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GeneralReservations for seven consecutive nights or more receive an automatic 25% discount.
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About Zilpo - Daniel Boone Nat. For.
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
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162 Sites Available
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Reviews (726)
What Guests Are Saying
Zilpo Campground is praised for its beautiful location, clean campsites, and friendly staff, making for a generally enjoyable camping experience. Visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere and scenic views, with many indicating they would return. However, there are notable concerns regarding the condition of bathroom facilities, maintenance of amenities, and accessibility of water, suggesting that some areas could benefit from improvements and more attentive upkeep.
What Guests Are Saying
Zilpo Campground is praised for its beautiful location, clean campsites, and friendly staff, making for a generally enjoyable camping experience. Visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere and scenic views, with many indicating they would return. However, there are notable concerns regarding the condition of bathroom facilities, maintenance of amenities, and accessibility of water, suggesting that some areas could benefit from improvements and more attentive upkeep.
Review Summary
Stephen D
VerifiedNovember 1, 2021 • Stayed at: H032, Loop: H LOOP
We have been visiting Zilpo for the better part of the last 15 years. We absolutely love the H-loop of the recreation area. It is more than likely the most popular loop for visitors because it is the last to close in the camping season. But, unfortunately, H-loop is declining in appearance, cleanliness, and maintenance. We see more trash on the ground, broken bathroom equipment, and facility equipment (i.e., Signs, roads, and gates). I am not sure if these problems result from a lack of personnel or resources to repair them. In addition, the concessionaires are not as friendly in the last 5 years either. I'm not saying that all of them are unfriendly, just some of them. For example, we found the front gate personnel to be friendly and helpful. However, it is my opinion that the others are just not as pleasant. Not that they have to be, but it would make a trip to the recreation area a little more enjoyable and may offset some of the other problems that have been slowly becoming worse over the past 5 to 10 years. We noted other issues, such as sites not able to be reserved online (marked as reserved on the recreation.gov site). However, when we arrived, the online reserved sites never had any visitors. This could be for a lot of different reasons. But the problem did appear for a lot of various sites. We will continue to visit the Zilpo recreation area, just with less frequency. Due to our 2021 camping season at Zilpo Recreation, we are exploring other camping opportunities in the area. I sincerely hope that the concessionaires at Zilpo receive the help and support it takes to improve the area again. It is a shame it is in decline.
Melissa P
VerifiedNovember 1, 2021 • Stayed at: G022, Loop: G LOOP
Extremely clean campground. Most campsites are well spaced and private. Beautiful area to hike and bike. Only major complaint was we made reservations and had last night cancelled because “the administration” wanted to close specific areas in the campground early for the season. Not ethical or fair to people with reservations.
Brett S
VerifiedNovember 1, 2021 • Stayed at: F009, Loop: F LOOP
Wonderful campsites. Very Private.
Stephen D
VerifiedNovember 1, 2021 • Stayed at: H032, Loop: H LOOP
We have been visiting Zilpo for the better part of the last 15 years. We absolutely love the H-loop of the recreation area. It is more than likely the most popular loop for visitors because it is the last to close in the camping season. But, unfortunately, H-loop is declining in appearance, cleanliness, and maintenance. We see more trash on the ground, broken bathroom equipment, and facility equipment (i.e., Signs, roads, and gates). I am not sure if these problems result from a lack of personnel or resources to repair them. In addition, the concessionaires are not as friendly in the last 5 years either. I'm not saying that all of them are unfriendly, just some of them. For example, we found the front gate personnel to be friendly and helpful. However, it is my opinion that the others are just not as pleasant. Not that they have to be, but it would make a trip to the recreation area a little more enjoyable and may offset some of the other problems that have been slowly becoming worse over the past 5 to 10 years. We noted other issues, such as sites not able to be reserved online (marked as reserved on the recreation.gov site). However, when we arrived, the online reserved sites never had any visitors. This could be for a lot of different reasons. But the problem did appear for a lot of various sites. We will continue to visit the Zilpo recreation area, just with less frequency. Due to our 2021 camping season at Zilpo Recreation, we are exploring other camping opportunities in the area. I sincerely hope that the concessionaires at Zilpo receive the help and support it takes to improve the area again. It is a shame it is in decline.
Melissa P
VerifiedNovember 1, 2021 • Stayed at: G022, Loop: G LOOP
Extremely clean campground. Most campsites are well spaced and private. Beautiful area to hike and bike. Only major complaint was we made reservations and had last night cancelled because “the administration” wanted to close specific areas in the campground early for the season. Not ethical or fair to people with reservations.
patricia t
VerifiedNovember 4, 2021 • Stayed at: H006, Loop: H LOOP
The most beautiful camp ground I’ve ever enjoyed! The people were so helpful and pleasant! That is so important! My only wish is that there were more electric hook ups in H loop. H loop is gorgeous!!!
patricia t
VerifiedNovember 4, 2021 • Stayed at: H006, Loop: H LOOP
The most beautiful camp ground I’ve ever enjoyed! The people were so helpful and pleasant! That is so important! My only wish is that there were more electric hook ups in H loop. H loop is gorgeous!!!
Paulette V
VerifiedNovember 7, 2021 • Stayed at: H033, Loop: H LOOP
It was a very peaceful and quiet campground. Well maintained. Clean.
Paulette V
VerifiedNovember 7, 2021 • Stayed at: H033, Loop: H LOOP
It was a very peaceful and quiet campground. Well maintained. Clean.
David A
VerifiedApril 14, 2022 • Stayed at: Cabin D014, Loop: D LOOP
Cabin was in poor condition, broken/missing shades, rusted AC and Heater, door would not close due out of adjustment.
Bathrooms were likewise in poor condition. No lights, standing water on floor, rusted doors and fixtures.
Location & Directions for Zilpo - Daniel Boone Nat. For.
8697 Z Ilpo Road, Salt Lick, KY 40371 United States
Getting There
In Salt Lick, KY, at the intersection of State Route 211 and U.S. Route 60,
take Route 211 south for 3.6 mi to the Forest Recreation sign. Turn left
at the sign, onto Clear Creek Road and go 3.9 mi to Zilpo Campground sign.
Turn left at the si...
In Salt Lick, KY, at the intersection of State Route 211 and U.S. Route 60,
take Route 211 south for 3.6 mi to the Forest Recreation sign. Turn left
at the sign, onto Clear Creek Road and go 3.9 mi to Zilpo Campground sign.
Turn left at the sign onto Forest Route 918 and drive 8.7 mi to the campground.
Highway access
The campground is accessible via U.S. Route 60 and State Route 211. U.S. Route 60 is approximately 3.6 miles from the campground.
Policies & Rules
General
- Limit 6 people and 2 vehicles per single campsite; additional vehicles will be charged an additional fee per night; additional guest will be charged $2 per night.
- Each cabin has 2 double bunk beds with out mattresses, Please bring your own sleeping bags or other bedding.Each cabin can accommodate up to 6 people and 1 vehicle. Tents and RVs are not allowed at the cabins.
- Beach is opened from Memorial day to Labor day, unless flooding occurs hours of operation are 11am to 8 pm
- Only Authorized companies are allowed to drop off and set up rental trailers, all unauthorized RV trailer rental deliveries will be turned away.
- Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
- A discount of 25% is now available for reservations that include 7 or more consecutive days.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralReservations for seven consecutive nights or more receive an automatic 25% discount.
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Last updated: October 22, 2026
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Population: 274
Elevation: 676 ft
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