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Best Campgrounds near Barbourville, KY

530 Reviews

Camping near Barbourville, Kentucky is situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and RV facilities throughout the region. Thompson RV Park provides year-round accommodations within Barbourville itself, while Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, located about 20 miles northwest, offers both RV and tent camping options at its Ridgeline Campground. Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Kentucky's first state park, lies approximately 25 miles south and features rustic cabins and RV sites. The area is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest region, providing access to numerous outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Most campgrounds in the Barbourville area are accessible via paved roads, though some forest service roads may require high-clearance vehicles, especially after heavy rainfall. Reservations are recommended for state park campgrounds, particularly during summer months and fall color season (mid-October through early November). Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with better coverage at developed campgrounds near towns and limited to no service in more remote areas. According to campers at Cumberland Falls, Verizon typically provides the most reliable coverage, while other carriers may have limited or no service in parts of the park.

The camping experience varies widely between facilities near Barbourville. State parks like Cumberland Falls and Pine Mountain offer more amenities, including shower facilities, electrical hookups, and organized activities. As one visitor noted, "Cumberland Falls State Resort Park offers guided trail rides through eastern Kentucky forest, beautiful in any season." For those seeking more seclusion, smaller campgrounds like Kingdom Come State Park provide a more intimate experience with only seven sites, each equipped with bear-safe food storage. Water recreation is available at several nearby lakes, including Laurel Lake to the northwest, where Holly Bay Campground features "large, private and wooded lots" with "electric and water on site," according to reviews.

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Best Camping Sites Near Barbourville, Kentucky (129)

    1. Pine Mountain State Resort Park

    7 Reviews
    Pineville, KY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 337-3066

    "Pine Mountain State Resort Park offers some really cool trails and is Kentucky first state park. Pretty rustic and clean cabins."

    "The trails are very challenging , but the view is totally worth it. Very primitive , rocky trail. Walking sticks would be a bonus and carry water a snacks with you to keep your energy up."

    2. Ridgeline Campground — Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

    38 Reviews
    Parkers Lake, KY
    26 miles
    +1 (606) 309-4808

    $26 - $34 / night

    "Sadly, there is a massive amount of trash at the bottom (as you can see in the pictures posted here) which takes away from the natural appearance of the falls."

    "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."

    3. Corbin - Laurel Lake KOA

    10 Reviews
    Corbin, KY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 528-1534

    "Corbin n/Laurel Lake KOA

    First! Do not trust your navigation. Once you get off the interstate look for the KOA signs."

    "Being April, it was still a little cool and we had a rain day, their are several places to go around Corbin. Take a quiet peaceful walk down the back trail to Laurel River Dam."

    4. Levi Jackson Wilderness State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    London, KY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 330-2130

    "Many activities at the park and it is also close to the birth place of Kentucky Fried Chicken. They have nice sites for larger campers and some for small units that are more shaded."

    "Decent WIFI which was a big plus and, while we stayed in a full hook up site, the dump station was well positioned and easy to navigate."

    5. Thompson RV Park

    1 Review
    Barbourville, KY
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (606) 546-6197

    "Near a rivers edge, playground, walking track, dog park, soccer fields...all right on or beside grounds. Easy access, allows weekly, or monthly stays."

    6. Indian Mountain State Park Campground — Indian Mountain State Park

    22 Reviews
    Jellico, TN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 566-5870

    $33 - $37 / night

    "Large walking path and places for your dog to exercise. Loved watching the ducks swim near our campsite"

    "Full hookups and close to I-75. Well kept with clean bath house. Paddle boats and walking trails."

    7. Wilderness Road Campground

    16 Reviews
    Shawanee, VA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 248-2817

    $18 - $39 / night

    "Located in the Cumberland Gap where TN, VA and Ky touch borders. Very beautiful mountains with hiking trails ftom short distances to overnight primitive camping trials."

    "This is near the borders of KY, VA, and TN in Cumberland Gap park. Convenient to the park, the AT, and the nearby town for supplies, restaurants, and grocery."

    8. Holly Bay

    16 Reviews
    Keavy, KY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 528-6156

    $38 - $92 / night

    "Clean bathrooms with showers in walking distance. Helpful staff. Stunning views. Great hiking paths. Bring you boats, bikes, kayaks, fishing poles and bathing suits. The water is fantastic!"

    "Swim next to show, bring your pets, tie up you're boat, be around friendly people or private, primitive to big pull thru, clean, great staff, prettiest lake in KY, best camp sites with poles, shady, level"

    9. Grove

    6 Reviews
    Keavy, KY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 528-6156

    $32 - $92 / night

    "Primitive camping if you like to really rough it with nice trails to each spot. The camp hosts comes by nightly to see if you need wood or ice."

    "Close to laurel lake and close to the marina. Corbin is nearby also, where the original KFC is by the way! Also check out Cumberland falls in the area!!"

    10. Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort

    8 Reviews
    Rockholds, KY
    22 miles
    Website

    $25 - $174 / night

    "This campground is conveniently located near Corbin, KY. It sits right off the main road on the way to Cumberland Falls. There are plenty of signs and it is well marked, easy to find."

    "Family owned with a great general store, clean facilities and close to Cumberland Falls state park and Laurel lake."

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Recent Camping Photos near Barbourville, KY

192 Photos of 129 Barbourville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Barbourville, KY

530 Reviews of 129 Barbourville Campgrounds

  • Kody Bear A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Redbird Boat Ramp

    It's nice and private

    Nothing special there is a boat ramp. Plenty of space for a couple RVs. No amenities. The sky was beautiful. Would go again. About ten miles off 75. We were there in Sept 2025

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    East Campground - Norris Dam State Park

    Nice park but road is not that friendly

    Google maps and the website will tell you to take the 441 to get here but I recommend going down to the 61 and coming up that way as the road is quite a bit wider and not so steep and windy. The last mile or so into the campground is a pretty narrow road that when we were here was in bad shape with potholes. Note that some of the campsites have only 30 amp and some of the campsites have only 50 amp so when making a reservation don’t assume that a 50 amp campsite will also have 30 amp. They all did appear to 20 amp. There is a dump station available and a fairly nice bathroom and showers. Most of the spaces are fairly level and fairly easy to get into. 1-3 were quite short. Recommend popping down to the Clinch River Brewery for a beverage and possibly dinner. Also the Appalachian museum in Norris was pretty fascinating.

  • e
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Wilderness Road Campground

    Nice National Park Campground

    Pretty park. Sites are wooded and not too close together. Most sites need leveling blocks. The bath house is small. 2 stalls and sinks in the bathroom . 2 individual shower rooms. There appeared to be only 2 bathrooms/bath houses for the entire campground. Water pump at bathroom area. No dish washing station. Some sites had electricity, but not all of them. There are lots of hiking trails and a great visitor center. I hope to go back when I can spend more time in the park. Three star rating mainly due to the inadequate number of showers/bathrooms.

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Big Ridge State Park Campground

    Big level site

    Site 43. Big site. fairly flat. Just have levelers on one side. Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc. Roads are a little narrow in the campground, made it a little hard to back trailer in- the front of the truck was the issue hitting rocks on the side of the road.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    3 Stars, because no Camp Host, No staffing, Elec Had Reverse Polarity

    Want to give this 5 stars, because it was an awesome base for exploring Big South Fork. However, it is not staffed with a Camp Host, nor is there anyone at the entrance shack. My electrical post at Site 001 showed reverse polarity, so I had to move to site 004. 

    Don't let that discourage you. Great campground.

  • Andy M.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    S-Tree Campground

    Great camping spot for Off-Road enthusiasts!

    A very well-developed camping area that caters to the off-road community. There are 2 loops for camping; loop B is still being upgraded. The park will begin implementation of fees as soon as the loop is completed. There are several sets of vault toilets, but no running water nor trash pickup, even though they have built a pad for a dumpster.

  • K
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Cumberland Falls RV Resort

    WOW!! A Hidden Gem for RV Enthusiasts!

    My son and I recently had the pleasure of staying at this brand new RV park, and I can’t say enough good things about it! Just opening in July 2025, Every site comes with full hookups, making it super convenient for all your RV needs. The entire park is laid out with beautiful asphalt, which not only looks great but also provides a smooth surface for parking.

    What truly sets this place apart are the owners. They were on-site and incredibly welcoming, helping us get settled into our site with ease. We even received a delightful goodie bag as a thank-you for choosing to stay there! 🥰 It was such a thoughtful touch that made our experience even more special.

    We were lucky enough to be the first guests in our site, and I can confidently say it won’t be our last visit. We’re already planning to return this fall! We’re so glad we missed the state park and stumbled upon this little gem 💎. If you’re looking for a fantastic RV park with amazing hospitality, look no further!

Guide to Barbourville

Camping near Barbourville, 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.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails available at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. One reviewer mentioned, "The trails and Cumberland falls were awesome," highlighting the park's natural beauty.
  • Horseback Riding: Enjoy a scenic ride through the park. A visitor noted, "A 45-minute horse ride for $25 is an absolute steal," making it an affordable option for equestrian enthusiasts.
  • Fishing and Kayaking: At Bandy Creek Campground, you can access the river for fishing or rent kayaks. One camper shared, "We didn’t have time to explore the trails, enjoy the facilities, or take in the sights but will definitely return!"

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities. A review for Cove Lake State Park Campground stated, "The bath houses are super clean," which is a big plus for many.
  • Scenic Views: Many campgrounds offer stunning views. One visitor at Lago Linda Hideaway remarked, "The lake area is beautiful," making it a great spot for relaxation.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Indian Mountain State Park provide playgrounds and activities for kids. A reviewer mentioned, "There are 2 playgrounds, Disc golf course, volleyball area," which is perfect for families.

What you should know

  • Tight Campsites: Some campgrounds have close quarters. A camper at West Campground noted, "The campsites are exactly the length as indicated. Not an inch more!" This is something to consider if you have a larger rig.
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. One visitor at Big Ridge State Park mentioned, "TMobile cell service was very spotty," so plan accordingly.
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds have specific seasons. For example, Loyston Point Campground is open from March 21 to October 31, so check availability before you go.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids, like Panther Creek State Park, which has "lots of trails for hiking and mountain biking!" according to a happy camper.
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. One family enjoyed the "beautiful trails, frisbee golf, a big park and pretty streams" at Panther Creek.
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Bring along snacks and games to enjoy at your campsite. A reviewer at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park mentioned, "We had no T-Mobile service," so having some fun activities can help pass the time.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify the size of your campsite before booking. A camper at Blue Heron Campground advised, "Pay attention to the site lengths when making your reservations."
  • Leveling Gear: Bring leveling boards, especially if you're camping at places like Big Ridge State Park, where "the sites are not 100% level."
  • Be Mindful of Traffic: Some campgrounds have busy roads nearby. A visitor at West Campground noted, "There were a lot of headlights on us from traffic entering the campground," so choose your site wisely.

Camping near Barbourville, Kentucky, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Barbourville, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Barbourville, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 129 campgrounds and RV parks near Barbourville, KY and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Barbourville, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Barbourville, KY is Pine Mountain State Resort Park with a 4-star rating from 7 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Barbourville, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Barbourville, KY.

What parks are near Barbourville, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Barbourville, KY that allow camping, notably Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and Laurel River Lake.

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