Kentucky RV Camping and Campgrounds

Recreational Vehicle Camping in Kentucky

RV camping destinations in Kentucky offer solitude, great scenery, and interesting history. Private RV parks and public campgrounds offer facilities from full service RV resorts to primitive campsites. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is available on National Forest lands in Kentucky.

Public campgrounds and free camping locations follow Kentucky resources for RV Camping.

Kentucky Resources for RV Camping Information

• Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding the best RV parks and campgrounds in Kentucky.

• National Park Service - NPS information about National Park Service camping facilities in Kentucky.
• US Forest Service - USFS information about National Forest lands in Kentucky. Free camping as well as developed campgrounds.
• US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about COE lakes and camping opportunities in Kentucky.

• Kentucky State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Kentucky. Includes campgrounds.
• Kentucky State Parks - Information about camping and campgrounds in the many state parks of Kentucky.
• Kentucky Fish & Wildlife - Information about camping at Wildlife Management Areas. You have to dig to find camping information on this web site.

• Camping Reservations - Kentucky State and Federal Campground Reservations.

• Current Weather - From the National Weather Service
• Historical Weather - Know what to pack. Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature,GPS location and elevation.

• RV Dump Stations

• RVDumps.com - Places to dump in Kentucky.
• Sanidumps.com - RV dump stations throughout Kentucky listed by town.
  
  

RV Camping pages with more information

• USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.
• USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.
• NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.

We recommend the Kentucky Atlas and Gazetteer to find RV camping locations. This Kentucky topographic atlas offers comprehensive detail including trails, back country roads, lakes and streams, boat ramps, forests, wetlands, campgrounds, public lands, and hunting and fishing locations. Information about family trips, wilderness outing possibilities, and more are included. Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a versatile set of tools to find RV camping sites all across Kentucky.

Kentucky Free Camping

AURORA

South of Highway-24, 6 free areas with boat ramps in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. No facilities, but dump stations, maps, & water at north and south welcome stations and at Golden Pond Visitor Center.

CUMBERLAND FALLS

Free recreational vehicle, as well as tent only campsites are available at the Sawyer Campground. From KY 90, west of Cumberland Falls, take KY 896 (north) to County Road 1609 to the campground. Fire pits, tent pads, and picnic tables.

McKEE

Free RV camping is allowed at the USDA Forest Service S Tree Campground. 20 campsites with gravel parking, lantern poles, fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad. No water or trash. Take US 421 west from McKee for 0.5 mile, turn left (south) on KY 89 for 3 miles, turn right (west) on Forest Road 43. Go 1 mile, turn left (south) on Forest Road 20 and follow signs to the campground.

The Turkey Foot Campground has free camping available. Take KY 89 north from McKee for 3 miles, turn right (east) on Forest Road 4, follow the signs for 3 miles. This campground offers 15 campsites with fire rings, gravel parking, vault toilets, and lantern pole.

PADUCAH

Just west of Paducah is the Ballard WMA (Wildlife Management Area). Designated campgrounds in a remote environment are available for RV Camping.

WHITLEY CITY

The Bell Farm Horse Camp makes a good free RV camping destination. Take US 27 south for 4.7 miles to KY 92. Turn right and go 1.2 miles then turn right on KY 92 at the Fastway Store. Go 5.3 miles to KY 1363, turn left and go 11.4 miles to the end of blacktop. Turn left and go 0.2 mile. You will find picnic tables and vault toilets. There is no water or trash pickup.

Free first come first serve camping is available at the Great Meadow Campground. Rock Creek passes this campground, and is stocked with trout. Take US 27 south for 4.7 miles to KY 92. Turn right and go 1.2 miles then turn right on KY 92 at the Fastway Store. Go 5.3 miles to KY 1363, turn left and go 11.4 miles to the end of blacktop. Turn right on Forest Road 564, go 1.2 miles then turn left on Forest Road 137 and go 4.4 miles. Area is on both sides of the road, first area (Deer loop) is on the right; second area (Raccoon loop) is on the left.

• Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
• Walmart - Not all stores in Kentucky allow overnight RV parking due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
• Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
• Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
• Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
• Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
• Fairgrounds - Kentucky State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
• Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
• Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
• Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
• Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission
• RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
• Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
• Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
• Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
• Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
• Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
• Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
• Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area are located on many secondary roads.

Kentucky Public Campgrounds

RV camping is available at developed public campgrounds throughout Kentucky. National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers), and Kentucky State Parks offer great RV camping destinations with activities for the whole family. The following list is only a sample of public campgrounds available in Kentucky.

CAROLLTON

The General Butler State Resort Park offers RV camping facilities and recreation opportunities for the whole family. From Louisville, take I-71 to Carrollton. If you are coming from Huntington heading west off of I-64, take exit #172. Drive north on Hwy 1, to Triple A Hwy north. Take Triple A Hwy North to I-275 West. Drive West on I-275 to I 71/75 South, then I-71 South to Exit 44. Turn right on Hwy 227 to the Park.

CORBIN

The USDA Holly Bay Campground offers basic and premium campsites. Located near Laurel River Lake, each campsite has a paved vehicle pad, tent pad, fire ring, picnic tables, and lantern poles. Drive-in sites have electricity and water located at the site. Walk-in tent sites have access to centrally located water but do not have electricity available. 75 drive-in and 19 walk-in tent sites, centrally located dumpsters, restrooms, showers. RV Dump station available.

FALLS OF ROUGH

The Rough River Lake is managed by USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) and offers developed camping at several campgrounds. From Louisville, W on US 60 to Harned, S 10 mi on KY 79.

GRAND RIVERS

Barkley Dam and Lake Barkley are managed by USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers). From Louisville, south on I-65 to Western Kentucky Parkway, 13 miles west on US 62 through Eddyville. Reservations are available for RV camping at eleven different developed facilities.

GRAYSON

USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) manages Grayson Lake and Dam. Located just seven miles south of Grayson, Kentucky on State Route 7. Recreation opportunities include boating, camping, rock climbing, fishing, hiking, and more.

LONDON

First come first serve camping is available at Rockcastle Campground. This campground offers tent pads, grills, picnic table, and lantern poles. Not suitable for large RV's.

ONEIDA

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area offers the Blue Heron Campground. 45 water and electric hookup campsites are available for reservation. Fishing, hunting, and hiking are only some of the outdoor activities available for the whole family.

PARK CITY

One of Kentucky's top tourist destinations is Mammoth Cave National Park. The largest cave system in the world with over 375 miles explored so far. The main campground offers 105 campsites suitable for RV's, and 2 other tent only campgrounds. Water, trash, and dump station.

RICHMOND

Fort Boonesborough State Park offers a fully reconstructed working fort with cabins, blockhouse, furnishings, and resident artisans that apply early day craft and work skills. Over 150 standard electric campsites are available. Campsite reservations are available.

SLADE

Koomer Ridge Campground is found on KY 15 between the Slade exit (#33) and the Beattyville exit (#40) off the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway. From Mountain Parkway at Slade exit, take KY 15 east for 5 miles. 19 RV camping sites, tent sites, vault and flush toilets, bath house with showers, water, grills, and picnic tables.

Public lands offer great camping in Kentucky. Federal, State, and private RV parks and campgrounds have RV camping sites with basic facilities such as picnic tables and fire rings to full hookup sites, and even exclusive RV resorts. You'll find free camping in the USDA Daniel Boone National Forest. Use the links to the public land web sites above for specific information about camping and public lands access. Research and explore, and you should have no trouble finding the best campsites.