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Best Dispersed Camping near Ashland, KY

13 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities near Ashland, Kentucky primarily exist in Wayne National Forest in Ohio and Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. The Hanging Rock Recreation Site in Ironton, Ohio provides several primitive camping options with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access approximately 20 miles from Ashland. Paragon Dispersed Camping Area in Clearfield, Kentucky permits free tent camping along Cave Run Lake about 60 miles southwest of Ashland. Sand Hill Trailhead in Ohio allows hike-in dispersed camping on public forest land, while Timbre Ridge Lake provides limited drive-in camping spots.

Many dispersed sites require navigating unmarked or poorly maintained forest roads. Hanging Rock areas have vault toilets but no drinking water, while most other locations lack any facilities. Fire regulations vary by location and season, with Paragon and Sand Hill permitting campfires when constructed in rock rings, while other areas prohibit open flames. Vehicles must remain on established roads, with no cross-country travel permitted. Excessive rainfall can make dirt access roads impassable without high-clearance vehicles. One visitor noted, "Wayne National Forest is a maze of public and private land," making navigation challenging without proper maps.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations. Paragon sites offer lakeside camping with opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. According to one camper, "We saw a heron fishing in the lake less than 100 feet from us." However, multiple reviews mention trash problems at several sites. Hanging Rock areas face occasional noise issues from recreational vehicle use and local activity. A visitor reported that "locals used that area for partying when we were there and it wasn't ideal." Most dispersed camping locations have no designated campsites or boundaries, requiring campers to locate suitable pull-offs or clearings. Cell service is generally unreliable throughout these remote areas, so downloading maps before arrival is recommended.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Ashland, Kentucky (5)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Ashland, KY

8 Photos of 5 Ashland Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ashland, KY

13 Reviews of 5 Ashland Campgrounds

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2020

    Paragon Dispersed Camping Area

    Beautiful & Free, but Lots of Trash Around

    We simply love camping in the National Forest Service campgrounds, most often because they are isolated, beautiful, inexpensive and usually, very quiet. We rolled up on a Tuesday night in mid-July and found the campground about ¾ full but still plenty of space for our little trailer. With about a dozen or so sites, some along the lakeshore, others closeby, lots of options exist to be alone or with a group. 

    There is no potable water or electrical hookups, but with our solar panel we are always ready for primitive sites.  There were portable pit-toilets (bring your own TP, if you want to have some). There are no trash cans or dumpsters in the area, so plan accordingly. The main activity of folks in the campground seemed to be fishing, so I assume the fishing is good, or at least the trying is. But launching a kayak for an easy paddle about the lake couldn’t be easier from your site. 

    We arrived right after a busy holiday weekend, and found our site (and those next to it) full of extra fire rings and heaps of trash. It’s discouraging to love these camping areas and find them in such a rough state after others use them. It’s a good reminder to come prepared to pick up after yourself and others who aren’t as thoughtful. We spent a good hour cleaning up the area, and filled one section of our truck bed with it when we left. Carry it in, folks, and then carry it out.

  • Wayne H.
    Sep. 1, 2019

    Paragon Dispersed Camping Area

    Broke campers dream

    This drive in campground is awesome for those who like to camp for free. Right off the highway! Located on Cave Run Lake. No fire pits, no restrooms, no water or electricity hookups. Most spots have boat in access! Will definitely be going back! Located in Morehead, KY.

  • Lynn G.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Paragon Dispersed Camping Area

    Dispersed camping in Daniel Boone National Forest

    The National Forest has hiking, multi-use trails, and boating (there is a ramp nearby). This is dispersed camping, meaning there are no amenities besides a pit toilet and a few fire rings. Make sure to bring your own water treatment.

    Yay: Close to the river, on the less busy side of the forest. Drive along the road and decide which campsite to stay at. All free.

    Nay: Sadly, there was a lot of trash at all the sites. Not all sites have fire rings. There are only 7 sites so and no reservations so you may end up out of luck (but there are many other campgrounds in the area). Can be very muddy!

    Surprise: call or visit the ranger office before entering the forest to get the latest recommendations for good trails and where to see wildlife!

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2020

    Sand Hill Trailhead

    Dispersed Camping best off Horseback Trails

    We arrived late at night wishing we had better cell reception and a paper map of the National Forest. We were grateful to have the Dyrt's info downloaded on my chromebook. Even still, Wayne National Forest is a maze of public and private land. The Ironton Campground has been closed during 2020 as part of a water main line break. We initially tried the Hanging Rock OHV trailhead, but locals used that area for partying when we were there and it wasn't ideal to camp at the trailhead with about a dozen cars speeding along the gravel roads around midnight. We found the Sand Hill Trail head and pitched camp not too far from where we parked. The NF website says fires are allowed if you make a stone ring. We just skipped it. It is a very pretty area along Vesuvius Lake with trees and bluffs. We saw a ranger in the morning and he suggested next time we just camp at the horsecamp. The pins on the Dyrt's map were inaccurately located when we were using it with multiple entries. Next time I will purchase a paper map before I go because Wayne National Forest has alot of private lands interspersed and it is not all that clear without an official map. Hopefully the Dyrt will get better at hyper locating those lines.

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2020

    Hanging Rock Recreation Site

    Motor Vehicle Area

    The Hanging Rock Recreation area features tons of well kept ATV trails for motor bikes or quads (max width allowed is 50 inches). Besides the ATV trails, there are tons of little lakes that are ideal for fishing! There is a large parking area in the middle of the park with a restroom, and at least one other restroom further down the road. I noticed several “fire pits” in gravel pull offs in the park. Not sure if fires are allowed though.

    We hiked here today to retrieve some trail cameras from the surrounding Wayne National Forest for a spotted skunk study at Ohio University. Along and just off the trails were tons of gorgeous wildflowers like trilliums, violets, showy orchids, and more!

  • Dylane S.
    Jun. 22, 2019

    Paragon Dispersed Camping Area

    Not always accessible

    June 2019 was not able to access the campsite due to a gate blocking the road.

  • Rob G.
    Apr. 18, 2021

    Hanging Rock Recreation Site

    Great spot and easy to find!

    With that being said, there was good and bad. The good was I found a spot quickly and had 2 entire ponds to myself. The bad was locals firing guns for the hell of it for an hour straight and the trash left behind from the previous campers. Once night fall hit everything was quiet so I couldn't complain too much. Awesome morning sunrise!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Hanging Rock Recreation Site

    Better Than Walmart

    We stayed in the parking lot as it was getting dark and didn’t know if there were any place to turn our rv around. Very quiet night and were visited by fireflies which was awesome.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2024

    Paragon Dispersed Camping Area

    Beautiful location just off a paved road

    We came in on a Friday late afternoon and there were only a few camping sites available. We found a spot right on the lake.

    Our first morning a heron was fishing in the lake less than 100 feet from us. We saw him catch a fish. There were woodpeckers, hawks and several other birds I did not recognize.

    The view of the lake from our camp site was amazing. Very picture worthy!

    The campsites are pretty close together providing less than optimal privacy. Some of the campers stayed up late but they kept the noise level down.

    While there we saw one group hang a deer carcass in a tree. Good times!

Guide to Ashland

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ashland, Kentucky, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, campers can enjoy the great outdoors while embracing the freedom of camping without designated sites.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Ashland

  • Explore the well-maintained ATV trails at Hanging Rock Recreation Site, perfect for those looking to combine camping with thrilling rides through the scenic landscape.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Sand Hill Trailhead

  • The Sand Hill Trailhead offers a picturesque setting along Vesuvius Lake, making it an ideal spot for a peaceful night under the stars while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Fishing Opportunities for Dispersed Campers

  • For fishing enthusiasts, the tranquil lakes at Hanging Rock Recreation Area provide a great opportunity to cast a line and enjoy a relaxing day by the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ashland, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ashland, KY is Hanging Rock Recreation Site with a 3-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ashland, KY?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Ashland, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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