Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Military Park Camp Carlson Recreation Area (Fort Knox)
Overview
Camp Carlson Recreation Area is a standout destination for the military community, offering a serene escape within the rolling hills of Kentucky. Managed by the Fort Knox MWR, this park provides a peaceful woodland environment that feels worlds away from the daily grind. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a long-term stay while visiting the post, you will find that the park focuses on outdoor recreation and community building. The heart of the park is its scenic lake, which sets a tranquil tone for travelers seeking a nature-focused retreat.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in Muldraugh, KY, just outside the gates of Fort Knox, the park is ideally positioned for those who want to explore the history of the region. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dense forests and the classic topography of the Bluegrass State. Access is convenient via Highway 31W, making it a reliable stop for those traveling through central Kentucky. The park’s location offers a unique blend of secluded woodland privacy and proximity to the essential services and historic landmarks of the military installation.
Amenities & Park Features
The park is well-equipped to handle various RV sizes, offering sites with full hookups and ample space to set up camp. Guests have access to modern bathhouses, laundry facilities, and a dump station, ensuring all functional needs are met. For recreation, the park features Carlson Lake, where visitors can enjoy fishing or simply walking along the water's edge. Children can burn off energy at the playground, while families often gather at the spacious picnic pavilions. The park’s commitment to cleanliness and maintenance makes it a top-tier choice for military travelers.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
One of the primary draws is the General George Patton Museum, located just a short drive away at Fort Knox, which offers a deep dive into military history. For those seeking a bit of city life, the vibrant culture of Louisville is within a 45-minute drive, providing access to Churchill Downs and a wide array of dining options. Outdoor enthusiasts can also visit the nearby Otter Creek Outdoor Area for hiking and additional fishing opportunities. This balance of local military history and regional attractions ensures there is always something to explore.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is specifically designed for active-duty service members, retirees, and their families who value a quiet, secure environment. It is an ideal fit for RVers who prefer a rustic, park-like setting over a crowded commercial resort. If you enjoy fishing and hiking in a family-oriented atmosphere, Camp Carlson will feel like home. It is also an excellent base for those visiting personnel at Fort Knox, providing a convenient and high-quality lodging alternative that prioritizes the comfort of the military community.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Discounts
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Leonard Johnson
No internet, so make sure you have starlink, or something comparable... This campground was very clean... And unlike other military campgrounds, they do mow the lawn, and you're not required to A lot of the washers did not work Their sewage system, it's way off on measurement... We literally had to pull up to the road in order for it us to hook up our sewage pipe... And we extended that out extremely, and that was with too extensions... Personnel, that work there are very, very nice... Some of the most respectful people i've encountered... Camp is off base, and it's recreational area of fort.Knox It seems secured... No problems... I never did see MP patrol the area, but who knows they may do it after I went to bed We will come back next year when we visit friends in the area
Renee KH
Fort Knox's Camp Carlson For a military RV park I would consider it average. Cost is $30/night for back-in & $35/night for pull-throughs. Reservations are recommended, and you can only reserve during office hours, which is Mon-Friday 9a-5p and Sat & Sun 9-Noon. When you reserve, be sure to let them know if you need the sewer dump access toward the back or middle/front of your camper or RV as the accesses on this site are either located toward the back of the site or smack on the middle of the site. We had to go back to the office & ask for a site change because of this. Pros: * It's in a beautiful area on Fort Knox base property designated specifically as a "recreation area" - so not only do they allow RVs, but they allow tent campers & have cabins to rent, as well. They also have a beautiful club house overlooking a cute pond, which I'm sure is for rent for events. * The grounds are surrounded by a forest of mature hardwoods & cedars, of which many are situated in the RV park to provide shade for many sites (I'm not sure what the tent area looks like, but I'm sure it's similar). * They have a laundry facility that costs only $1.00 per load or dry. * The bathrooms are immaculately clean with huge shower area. * Water pressure is very good with good quality public water. * All RV sites are full hook-ups only. Cons: * The camp is not located on a secure part of the base. It is accessible from a very well-traveled public through-road. There is also no one in attendance of the park after the office closes at 5pm; & though there was a trailer in the camp host site, we never saw a person or vehicle on that site the entire 2 days & 2 nights we were there, so as far as I'm concerned there is no camp host. There isn't even a gate or other barrier to driving in that closes at any time at night (that they give an access code to get into after hours - like we've experienced at some state & national parks). Lastly, we also never saw a law enforcement patrol vehicle of any type (base or local) come through - so, needless to say, if you like to go to military base campgrounds because they are on secure & patrolled military bases, this isn't your place. However, with all that said we did not experience an issue while there, & all other campers there were quiet & respectful of the rules. * As previously stated, you can only reserve during office hours, which is Mon-Friday 9a-5p and Sat & Sun 9am-Noon. We woukd have stayed there the night before had we been able make reservations @ 2pm on Sunday, but couldn't. * The laundry machines we used all worked great, but keep in mind they are very old machines with top loading agitating washing machines only. All the dryers were in working order when we were there, but unfortunately only 3 out of 7 washers were in working order. * Though the overall environment of this place is an open space public nature park concept, the trailer/RV sites were fairly close together in private RV park fashion (as they usually are at military campgrounds on base) - though not as tightly packed as some private RV parks can be. * Cell service & internet (via your cell carrier) was extremely low & spotty for T-Mobile. There is also no camp-provided WiFi access. Since there is a faint signal all they would need is to install a few commercial signal boosters set up throughout the camp, & we would have had full access anywhere. * Most RV/trailer sites are graveled, but when we stayed you couldn't notice this until you drove up because there were weeds coming up through the gravel. Gravel is also the large type, which is difficult to walk on. Some pull-through sites are concrete, but no back-in sites are. All sites just need to be concrete. * It was probably just bad timing when we went through, but the place was in need of mowing when we were there.
Holdun Reed
I stayed at the full hookup RV site and very much enjoyed my stay. Everything was easy to access, clean and worked properly. I plan to stay again. I've included pictures of the hookup side bc people rarely show that.
Candace J. Banks
There's really not a lot to write about at this FamCamp. If we had *any* shade at all (🤣), I'd give it 5 stars, however, it was BLAZING hot on these concrete pads. Basically, the 4 stars come from it being a safe place to sleep/park our RV for a few days.
Bella Cook
Amazing And beautiful landscape. Great for longer stays or overnight pitstop. RV and camp ground for military Veterans, retirees and their family.
