Located along the Ohio River in the north-east part of Kentucky, Greenup Pool is one of the river’s most important commercial areas. It’s also the site of some of the region’s best recreation opportunities. The stretch of the Ohio River near Greenup Dam is known for its catfish. Anglers come to the pool throughout the year to find catfish under man-made cover along the riverbanks. You’ll also be able to catch sauger and black bass. The river is wide throughout most of the pool, making it a well suited to motorized boating.
Once you get off the river, you’ll have access to dozens of miles of scenic hiking trails leading along the water. Wayne National Forest is nearby, with more than 300 miles of multi-use trails that let you explore the Appalachian foothills. You can also hunt in most of the forest, where you’ll find large buck populations, as well as wild turkey and waterfowl.
The largest RV campground near Greenup Pool is found at Greenbo Lake, just a few miles south of the Ohio River. This large RV campground has over 100 sites, most of which have full hookups.
Greenup Pool is located along the Ohio River in the northeastern corner of Kentucky. The area is well served by a number of major roadways, so RV campers shouldn’t have any problems getting to their campground.
If you’re driving from Cincinnati, take KY-9 south out of the city and you’ll reach Greenup Pool in a little over two hours. From Columbus, take US-23 south and you’ll get to the river in around two hours. The pool is also a two-hour drive along I-64 from Lexington.
US-23 stretches along most of the pool, so you should have few issues accessing any of the main recreation areas via RV. To get to Greenbo Lake State Park Campground, take KY-1 south from US-23 for 11 miles.
This well-developed campground is located just a few miles south of the Ohio River. There are 103 sites, about half of which have full hookups. You can also choose sites with just electricity, as well as primitive sites. You’ll have access to a bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets, as well as a grocery store and two large picnic shelters. Pets are allowed within the campground, but dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
Greenbo Lake is the main attraction near the campground, giving you access to excellent boating and fishing. The lake has a marina where you can rent boats or dock your own. There are 33 miles of hiking trails of varying difficulty level around the campground. You’ll also be a few short miles from the Greenup Pool if you want to boat on the river or go fishing for catfish.
Sites can be booked as much as a year in advance. You’ll usually find an open spot, although the campground starts to fill up starting in fall. Try to book well in advance if visiting during peak season in October.
The Ohio River sustains the local ecosystem, where you’ll find dozens of species of mammals, birds, and amphibians. Frogs, turtles, and toads are frequently spotted along the banks of the river, as are deer, red fox, and beaver. If you visit during the summer, you can witness a mass migration of bats, as they return to the river to hunt. The river is active throughout the year, although the area is at its best during the spring and fall.
RV campers interested in hunting will find a number of large forests near the lake. The best is Wayne National Forest, with over 200,000 acres of land open to hunting. The forest is known for its buck hunting, and you can also hunt for squirrels, wild turkey, and waterfowl.
Do take extra caution when hunting in the area during the fall, as there are large numbers of hikers. Make sure you have the proper licenses, as the pool is located along the border of Kentucky and Ohio.
Greenup Pool is home to a dazzling display of birdlife, making it a must-visit for birdwatchers.
You’ll find dozens of species of shorebirds, including American golden plover, spotted sandpiper, and sanderling. You may also be able to spot bald eagle and peregrine falcon near the dam.
Kentucky was the home of John James Audubon, the patron saint of birdwatchers in America. His heritage is strong in the state, as you can find a number of local Audubon societies that detail the bird species you should look for along the Ohio River.
Greenup Pool is located just south of Wayne National Forest, which gives you access to hundreds of miles of scenic hiking trails leading through the Appalachian foothills. You can also find a number of shorter trails leading out from the recreation sites along the Ohio River. Greenbo Lake, the location of the main RV campground in the area, has over 30 miles of trails as well.
The most popular time to hike along the Ohio River is in the fall when the forest is wrapped in layers of autumn colors.
With miles of river to explore, Greenup Pool is an excellent location for boating of all types. The shaded banks of the river give you plenty of cover for long kayak or canoe trips. Motorized boating is also allowed on the river. You can find boat launches at most of the recreation areas located along Greenup Pool.
Although most of the pool is open to boating, there are restricted areas in the zones below and above Greenup Dam.
Fishing is the biggest draw to the Ohio River, attracting anglers from all across the Midwest. Greenup Pool is one of the best stretches of the river for channel catfish, although you may occasionally reel in a black bass. Look for areas with cover if you’re fishing for catfish. You should find catfish throughout the year, although fishing tends to pick up during spring.
There are several boat launches located at the recreation areas along the pool. You can also easily fish for catfish from the shore.
