Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Albany? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Blue Heron Campground is a rustic and spacious campground, situated on the Kentucky side of The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area--a vast and scenic expanse of land that offers visitors countless recreational activities.
Numerous trails snake through the Recreation Area, offering mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding for visitors. The main river of the Big South Fork is also a short drive away, offering fishing opportunities.
The Big South Fork is located in north central Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky in some of the most rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau. The park encompasses approximately 125,000 acres of both rocky gorges and forested plateaus. Numerous pristine streams unite with the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Over thousands of years, this ceaselessly moving water has carved the sandstone of the plateau into impressive cliffs, arches and chimneys that are found throughout the park.
Just a few miles from the campground is Blue Heron Mine, also known as Mine 18, a historic abandoned mining town that has been rebuilt as an outdoor museum. Visitors can hear audio presentations from actual people who lived in the community in the 1950s. The Big South Fork Scenic Railway Depot is located about 9 miles away in the town of Stearns, which offers train rides and other educational opportunities for campers. More information can be found online at https://bsfsry.com. Additional attractions include the Daniel Boone National Forest and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, offering additional recreation opportunities.
FALL SALE PRICE $15 PER NIGHT
Welcome to the beautiful Tennessee hills right on the edge of Kentucky and enjoy the beauty of nature and camp in our forest by the lake. Primitive camping at its best. Dale Hollow Lake offers some of Tennessee's most beautiful remote areas. The night sky up here is so clear, and the air is crisp and clean. Dale Hollow Lake is one of the cleanest in the country and the views are stunning. Please come and enjoy this wonderful land.
Approximately 4 acres with multiple campsites all to yourself and your group with 15 acres of forest ravine total to hike on.
Welcome to the Tuscarora Glade camping spot, right near Dale Hollow Lake. This is the perfect weekend getaway near tons of unique outdoor activities and we are excited to share it with you! Dale Hollow Lake offers some of Tennessee's most beautiful remote areas. Limited time introductory pricing.
About the Property:
Dale Hollow Lake is right next to the property with natural trails leading right down to the lake. It's only a 1/2 mile hike or short drive to the lovely Star Point Marina and Resort, where you can enjoy kayaking, boating and fishing. Bunkum Cave trail hike and Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park are also within driving distance of our property and make for great day trips! Hiking, swimming, kayaking, and mushroom hunting are just some of the fun outdoor activities you can enjoy during your stay. Secluded camp site in a beautiful forest glade overlooking a deep ravine. Sunsets here are gorgeous.
We enjoy meeting new people and encourage a family-style atmosphere. Please come and enjoy this wonderful land. We hope you love the stunning sunsets, being surrounded by forest, and the ideal lake access as much as we do!
About the Campsite:
Hammock Campers Dream!
The campsite provides various mostly level spots for pitching your tents and setting up camp amidst the beautiful hardwood forest that surrounds you. There are also some ideal hammock camping sites among the trees. Site will accommodate a modest pull behind camper, contact us and we can give you more details. There is a fire ring for you to use, so cozy up by the campfire and toast some marshmallows during your stay! We are a family-friendly campsite, so feel free to bring the kids. There is a garden hose on the property, though we always welcome you to bring your own drinking water as well.
Other Things to Note:
- Check-in is after 2pm and check-out is before 12pm
- You can stay connected if you'd like to, as cell reception is available on our property, yet at times it can be spotty out here in the woods. There is no Wi-Fi. Feel free to unplug during your stay, though!
- Furry friends are welcome, just keep any mess cleaned up!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions and we look forward to your stay!
$15 / night
Hidden Ridge Camping sits on 53-acres of wooded land on Lake Cumberland, near the lake's largest commercial marina, Conley Bottom.
Over the years, the property
has been a functioning farm, a team building destination with a climbing tower, the site of a theatre production and a winery!
Today, it is a secluded camping destination that offers hiking trails to a natural spring, a waterfall and Lake Cumberland, as well as a stocked fishing pond. We are also home to a wide range of wildlife. including owls, foxes, and deer.
Our spacious sites are perfect for large groups.
$50 - $160 / night
Reflection Tree Art Farm is a hidden paradise high upon Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau. It’s a place where wide-open skies reflect every shade of blue by day and the milky way lights up the night, where rainbows arc to find their golden end, and red-orange sunsets take your breath away. It’s a birder’s dream and a dreamer’s little bit-o-heaven. The dreamers, Eric and Aimee Dixon, had a plan and were just getting started when Aimee was killed in a tragic auto accident. But Aimee’s spirit and their dreams live on and with the help of friends and family, Reflection Tree will continue to grow and bloom. Located northwest of Oak Ridge and Knoxville, we are a short drive north of Crossville, TN.
https:www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079769809376
Nestled in a lovely 20-acre wood with gentle walking trails and a peaceful forest pond, your fully equipped Tentrr campsite offers everything you will need and we look forward to making your stay as carefree as possible. Your Reflection Tree experience may be a relaxing weekend camping retreat or perhaps a longer stay to enjoy some of the adventures available within easy driving distance.
Right here at Reflection Tree you may wish to participate in one of a variety of planned classes or workshops in the arts and crafts. The big red Art Barn is currently under construction. When complete, the lower floor will be equipped with a potter’s studio, blacksmith forge and woodworking shops with classes for all skill levels. For the more advanced, we will also offer day-use of the equipment.
The upper level of the Art Barn will provide additional accommodations to include 4 bedrooms, a kitchen and a full bathroom as well as indoor and outdoor spaces for large group gatherings, classes, etc. Reflection Tree Art Farm is also a chemical free, regenerative farm and will offer classes for those who wish to learn these techniques. We will have fresh seasonal foods available for the guests as well. Note: To make reservations for the Art Barn, please contact Eric directly at Reflection Tree Art Farm.
For explorers and adventure seekers, Reflection Tree can be an ideal base camp for a host of opportunities within an easy drive: paddlers and climbers, hikers and nature lovers will find your paradise in some of Tennessee’s most beloved State and National Parks, including The Obed Wild and Scenic River System, https://www.nps.gov/obed/index.htm (An international Dark Sky park), Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area https://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm and Picket State Park https://tnstateparks.com/parks/pickett, as well as a few well-kept-secret places.
History and culture buffs will enjoy the seasonal opportunities for visitors in Muddy Pond and other nearby Mennonite and Amish Communities. https://muddypondofficial.com/ Savor the flavor of “olden times” in the country store just down the road at Clark Range or visit one of our farmer’s markets at Jamestown or Crossville.
Just passing through and looking for a cool place to stay overnight? The I-40 exit at Crossville will get you here in just 30 minutes. Stay one night and you will want to make Reflection Tree Art Farm a destination.
Whatever you choose to do, when the day is done, you may want to enjoy a robust craft brew or a glass of fine wine and some live entertainment at one of our local breweries or wineries.
$25 - $35 / night
ScoutI am a long term camper. This park has all the utilities water, electric, sewer. I haven't had issues with the free wifi and am able to stream movies and TV with no buffering.
They have a community building with restrooms, showers, laundry, kitchen area, and mail pick up. They also have an outdoor community area with a fire pit, lounge chairs, and grill.
They have been having events for the children. Movie night, outdoor games, and a camp fire with smores.
It's quiet and 5 minutes away from town. Door dash delivers.
The manager is a sweetheart and makes sure any issues are taken care of.
Traveler
We loved Bandycreek campground for it{s scenic beauty….we were there in late October. They leaves were brilliant! The campground was pristine as well as the shower house and bathrooms. So many trails to walk…just make sure you know how long they really are and if they truly are a loop before you head out and take water! The campground was quiet, there was a bustle of activity every morning of park staff cleaning the shower house, emptying the bear boxes and doing general maintenance cleaning up downed branches etc. All staff were met were very friendly. The visitors center was close with staff who were very helpful in answering questions about the area. Our only concern about the place was that it is difficult to navigate if you have a large rv. Ours is a 43 foot fifth wheel. We had a lot of difficulty backing into our site with all the little obstacles but with the assistance of a fellow camper we finally got in. Also the drive into the campsite is treacherous if you are coming from Oneida. It is harrowing to say the least and I would not recommend it if you have a large rv. Hairpin turns and switchbacks, low hanging rocks, and narrow road. We came in the back way which consisted of driving on a well maintained gravel road with barely enough room for two vehicles to pass. So be warned and do your research before you drive in…plan your route! I feel like we barely survived! Ha. But it was worth it and we did survive!
Guide
There are three dispersed camp sites along this road. We stayed at the first and largest of the three. This first site has room for two groups. It also has a small swimming hole with a rope swing.
Guide
One picnic table and fire pit. Dispersed camping. We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening.
Traveler
Campsites are spacious with gravel campsites and paved rv parking at campsites. Water and electric at each site. Clean bathrooms with showers.
Ranger
Did a drive around of the campground. Spacing looks great between sites. Sites look clean and level. Some sites are next to the Obey River. Will be camping here in the near future.
Guide
Quiet campground for smaller campers and vans. Dog friendly. It is on the top of the hill, so prepare to hike to the lake. There are trails along the lake, and shortcut trails through the woods, mostly narrow and washed out. The pool is very busy in the summer. The campground is clean and sites are spacious and shady, most sites require leveling. Beautiful lake and dam, definitely worth the visit!
Scout
This is a beautiful campground! Very Family oriented. The park attendants are so nice and welcome families and will help you in any way! We love going here and feel so safe because the sheriff department along with the attendants are always coming through. Some of the nicest attendants, always has a smile and willing to help in any way!
Scout
The"Old Mill Camp and General Store" is a charming destination where rustic ambiance meets modern convenience. Nestled amidst picturesque scenery, it caters to both campers seeking a tranquil retreat and travelers looking for local products and essentials. The store offers a delightful array of goods, including handmade crafts, local produce, and freshly baked treats, ensuring there's something for everyone. Visitors can easily plan their visit with the prominently displayed Store hours today ensuring they can stop by for a leisurely browse or a quick restock of camping supplies. Whether you're exploring the nearby trails or simply passing through, the Old Mill Camp and General Store welcomes you with its warm hospitality and diverse offerings.
Scout
This campground is clean and the campsites are decent. However, our campsite had two stumps there were hard to work around when backing up the camper in the dark. If you need to use the showers or bathroom, they never fix anything. One bathroom hasn’t had electric in two years and another women’s bathroom only has hot water in one shower and the hand dryers don’t work.
Ranger
We arrived on a Tuesday and left on Friday. This campground has 10 sites on a hill. It is quiet and away from towns. Some sites are close but not bad. The shower/bath house is fairly new and clean. Being on the hill, to get to the lake is a steep walk. They have a set of steps going down the back side of the hill if you want to leave your boat in the water down there. It’s in a hollow off the main lake. The only drawback would be that the dump site was too tight and unlevel for me to feel comfortable trying to dump.
Traveler
We stayed on the island (walk in spot) and it was quiet and had beautiful views right on the water. There are also toilets and water available on the island if needed.
Traveler
This is one of my favorite spots to camp. The host is amazing, provides great amenities, and takes care of his campground very well. If you are looking for a great view with plenty of space for tents and hammocks, look no further. You will not go wrong with booking with this host.
Legend
Easy to find, well marked. It’s has many (12) trails and many falls. Would definitely recommend shopping before camping, it’s several miles, and mountains, to get to stores. There are several lodging options…cottages, The Lodge, (which is beautiful) tent and RV camping. There are 2 small campgrounds ~ 1) Ridgeline which accommodates RVs up to 26”, water and 10/30/50 amp hook ups. Sites have a fire ring and picnic table. WiFi is available, and there is a dump station. A small playground, office/campstore, and a bathhouse and laundry next to it. 3 sites are walk-in. Big rigs would have to stay elsewhere. 2) Clifty Campground is tent camping only 7 sites offer electric and water. WiFi is also offered. There is a bathhouse and a playground, and these CG’s are pet friendly. (Falls Creek is a few miles up the road…they have pull through and back ins. For bigger Rvs. They also have tents, wagons, cabin rentals, and primitive sites) We had no T-Mobile service, or satellite service in our vehicle. The trails and Cumberland falls were awesome. The horse rides looked amazing, and the Pool was big, with a diving board, and a small fee for campers to use it.
TravelerThis is one of the best campgrounds ive ever visited, especially with children. Lots of shade except the couple spots toward the front of the bathrooms, we had booked spot 30 but they kindly let us move to 16 when we realized we needed more trees lol. The bathrooms were immaculate, the little playground was a blast for the kids, the little general store was very cute and well stocked. Cummins State Park right across the road had a nice short, easy half mile hike to the waterfall overlook, my 2 year old walked most of it. Our one-night stay was lovely. Only drawback was lack of laundry facility.
Scout
No Service (showed me how addicted i am). Other than that as described.
TravelerLocation was excellent, close to the water. They have a known power issue, 30amp service went out several times at the pole. Their solution was to use less appliances. There are other campgrounds on the lake that I would choose instead of this one for that reason. The site itself was fine, and if not for the power issues we would come back.
Traveler
We will absolutely be back! I’ll be honest, as a visibly queer person with rainbow hair I was a bit nervous about the Bible verses and Christian flag due to past experiences, but Patrick and Angelica were welcoming and friendly the entire time!
The RV spot with shade was great! It’s right next to the bathroom but everyone is spread out enough it wasn’t an issue at all.
Strong WiFi, pet friendly, and a beautiful, peaceful spot with very friendly owners!
TravelerVery nice campground. Met the owners and they are a really nice couple. I was pleasantly surprised by the live music. I would stay away from the pull through sites by the bathroom if You prefer privacy.
GuideOverall, great. Easy to find, download a map on the way as you loose service 20 minutes out. Garbage cans at each site. Someone came and got my name and plate to make sure I followed the 14 day rule but was super nice. Great experience, and free.
Scout
Great spot. Full hook ups at many spots. Sites are in cul de sacs. Lake is beautiful and really close. Staff is super nice and helpful. Nice playgrounds and pools. WiFi is not currently working. AT&T and Verizon service is good. Lots of wildlife around. Nice hiking trails.
Scout
Ww made a reservation for April 19th and 20th but we had an emergency and had to cancel on April 16th and the lady said it was ok we couldn't make it but she said we couldn't get a refund but could come another time so we called yesterday to schedule the weekend of memorial day but they said we don't have a credit and we're just out of the money they just made it like it's OK I guess then once it got past the time we was supposed to come the lied
Guide
I seek off the beaten path places, and this campground is a gem. Located in a quiet forest near the small mountain town of Monterey, Belle Ridge is a wonderful destination stop when touring the Upper Cumberland regions of Tennessee. Within ten minutes of Monterey, this mountain town has two wonderful coffee places, an amazing Amish bakery, nice specialty stores in the historic downtown, good restaurants and a wonderful museum. There was a lot to do at the campground, but also many interesting sights within a 30-minute drive.
RangerSites are level and pretty spacious, if not some a little tight together. My only complaint was that the restroom wasn’t marked on the map that I could see so I ended up being very far away from it. So more of an issue with recreation.gov than the campground itself. The restroom was nice and clean.
RangerThis campground has some exceptional features, but it also has some kinks to work out.
First, one advantage/disadvantage is it is located right off 40. If you are placed in one of the sites in the front it’s going to be very noisy. We were in the middle of the campground and it was occasionally loud, but not terrible. Being able to pop off 40 to sleep for the night and get right back on the next morning with gas two minutes away was great for us.
I wasn’t pleased with my check-in because I waited nearly 20 minutes to be helped as a group in front of me arrived with 1,000 questions and booked their campground in person. When it was my turn, I was given four seconds of attention. When my friend checked in there was three people at the desk and she had a good experience. Online registration was easy and we just had to drop off keys in a drop-box before leaving.
Then, the next morning we wanted to buy the bag of gems for the mining and the office wasn’t even open (12PM) before check-out (11AM). My husband felt it was the best camp store we had encountered on this trip, but how does that even help if it’s not open in the morning? My kids were so disappointed.
We were all disappointed because we had looked forward to the themed activity (tie-dye), but it was cancelled with no explanation given and there weren’t any other activities/programs even though it is presented like they have theme weekends.
I thought the layout of the campground and sites was kind of haphazard looking. The sites were gravel and there was plenty of grass and trees. The tables and fire pits all looked oldish. Hook-ups and WIFI were good.
The cabins were spaced really nicely. There was only one bathhouse, which looked absolutely great and was super clean. If you were camped at the front it would be a long walk. My friend stayed in the “primitive” cabin and she said the mattress was fantastic and she appreciated the Keurig. It was close to the bathroom and the loft space would easily accommodate a couple of kids.
What really shined about this campground was the woodsy landscape - the sandy playground (though it was older and the volleyball net was down), the fishing lake, and the really cool swimming lake, which was surrounded by rock, were all appreciated by our group and my friend said she was definitely coming back in the summer so her kids could swim. The hike to the waterfall was really lovely. We were hoping to see the cave, but the office was closed so we couldn’t inquire about its location (it wasn’t on the map).
All in all, we had a nice time and it was definitely more of a camping experience than many of the parking lot like camps we’ve stayed at. It seemed like a lot of guests were there specifically to dirt bike or off-road. I think it would be a nice campground to enjoy in the summer, but do wonder how much of an expansion is coming (their map indicates one is happening soon) and how that would impact the amenities.
Two other things worth noting - I appreciate that the campground prices don’t seem like they skyrocket in the summer. We looked at some summer dates and the prices were pretty similar to the price we paid for April. I also was impressed with the two people who were working - they seemed like they were all over cleaning and fixing things.
Ranger
We rented a cabin during the off-season and our cabin was cute - very old fashioned. What we found out quickly that was everything was pretty much closed, including the main lodge restaurant that we had hoped to eat at.
The indoor pool WAS open and a pretty decent size. Our kids had a blast romping around in it and the next day we hiked one of the Park trails and were able to do some geocaching, which they loved.
It would be a longish walk to the Lodge pool from the cabins. I don’t know if everyone has a golf cart in the summer, but I imagine it gets packed. There was some really cool larger cabins and at least the section we were in, you had a nice view of the marina.
We found the view of the lakes beautiful and would absolutely go back a bit more during the season to take advantage of the lake activities. I say that even though we found mice droppings in our kitchen - the staff took care of it right away and gave us a partial refund.
TravelerWe did a brief overnight stay when passing through the area but will absolutely make a return visit to explore this gem! Our site (D36) was at the end of a loop and was nearly level despite being on the edge of the hilltop. The site was huge, honestly - ample space for our 21’ campervan with an even larger gravel pad adjacent. Clean bathrooms were a short walk away and had ample hot water for showers. We didn’t have time to explore the trails, enjoy the facilities, or take in the sights but will definitely return!
Camping near Albany, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Albany, KY, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Albany, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Albany, KY is Blue Heron - Big South Fork National River Rec Area with a 4.9-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Albany, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Albany, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
