Wilson Creek Recreation Area -FREE

At a glanceFree campsite

Free Camping

About this campsite

Free camping at Wilson Creek Recreation Area -FREE.

What this place offers

Accommodation Types

Free Camping

Location

Wilson Creek Recreation Area -FREE•KY

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

TUE🌤️

36° / 23°

💧 2%

WED🌤️

38° / 25°

💧 2%

THU🌦️

36° / 24°

💧 1%

FRI🌦️

35° / 23°

💧 9%

SAT⛈️

34° / 19°

💧 20%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

3.3 km away

PIKES RIDGE

Overview Situated along Kentucky's Highland Rim, Pikes Ridge Campground is surrounded by forested tracks, rolling meadows and the pristine banks of Green River Lake. Click here for the Green River Lake Virtual Tour. Recreation With 8,000 surface acres of water, the lake is an ideal place for boating. With ten boat ramps located around the shoreline, guests have plenty of room for fishing, jet skiing, wake boarding and more. Three full-service marinas are also located around the lake. Fishing is a popular activity at Green River Lake. Walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, muskie and bluegill are all found in abundance. Hunters enjoy the surrounding land, with various habitats supporting deer, turkey, rabbit, quail, squirrel, dove and waterfowl. There are also miles of trails that wind around the lake and along the shore, affording some of the most scenic views in the region. Facilities Pikes Ridge Campground is a shoreline campground, offering 60 campsites, 20 of which have water and electric hookups. Several waterfront campsites are available, providing convenient lake access. A playground, hiking trail and swimming beach offer additional recreation opportunities within the campground. A boat ramp, courtesy dock, several docks to tie up boats, a fishing pier, parking area, and showerhouse are also all located within the campground. Natural Features Green River Lake area encompasses a total of some 32,000 acres in the central portion of Kentucky, creating countless recreational activities for visitors on water and on land. Contact Info Between 05/09/2025 and 09/28/2025 this location is staffed. Please call (270) 465-6488 to speak with local staff. From 09/30/2024 to 05/08/2025 this location is unstaffed. Please call (270) 465-4463 for general information. Nearby Attractions The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and the Historical Civil War Atkinson-Griffin Log Cabin are located about 24 miles from Pikes Ridge, near the Green River Lake Dam. Several historical attractions and National Parks are located within an hour of Green River Lake, including the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and Mammoth Cave National Park. Charges & Cancellations Customers who change their dates outside the original reservation date (i.e, different week or month) will incur a $10 change fee. No-Shows are charged a $20.00 fee plus the first nights use fee.

4.1 km away

SMITH RIDGE

Overview Situated along Kentucky's Highland Rim, Smith Ridge Campground is surrounded by forested tracks, rolling meadows and the pristine banks of Green River Lake. Click here for the Green River Lake Virtual Tour. Recreation With 8,000 surface acres of water, the lake is an ideal place for boating. With ten boat ramps located around the shoreline, guests have plenty of room for fishing, jet skiing, wake boarding and more. Three full-service marinas are also located around the lake. Fishing is a popular activity at Green River Lake. Walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, muskie and bluegill are all found in abundance. Hunters enjoy the surrounding land, with various habitats supporting deer, turkey, rabbit, quail, squirrel, dove and waterfowl. There are also miles of trails that wind around the lake and along the shore, affording some of the most scenic views in the region. Facilities Smith Ridge Campground offers 80 campsites, 62 of which have water and electric hookups. Amenities such as flush toilets, showers, fire rings, and drinking water provide a comfortable camping experience. A playground and hiking trail offer additional recreation opportunities within the campground. The Corps also manages a boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic sites and parking areas nearby. A marina managed swimming beach, picnic areas, 9-hole frisbee golf course, additional restroom facilities, as well as marina owned condos are all located within 1 mile of the campground. Natural Features Green River Lake encompasses a total of some 32,000 acres in the central portion of Kentucky, creating countless recreational activities for visitors. Contact Info Between 05/08/2026 and 09/13/2026 this location is staffed. Please call (270) 789-2743 to speak with local staff. From 09/14/2026 to 05/13/2027 this location is unstaffed. Please call (270) 465-4463 for general information. Nearby Attractions The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and the Historical Civil War Atkinson-Griffin Log Cabin are located only a short 13.5 miles from Smith Ridge near the Green River Lake Dam . Several historical attractions and National Parks are located within an hour of Green River Lake, including the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and Mammoth Cave National Park. Charges & Cancellations Customers who change their dates outside the original reservation date (i.e., different week or month) will incur a $10 change fee. No-Shows are charged a $20.00 plus the first nights use fee.

8.2 km away

HOLMES BEND

Overview Situated along Kentucky's Highland Rim, Holmes Bend Campground is surrounded by forested tracks, rolling meadows and the pristine banks of Green River Lake. Click here for the Green River Lake Virtual Tour. Recreation With 8,000 surface acres of water, the lake is an ideal place for boating. With ten boat ramps located around the shoreline, guests have plenty of room for fishing, jet skiing, wake boarding and more. Three full-service marinas are also located around the lake. Fishing is a popular activity at Green River Lake: Walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, muskie and bluegill are all found in abundance. Hunters enjoy the surrounding land, with various habitats supporting deer, turkey, rabbit, quail, squirrel, dove and waterfowl. There are also miles of trails that wind around the lake and along the shore, affording some of the most scenic views in the region. Facilities Holmes Bend Campground offers 125 campsites, 40 of which have electric hookups only and 62 of which have water and electric hookups. Amenities like flush toilets, showers, fire rings and drinking water provide a comfortable camping experience. A playground and an interpretive trail offer additional recreation opportunities within the campground. Several miles of multi-use trails to include horseback riding are all located just down the road from the campground. A swimming beach, reservable picnic shelter, parking areas, additional playground, restroom facilities, boat ramp, courtesy dock, fishing pier all managed by the marina, as well as marina owned rental cabins are all located within 1 mile of the campground. Natural Features Green River Lake area encompasses a total of some 32,000 acres in the central portion of Kentucky, creating countless recreational activities for visitors on the water and on land. Nearby Attractions The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and the Historical Civil War Atkinson-Griffin Log Cabin are located only a short 10 miles northwest from Holmes Bend . Several historical attractions and National Parks are located within an hour of Green River Lake, including the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and Mammoth Cave National Park. Contact Info Between 04/17/2026 and 10/25/2026 this location is staffed. Please call (270) 384-4623 to speak with local staff. From 10/26/2026 to 04/16/2027 this location is unstaffed. Please call (270) 465-4463 for general information. Charges & Cancellations Customers who change their dates outside the original reservation date (i.e., different week or month) will incur a $10 change fee. No-shows are charged a $20.00 fee plus the first nights use fee.

8.5 km away

Visitor Center Picnic Shelter

Overview The Visitor Center Picnic Shelter is located within the Visitor Center Day Use Area. Recreation With 8,000 surface acres of water, the lake is an ideal place for boating. With ten boat ramps located around the shoreline, guests have plenty of room for fishing, jet skiing, wake boarding and more. Three full-service marinas are also located around the lake. Fishing is a popular activity at Green River Lake: Walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, muskie and bluegill are all found in abundance. Hunters enjoy the surrounding land, with various habitats supporting deer, turkey, rabbit, quail, squirrel, dove and waterfowl. There are also miles of trails that wind around the lake and along the shore, affording some of the most scenic views in the region. Facilities As its name gives away, the Visitor Center Picnic Shelter is located right outside the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center. The shelter is located about 1 mile off of KY-55. Amenities at the shelter include electricity hookup, 8 picnic tables, grills and access to a playground and restroom. The shelter restroom is only open seasonally (closed over the winter months). The dam overlook, trails, Visitor Center and the Atkinson-Griffin Historical Log Cabin are all located within short walking distance from the shelter. If the shelter has been reserved for the day, a "Reserved Today" sign will be placed on the shelter's sign to indicate that it not avaible for walk-ups. The Visitor Center Day Use Area closes and gates closed at 5:00 pm eastern time daily. No usage of the shelter can go beyond the 5:00 pm closing time. Keep this in mind when making reservations. This shelter is not reservable on weekends from Jan.1 - April 13, 2025 due to the area being closed on weekends. The first Saturday available for reservations is April 19, 2025. If the shelter has not been reserved for a particular day, it may be used free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. Natural Features Green River Lake area encompasses a total of some 32,000 acres in the central portion of Kentucky, creating countless recreational activities for visitors on the water and on land. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (270) 465-4463. Nearby Attractions The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and the Historical Civil War Atkinson-Griffin Log Cabin are located only a short walk from the shelter. Lake access as well as a boat ramp are also located just 1 mile from the shelter at the Site 1 boat ramp area. Several trailheads are located nearby and the Green River Lake State Park is 3.5 mile drive away. Several historical attractions and National Parks are located within an hour of Green River Lake, including the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and Mammoth Cave National Park. Charges & Cancellations Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.

9.2 km away

Tailwater Picnic Shelter

Overview Tailwater Picnic Shelter is located within the Tailwater Recreation Area. The Tailwater Recreation Area is where the downstream portion of the Green River begins. The Green River is one of the most biodiverse rivers in the country. It is home to more than 150 fish species, more than 70 mussel species, and 42 endemic species (species existing nowhere else in the world). Kayaking and canoeing down the Green River, starting at the Tailwater Boat ramp is a popular outdoor activity in the area. Recreation With 8,000 surface acres of water, the lake is an ideal place for boating. With ten boat ramps located around the shoreline, guests have plenty of room for fishing, jet skiing, wake boarding and more. Three full-service marinas are also located around the lake. Fishing is a popular activity at Green River Lake: Walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, muskie and bluegill are all found in abundance. Hunters enjoy the surrounding land, with various habitats supporting deer, turkey, rabbit, quail, squirrel, dove and waterfowl. There are also miles of trails that wind around the lake and along the shore, affording some of the most scenic views in the region. Kayaking and canoeing down the Green River, starting at the Tailwater Boat ramp is a popular outdoor activity in the area. Facilities Tailwater Picnic Shelter is located within theTailwater Recreation Area of Green River Lake. The shelter is located .3 miles off of KY-55 and is 2 miles from the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center. Green River access as well as the Tailwater boat ramp are just a few hundred feet from the shelter. The Stilling Basin, where may like to fish and view the water discharge out of the dam, is located within the same recreation area just a .5 mile up the road. Amenities at the shelter include electricity hookup, 8 picnic tables, grills, parking and access to a playground and restroom. The shelter restroom is only open seasonally (closed over the winter months). If the shelter has been reserved for the day, a "Reserved Today" sign will be placed on the shelter's sign to indicate that it not avaible for walk-ups. If the shelter has not been reserved for a particular day, it may be used free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. Natural Features Green River Lake area encompasses a total of some 32,000 acres in the central portion of Kentucky, creating countless recreational activities for visitors on the water and on land. The Green River is Kentucky’s crown jewel of river systems and a national treasure of biodiversity. At 384 miles, it is one of Kentucky’s largest, longest, and most navigable rivers. Nearby Attractions The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and the Historical Civil War Atkinson-Griffin Log Cabin are located only a short 2 miles from the shelter. Lake access as well as a boat ramp are also located 1.7 miles from the shelter at the Site 1 boat ramp area. Several trailheads are located nearby and the Green River Lake State Park is only a 3.4 mile drive away. Several historical attractions and National Parks are located within an hour of Green River Lake, including the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and Mammoth Cave National Park. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (270) 465-4463. Charges & Cancellations Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.