Zilpo Rec Area campground
Zilpo Rec Area
There are several nearby points of interest to explore, including Cave Run Lake, Red River Gorge, and Natural Bridge State Resort Park. The campground amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water. The campsites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and there are 172 campsites available for visitors.
An interesting fact about the area is that it was once a logging town in the early 1900s, and the remains of old logging camps can still be found in the surrounding forest. The best time of year to visit Zilpo Rec Area is during the fall season, with average temperatures ranging from 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit, providing ideal conditions for hiking and outdoor activities.
Overall, Zilpo Rec Area is an excellent camping destination for those seeking to enjoy the beauty of nature while exploring the rich history of the surrounding forest.
What's on-site at Zilpo Rec Area
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Zilpo Rec Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zilpo Recreation Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Claylick Boat-In Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Clay Lick - Dfwr | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Twin Knobs Rec Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Twin Knobs West Group Use Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Zilpo Rec Area -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Triplett Creek Near Morehead | 26 cfs | → |
| Rock Lick Cr At State Hwy 158 Nr Sharkey | 1 cfs | → |
| Red River Near Hazel Green | 17 cfs | → |
| Slate Creek At Highway 713 Nr Mt. Sterling | 10 cfs | → |
| Red River At Clay City | 67 cfs | → |
| Licking River Below Mason Fork Nr Salyersville | 23 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Zilpo Rec Area -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cave Run Lake | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Morehead 6.4 Ne | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Olive Hill 9.0 Sse | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Mount Sterling | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Water Works-Kentucky #4 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Beattyville 4n | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
🌳 Parks
- Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area
- Ed Mabry-Laurel Gorge Wildlife Management Area
- Wilderness Clifty
- Clay Wildlife Management Area
- Fleming Wildlife Management Area
- Grayson Lake State Park
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Zilpo Rec Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Zilpo Rec Area
Can I make reservations at Zilpo Rec Area?
Yes -- this campground accepts reservations. Snoflo recommends booking early for peak season; check the operator (Recreation.gov / state park system / private operator) for the booking window and cancellation policy.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Zilpo Rec Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Zilpo Rec Area.