Chris Eriwn’s Camping Kentucky
New Camping Guidebook Released by Local Outdoor Writer
Camping Kentucky details state’s public campgrounds
ASHLAND Local outdoor writer Chris Erwin has written his first book, Camping Kentucky: A Comprehensive Guide to Public Tent and RV Campgrounds.
The 181-page book is a detailed guide to the states 104 public campgrounds.
Published by Falcon Guides it is part of the company’s series on Where to Camp. Camping Kentucky hit bookstores across the country Nov. 4, and is available online through major outlets. A limited number of signed, number copies are available for purchase from Erwin himself.
Erwin, who writes the weekly Outdoor with Chris section in the Greater Ashland Beacon that features an eastern Kentucky fishing report and outdoor column, is also the publisher of the online outdoor magazine Kentucky Angling News. He has decades of experience fishing, hunting, camping and living off the grid.
His new 181-page paperback guide provides a description and details for all of Kentucky’s 104 public campgrounds as well as what to pack for a trip, Leave No Trace principals, tips for camping with children and pets as well as safety information.
Campgrounds are grouped in geographic areas to make it easy for campers to plan a trip close to home or across the state. Each campground is numbered and includes a description as well as directions, a GPS coordinate, its operating seasons, the number of sites available and the type, the maximum RV length permitted, applicable fees, available facilities, as well as what agency operates the campground and how to contact it. Events and festivals in each area are also detailed in the book.
Erwin spent about a year putting the guide together. He hopes the book will help both inexperienced and experienced campers prepare for their trip and have a safe and enjoyable outdoor adventure.
“If you are going to stay in a public campground there are some things you should know — like where you want to camp at, how far you are from the bathroom, how close you are to the playground if you have kids. What the roads are like are they uphill downhill. The book gives you an idea of what each campground has available,” said Erwin.
While most of the public campgrounds in the state are drive in facilities, said Erwin, there are a few that are walk in only. The book details these as well.
Many of Kentucky’s campgrounds are located on the shores of its numerous lakes and rivers. And, of course, Chris wanted the book to include details for avid anglers like himself, including if fishing is available at the park, which parts of the campground offer the best accessibility and where public boat ramps are located within an area. “There are some campgrounds in the book where you can actually pull your boat right up to where you are camping,” he said.
Among Erwin’s favorite campgrounds are those at Cave Run Lake’s Twin Knobs and Yatesville Lake State Park Eagle Ridge. Twin Knobs is one of the few campgrounds where boaters can have access to the water from their sites. Eagle Ridge made his list because the campground is somewhat remote, meaning it’s hardly ever crowded and has excellent facilities including a playground, picnic tables, electric, showers and laundry facilities.
Camping Kentucky retails for $19.95 and can be purchased at most major bookstores and online. A limited number of signed, numbered copies are available online through KentuckyAngling.com or by contacting Chris at Trimmer308@windstream.net
