Can I be completely honest with you (because you seem like a no-BS kind of parent)? I have never gone camping. I’ve stayed the night in a rustic cabin once or twice, but no roughing it in a sleeping bag covered with spiders. That is not my scene. On the other hand, like you, I appreciate affordable summer getaways. And nothing says economy like camping. Since I’m no expert, I outsourced my column a bit this month. For that I thank my back-to-nature, hippie parent Facebook peeps.
All of the following campground recommendations are less than a 2-hour drive from The ‘Ville, offer family-friendly facilities, and come with high accolades.
Spring Mill State Park
3333 State Road 60 East
Mitchell, Indiana
(812) 849-4129
Sixty-four miles up the road from Louisville, sitting on 1,358 acres of wooded property, rests the campgrounds of Spring Mill State Park. The park is so much more than a campground. It offers: an authentic pioneer village complete with historic interpreters and a working grist mill, boat tours, a nature center, the Grissom Memorial (where you can view the Gemini III space capsule and Virgil “Gus” Grissom’s space suit), caves, hiking trails, and even an Olympic-size swimming pool and a wading pool. You can choose from primitive campsites nestled on wooded grounds (starting around $8 per night) or modern sites with electricity and full bathroom facilities (starting around $24 per night). If you prefer a little more air conditioning and fewer mosquitoes with your “camping,” Spring Mill Inn has got you covered with rooms between $84-$114 per night.
Charlestown State Park
12500 State Road 62
Charlestown, Indiana
(812) 256-5600
Don’t feel like driving up to Mitchell, Ind.? Just cross the mighty Ohio and tack down that tent in Charlestown State Park. This enormous park boasts 15,000 acres of land once owned by the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant. While hiking the many park trails, you will enjoy spectacular vistas of the Ohio River and the Fourteen Mile Creek valley. The terrain is rugged so pack your hiking boots. While you’re at it, grab those binoculars because the park is home to 72 species of birds. There is also a playground for kids. On Friday afternoons throughout the summer, you can join a guided hike across the Portersville Suspension Bridge and around Rose Island. If you own a camper, this is a good campground for you, as it offers full hook-ups, starting around $32 per night. Primitive and electric sites are also available.
Kentucky Horse Park Campground
4089 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, Kentucky
Phone: (859) 259-4255
Mama say what? The horse park has 260 spacious campgrounds? Turn your car or camper east for a Kentucky Fried Staycation. Stay on the campgrounds; then venture into the park for horseshoe demonstrations, horse shows, and trail rides on horseback. For the less adventurous, basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts are nearby, plus an Olympic-size pool and a playground. Not satisfied yet? OK, try this one on. The park regularly schedules seasonal activities and events. Plan to attend the Festival of the Bluegrass June 7-10. A four-day ticket with primitive camping will only cost you $105 and you’ll get to hear national acts like J. D. Crowe and Jim Lauderdale. But wait, seriously, there is more! If you have a child ages 6-18 and he or she has a string instrument, you can send him or her to the Kentucky Bluegrass Music Camp June 5-7 for only $40 (families with three or more campers will only pay $25 per camper). Chaperone your child and receive a complimentary Festival of the Bluegrass Thursday ticket or upgrade for a four-day pass and only pay $70. For nonfestival camping, you’re looking at spending $19 per night (primitive) to $29 per night (electric/water).
Tell ‘em Mama sent you!
-Amy Miller
How to buy remedies online at best prices? In fact, it is formidably to find of repute drugstore. Kamagra is a far-famed treatment used to treat impotence. If you’re concerned about sexual dysfunction, you probably know about dosage of levitra. What is the most vital information you have to know about levitra doses? More info about the problem available at levitra dose. Perhaps you already know something about the matter. Usually, having difficulty getting an erection can be embarrassing. This disease is best solved with occupational help, generally through counseling with a certified doctor. Your pharmacist can help find the variant that is better for your status. We hope that the info here answers some of your questions, but please contact physician if you want to know more. Professional staff are experienced, and they will not be shocked by anything you tell.