Cave Run Dam Tailwater
Cave Run Lake — lakeside
Location: MOREHEAD, KY, KY
Price: From $65 per night
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (10 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cave-run-dam-tailwater to be notified when sites open up.
USACE-maintained family-friendly park with boat launch and fishing access to the Licking River in the scenic Eastern Highlands Region of Kentucky. Highly rated at 4.7/5 stars with amenities including picnic tables, grills, pavilions, and walking paths.
Wildlife alert: Long-billed Dowitcher, Green Heron, Red-shouldered Hawk, Fox Sparrow, Little Brown Skink, DeKay's Brownsnake, Eastern Garter Snake
Insider tips for Cave Run Dam Tailwater: Book early — federal campground fills up quickly No hookups available at sites Disc golf course available but maintenance varies by year
Skip Cave Run Dam Tailwater if: You need RV hookups. You plan to visit outside May-October seasonal operations. You want more than 2 tent sites available.
Best time to visit Cave Run Dam Tailwater: May-October — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Twin Knobs Campground (MOREHEAD, KY), Boat Gunnel Group Campground (MOREHEAD, KY), Zilpo - Daniel Boone Nat. For. (SALT LICK, KY), Claylick Boat-In Campground (Morehead, KY).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cave Run Dam Tailwater
Cell signal at Cave Run Dam Tailwater (MOREHEAD, KY): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
federal campground fills up quickly
No hookups available at sites
Disc golf course available but maintenance varies by year
Official operating season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Cave Run Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Cave Run Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Cave Run Dam Tailwater cost per night?+
What season is Cave Run Dam Tailwater open?+
Does Cave Run Dam Tailwater have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cave Run Dam Tailwater?+
How do I make reservations at Cave Run Dam Tailwater?+
What is the cell service like at Cave Run Dam Tailwater?+
What season is Cave Run Dam Tailwater open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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