Warning
GeneralReservations for seven consecutive nights or more receive an automatic 25% discount.
Featured amenities
Available sites
162 total sitesAbout Zilpo - Daniel Boone Nat. For.
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Showers
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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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
Donald J
VerifiedAugust 18, 2026 • Stayed at: H016, Loop: H LOOP
The gentleman at the gate house (Bennie) was outstanding. Very helpful, happy and started my experience with laughs. The campsites (I had 2) were clean, easy to access and QUIET. I will definitely be coming back.
Amy B
VerifiedAugust 23, 2026 • Stayed at: G002, Loop: G LOOP
My family has been camping at Zilpo Campground for 30 years and have always loved it there, but it really needs to be improved a lot.
James M
VerifiedAugust 23, 2026 • Stayed at: G015, Loop: G LOOP
Zilpo is lovely campground with spacious, convenient sites.
Matilda E
VerifiedAugust 29, 2026 • Stayed at: Cabin 039, Loop: H LOOP
We had a wonderful time. It was beautiful and peaceful! Would have liked a better view of the lake but overall it was a great outing!
Mark G
VerifiedAugust 30, 2026 • Stayed at: Cabin D012, Loop: D LOOP
Second time there. This time was two nights. It was a very relaxing trip. We were able to get lots of needed sleep. Cabin was nice. Several issues tho. The shower situation was ridiculous. One shower was open on a Saturday for the entire campground. The other two, if there were two, were blocked off and locked. The shower that was open was also all the way to H. We were in D. Quite the hike. Plus for as much of the day as I can remember the beach was closed. We basically were confined to our cabin with no shower or activities. We did go walk a little. We will be trying a different campground next time. We won’t be back to Zilpo.
Charles G
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2026 • Stayed at: G023, Loop: G LOOP
Zilpo is the hidden gem on Cave Run Lake. The fact that it’s so far out of the way filters out the campers who don’t want peace and quiet.
Stephanie M
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2026 • Stayed at: H008, Loop: H LOOP
We had a great stay at Zilpo. The sites were well maintained and we had easy access to getting our canoe out on the lake.
lisa c
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2026 • Stayed at: H038, Loop: H LOOP
We loved our site the camp host were excellent can't wait to camp in October!
James M
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2026 • Stayed at: H028, Loop: H LOOP
This was one of my worst experiences at Zilpo. I stayed 3 nights in H loop. Showers were ice cold. I mentioned it to one of the hosts and he dismissed it and said there was nothing he could do. Restroom hadv2 urinals and 2 toilets, 1 of each out of order, and it stunk. It was a holiday weekend with rain forecasted. That means all the premium sites were reserved but 2/3 remained vacant. More sites need included on the first come first serve list. One vacant reserved site had a couple in a car show up and spend a couple hours swimming and partying! How did they get in? A host finally stopped and must have told them they had to leave, because they did leave. The reserved site stayed empty another day until someone finally showed up on the last night.
I used to love this campground but this trip really has me asking why bother. I ride mountainbikes and all the trails are now grown over and impassable. Does the national park crew do anything?
And recrestion.gov needs to go and get people employed and back in the guard shacks. Where is the old CCC.
irvin alexis m
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2026 • Stayed at: H030, Loop: H LOOP
The lake view is amazing and you can explore other parks of the forest
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 18, 2026