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Activities

Established Camping

S-Tree Campground

S-Tree Campground, near McKee, Kentucky, is a peaceful spot that’s perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. With spacious sites that come with fire rings and picnic tables, it’s an ideal place to kick back and enjoy some quality time around the campfire.

This campground is a hit with visitors who appreciate its cleanliness and well-maintained facilities. One camper noted, “Bathrooms were clean. Campsite was clean. Campground very well maintained. So peaceful!” While there’s no drinking water or electric hookups, the natural surroundings make up for it, and many find the lack of distractions refreshing.

For outdoor lovers, S-Tree is a great base for trail riding, with multiple trails nearby. Campers have mentioned that it’s a “Riders Paradise,” making it a popular choice for those who enjoy hitting the trails on horseback or mountain bikes. Plus, the campground is free, which is a nice bonus for budget-conscious adventurers.

If you’re looking for a quiet retreat, this campground offers a chance to unwind and connect with nature. Just keep in mind that it’s a bit off the beaten path, so be prepared for some rugged roads to get there. Whether you’re camping solo or with friends, S-Tree Campground is a solid choice for a weekend getaway.

Description

National Forest

S-Tree Campground sits on a ridge above Horse Lick Creek on London Ranger District near McKee in Jackson County, Kentucky. A small picnic area features a historic picnic shelter that was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The campground receives heavy weekend use from off-highway vehicle users who ride the adjacent Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, Section #25 and the Renfro Loop Trail. These trails may be accessed from the campground. Make this page look nicer by submitting photos of your visit to S-Tree Campground. Learn more... This campground cannot accommodate trailers 25 feet or more due to one lane roads and no turn-outs. Each campsite has a picnic table, tent pad, fire ring and lantern pole. No electricity or dump station available.Vault toilets are centrally located. Campsites and shelter are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Loop A has two double campsites. Loop B has two fire circles. All of the campsites are wooded. Picnicking nearby: A picnic shelter with tables is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Other picnic sites are located near an area where a fire lookout tower once stood. S-Tree Campground Map View S-Tree Campground Guide & Map (pdf) S-Tree Fire Tower once stood near the entrance to the campground. Towers like these were important tools in detecting and fighting devastating forest fires. Fire towers were home to the lookouts who ran them. A tower cab was just big enough for a wood stove, two cots, a cabinet, storage box, small table, and a stool. The all-important alidade, or fire finder, stood in the middle of the room. By the mid-1970s, firefighters used aircraft for fire detection. Many towers, like one that stood here, were torn down because they could no longer be maintained in a safe condition. Nearby Trails: Renfro Loop Trails Sheltowee Trace Trail #100 Section 25

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Location

S-Tree Campground is located in Kentucky

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Berea: From I-75 take Berea Exit 76. Head east on KY 21. Stay on KY 21E (Big Hill Road) approximately 5 miles until it ends at US 421. Turn right (south) on US 421. Take US 421 west for approximately 18 miles to McKee KY, then turn right (south) on KY 89 for 3 miles, make a slight right (west) on Forest Road 43 (S-Tree Road). Go 1 mile, turn left (south) on Forest Road 20 (Tussey Hill Road) and follow the signs. From McKee: Take US 421 west from McKee for 0.5 mile. Turn left (south) on KY 89 for 3 miles, make a slight right (west) on Forest Road 43 (S-Tree Road). Go 1 mile, turn left (south) on Forest Road 20 (Tussey Hill Road) and follow the signs.

Coordinates

37.38678802 N
84.071748 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 27, 2024

Great Campsite!!!

Bathrooms were clean. Campsite was clean. Campground very well maintained. So peaceful!! I have cell service with Verizon. I was able to make & receive calls. Internet signal was not the best, but I wasn't there for that anyway!

SiteA10
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2020

Very peaceful!!

This place is away from everything and I love that!! We go riding up here often and will be camping this weekend there!!!

Reviewed Aug. 21, 2019

Riders Paradise

S Tree campground in McKee KY is great for trail riding! Multiple trials to venture on. The campsites are huge with available fire pits and restrooms. First come first serve basis. This is a free campsite with no electricity available.

  • Review photo of S-Tree Campground by Wayne H., August 21, 2019
  • Review photo of S-Tree Campground by Wayne H., August 21, 2019
  • Review photo of S-Tree Campground by Wayne H., August 21, 2019
  • (17) View All
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2019

A quiet well maintained stopover, or a woodsy weekend retreat; your pick

Arrived late and took a minute to find the actual campsites. They aren't right next to the fireplace shelter, rather just around the corner. Had the place completely to myself on a thursday night/friday morning. Biting bugs weren't bad,(late May) but there were still a ton of other varieties. Several toilets on site, but no water. Picnic tables, tent pads, and fire rings at each site. There are only 10 tent sites, and the ones by the shelter are for picnics only. I wouldn't recommend a long RV up there, although there seems to be another 10 or so sites big enough for RVs and trailers. I was really impressed by the overall quality of the campground, but the distance from everything is a big negative.  The northern road in isn't all that bad, but the south road is what I NEEDED to use to get to my various destinations, and it was a rough one. I made it in and out twice in an HHR, but I was bottoming out on gravel and such. Overall, the HHR handled it fine, it just wasn't worth it, so I ended up only staying the one night. If not for distance from everything and the road conditions, it would've scored a 5.

Site5
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of S-Tree Campground by Andrew G., July 2, 2019
  • Review photo of S-Tree Campground by Andrew G., July 2, 2019
  • Review photo of S-Tree Campground by Andrew G., July 2, 2019
  • (6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at S-Tree Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at S-Tree Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does S-Tree Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, S-Tree Campground does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at S-Tree Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is unknown.