Kentucky · Camping

Zilpo Recreation Area

3rd Friday in March - Last Sunday in October
season
Aug–Nov
best months

Is Zilpo Recreation Area open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Zilpo Recreation Area, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 763 ft
  • Cumberland Ranger DistrictDaniel Boone National Forest

Zilpo Recreation Area is located at the end of the Zilpo Scenic Byway on a peninsula on the south shore of Cave Run Lake. Zilpo is a prime destination for families. The recreation area includes a large campground, a boat ramp, campground store, a sandy swimming beach, and scenic trails. The scenic campground offers cabin rentals, tent camping, RV sites with electric hookups, and a selection of lakefront sites. A stand of mixed hardwoods shades the campground, and campsites have good privacy. Each site has a picnic table and campfire ring. Electric hookups are available at some campsites. Bathhouses with showers are spread throughout the campground. An RV dump station is available. Camping cabins sleep up to seven, and have beds, table, porch, accessible ramp entrance and picnic tables. A campground store with ice, firewood, camping gear and food is on-site. Nearby Zilpo Mountain Trail #1802 leads to an overlook of the lake and Zilpo Connector Trail #113A provides access to many miles of mountain biking and hiking trails.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Aug–Nov

    Best time to visit Zilpo Recreation Area

    Best months: August–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      41° / 24°

      16 wet · 3 snow

    2. Feb

      46° / 27°

      15 wet · 3 snow

    3. Mar

      55° / 33°

      15 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      67° / 42°

      15 wet

    5. May

      75° / 52°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 61°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 65°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 63°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 56°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 45°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 35°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      45° / 29°

      15 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cave Run Lake, KY, 4.5 mi away at 840 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Zilpo Recreation Area

Book on Recreation.gov

Reserve