5 Best Campgrounds Near The Ark Encounter Kentucky: By Locals
Where to Camp When Visiting the Ark Encounter
Planning RV adventures is pretty much a thankless job that involves a test of patience and persistence. When visiting an area new to us and spending all the time and money, we want to “get it right.” That’s why we created this guide on the 5 Best Campgrounds Near the Ark Encounter!
After all, if your RV adventure is “ruined” because the campground website “oversold” their property, that creates terrible memories. Let’s jump straight into our analysis of the many RV parks near the Ark Encounter.
TL;DR – Our Top Campground Near the Ark Encounter
Visiting all campgrounds within 40 miles would take years, so we did some nerdy analysis to help figure out which campgrounds are the best!
In this article, we will share:
- Our Top Campground near the Ark is Whispering Hills
- The following 4 best campgrounds near the Ark Encounter Plus 1
- Try renting an RV if you don’t own one and still want to explore Kentucky
- Amenities offered by the campgrounds
- The assumptions we used to rank the campgrounds
- Our review of our visit to the Ark Encounter
Campground Selection
Ever feel like planning your RV vacation is like planning a mission to Mars? Where does the RV trip planner look to find the perfect campsite? How many days should I stay in one location? And so many more.
Adding to the challenge is the “pressure” we put on ourselves to “get it right”. After all, we’re spending time and our hard-earned money on this adventure. We want the trip to be stress-free and full of incredible memories!
Sara and I face these same pressures.
If you find this article helpful, please send us a quick note at ourcampfireunplugged@gmail.com? We would love to learn how this helped and other content you may find helpful!
Resource Overload
For all the benefits the internet provides, the volumes of data available are mind-numbing. What is the right source to use? Should I trust Google Reviews, RV Trip Wizard, Campendium, HipCamp, or others? Toss Facebook into the mix, and RV Trip planners face information overload.
For this article, I evaluated campgrounds near the Ark Encounter using data from RV Trip Wizard. I applied a weighted average based on location (distance to the ARK), RV Trip Wizard Ratings (rating rank and number of ratings), and price.
As I refine the data analysis of campgrounds, I’ll revise the listing occasionally. In any event, Sara and I hope this helps all the RV Trip planners locate an excellent campground near the Ark Encounter!
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Renting an RV is a fantastic way to test the waters of RV camping without the commitment of buying one.
Campground and Other Accommodations Near The Ark Encounter
The Ark Encounter is convenient to numerous accommodations which makes it easier for visitors looking to stay close. The campgrounds in Williamstown, KY, provide a range of options from luxurious to budget-friendly. Every visitor can identify the perfect overnight stayover from high-end 4.5-star hotels to AirBnBs to Campgrounds.
Over 40 campgrounds are within 50 miles of the Ark Encounter! These campgrounds range from “camping” at the Rising Sun Casino to beautiful State Parks like Big Bone Lick State Historic Site and Carter Caves!
Three campgrounds are less than 10 miles away! Bottom line, you have options!
5 Best Campgrounds Near The Ark Encounter (Plus 1 Bonus!)
We reviewed RV Trip Wizard for RV parks near Williamstown, KY (home of the Ark Encounter). Amazingly, there are over 40 campgrounds within 50 miles. This included campgrounds and RV parks in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio! If the range expands to 60 miles, the count increases to nearly 60 campgrounds and RV parks near Williamstown, KY!!!
Suffice it to say you have choices!
Using data from RV Trip Wizard, we compiled a list of all the campgrounds within 50 miles and ranked based on the distance to the Ark, average rating in RV Trip Wizard, number of reviews on RV Trip Wizard, and average estimated price.
The Top 5 Campgrounds Near the Ark
Here are the top campgrounds near the Ark Encounter, each offering unique amenities and close proximity to the attraction.
No. 1 – Whispering Hills RV Park
Distance to the Ark Encounter – ~ 25 minutes
Whispering Hills RV Park tops our recommended campgrounds near the Ark! With over 1,000 reviews ranking Whispering Hills RV Park 4.5 stars out of 5 and endless camper reviews sharing positive experiences, this was an easy choice!
This RV park has amenities like swimming, fishing, Wifi, a basketball court, on-site laundry, and more. Whispering Hills offers a book exchange! Having visited over 50 campgrounds, I don’t recall this option!
Visitors rave about the landscaping, the fantastic bathhouses, and more!
No. 2 – Kentucky Horse Park
Getting to the Kentucky Horse Park Campground
Distance to the Ark Encounter – 35 minutes
Kentucky Horse Park Campground, the KHP, gets fabulous reviews from campers. Over 1,500 people rate this campground at 4.6 stars. Our only drawback was the KHP is slightly further from the Ark. However, it’s located about 20 minutes from Lexington, KY!
The Horse Park offers over 260 campsites; most sites are 55 feet long and back in style. Primitive electric-only sites are available.
Campers get discounted access to the Kentucky Horse Park!
No. 3 – Northern Kentucky RV Park
Getting to Northern Kentucky RV Park
Distance to the Ark – 15 minutes
The Northern Kentucky RV Park is our 3rd choice due to its convenient location to the Ark! The Ark is less than 15 minutes from the campground, so you can quickly return to the camper.
Families with younger kids will likely appreciate being able to break up their encounters at the Ark into morning and afternoon sessions. With the proximity, you can visit the Ark in the morning, enjoy lunch and swimming at the campground, and head back to the park in the afternoon!
Northern Kentucky, RV Park campers report noise from trains and auto traffic on Interstate 75. The campground store offers earplugs to guests.
The location of this campground makes it a perfect location to explore the Ark as well as greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky!!
No. 4 – Winton Woods Campground (in Ohio)
Distance to the Ark Encounter – 60 minutes
Winton Woods is nestled on a peninsula of Winton Woods Lake in Hamilton County, Ohio. The campground earned a 4.6-star rating with nearly 700 reviews.
Campsites include primitive electric (e.g., tent camping) to full-hook-up sites. With rustic cabins available, campers can invite friends and family to join the adventure! The campground has over 100 sites available!
Winton Woods Campground includes beautiful lakefront views, a playground, on-site laundry, wifi, and more!
We recommend this campground if your plans call for exploring Cincinnati in addition to the Ark Encounter.
No. 5 – Elkhorn Creek Campground
Getting to Elkhorn Creek Campground
Distance to the Ark Encounter – 47 minutes
This campground is set along the banks of the South Elkhorn Creek in Frankfort, Kentucky. Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky and centrally located on the Bourbon Trail, Louisville, and Lexington. Campers can explore the best of Kentucky from this central location!
We have stayed here twice and enjoyed our stay both times! The campground includes tent camping, back-in sites along Elkhorn Creek, pull-through full-hook-up, and seasonal sites.
Amenities include a pool, playground, propane refill, and ice cream at the campground store!
Elkhorn Creek has a 4.6-star rating with nearly 600 independent reviews.
Bonus Pick – Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Getting to Big Bone Lick Campground
Distance to the Ark Encounter – 27 minutes
Enjoy the great outdoors by camping near the Ark Encounter, an experience that combines adventure with convenience.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site offers a fantastic campground operated by the Kentucky State Parks Department. The campground sits atop a large hill and offers fantastic night sky views!
The park was once home to massive, big-boned animals like mammoths. It’s currently home to a herd of bison! Campground amenities include a swimming pool, mini-golf, on-site laundry, hiking trails, and easy access to see the herd of bison!
With over 2,700 independent reviews, Big Bone Lick is rated with a 4.6-star rating!
What Amenities Do These Campgrounds Offer?
These campgrounds keep you close to the main attractions with all the amenities that help create fabulous vacations! Some of the most common amenities include:
- Pull-Thru Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
- Pet Friendly
- Pool
- Playground
- Camp Store
- WiFi / Starlink sites!
- Showers / Restrooms
- 50 Amp Service
- Full Hookup
- Three of the five accept the Good Sam Discount!!
More Thoughts on the Camping near the Ark:
Winton Woods is located in the Cincinnati area. This might be perfect if your RV adventure involves exploring a thriving urban destination! You can travel about 45 minutes or so to the Ark Encounter for a visit and zip back to Cincinnati for awesome restaurants, a pro sports game, or to visit the Cincinnati Zoo!
Elkhorn Creek, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, is about 45 minutes away as well. If your adventure calls for relaxing along a creek bank, enjoying a bourbon tour, and spending the day exploring the Ark Encounter, then this might be perfect for your travels.
Finally, our bonus pick of Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is a family favorite. We enjoy State Park campgrounds like Carter Caves and Breaks Interstate Park. Many RV campers appreciate the larger site spaces, the laid-back atmosphere, and lower prices of the state-operated campgrounds. Big Bone Lick is a fantastic option if that suits your travel style.
What are the Biggest Complaints at Each Campground?
Whispering Hills RV Park: Out of nearly 500 reviews, fewer than 15 ranked the campground poorly. Those that did complain seemed to have one or two minor items.
Kentucky Horse Park: Out of nearly 450 reviews, about 10 ranked the campground poorly. Several of these date back 10 years. Unlevel sites was the biggest complaint.
Northern Kentucky RV Park: Out of about 170 reviews, nearly 40 rate the campground poorly. The most consistent comments related to the campground’s location between Interstate 75 (very busy and loud) and train tracks.
Management offers FREE earplugs at the front office. And the sites are unlevel. Management indicated in responses to the reviews during the winter, sites will be leveled out!
Management responds to comments and appears interested in improving the campground. Proximity (about 10 miles from the Ark) pulled this campground higher into the rankings!
Winton Woods Campground: Out of 150 reviews 2 rate the campground poorly. Both of these reviews are 10 years old or older!
Elkhorn Creek: Out of 230 reviews, about 10 rate the campground poorly. Several are older than 5 years old. And they appeared to have particular people issues when visiting. Our two visits here were very nice!
Spend a Weekend in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky!
Discovering the Ark Encounter may take your family anywhere from half a day to one full day or more. Depending on how much reading you like to do. Based on the region you are staying here are a few family activities to consider by region!
Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
- Newport Aquarium
- New Riff Bourbon Distillery Tour
- Kings Island, Great Wolf Lodge, or The Beach Waterpark
- Enjoy a Pro Sports game (Bengals for football or Reds for baseball) or minor league in Northern KY
Lexington / Frankfort Kentucky
- Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland Race Course
- Salato Wildlife Education Center
- Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour
- Mary Todd Lincoln House
- Canoe Kentucky
How Close is the Ark Encounter to Other Attractions?
The Ark Encounter is conveniently located near many major cities, including:
- Cincinnati – 45 minutes
- Lexington – 45 minutes
- Louisville – 90 minutes
- Mammoth Cave National Park – 2.5 hours
- Indianapolis – 2.5 hours
- Knoxville – 3 hours
- Nashville – 4 hours
Data Disclaimer
RV Trip Wizard data is fantastic because it’s readily available. The data is user-generated so that it can be somewhat multi-directional.
Great! What the heck does that mean?
I found that sometimes the “stars” ranking might indicate the campground is average or above (e.g., over 5 stars), but the written reviews paint a different picture. So, like all things, we are all people and have expectations that are usually really high and often difficult to meet.
I felt comfortable using the ranking information because I gave more “weight” to the number of reviews. If many people left reviews, the law of averages eventually evens out the “too harsh” or “too generous” reviews.
Other Helpful Information
Don’t Miss Our Essential RV Camping Guide!
Planning an RV trip involves more than just picking the right campground. It’s about being prepared for everything the road throws your way. That’s why we’ve put together an Essential RV Camping Guide. This guide has tips, checklists, and must-have gear to make your RV adventure smooth and memorable.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or new to the RV lifestyle, our guide has something for everyone. We’ve got you covered, from setting up your RV to navigating unexpected challenges.
Explore the Wonders of the Ark Encounter with Us!
Join us on an unforgettable journey as we share our family’s experience at the Ark Encounter. From awe-inspiring exhibits to insightful moments, our adventure was amazing.
Discover what makes the Ark Encounter a must-visit destination. Whether you’re planning your visit or just curious about what to expect, our story is packed with insights and fun moments that will enhance your experience. Don’t miss out on this exciting read!
Summing it Up: Camping Near The Ark Encounter
Staying at campgrounds near the Ark Encounter ensures that you are never too far from the fun and learning this unique destination offers.
Kentucky provides fantastic opportunities to explore and create memories while RV camping. Camping near the Ark Encounter offers families a fun way to stay close to a major attraction and enjoy the outdoors. Our 5 Best Campgrounds and RV Parks Near the Ark combine our first-hand experiences and our nerdy / best research experiences. We hope these make your trip planning easier!
About Us:
Mike and Sara write our Campfire Unplugged about our adventures as we travel around our great country in our 5th-wheel RV! Our goal is to share the hidden gems America offers and inspire our readers to explore the world around them!
