Clear Creek Campground
4.2028 reviewsClear Creek Campground, Clear Creek Road, Kentucky
Clear Creek Campground
$15.00 - $20.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$15.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Overnight fees are $15 for single sites and $20 for double sites. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to single campsites only. Payment is made onsite using a fee envelope.
About this campground
Tucked away in the heart of a verdant mixed hardwood and pine forest, Clear Creek Campground offers an intimate escape into nature with 20 thoughtfully spaced sites that welcome both tent campers and RV adventurers. Each site comes fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay – from sturdy tent pads and grills to lantern poles that cast a warm glow as evening falls. Gather around your fire ring under towering trees, or enjoy meals at your personal picnic table while listening to the whisper of seasonal creeks nearby. Modern restrooms and fresh drinking water ensure convenience doesn't compromise your wilderness experience. The well-separated sites and open forest canopy create the perfect balance of privacy and spaciousness, making this primitive campground a hidden gem for those seeking peaceful forest accommodations.
Clear Creek Campground is oriented towards primitive camping and offers facilities catering to both tent and RV campers. It is a small campground with 20 combined sites and emphasizes a natural, serene environment.
Historical SignificanceStep back in time at the neighboring Clear Creek Iron Furnace, where the echoes of early 1800s industry still resonate through the forest. This remarkable piece of regional heritage stands as a testament to the area's pivotal role in America's industrial awakening. An interpretive sign at the adjacent picnic area brings the furnace's story to life, detailing how pioneers once transformed raw iron ore into the building blocks of a growing nation, making your camping experience not just a retreat into nature, but a journey through history.
Weather and SeasonsClear Creek transforms with the seasons, offering unique experiences throughout the year. Winter brings a crystalline wonderland where snow blankets the forest floor and freezing temperatures create a pristine, quiet landscape perfect for hardy cold-weather campers. As spring awakens the forest, moderate temperatures and occasional gentle rains bring wildflowers and rushing creek waters. Summer envelops the campground in warm, humid embrace – ideal for lazy afternoons in the shade and evening campfires. Fall paints the mixed hardwoods in brilliant golds and crimsons, with crisp air and comfortable temperatures making it, along with spring, the most popular time to experience Clear Creek's natural splendor.
ElevationPerched at a comfortable 700-foot elevation, Clear Creek Campground occupies a sweet spot where mixed hardwoods mingle with stately pines, creating a diverse forest ecosystem that changes character with every turn of the trail. This modest elevation provides just enough lift to catch cooling breezes in summer while remaining accessible year-round.
Natural Features and SceneryThe gentle murmur of Clear Creek and Buck Creek provides a natural soundtrack to your camping experience, with these seasonal waterways dancing alongside select campsites when conditions allow. The surrounding tapestry of mixed hardwoods and pine creates an ever-changing canvas – from the deep greens of summer to autumn's fiery display. Towering trees filter sunlight into dappled patterns across the forest floor, while the understory offers glimpses of wildlife and wildflowers. This serene natural sanctuary within Daniel Boone National Forest invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world.
Geological RegionNestled within the vast Daniel Boone National Forest, Clear Creek Campground showcases the region's characteristic mixed hardwood and pine ecosystem. The area's seasonal creeks have carved gentle valleys through the landscape over millennia, creating the perfect setting where water, stone, and forest converge to form a quintessential Appalachian foothills camping experience.
Campsite details
AccessibilityVault toilet facilities meet accessibility standards for persons with disabilities. The campground is described as largely natural and primitive.
Sites SizeUser reviews indicate sites are generally large and flat, with some offering better privacy than others.
Sites PrivacySites to the left of the entrance tend to have better privacy, while those to the right have longer parking aprons.
Total Campsites20 campsites
Recommended CampsitesSites to the right of the fee board offer longer parking aprons suitable for larger setups, while sites to the left provide better privacy. Site 20 is highlighted for proximity to the creek.
Best CampsitesSite 20 is favored for being next to the creek. Other sites also provide privacy and are well-separated.
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Check-in details are null.
Check-out
Check-out details are null.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 14 consecutive days.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Recommended guest limits per site are null.
Groups
Group camping is not explicitly mentioned in authoritative sources.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutThe campground entrance splits into two areas. Sites to the right of the fee board have longer parking aprons, while sites to the left offer better privacy.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen April 18 through November 2.
Reservation PlatformsNo reservation platforms available; first-come, first-served camping.
Walk-in AvailabilityCamping is offered on a first-come, first-served basis; sites may be less crowded outside holidays and hunting season.
Cancellation PolicyCancellations are not applicable as reservations are not supported.
Amenities available
Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Clear Creek Campground offers a range of activities typical of a primitive camping area, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The campground is situated near several trails and creeks, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation in a peaceful environment.
Hiking
Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail #100, Clear Creek Lake Trail #103, and Buck Creek Trail #118 are accessible from the campground. Buck Creek Trail connects to Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail and is 0.25 miles long.Fishing
Fishing is available at Clear Creek Lake, with bass, bluegill, and catfish being common catches.Wildlife viewing
User reviews frequently mention wildlife spotting opportunities, including bears in the area. Campers are advised to practice safe food storage techniques.Cultural and Educational Programs
The nearby historic Clear Creek Iron Furnace, dating back to the early 1800s, features interpretive signs explaining its role in the region's development.Winter Activities
The campground is open seasonally and winter-specific activities are not mentioned.Water Sports
Clear Creek Campground does not support water sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding, or water skiing.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Campfires are permitted within designated fire rings.
- Quiet hours are unspecified; user reviews mention quiet nights and serene ambiance.
Hazards
General hazardsBear activity is present. Seasonal creek water levels may rise after rainfall, resulting in swiftly running water. Practice bear-safe food storage techniques.
Weather forecast
73
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 39%
Comfortable humidity levels
Wind: 7.5 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Clear sky
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Cumberland Ranger District Office, 2375 KY 801 South Morehead, KY 40351; Phone: 606-784-6428. Closest hospital and police station details are null.
Good to know
Peak season datesApril 18 to November 2.
Trash and recyclingTrash facilities, including dumpsters, are available at the campground according to user reviews.
Proximity to water featuresClear Creek and Buck Creek run adjacent to some campsites, providing seasonal creek views and sounds.
Common complaintsLimited cell service in the area, vault toilets instead of flush facilities, and seasonal creek water levels affecting the ambiance are some of the recurring concerns mentioned in user reviews.
HostA campground host is sometimes present, providing services like coffee delivery, as noted by user reviews. The host is described as "wonderful" and "friendly."
Campground Map
Clear Creek Campground, Clear Creek Road, Kentucky
Driving directionsFrom I-64 take US 60 east to Salt Lick, then from Salt Lick take KY 211 south for 4 miles. Turn left (east) on Clear Creek Road for 2 miles to Clear Creek.
The campground is accessible via paved roads, and parking aprons are gravel. Seasonal closures do not apply as the campground is open year-round.Nearby places
Salt Lick (4 miles, approximately 10 minutes), Clear Creek Market (approximately 5 miles, 15 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Ice and firewood available at the campground
gas and limited groceries at Clear Creek Market on Clear Creek Rd.
Camper Reviews
4.2
28 reviews
Clear Creek Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight Clear Creek Campground as a quiet, clean, and peaceful primitive camping area. Positive sentiments often focus on the serene environment, wildlife sightings, and proximity to hiking trails.
Review Summaries
Based on 28 reviews
What Campers Love
Campers frequently praise the quiet and peaceful setting, the presence of wildlife, the nearby trails, and the friendly camp host. "We were serenaded by a Barred Owl," and "Wonderful host" are common...
Based on 28 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Critiques include limited cell phone service, the lack of modern amenities such as showers and flush toilets, and occasional noise from the nearby shooting range. "Not as family-friendly as it used...
Based on 28 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Visitors recommend bringing sufficient supplies due to the remote location, practicing bear-safe food storage, and choosing campsites based on privacy preferences. "Site 20 has the creek running...
Based on 28 reviewsShow more
Seasonal Insights
Reviews suggest the campground is quiet except during holidays and deer season. Fall is particularly appreciated for its beauty and solitude, while summer draws mixed reviews due to privacy concerns.
Based on 28 reviewsCamper Quotes
"This primitive campground is nestled into the woods alongside a creek near Cave Run Lake." "Great, cheap primitive campground." "So peaceful. So quiet. The old furnace is so cool." "If you just want...
Based on 28 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Site 20 is highlighted as a picturesque location with a creek running through it. Sites to the left of the entrance are noted for better privacy, while sites to the right offer longer parking aprons...
Based on 28 reviewsShow more
Accessibility Features
Vault toilet facilities meet accessibility standards, but no additional accessibility features are explicitly mentioned in reviews.
Based on 28 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Reviews do not provide detailed insights into pet policies or experiences.
Based on 28 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025