boat ramp and beach. Scenic foot trails in the area include the Boat Gunnel Shoreline Trail, the Oak Ridge Trail and the Wildlife Trail.
Guidebooks for Daniel Boone National Forest and 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 Boat Gunnel Group Campground?
Sites at Boat Gunnel Group Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reserve through https://www.recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Boat Gunnel Group Campground?
$130/night (100 person capacity). Recreation Permits and Passes
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Boat Gunnel Group Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Boat Gunnel Group Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season First Friday in March to First Sunday in November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Boat Gunnel Group Campground have?
1 site, including 1 group standard electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Boat Gunnel Group Campground?
Boat Gunnel Group Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Does Boat Gunnel Group Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Boat Gunnel Group Campground?
Boat Gunnel Group Campground offers a bathhouse with flush toilets and showers, picnic shelter, horseshoe pit and drinking water.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Boat Gunnel Group Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Boat Gunnel Group Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Boat Gunnel Group Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Boat Gunnel Group Campground?
Nearby Twin Knobs Campground offers a boat ramp and beach. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Boat Gunnel Group Campground?
Morehead, Kentucky. The Morehead Office Visitor Center offers information about the Daniel Boone National Forest in addition to interpretive exhibits.
Source: Getting there


