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Cave Run Dam Tailwater
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — MOREHEAD · Kentucky · Cave Run Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Cave Run Lake |
| Location | MOREHEAD · Kentucky · Cave Run Lake · 38.11630, -83.53700 · Map |
| Sites | 2 public sites counted from the federal listing — 2 group shelter electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 2 sites Water hookups at 0 of 2 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 2 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 2 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 60 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 2 sites · 30 ft: 2 sites · 35 ft: 2 sites · 40 ft: 2 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 10:00 AM · Out 10:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 2 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 2 marked accessible in the listing |
| Amenities, as reported | Cell service reportedDrinking water |
| Phone | 606-784-9709 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview The Tailwater Recreation Area is located below Cave Run Lake Dam. Located within the scenic Eastern Highlands Region of Kentucky and is almost completely surrounded by the norther-most section of the Daniel Boone National Forest. An earth and rockfill dam built across the Licking River created Cave Run Lake.
Recreation The Tailwater area is a general use day use recreation site. Provides boat access to the Licking River and fishing opertunities. The area has two picnic shelters, five first come first serve uncovered picnic sites, and a swing set. The area does not allow hunting.
Facilities The shelter facilites are located along the retreat channel of Cave Run Lake Dam seperated by a small stand of maple trees. The shelters have a access road right up to the shelter to allow ease of access upon request.
Natural Features The norther-most section of the Daniel Boone National Forest surrounds the Cave Run Lake project and offers visitors many scenic, natural and historic points of interest. Over 300 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles can be found in the hardwood-covered hills, forest openings, streams, ponds and caves of the scenic National Forest.
Directions, from the listing
The lake is about 60 miles east of Lexington, Ky. Exits 123,133 and 137 off of Interstate 64 provide the primary access routes to the lake.
Nearest federal campgrounds
2 mi straight-line · MOREHEAD KentuckyFSU.S. Forest ServiceBoat Gunnel Group Campground
2 mi straight-line · Morehead KentuckyFSU.S. Forest ServiceZilpo - Daniel Boone Nat. For.
3 mi straight-line · Salt lick KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersGrayson Lake Damsite Shelters
31 mi straight-line · GRAYSON KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDewey Lake Shelter
51 mi straight-line · VAN LEAR Kentucky
Trip Card — Cave Run Dam Tailwater
MOREHEAD · Kentucky · Cave Run Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | MOREHEAD · Kentucky · Cave Run Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 60 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 2 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10005354 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.