Entrance Station
Lake
Holly Bay

Holly Bay

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates April 9 through October 19.

Redbird Office without internet, phone service

The Redbird Ranger District Office in Big Creek, KY does not have internet or phone service and will be unable to process pass sales at this time. Please visit a local vendor to purchase a Daniel Boone National Forest recreation pass while we work to restore connectivity.

London Office reduces hours, services due to maintenance, March 10-31

Due to electrical grid maintenance, the London Ranger District Office on Laurel River Lake will only be open to visitors Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March 10 through March 31, 2026. The Office will only be able to process cash or check sales during this time.

Prescribed Burns in Progress

The Daniel Boone National Forest is planning a series of prescribed fire operations to remove forest fuels, improve wildlife habitat and increase native vegetation across the Forest. The locations of all planned, active and completed prescribed burns are displayed in the Southern Region Prescribed…

Low water levels at Laurel River Lake

Laurel River Lake levels recently dropped approx. 12 ft below normal winter pool. Water access walkways and boat ramps will be steeper than usual, and potential unusable, until water levels rise.Check current lake levels for Laurel River Lake before planning your visit. Normal winter pool is 1010…

No visitor services at Supervisor's Office in Winchester, KY

Until further notice, visitor services at the USDA Forest Service office front desk in Winchester, KY, are unavailable. All other Daniel Boone National Forest offices remain open and will continue to provide visitor services during their standard hours. Find the closest Daniel Boone National Forest…

Area Closure due to tornado damage

Occupying or using any portion of the tornado damaged National Forest System lands in Pulaski and Laurel Counties, including roads and hiking trails, is prohibited.  See additional images of the damage.

Trees down, potential trail/road impacts forestwide

Forest Service crews are working to evaluate and clear trails and roads across the Forest impacted by recent severe weather events. We anticipate some amount of blowdown on all Forest trails. Areas with confirmed impacts include Pine Island Double Falls, Cane Creek stream access and Laurel County…

Cliffside Trail #519 Closure

Cliffside Trail #519 between Noes Boat Ramp and Sawyer Boat Ramp is temporarily closed due to downed trees and trail damage.

Dog Slaughter Falls Trail Closure, Bridge Removed

Extensive storm damage remains on a portion of the Dog Slaughter Falls Trail. Currently, the trail is closed between the two trailheads. The lower trailhead and parking area closest to the falls, remains open for use and is passable to the falls. Please note that the bridge at the lower trailhead…

Hawk Creek, Sinking Creek trail bridges impassable

The Hawk Creek and Sinking Creek suspension bridges, which connect portions of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail near London, KY, are impassable due to storm damage. Hikers will need to wade through the creeks to continue along the trail. As a safety precaution, please do not try to…

Indian Creek Rd 9A Closure (Red River Gorge)

Indian Creek Road 9A is closed to motor vehicles past the Powder Mill Trailhead (approximately 1 mile from the start of the road). Beyond Powder Mill Trailhead, the road is open to non-motorized uses such as pedestrian and bicycle travel.

Red River Gorge Suspension Bridge Impassable

The suspension footbridge near KY 715 in the Red River Gorge that connects the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail across the Red River has been damaged by a falling tree. Visitors should not attempt to use the bridge and should plan their recreation activities accordingly.Area(s): Sheltowee…

Prohibited Entry into Special Areas

Entry into areas closed for the protection of endangered, threatened, rare, unique, or vanishing species of plants, animals, birds, or fish around Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake is prohibited.

Non-Motorized Fishing Area Restrictions

The use of use of gasoline or diesel-powered motorcraft in non-motorized fishing areas of Cave Run Lake, Carrington Lake, Rebel Trace Lake, Clear Creek Lake, and specified portions of Ramey Creek and Scott Creek is prohibited.

Climbing and Rappelling Prohibitions

Climbing or rappelling or otherwise attempting to ascend or descend from cliffs, arches, or other rock formations at Bee Rock Overlook in Laurel County in Kentucky is prohibited.

Climbing and Rappelling Prohibitions

Climbing, rappelling, or otherwise attempting to ascend or descend from cliffs, arches, or other rock formations in the Natural Arch Scenic Area and Three Forks of Beaver Overlook is prohibited.

Wildcat Branch Closure

Going into or upon National Forest System lands of Wildcat Branch, within the Bee Rock Overlook in Laurel County in Kentucky, is prohibited.

Climbing and Rappelling Prohibitions

Climbing or rappelling within 300 feet of Sky Bridge, Gray’s Arch, Nada Tunnel, or Chimney Top Rock overlooks is prohibited.

Commercial Hauling Prohibitions

Using a Forest Service System Road for commercial hauling without first obtaining a permit or authorization is prohibited.

Metal Detecting Prohibitions

The use of metal detectors, electronic apparatuses, or any other devices for the purpose of locating any metal object without a valid permit is prohibited.

Trail Prohibitions

Shortcutting a trail switchback is prohibited.

White Sulphur OHV Trail System

1) Motorized use of the White Sulphur OHV Trail System from sunset to sunrise from May 1st to November 30th; 2) Non-motorized use of the White Sulphur OHV Trail System from May 1st to November 30th; 3) Overnight camping within 300 feet of the edge of the White Sulphur OHV Trail System from May 1st…

Cave Run Lake Trails Restrictions

1) All cross country travel by horses, pack animals, or other livestock within the described area in the Cave Run Lake Trail Guide; 2) leading, using or possessing a saddle or pack animal within the twelve horse trail segments from December 15 to May 15; and 3) non-designated use of the twenty-one…

Cave Run Lake, Highway 801 Hunting/Shooting Prohibitions

Hunting or discharging a firearm is prohibited between Kentucky Highway 801 South and Cave Run Lake from the Fern Bluff recreation area to Warix Run Boat Ramp, including the waters of Scott Creek Bay east of the idle speed buoy line between Scott Creek Boat Ramp and Twin Knobs Boat Ramp.

Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area Camping Prohibition

Except for designated sites, camping within 300 feet of National Forest System Road 918 in the Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area is prohibited.

Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area Closure

1) All entry; 2) discharging a firearm; and 3) hunting, fishing and trapping are prohibited in the described area.

Laurel River Lake and Lake Cumberland Camping Prohibitions

1) Camping within 300 feet of the high water line of the portion of Upper Lake Cumberland, from the Mouth of Laurel Boat Ramp upstream on the Laurel River, and from the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail to the administrative boundary between National Forest System and U.S. Army Corps of…

Beaver Creek Wilderness Prohibitions

Within Beaver Creek Wilderness, possessing horses or other livestock except on trails designated for such use or as specifically permitted through a special use permit is prohibited.

Bee Rock Camping Prohibitions

Camping or maintaining any campsite or campsites within Bee Rock Recreation Area for more than 14 consecutive days is prohibited.

Jellico & Rock Creek Camping Prohibitions

Except for designated campsites, camping within 300 feet of National Forest System Road 492 and National Forest System Road 137 is prohibited.

Cave Run Lake Camping Restrictions

Except at designated sites, camping within 300 feet of the water’s edge of Cave Run Lake or within 300 feet of any road or trail leading to the water’s edge of Cave Run Lake is prohibited.

General Forest Prohibitions

The following acts are prohibited in all areas of the Daniel Boone National Forest:Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove within 100 feet of the base of any cliff, or the back of a rock shelter unless at a designated site;Possession of a controlled substance unless said…

General Lake Prohibitions

The following acts are prohibited on National Forest System lands containing Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake:Operating any watercraft on impoundments on waterways administered by the DBNF in violation of rules, regulations or laws established by the Commonwealth of Kentucky to regulate said…

Shooting Range Prohibitions

The following acts are prohibited within shooting ranges:Use of all targets including clay, skeet, paintball, or exploding targets except for targets that are made of paper or a retail product specifically designed for target practice;Failure to adhere to posted range safety rules;Firing while…

Wilderness Prohibitions

Entering or being part of a group of more than ten people and/or possessing or using a wagon, cart, bicycle or other vehicle are prohibited in Clifty Wilderness and Beaver Creek Wilderness.

Camping Prohibitions

Camping in violation of posted signs is prohibited.

Saddle and Pack Animal Prohibitions

Riding, hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal in violation of posted instructions is prohibited.

Cave Run Lake Prohibitions

The following acts are prohibited:Motorized use of the White Sulphur OHV Trail from sunset to sunrise from May 1 to November 30;Non-motorized use of the White Sulphur OHV Trail from May 1 to November 30;Camping within 300 feet of NFSR 918 in the Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area. Camping at…

Tater Knob Fire Tower Closure

Going into or upon the Tater Knob Fire Tower site is prohibited.

Stearns District Prohibitions

1) Camping within 300 feet of NFSR 492 and NFSR 137 except for designated campsites; 2) Entering into Railroad Tunnels 7, 8, and 9 located along the old Cincinnati-Southern Railroad; and 3) Possessing horses or other livestock except on trails designated for such use or as specifically permitted…

Red River Gorge Camping Restrictions

Except at designated sites, camping within 300 feet of any developed road or trail in the Red River Gorge Geological Area or within 600 feet of Gray’s Arch is prohibited.

Developed Recreation Area Prohibitions

The following acts are prohibited within developed recreations areas:Displaying a firearm within a developed recreation site except for cleaning and or transporting to and from vehicle;Camping or maintaining a campsite in a developed recreation area for more than 14 consecutive days without having…

About

Holly Bay Campground is located on the western shore of Laurel River Lake in Daniel Boone National Forest, offering convenient water access and heavily forested campsites. The campground features 75 reservable drive-in sites with electricity and water hookups, along with 19 primitive walk-in tent sites available first-come, first-served. Most campsites are surrounded by mature hardwood trees that provide excellent shade and stunning fall colors. The campground includes a full-service bathhouse with showers, flush toilets with ADA accessibility, and drinking water from faucets throughout the campground. Each drive-in site has a paved vehicle pad, gravel tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, and lantern pole. Walk-in sites offer the same amenities minus electricity but include bear-resistant food storage lockers. A dump station, fish cleaning station, and nearby boat ramp make this an ideal base for water recreation on the 5,600-acre lake. Holly Bay serves as a trailhead for the 4.2-mile section of the Sheltowee Trace Trail leading to Laurel River Dam, plus access to Wintergreen Trail and Holly Bay Trail. The campground is adjacent to Holly Bay Marina, a full-service facility offering boat rentals, fuel, and supplies. The lake features 192 miles of cliff-lined shoreline and is popular for power boating, fishing, and canoeing.

Directions

From I-75 exit 38 in London, travel west on KY 192 for 14.2 miles. Turn left on KY 1193 and continue for 3 miles to the campground entrance.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station Yes
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers Yes
Electric Hookups Yes
Water Hookups Yes
Sewer Hookups No
Camp Store No
Price $92

Vehicle

Max RV Length 50ft
Max Trailer Length 50ft
Big Rig Friendly
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Email Help.DanielBoone.London@AmericanLL.com
Phone +1 (606) 864-4163

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Entrance Station
Lake
Holly Bay
Lake 2
Holly Boo
Bathroom and information board
Holly Bay
Holly Boo

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