Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-10005354
When Cave Run Dam Tailwater reopens
Cave Run Dam Tailwater's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
0
Openings · last 90 days
36
Only 36 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027 · of 2 monitored sites
Of the 366 tracked reservation dates (Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027): 98 open for online reservation · 268 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
Where the open windows are
73.2% of tracked reservation dates are not currently open for online reservation. 98 of 366 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Nov 2, 2026 – May 3, 2027Not open online73.2%
Open reservation dates98 / 366
Reserved (of online inventory)0 / 98
Weekday openings56
Weekend openings42
Of the open reservation dates on mapped day-use units, 56 fall on weekdays and 42 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Nov 2026 – May 2027November shows no online availability. 0 of 58 tracked reservation dates are open there — 58 on sites not offered online.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 2 shelters| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 0 | None open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 0 | None open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 0 | None open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 0 | None open | |
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Thanksgiving: no online availability on any tracked date. Christmas: no online availability on any tracked date. New Year: no online availability on any tracked date. Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked date.
Availability by shelter
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Shelter | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| Brown Shelter | 49 |
| Green Shelter | 49 |
The 2 shelters with the most open reservation dates in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Nov 2, 2026 snapshotNext open dateTue · Mar 16, 2027
Next open weekendFri · Mar 19, 2027
November0 of 58 · not offered online
The next bookable date is Mar 16, 2027; the first open weekend starts Mar 19, 2027. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Reservation dates
98 available reservation dates across 2 shelters at Cave Run Dam Tailwater, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
All 2 shelters with current availability
| Shelter | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Shelter | 49 | 49 dates | Mar 16, 2027, Mar 17, 2027, Mar 18, 2027, Mar 19, 2027, Mar 20, 2027, Mar 21, 2027, Mar 22, 2027, Mar 23, 2027, Mar 24, 2027, Mar 25, 2027, Mar 26, 2027, Mar 27, 2027 +37 more |
| Green Shelter | 49 | 49 dates | Mar 16, 2027, Mar 17, 2027, Mar 18, 2027, Mar 19, 2027, Mar 20, 2027, Mar 21, 2027, Mar 22, 2027, Mar 23, 2027, Mar 24, 2027, Mar 25, 2027, Mar 26, 2027, Mar 27, 2027 +37 more |
About Cave Run Dam Tailwater
Overview
The Tailwater Recreation Area is located below Cave Run Lake Dam. Located within the scenic Eastern Highlands Region of Kentucky and is almost completely surrounded by the norther-most section of the Daniel Boone National Forest. An earth and rockfill dam built across the Licking River created Cave Run Lake.
Recreation
The Tailwater area is a general use day use recreation site. Provides boat access to the Licking River and fishing opertunities. The area has two picnic shelters, five first come first serve uncovered picnic sites, and a swing set. The area does not allow hunting.
Facilities
The shelter facilites are located along the retreat channel of Cave Run Lake Dam seperated by a small stand of maple trees. The shelters have a access road right up to the shelter to allow ease of access upon request.
Natural Features
The norther-most section of the Daniel Boone National Forest surrounds the Cave Run Lake project and offers visitors many scenic, natural and historic points of interest. Over 300 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles can be found in the hardwood-covered hills, forest openings, streams, ponds and caves of the scenic National Forest.
2 monitored sheltersDay useWaterfrontRiverfrontPets OKMax party 50
Getting there
The lake is about 60 miles east of Lexington, Ky. Exits 123,133 and 137 off of Interstate 64 provide the primary access routes to the lake.
Morehead, KY 40351606-784-9709
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Cave Run Dam Tailwater?
Reservations for Cave Run Dam Tailwater are made through Recreation.gov. 73.2% of tracked reservation dates are not currently open for online reservation; 98 of 366 remain open. Campsite Sniper has also detected 36 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick the shelter on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 18:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Cave Run Dam Tailwater?
Campsite Sniper detected 36 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Which month has the most availability at Cave Run Dam Tailwater?
April 2027, with 60 open reservation dates in the current snapshot of 60.
When is the next open date at Cave Run Dam Tailwater?
As of the Nov 2, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Tue, Mar 16, 2027 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Mar 19, 2027. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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Pick dates
Choose the reservation dates you want at Cave Run Dam Tailwater.
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When a selected date becomes available, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.