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A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Army Corps of Engineers campground

Wax

Army Corps of Engineers campground in Nolin River Lake, Grayson County, Kentucky. 525 feet. 11.7 miles from Clarkson.

Managed by
Army Corps of Engineers Nolin River Lake
Elevation
525 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
107 83 standard electric, 24 standard non-electric
Longest rig
80 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
Electric, Water
Reservations
Not on Recreation.gov Usually first come, first served. Confirm with the office
County
Grayson County

Overview

Wax Campground sits on the shores of Nolin River Lake in the rolling landscape of southern Kentucky. The large lake and surrounding greenery create a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts. Click here for a tour of the lake.

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.

Several hiking trails also wind along the shoreline and into the surrounding forest. Shady Creek Trail, located within the Moutardier Recreation Area, is known for its array of wildflowers and greenery.

Facilities

Wax Campground offers 110 reservable campsites, complete with modern amenities like electric hookups and flush toilets. Campsites are located along the shoreline, allowing easy access to the lake and beaches for visitors.

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.

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 description, directions and fees are the Army Corps of Engineers’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking

The land around Wax

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated May 26, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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