Turkey Foot Campground

Open

Open year-round, 24 hours a day. All sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations required. No fees. Access road includes a steep gravel section and low water ford at the entrance.

Special Weather Statement issued October 10 at 6:20AM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

6:20 AM — 5:00 PM

A period of strong wind gusts is expected on today as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias move into eastern Kentucky. Southeasterly winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph are expected. Isolated gusts up to around 40 mph are possible in exposed areas near Lake Cumberland. The strongest winds are expected from late morning through the afternoon and should coincide with the arrival of the leading bands of rain. Once rainfall becomes steady, winds will lighten. The gusty winds could blow around unsecured outdoor objects and decor.

Daniel Boone National Forest

Offices closed for Columbus Day, Oct 12

All Forest offices will be closed Monday, October 12, 2026, in recognition of Columbus Day. Offices will resume normal hours of operation Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Daniel Boone National Forest

National Visitor Use Monitoring, Oct 2026-Sept 2027

From October 2026 through September 2027, survey interviewers will be conducting National Visitor Use Monitoring surveys of Daniel Boone National Forest visitors around the Forest. Surveys are voluntary and all responses are confidential. Surveys take roughly 15 minutes to complete. Survey sites…

About

Turkey Foot Campground is a primitive, free campground located off Elsam Fork Road (Forest Road 345) along the banks of War Fork Creek in Jackson County, Kentucky. The campground features 15 first-come, first-served sites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, and lantern pole. A playfield with a horseshoe pit sits at the end of the camping area alongside the creek, and additional picnic tables are available near the water. Access requires navigating a steep gravel road with a low water ford at the campground entrance, making this location best suited for tent camping and smaller vehicles rather than large RVs or trailers. There is no potable water, electricity, or dump station available. Vault toilets meeting accessibility standards are provided. The campground serves as a trailhead for the Turkey Foot Loop Trail System (Trail #303), a 4.5-mile hiking-only trail. The nearby Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail is also accessible from this area, making it an excellent base for exploring the forest.

Directions

From I-75 exit 76 (Berea/KY 21), travel east on KY 21. Stay on KY 21E (Chestnut/Big Hill Road) approximately 5 miles until it ends at US 421. Turn right (south) on US 421 and travel approximately 18.4 miles to McKee, KY. Turn left onto KY 89N and travel approximately 3 miles. Turn right on Macedonia Road for 0.5 mile, then turn left on Forest Service Road 4 (Turkey Foot Road) for 1 mile where the road turns to gravel. After 1.9 miles, turn left onto Forest Service Road 345 (Elsam Fork Road) and follow signs to the campground.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed —
Showers No
Electric Hookups —
Water Hookups —
Sewer Hookups —
Camp Store No
Price $0

Vehicle

Max RV Length —
Max Trailer Length —
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites —

Contact

Phone +1 (606) 864-4163

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Photos

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