Little Lick Campground

little lick campground

Hello, fellow Kentuckians and outdoor enthusiasts! Are you yearning for a truly peaceful and secluded camping experience where the sounds of nature are your primary soundtrack? Look no further than Little Lick Campground, nestled within the beautiful Daniel Boone National Forest near Somerset. This isn't your average bustling campground; it's a tranquil retreat designed for those who appreciate quiet solitude and a deep connection with the Kentucky wilderness.

Little Lick Campground offers a unique blend of primitive camping with well-maintained fundamentals, making it an excellent choice for a wide array of campers, especially those with horses or a love for extensive trail systems. In this article, we’ll delve into the specifics of what makes Little Lick Campground a special destination. We'll cover its genuinely remote yet accessible location, the essential services and features you can expect, and why it's a particularly suitable option for locals seeking a genuine escape from the everyday. Get ready to discover a true gem in the heart of Kentucky's natural splendor.

Little Lick Campground is situated on Old Whitney Rd, Somerset, KY 42501, USA, deep within the London Ranger District of the Daniel Boone National Forest. This location places it in Pulaski County, Kentucky, just north of the Cumberland River and west of the Rockcastle River, on a long ridgetop. The campground's address points to a truly off-the-beaten-path experience, making it perfect for those seeking tranquility.

Accessibility to Little Lick Campground, while leading to a secluded spot, is well-managed. Visitors typically reach it by traveling east on KY 192 from Somerset for about 21 miles, then turning right onto Forest Service Road 122 (also referred to as Old Whitney Road). From I-75, travelers would take exit 38, head west on KY 192 for approximately 24.5 miles, and then turn left onto Forest Service Road 122. The road itself is described as a "well graveled dead-end road," and while it can be "one lane so easy on speed as turns aplenty," it is well-maintained and passable. This ensures minimal traffic, contributing significantly to the campground's quiet atmosphere.

Despite its primitive nature, one notable aspect of its accessibility is surprisingly good cell service for Verizon users, allowing for some connectivity if needed, even in this remote setting. However, it's crucial to understand that this is a primitive campground, meaning amenities are basic, and campers should be prepared to be self-sufficient. The secluded location ensures a true escape, with minimal noise pollution from outside sources.

Services Offered:

• Campsites: Offers four family camping areas and two double campsites, designed for tent camping and equestrian use.
• Tent Pads: Each site is equipped with designated tent pads for comfortable setup.
• Fire Grates/Rings: Provides fire grates or rings at each site for cooking and campfires.
• Lantern Posts: Includes lantern posts for illumination around the campsite.
• Picnic Tables: Every site comes with a picnic table for outdoor dining.
• Hitching Posts: Specifically designed as a horse camp, sites include hitching posts for equestrian visitors.
• Chemical Toilets: Primitive chemical toilets are available on site. Note: These do not meet accessibility standards for persons with disabilities, and some past visitors have opted to use their own facilities.
• Water Source: A very small, shallow stream is available about 1-2 miles down a trail. It's important to note that there is no potable water for human consumption directly at the campground, and a well with a hand pump is for livestock watering only. Campers must bring their own drinking water.
• No Trash Pickup: Campers are required to practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all their trash.
• First-Come, First-Served Basis: Campsites are available without reservations, operating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Features / Highlights:

• Quiet and Serene Getaway: Repeatedly praised for its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, ideal for escaping traffic and noise.
• Equestrian Focus: A significant highlight is its design as a horse camp, offering hitching posts and direct access to popular horseback riding trails.
• Direct Trail Access: Serves as a trailhead for Little Lick Trail #502 and Nathan McClure Trail #530, catering to hikers, horseback riders, and potentially mountain bikers.
• Well-Maintained Road: The gravel access road, though one-lane and winding, is noted as well-maintained, ensuring relatively smooth passage to the secluded location.
• Good Verizon Cell Service: A rare and convenient feature for a primitive campground in a remote area, making it possible to stay connected if desired.
• Remote and Secluded: Located on a dead-end road with no through traffic, offering significant privacy and minimal disturbances.
• Natural Beauty: Situated in a "very pretty area" within the Daniel Boone National Forest, providing opportunities to immerse oneself in Kentucky's wilderness.
• Spacious Sites: Campsites are generally described as spacious and well-spread out, allowing for privacy between campers.
• Primitive Experience: Appeals to campers who prefer a more rustic and self-sufficient camping adventure.
• Stargazing: Given its remoteness and lack of light pollution, it's an excellent spot for observing dark, starry skies.

A key piece of information from a customer review highlights the challenge of finding a water source for human consumption, noting only a very small, shallow stream some distance away and emphasizing the need to bring your own drinking water. This reinforces the primitive nature of the campground. Another review mentioned "drones are in the air on any given day or evening. Not civilian," which could refer to military or other official drone activity given its remote location, and is worth noting for those seeking absolute undisturbed quiet. The restrooms are described as "a little far from the sites and in need of work," so bringing your own facilities or being prepared for basic options is advisable. Despite these points, the overriding theme from reviews is the tranquility and the beauty of the natural setting. The "great place to relax" and "perfect Serene getaway" comments truly capture the essence of Little Lick Campground for many visitors.

Contact Information:

Address: Old Whitney Rd, Somerset, KY 42501, USA

Phone: (859) 745-3100 (Note: This number often connects to the London Ranger District office, which manages the campground.)

Mobile Phone: +1 859-745-3100

Little Lick Campground is an ideal destination for Kentucky locals who are genuinely seeking a tranquil, primitive, and deeply immersive outdoor experience. For residents of Somerset and surrounding areas, its relatively short distance into the Daniel Boone National Forest makes it an accessible escape from the everyday hustle. This campground is particularly well-suited for those who appreciate quiet solitude, as its dead-end road location ensures minimal traffic and maximum peace.

Horseback riders will find it exceptionally convenient, with hitching posts and direct access to renowned equestrian trails. Hikers, too, will revel in the opportunity to explore the vast trail system that leads directly from the campground. While it's crucial to arrive prepared with your own drinking water and be comfortable with basic facilities, the rewards are immense: pristine nature, spacious and private campsites, and the rare luxury of excellent Verizon cell service in a remote setting. For Kentuckians looking to truly unplug, relax, and reconnect with nature in a quiet, beautiful setting, Little Lick Campground offers a genuine and memorable primitive camping adventure right in our own backyard.

Little Lick Campground

Old Whitney Rd, Somerset, KY 42501, USA