The state of Kentucky is located in the Southern Uplands of the United States. A significant part of the eastern portion of the state is in the Appalachian region.
Kentucky shares its borders with seven states, starting from the Southeast to the Midwest section of its designated borders. West Virginia is located on the eastern side of the state with Virginia on the Southeastern part. Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio lies in the southern, western, northwestern, northern and northeastern part of the state respectively.
Kentucky is favored by its expansive park system that includes one national park, two National Historic Parks, two National Recreation Areas, two National Wildlife Refuges, two National Forests, 82 Wildlife Management Areas and 45 state parks.
Kentucky is a state that has been the target for two wildlife reintroduction projects that have quite a success story to impart to the wildlife activists. Kentucky is an ideal destination for getting out of the hamster’s wheel and blowing off some steam. With loads of natural reserves, wildlife protection areas and state parks, the average backpacker and even the RV camper, all can pitch in their tent here at Kentucky all the while enjoying the outdoor activities.
- Mammoth Cave National Park Campground
The Mammoth Cave Campground is safely nestled within the Mammoth Cave National Park. It is famous for the biggest network of naturally formed cave systems in the world. The park is also famous for miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. One can also bring in their horse if they own any since these trails are horse friendly as well.
This is a state run campground that hosts 109 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Swimming 8. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV sanitation 4. Access to potable water 5. Pet-friendly Camping sites |
Location Details:
Job Corps Rd Cave City, KY, USA 42127
Phone: 270/758-2180
- Daniel Boone National Forest (Turkey Foot Campground)
The muddy waters of the War Fork Creek that runs through the Turkey Foot Campground offer an out of the world experience to its guests. The uneven terrain of the campground might be a bit discouraging to the trailer and RV campers. For this particular reason, the 15 camping sites are exclusively made available to the tent campers.
The maintenance and running operations for the campground are carried out by state authorities. All of the camping sites are well connected, and the campground is easily accessible via the drive.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Wind sports 8. OHV 9. Climbing 10. Snow sports 11. Swimming 12. Whitewater paddling 13. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic table 3. Fire Pits 4. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
1700 Bypass Rd, KY, USA
Phone: 859-745-3100
- Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Campground
The main attraction of the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Campground is the DuPont Lodge. It has historical significance with amenities similar to that of a high-class hotel. The second attraction for the guests arriving here at the campground is the namesake waterfall, the Cumberland Waterfall.
This is a state run campground that hosts 49 camping sites stylized both in primitive and modern settings. One can also opt for woodland rooms, or multi-bedroom cottages are one is looking for some privacy.
Accommodations are available for tent, RV and car campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Climbing 7. Swimming 8. Whitewater paddling 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Access to potable water 7. Fire Pits 8. Pet-Friendly sites |
Location Details:
7351 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY 40701, United States
Phone: (606) 528-4121
- Daniel Boone National Forest (Twin Knobs Campground)
The Twin Knobs Campground is a campground of epic proportions both in terms of recreational opportunities/amenities and size.
The campground covers an area of about 700 acres that plays host to 200 campsites that provide accommodations for full-size campers/land yachts. People come here for the quiet sandy beaches and the lush greens. The campground is run and maintained by state authorities.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Wind sports 8. OHV 9. Climbing 10. Snow sports 11. Swimming 12. Whitewater paddling 13. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Access to potable water 7. Fire Pits 8. Pet-friendly camping sites |
Location details:
1700 Bypass Rd, KY, USA
Phone: +1 859-745-3100
- Daniel Boone National Forest (Koomer Ridge Campground)
The Koomer Ridge Campground provides the ideal setting for semi-primitive camping. The campground is loaded with backpacking and hiking trails within the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The campground hosts 108 camping sites with accommodations available to the tent, RV, and car campers.
It is advised to come and visit the campground on Saturdays and especially on Labor Day for experiencing the delights the campground has to offer. The campground is maintained and administered by the state authorities.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Wind sports 8. OHV 9. Climbing 10. Snow sports 11. Swimming 12. Whitewater paddling 13. Wildlife watching
|
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. Fire Pits 5. Pet-friendly sites 6. Access to potable water |
Location Details:
1700 Bypass Rd, KY, USA
Phone: +1 859-745-3100
- Houchin Ferry Campground (Kentucky Mammoth Cave National Park)
The Houchin Ferry Campground can be considered as a natural bridge between the endemic wilderness and the modern civilization of North America.
The campground is equipped with picnic areas, visitor’s center, etc. and plays host to 12 camping sites suitable for primitive camping. Accommodations are available only to the tent campers. The campground is run and maintained by the state authorities and is readily available via drive.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Swimming 8. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic table 3. Access to potable water 4. Pet-friendly sites 5. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
Kentucky, USA (37.201° N, 86.238° W)
Phone: 270/758-2180
- Barren River Lake Campground (Barren River Lake State Resort Park)
The Barren River Lake Campground is located within the namesake state resort park. Accommodations are available to the tent, vehicle and RV campers in either the form of fully developed camping sites as well as contemporary cottages by the lake.
The Barren River Lake Campground hosts 100 camping sites and is run by the state authorities.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Swimming |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Access to potable water 7. Pet-friendly sites 8. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
1149 State Park Rd, Lucas, KY 42156, USA
Phone: +1 270-646-2151
- Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park (Blue Licks Battlefield Campground)
One can easily get lost in the stories of the unsung heroes who lost their lives while battling for the honor and glory of the United States of America. This patriotic feeling gets a new boost when one plans to pitch their tent in any of the 55 camping sites hosted by the Blue Licks Battlefield Campground.
The campground is located within the Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park and is well equipped with all the modern day amenities one can think of. The camping sites are equipped with electrical, sanitation and water hookups for RV campers along with facilities like showers, restrooms, and other pet-friendly amenities.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Hiking 4. Paddling 5. Swimming 6. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Access to potable water 7. Pet-friendly sites 8. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
10299 Maysville Rd, Carlisle, KY 40311, USA
Phone: 859-289-5507
- Carter Caves State Resort Park (Carter Caves Campground)
The Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground is famous for its wide range of modern-day amenities in all of the 129 camping sites hosted by the campground.
Accommodations are available for RV, tent and car campers. On top of that, if someone is looking for some privacy, they can make reservations at the Fieldstone lodge.
Horse campers are also welcome within the grounds with sites adjacent to bathhouses, laundry rooms, and children’s playgrounds.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Climbing 8. Swimming 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Access to potable water 7. Pet-friendly camping sites 8. Fire Pits |
Location details:
344 Cleveland Dr, Olive Hill, KY 41164, USA
Phone: +1 606-286-4411
- Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park Campground
The thousands of acres of lush green woods that encloses all of the 151 camping sites hosted by the Dale Hollow Lake is a dream come true for the frequent backpacker. These camping sites are known for their minimalistic setting that offers top-grade primitive camping experience to its guests.
People who don’t want to spend the nights out in the wild and getting all grizzly and all, they can always choose to stay in the Mary Ray Oaken Lodge that provides a clifftop view of the Dale Hollow Lake.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Swimming 7. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Access to potable water 7. Fire Pits 8. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
5970 State Park Rd, Burkesville, KY 42717, USA
Phone: +1 270-433-7431
- Daniel Boone National Forest (Clear Creek Campground)
The Clear Creek Campground is located in the District of the Cumberland Rangers. It is nestled in the Northeastern hills of the state adjacent to the Cave Run Lake.
Recreational activities like fishing are available to the guests along with pleasant and rustic camping ambiance in the 20 camping sites hosted by the campground. Accommodations are available for tent, vehicle and RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Wind sports 8. OHV 9. Climbing 10. Snow sports 11. Swimming 12. Whitewater paddling 13. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic table 3. Access to potable water 4. Fire Pits 5. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
1700 Bypass Rd, KY, USA
Phone: +1 859-745-3100
- Lake Malone State Park Campground
The Lake Malone Campground hosts 25 camping sites and is accessible for campers looking for enjoying some primitive style camping! The camping sites are equipped with picnic tables, grills, and showers. The clean, quiet and the occasional view of local wildlife makes the stay here at the campground all the more pleasant.
The campground is run and maintained by the state authorities and is an ideal place to get away with your family and friends!
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Boating
2. Fishing 3. Hiking 4. Swimming |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Access to potable water 7. Pet-friendly sites 8. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
331 Ic-8001A, Dunmor, KY 42339, USA
Phone: +1 270-657-2111
- Daniel Boone National Forest (Paragon Dispersed Camping Area)
Feeling the itch to explore the backwoods of the Daniel Boone National Forest!? Come over and pitch in your tent at any of the 14 camping sites hosted by the Paragon Dispersed Camping Area.
The sites are not fully developed and offer the guests with authentic primitive camping experience along with the stunning views of the surrounding woods. All of the sites are well connected to each other and can be easily accessed via short drives.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Wind sports 8. OHV 9. Climbing 10. Snow sports 11. Swimming 12. Whitewater paddling 13. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic table 3. Fire Pits 4. Access to potable water |
Location Details:
1700 Bypass Rd, KY, USA
Phone: +1 859-745-3100
- Nolin Lake State Park Campground
The Nolin Lake State Park Campground is truly a versatile campground as it offers its guests with the options of both modern days as well as primitive style camping.
The campground is quite popular for being less congested and for providing the campers with spacious camping sites close to the shores of the Nolin Lake.
The campground hosts 32 camping sites and is maintained by the state authorities with accommodations available to tent, RV and vehicle campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Swimming 6. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Pet-friendly sites 7. Fire Pits 8. Access to potable water |
Location Details:
2998 Brier Creek Rd, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259, USA
Phone: +1 270-286-4240
- Yatesville Lake State Park Campground
The Yatesville Lake State Park Campground is often praised by the locals to be the best destination for camping in all of Kentucky.
The campground lives up to its reputation by offering full hook-up facilities for electricity, sanitation, and water to RV campers along with other modern day amenities. The campground hosts 47 camping sites with both primitive and modern-day camping settings.
There is even an option to stay in a reserved private island that is a camping site that you can book and stay all alone! These unique sites can be accessed via boats only, and they are worth the extra effort as the lake access and solitude is unbeatable! Accommodations are available to tent, RV and vehicle campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Boating
2. Fishing 3. Hiking 4. Swimming 5. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Access to potable water 7. Fire Pits 8. Pet-friendly sites. |
Location Details:
2667 Pleasant Ridge Rd, Louisa, KY 41230, USA
Phone: +1 606-673-1492