Can you reserve a site at Dog Creek Day Use (KY)?

Yes, Dog Creek Day Use (KY) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Dog Creek Day Use (KY)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Dog Creek Day Use (KY).

Dog Creek Day Use (KY), Kentucky — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Dog Creek Day Use area is located adjacent to Dog Creek Campground on Nolin River Lake. The Day use area has a restroom, playground, reservable group shelter, boat ramp, courtesy dock, and fishing pier.

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.

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

For facility specific 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.

The facts

1 bookable site
1 site for day use only
Up to 36 people per site

Site types

1 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Picnic tables
Grills
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Dog Creek Day Use (KY)

Check-in 06:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Water	Max rig	People
Dog Creek Shelter	—	Group Shelter Electric	—	Paved	Lakefront	—	36	🐾

Getting there

From 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 11 miles before turning right on KY 728. Follow Hwy 728 for 8 miles before turning left on Union Light Road. Stay on Union Light Road for about 5 miles. Turn Left into the Dog Creek Day Use Area. Total driving distance from Bowling Green is about 43 miles; driving time is around 1 hour, 15 minutes.

From Louisville, KY

Follow I-65 south to exit 76 and turn west onto Highway 224. Follow Hwy 224 for approximately 10 miles, then turn left onto Highway 479. In approximately 8 miles, turn left on Hwy 88. In about 2 miles turn right on KY 2015/Union Light Road. The day use area is on the right about 1 mile down Union Light Road. Total driving distance is about 81 miles; driving time is about 1 hour, 45 minutes.

From Nashville, TN

Take I65 North for approximately 66 miles. Merge onto KY 446 exit 28. Merge right onto Hwy 31W North. Follow 31W North for approximately 10 miles, then turn left onto KY 101. In approximately 6 miles, Hwy 101 becomes Hwy 259 North. Follow Hwy 259 North for 11 miles before turning right on KY 728. Follow Hwy 728 for 8 miles before turning left on Union Light Road. Stay on Union Light Road for about 5 miles. Turn Left into the Dog Creek Day Use Area. Total driving distance from Nashville is about 107 miles; driving time is around 2 hour, 15 minutes.

37.32012, -86.13273 · 37°19'12.4"N 86°7'57.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 91°F in Jul, down to 46°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	46	51	60	71	79	88	91	91	85	73	60	50
Low °F	24	26	33	42	52	61	64	63	56	44	34	28
Precip in	4.1	4.3	5.0	5.1	5.6	4.9	4.6	3.5	3.9	3.9	4.0	5.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Dog Creek Day Use (KY)

Can you reserve a site at Dog Creek Day Use (KY)?: Yes, Dog Creek Day Use (KY) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Dog Creek Day Use (KY) have?: 1 site.
Are pets allowed at Dog Creek Day Use (KY)?: Yes, pets are allowed at Dog Creek Day Use (KY).
Does Dog Creek Day Use (KY) have hookups?: Electric, Water.

Camping near Dog Creek Day Use (KY)

Dog Creek (Ky) 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Moutardier Day Use 5.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Moutardier 5.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tailwater Day Use (Nolin River Lake) 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Maple Springs 7.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mammoth Cave Campground 9.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mammoth Cave National Park presents Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra with special guest Yo-Yo Ma 9.3 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Mammoth Cave National Park Floyd Collins History Tour 9.3 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Mammoth Cave National Park Tours 9.3 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Mammoth Picnic Shelters 9.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wax 1.5 mi · Campground
Mammoth Cave Visitor Center 9.4 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Dog Creek Day Use (KY)