WAX
This is how it should work.
- Right now
- Nobody has saidNo season, no closure, no bookings to read
- Sites
- 110All of them walk-up
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 15 notices
In the agency’s own words
Wax Campground sits on the shores of Nolin River Lake in the rolling landscape of southern Kentucky. The large lake and surrounding greenery create a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts. Click here for a tour of the lake. Keep reading
Recreation
Known for its unique blue/green water, Nolin Lake is one of the top lakes in Kentucky for catfish, bass, crappie, and walleye fishing. Visitors can enjoy scenic canoe and boat trips along the river, part of which is located within Mammoth Cave National Park. Boat ramps are provided around the lake for campers' convenience. The Moutardier, Ponderosa and Wax Marinas are located around the lake and offer pontoon and john boat rentals, as well as boat slips and groceries, bait, gas and more. Several hiking trails also wind along the shoreline and into the surrounding forest. Shady Creek Trail, located within the Moutardier Recreation Area, is known for its array of wildflowers and greenery.
Facilities
Wax Campground offers 110 reservable campsites, complete with modern amenities like electric hookups and flush toilets. Campsites are located along the shoreline, allowing easy access to the lake and beaches for visitors.
Natural Features
Nolin Dam creates a 5,795-acre lake that draws more than two million visitors each year to enjoy water sports and camping in the surrounding expanse of rolling forest. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (270) 286-4511.
Nearby Attractions
Mammoth Cave National Park is located a short drive or ferry ride away from the campground, and several golf courses and riding stables are located around the lake. Charges & Cancellations * Once your reservation has been created, there will be a $10.00 fee to cancel and a $10.00 fee to change your site or dates. * Cancellations made the day before, or up to the day after your arrival date will also be charged the first nights use fee. * No-Shows are charged a $20.00 fee plus the first nights use fee. * If your reservation is for 1 night, and you have been charged the first nights use fee, there is no $10.00 service fee.
What the agency tells you
Wax campground is managed with Volunteers (located on A26, A34, B38, and entrance site). When you arrive at campground proceed to your reserved site. The reserved tag and vehicle tags will be on your site post marker. Leave the reserved tag (white) on the site post marker and place vehicle tags (yellow) in your vehicles. If you need to modify your reservation (date change, site change, etc..) , log on to your account on www.recreation.gov and make changes to your reservation or call the reservation service at 877-444-6777. For campground management issues call the Nolin Lake office at 270-286-4511. Yellow vehicle tag camping pass is valid for day use (boat launch) fees at all USACE managed recreation areas. (i.e.. Dog Creek and Moutardier). Pass is no longer valid at Wax Day Use Area as it is now managed by Wax Marina.
Camping is permitted at designated camping areas with not more than six (6) people or the members of one family unit at any one site. A family is considered to be parent(s) and unmarried children living in the same household. Vehicles and personal property are to be placed on the site(s) rented by you, not on adjoining sites. Loaded boat trailers may be parked at nearby parking areas.
Title 36 Rules & Regulations will be enforced.
Everything else this campground posts · 12
Checkout time is 4:30 p.m. on the day the permit expires.
Visitor must leave by 9:30 p.m.
Gear, equipment, trash and debris shall be completely removed from the area/campsite upon departure.
Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. The operation or use of any noise-producing devices that unreasonably disturb others at any time is prohibited. The use of properly muffled generators is permitted between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10 p.m. Individuals who are boisterus, rowdy, disorderly, or otherwise disturb the peace at any time may be requested to leave the campground and forfeit all camping fees paid.
Vehicles will not be placed on the grass at sites with a defined border. Vehicles must be parked within the railroad timbers or ties surrounding each campsite and not on or over the ties. Empty and loaded boat trailers may be placed on the grass. Tents are allowed to be palced on the grass as long as they are not encroaching on another campsite and are located in the immediate vicinity of the rented campsite.
Fires may be built only in the fireplaces or grills. A responsible person must attend to all fires. Hang lanterns on metal holders provided at campsites. No burning of trash, treated lumber, or wood containing metal is allowed.
Any loaded projectile fire device, ammunition, and explosives of any kind are prohibited in the area except when in the possession of a Government employee, law enforcement officer on official duty, or person who authorized by the written permission of the District Commander. The possession or use of fireworks is prohibited.
Pets shall be kept on a leash not over 6 feet long or under physical control at all times. Pets shall not be left unattended. Pet owners are responsible for the proper removal and disposal of any waste produced by their pets.
The destruction, injury, defacement, removal, or alteration of Government property, vegetation, rocks, or minerals is prohibited. Only the gathering of dead wood on the ground for use in designated recreation areas as firewood is permitted.
Motor vehicles, including mopeds and golf carts, must conform to state licensing laws and their use will be confined to developed roadways by a licensed operator (16 years or older). Constant circling or "joy riding" is not permitted. The speed limit in the campgrounds is 15 M.P.H and all directional arrows must be observed. Motorized or battery-operated toys are not allowed on the roadways or sidewalks. Golf carts must remain on gravel or paved surfaces at all times. Golf carts will not be allowed to drive outside the campgrounds on public roadways.
No bicycles, skateboards, mopeds, or similar equipment are allowed on the sidewalks or steps around showerhouse facilities or other walkways. No bicycles, skateboards, or other similar equipment may be operated after dark. The possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in recreation areas is prohibited.
Due to the spread of invasive insects like the Emerald Ash Borer, firewood from outside the area is not permitted at Nolin River Lake campgrounds. Help protect our forests by purchasing or collecting firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Click here for more information.
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 110
- Hookups
- 83 electric, 86 water, 1 sewer
- Longest rig
- 120 ft
- Paved pads
- 2 of 110
- Accessible sites
- 2
- Pets
- Allowed
- Campfires
- Allowed, barring fire bans
- Shade
- Every site
Facilities
- Toilets
- Flush Toilets
- “…amenities like electric hookups and flush toilets. Campsites are located along the shoreline,…”
- Dump station
- Yes
- recreation.gov lists “Dump Station”
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Stay limit
- 14 nights
- recreation.gov facility rule maxStay
Around the campground
- On the water
- Lake, River, Creek, Beach
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Night sky · 36th darkest of 60 in KY
- Bortle 4
Nothing to book, just show up
One of 1,623 federal campgrounds where the site still goes to whoever pulls in first. Get there before noon on a summer weekend.
recreation.gov publishes no availability for a campground you can’t reserve, so there’s no thirty-night reading to draw here. The season bar above is what the agency does publish.
Every line of the receipt · 4
What you actually pay
How we know this receipt · 5
rules read Sep 9, 2026 · record Aug 23, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
110 sites · which ones have room · the site map
The sites, ranked
from 107 mapped sitesAll 110 sites
Toilet distances are OpenStreetMap’s, measured for 110 of the 110 sites listed. A site with no reading is unknown, never far.
Measured shade is NLCD Tree Canopy Cover 2024 (USDA Forest Service / MRLC) read at the site’s own coordinate, 27% canopy or more, and only for the sites the agency gave no Shade value. It never changes the agency’s own shaded count beside it.
| A | A001 | standard electric | 90 ft | 50 amp | 75 ft | 139 ft | 1,704 ft | |
| A | A002 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50 amp | 61 ft | 81 ft | 1,767 ft | |
| A | A003 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 61 ft | 57 ft | 1,825 ft | |
| A | A004 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 67 ft | 124 ft | 1,799 ft | |
| A | A005 | standard electric | 50 ft | 50 amp | 66 ft | 78 ft | 1,892 ft | |
| A | A006 | standard electric | 80 ft | 50 amp | 68 ft | 134 ft | 1,881 ft | |
| A | A007 | standard electric | 70 ft | 50 amp | 66 ft | 66 ft | 1,935 ft | |
| A | A008 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 69 ft | 63 ft | 1,987 ft | |
| A | A009 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 67 ft | 164 ft | 1,980 ft | |
| A | A010 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 49 ft | 97 ft | 2,020 ft | |
| A | A011 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 49 ft | 100 ft | 2,050 ft | |
| A | A012 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 87 ft | 79 ft | 2,083 ft | |
| A | A013 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 61 ft | 117 ft | 2,100 ft | |
| A | A014 | standard electric | 45 ft | 50 amp | 61 ft | 172 ft | 2,072 ft | |
| A | A015 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 67 ft | 178 ft | 2,017 ft | |
| A | A016 | standard electric | 55 ft | 50 amp | 67 ft | 244 ft | 1,973 ft | |
| A | A017 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50 amp | 54 ft | 242 ft | 2,037 ft | |
| A | A018 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 54 ft | 296 ft | 2,001 ft | |
| A | A019 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 80 ft | 342 ft | 1,923 ft | |
| A | A020 | standard electric | 50 ft | 50 amp | 65 ft | 438 ft | 1,933 ft | |
| A | A021 | standard electric | 55 ft | 50 amp | 65 ft | 471 ft | 1,869 ft | |
| A | A022 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50 amp | 64 ft | 554 ft | 1,894 ft | |
| A | A023 | standard electric | 45 ft | 50 amp | 83 ft | 570 ft | 1,817 ft | |
| A | A024 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 54 ft | 619 ft | 1,863 ft | |
| A | A025 | standard electric | 70 ft | 30 amp | 93 ft | 648 ft | 1,728 ft | |
| A | A026 -Vol. | type not stated | 115 ft | 15 amp | 737 ft | 1,673 ft | ||
| A | A027 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 59 ft | 605 ft | 1,670 ft | |
| A | A028 | standard electric | 70 ft | 50 amp | 59 ft | 548 ft | 1,655 ft | |
| A | A029 | standard electric | 70 ft | 50 amp | 70 ft | 484 ft | 1,654 ft | |
| A | A030 | standard electric | 30 ft | 50 amp | 84 ft | 314 ft | 1,614 ft | |
| A | A031 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | yes | 56 ft | 368 ft | 1,750 ft |
| A | A032 | standard electric | 50 ft | 50 amp | 106 ft | 250 ft | 1,667 ft | |
| A | A033 | standard electric | 70 ft | 50 amp | 56 ft | 342 ft | 1,771 ft | |
| A | A034- Vol. | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 82 ft | 281 ft | 1,790 ft | |
| A | A035 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 75 ft | 213 ft | 1,759 ft | |
| B | B001 | standard electric | 80 ft | 50 amp | 84 ft | 386 ft | 1,596 ft | |
| B | B002 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 73 ft | 514 ft | 1,500 ft | |
| B | B003 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 79 ft | 557 ft | 1,575 ft | |
| B | B004 | standard electric | 55 ft | 50 amp | 69 ft | 587 ft | 1,501 ft | |
| B | B005 | standard electric | 80 ft | 50 amp | 80 ft | 636 ft | 1,587 ft | |
| B | B006 | standard electric | 45 ft | 50 amp | 58 ft | 654 ft | 1,496 ft | |
| B | B007 | standard electric | 50 ft | 50 amp | 45 ft | 710 ft | 1,578 ft | |
| B | B008 | standard electric | 70 ft | 50 amp | 58 ft | 712 ft | 1,507 ft | |
| B | B009 | standard electric | 70 ft | 50 amp | 45 ft | 755 ft | 1,601 ft | |
| B | B010 | standard electric | 110 ft | 50 amp | 47 ft | 795 ft | 1,639 ft | |
| B | B011 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 84 ft | 861 ft | 1,564 ft | |
| B | B012 | standard electric | 55 ft | 50 amp | 84 ft | 792 ft | 1,498 ft | |
| B | B013 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50 amp | 91 ft | 905 ft | 1,503 ft | |
| B | B014 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 91 ft | 785 ft | 1,371 ft | |
| B | B015 | standard electric | 100 ft | 50 amp | 93 ft | 782 ft | 1,249 ft | |
| B | B016 | standard electric | 85 ft | 50 amp | 91 ft | 712 ft | 1,304 ft | |
| B | B017 | standard electric | 55 ft | 50 amp | 110 ft | 681 ft | 1,198 ft | |
| B | B018 | standard electric | 55 ft | 50 amp | 106 ft | 961 ft | 1,234 ft | |
| B | B019 | standard electric | 120 ft | 50 amp | 86 ft | 1,065 ft | 1,310 ft | |
| B | B020 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 86 ft | 1,062 ft | 1,226 ft | |
| B | B021 | standard electric | 55 ft | 50 amp | 37 ft | 1,159 ft | 1,347 ft | |
| B | B022 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 37 ft | 1,158 ft | 1,381 ft | |
| B | B023 | standard electric | 45 ft | 50 amp | 51 ft | 1,128 ft | 1,436 ft | |
| B | B024 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 78 ft | 1,051 ft | 1,402 ft | |
| B | B025 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50 amp | 51 ft | 1,134 ft | 1,485 ft | |
| B | B026 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50 amp | 71 ft | 1,125 ft | 1,542 ft | |
| B | B027 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50 amp | 89 ft | 1,037 ft | 1,487 ft | |
| B | B028 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 92 ft | 1,084 ft | 1,619 ft | |
| B | B029 | standard electric | 80 ft | 50 amp | 90 ft | 995 ft | 1,540 ft | |
| B | B030 | standard electric | 90 ft | 50 amp | 63 ft | 1,034 ft | 1,687 ft | |
| B | B031 - LT | standard electric | 70 ft | 50 amp | 81 ft | 948 ft | 1,640 ft | |
| B | B032 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 63 ft | 977 ft | 1,715 ft | |
| B | B033 - LT | standard electric | 65 ft | 50 amp | 81 ft | 893 ft | 1,689 ft | |
| B | B034 - LT | standard electric | 65 ft | 50 amp | 75 ft | 893 ft | 1,765 ft | |
| B | B035 - LT | standard electric | 75 ft | 50 amp | 75 ft | 820 ft | 1,817 ft | |
| B | B036 | type not stated | 75 ft | 50 amp | 834 ft | 1,720 ft | ||
| B | B037 | standard electric | 70 ft | 50 amp | 70 ft | 734 ft | 1,835 ft | |
| B | B038 - Vol. | type not stated | 75 ft | 50 amp | 775 ft | 1,725 ft | ||
| B | B039 (Tent/Popup) | standard electric | 60 ft | 50 amp | 54 ft | 672 ft | 1,830 ft | |
| C | C001 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50/30 amp | 74 ft | 166 ft | 1,856 ft | |
| C | C002 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50/30 amp | 74 ft | 160 ft | 1,924 ft | |
| C | C003 | standard nonelectric | 75 ft | 92 ft | 243 ft | 1,975 ft | ||
| C | C004 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50/30 amp | 81 ft | 127 ft | 1,994 ft | |
| C | C005 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50/30 amp | 97 ft | 114 ft | 2,087 ft | |
| C | C006 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50/30 amp | 97 ft | 121 ft | 2,183 ft | |
| C | C007 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50/30 amp | 64 ft | 94 ft | 2,277 ft | |
| C | C008 | standard nonelectric | 60 ft | 60 ft | 176 ft | 2,375 ft | ||
| C | C009 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50/30 amp | 64 ft | 98 ft | 2,340 ft | |
| C | C010 | standard nonelectric | 80 ft | 53 ft | 194 ft | 2,435 ft | ||
| C | C011 | standard electric | 65 ft | 50/30 amp | 74 ft | 115 ft | 2,414 ft | |
| C | C012 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | 46 ft | 180 ft | 2,485 ft | ||
| C | C013 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50/30 amp | 61 ft | 111 ft | 2,504 ft | |
| C | C014 | standard nonelectric | 90 ft | 46 ft | 201 ft | 2,529 ft | ||
| C | C015 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50/30 amp | 61 ft | 99 ft | 2,563 ft | |
| C | C016 | standard nonelectric | 110 ft | 48 ft | 155 ft | 2,644 ft | ||
| C | C017 | standard electric | 60 ft | 50/30 amp | 41 ft | 83 ft | 2,624 ft | |
| C | C018 | standard electric | 75 ft | 50/30 amp | 41 ft | 71 ft | 2,665 ft | |
| C | C019 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | 53 ft | 76 ft | 2,714 ft | ||
| C | C020 | standard nonelectric | 75 ft | 50 ft | 79 ft | 2,722 ft | ||
| C | C021 | standard nonelectric | 80 ft | 50 ft | 87 ft | 2,721 ft | ||
| C | C022 | standard nonelectric | 90 ft | 48 ft | 174 ft | 2,630 ft | ||
| C | C023 | standard nonelectric | 65 ft | 90 ft | 105 ft | 2,702 ft | ||
| C | C024 | standard nonelectric | 115 ft | 55 ft | 200 ft | 2,612 ft | ||
| C | C025 | standard nonelectric | 55 ft | 54 ft | 136 ft | 2,663 ft | ||
| C | C026 | standard nonelectric | 65 ft | 54 ft | 116 ft | 2,662 ft | ||
| C | C027 | standard nonelectric | 95 ft | 60 ft | 193 ft | 2,604 ft | ||
| C | C028 | standard nonelectric | 65 ft | 105 ft | 133 ft | 2,627 ft | ||
| C | C029 | standard nonelectric | 120 ft | yes | 82 ft | 301 ft | 2,464 ft | |
| C | C030 | standard nonelectric | 65 ft | 54 ft | 219 ft | 2,542 ft | ||
| C | C031 | standard nonelectric | 65 ft | 47 ft | 234 ft | 2,546 ft | ||
| C | C032 | standard nonelectric | 100 ft | 89 ft | 323 ft | 2,455 ft | ||
| C | C033 | standard nonelectric | 75 ft | 44 ft | 255 ft | 2,548 ft | ||
| C | C034 | standard nonelectric | 75 ft | 43 ft | 258 ft | 2,544 ft | ||
| C | C035 | standard nonelectric | 85 ft | 43 ft | 261 ft | 2,548 ft | ||
| C | C036 | standard nonelectric | 110 ft | 45 ft | 247 ft | 2,526 ft |
25 of 110 listed
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
Dog Creek (KY)1.4 mi
Moutardier6.0 mi
Mammoth Cave Backcountry CampingMammoth Cave National Park · 9.1 mi
Maple SpringsMammoth Cave National Park · 9.3 mi
Mammoth Cave CampgroundMammoth Cave National Park · 11 mi
Houchin Ferry CampgroundMammoth Cave National Park · 11 miFrom Bowling Green, KY
Follow US 31W North from Bowling Green for approximately 14 miles then turn left onto KY 101. In approximately 6 miles, Hwy 101 becomes Hwy 259 North. Follow Hwy 259 North for about 22 miles. Stay straight at the intersection of Hwy 259 and Hwy 226; follow Hwy 226 for about 2 miles. Turn right on Hwy 88 and follow it for approximately 7 miles. The Wax campground will be on your right. Total driving distance from Bowling Green is about 51 miles; driving time is around 1 hour, 20 minutes.
From Louisville, KY
Take I-65 south for approximately 59 miles to exit 76. Follow Hwy 224 for approximately 10 miles before turning left on Hwy 479. In approximately 8 miles turn left on Highway 88. Signs for Wax campground will be less than 1/2 miles down Hwy 88, on your right. Total driving distance is about 78 miles, driving time is about 1 hour, 40 minutes.
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Clarkson, KY
Typical weather
Typical October night 44°F, day 73°F.
Coldest month of the year: typical January night 24°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
who answers for it
Who answers for this land
WAX is in Kentucky’s 2nd congressional district. Its representative, Brett Guthrie (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →