Epic Camping Adventures at Carter Caves State Resort Park
RV Camping in Carter Caves State Park Resort
Carter Caves State Park is located in Olive Hill, KY, which is in Eastern Kentucky a few miles north of Interstate 64. The park is super easy to access from many parts of the state and is a favorite of many locals. So, book your campsite early!
One man’s disappointment can be another’s gain and this seemed true here. Some camper canceled their reservation at the last minute and we slid into an awesome corner site with electric and water hook-ups. While there are two “dump stations”, the line gets really backed up (no pun intended). If you plan, your departure right, you won’t have a long wait.
What to do at Carter Caves State Park Resort?
Welcome to an outdoor enthusiast paradise! At Carter Caves, you can camp, hike, explore a cave, ride horses, fish, swim, go boating, enjoy a picnic, rock climb or repel, and more. This is a park with tons to offer so plan your visit accordingly and make plans to come back!
Our main attractions were camping and hiking. The weather on our visit made for nearly perfect hiking conditions. Colors on the trees remained vibrant, which rewarded us with magnificent views!
Three Bridges Trail to 4C’s Trail (Partial)
Well rested from an excellent night of sleep on our comfy Tempur bed, we set out to explore the Three Bridges Trail looping back to the campground via the 4C’s trail. With an element of naivety, we set off. The Three Bridges trail includes 3 fantastic natural bridges. As fans of rock bridges, we were thrilled to experience these wonders in the park.
About .75 miles into our hike, Smoky Bridge appeared as if out of nowhere. The trail opened up wide and deep, with a huge arch in front of us. We could hike around and through the arch. Every time I visit an arch or natural bridge, I feel like I get to experience some of what the early pioneers did when they set foot through the region.
Next up was Raven Bridge! Access Raven Bridge from a short spur trail directly off the Three Bridges Trail. Raven Bride was much taller and felt more remote. I recall we had some small rock scrambles which we all enjoyed.
We followed the 4Cs trail around the “backside” of the park past the lake and to Fern Bridge. Along this trail I recall our dog picking up the sent of some deer and we followed the deer for about 3/10’s of a mile. Don’t worry; we stayed on the trail and the deer were never in danger from us.
Finally, the last really cool find was a set of repelling walls along the 4C’s trail. While we don’t repel often today; in the future, I would love to get more into this!
We definitely recommend this loop!
Horn Hollow Trail
Loaded with energy and excitement (see the smiles above!). We pushed out on the Horn Hollow Loop. This trail was definitely more of a “walk in the woods trail” with some elevation gain and maybe a couple of stairs. We stopped for a quick photo as we crossed a cool wooden bridge and enjoyed the fall colors still popping on the trees.
I recall there being a cave entrance on this trail. I believe visitors can explore the cave, but as we are inexperienced “cavers” and did not have a flashlight we opted out. Check with the visitor center before exploring the caves.
Natural Bridge
At the Visitor Center, we stopped for a moment to grab a sticker. We put stickers on our cooler to remind us of where we have been. With our obligatory sticker in tow, we headed off on the short loop trail around Natural Bridge.
The trail loops underneath the bridge and overtop. The underside is where all the action is located. This trail is super accessible to most park visitors and is therefore very crowded. Nevertheless, it’s a spectacular bridge and definitely worth the 15 to 20 minutes to hike around.
Next up some lunch!
Box Canyon Trail
With full bellies, we set off on the short drive to the Box Canyon Trail. Box Canyon is a couple of miles from the campground and requires a drive. By far the most “rugged” trail, we were rewarded for our trek with a wonderful hike that included a scramble over, around, and under rocks. The entire family loved this trail.
The secluded nature of this trail means you will largely have it to yourself. While we were there it was definitely lightly travelled. Make sure you have a hiking buddy on this one. If something happens, having someone go get help is critical. You could be alone on this trail for hours as compared to other trails in the park!
Time At the Campground
The campground was jammed-packed. Every RV site was taken. The Boy Scouts were there…I felt awful for them because we got rained on all night on Saturday (from 10 PM until 6 AM). And the temperature was chilly; in the 40’s. It would’ve been a long night in a tent!
Despite the crowd, we had plenty of privacy. The bathhouses are dated but in good shape. The dump station line gets long and makes leaving tough. Plan accordingly!
Other Resources
Kentucky has outdoor adventures for everyone! Our great state has moonbows, the longest cave in the world, natural arches, and more! Create amazing family memories without breaking the bank in 2024!
Louisville is a perfect place to serve as a home base. As the largest city in Kentucky, our home town is convenient to so many day trips you will love!
Conclusion
We enjoyed our visit to Carter Caves State Park in Kentucky and look forward to visiting again soon!
