Campground photo 1
Campground photo 2
Campground photo 3

Top Tent Camping near Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

579 Reviews

Searching for a tent camping spot near Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area? 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.

Best Tent Camping Sites Near Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, KY (106)

  1. Camper-submitted photo from Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
  2. Camper-submitted photo from Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    2.

    Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    40 Reviews
    129 Photos
    82 Saves
    Rugby, Tennessee

    Overview

    Bandy Creek is a spacious and modern campground, situated in The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area--a vast and scenic expanse of land that offers visitors countless recreational activities.

    Recreation

    Numerous trails snake through the Recreation Area, offering mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding for visitors. A swimming pool, along with on-site volleyball court, playgrounds and ball fields, make Bandy Creek an ideal spot for families. The main river of the Big South Fork is also a short drive away, offering fishing opportunities.

    Facilities

    Bandy Creek combines the experience of traditional woods camping with the modern conveniences of flush toilets, hot showers and electric hookups. Sites can accommodate groups and both RV and tent camping. The campsites are spacious and provide picnic areas and plenty of shade.

    Natural Features

    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 including rocky gorges and forested plateaus. Numerous pristine streams unite with the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Over thousands of years, ceaselessly moving water has carved the sandstone of the plateau into impressive cliffs, arches and chimneys, which are found throughout the park.

    Nearby Attractions

    Located just under 20 miles from Bandy Creek is the 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.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $140 / night

  3. Camper-submitted photo from Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    3.

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

    21 Reviews
    126 Photos
    30 Saves
    Stearns, Kentucky

    Overview

    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.

    Recreation

    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.

    Facilities

    Blue Heron Campground combines the experience of traditional woods camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets, hot showers and electric hookups. Sites can accommodate both RV and tent camping. The campsites are spacious and provide picnic areas and plenty of shade.

    Natural Features

    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.

    Nearby Attractions

    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.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $35 / night

  4. Camper-submitted photo from Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground

    4.

    Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    224 Photos
    102 Saves
    Pall Mall, Tennessee
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $23 / night

  5. Camper-submitted photo from Indian Mountain State Park Campground — Indian Mountain State Park
  6. Camper-submitted photo from Holly Bay

    6.

    Holly Bay

    13 Reviews
    62 Photos
    128 Saves
    Keavy, Kentucky

    Overview

    Holly Bay, located two miles north of the Laurel River Dam, sits on the west side of Laurel River Lake. Visitors enjoy the campground for its proximity to the water and beautifully forested location. Plus, Holly Bay is ideal for activities like power boating, canoeing and fishing. The forest was named after Daniel Boone, a famous frontiersman and explorer who settled in Kentucky in the late 18th century.

    Recreation

    Boating and water skiing are a big hit. A boat ramp and fish cleaning station are located a short distance from the campground. Hikers take pleasure in the 4.2-mile Sheltowee Trace Trail that leads from the campground to the dam.

    Facilities

    The campground offers single and double-family campsites, some of which have 20, 30 or 50-amp electric hookups. Some campsites overlook the lake.Flush toilets (one is accessible), two shower houses, drinking water and a dump station are provided. Firewood and ice are available for purchase. Educational programs are held during the summer. AmericanLL.com__

    Natural Features

    Most campsites are surrounded by a mixture of hardwood trees that provide picture-perfect colors in autumn. Laurel River Lake spans 5,600 acres of deep, clear water and 192 miles of cliff-lined shore. Bountiful hills from the Appalachian foothills create a backdrop for the lake area.

    contact_info

    For facility specific information, please call (606) 878-8134.

    Nearby Attractions

    Head to the Cumberland Falls Trail that begins at Cumberland Falls and ends at the mouth of the Laurel River. This trail is a 30-45 minute drive from the campground.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $38 / night

  7. Camper-submitted photo from General Burnside Island State Park Campground

    7.

    General Burnside Island State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    25 Photos
    16 Saves
    Burnside, Kentucky

    This recreation area is part of Lake Cumberland

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
  8. Camper-submitted photo from Waitsboro Campground - Lake Cumberland

    8.

    Waitsboro Campground - Lake Cumberland

    9 Reviews
    20 Photos
    59 Saves
    Burnside, Kentucky

    Overview

    Waitsboro Campground is at 500 Waitsboro Road and is situated on beautiful Lake Cumberland in southern Kentucky.Click here for the Lake Cumberland virtual tour.

    Recreation

    Lake Cumberland is the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River. Its large surface acreage and over 1,200 miles of shoreline provide a myriad of recreational activities. The lake has an abundance of largemouth, smallmouth, white and Kentucky bass, bluegill, crappie, rockfish and walleye, making it a favorite among anglers. The Black Walnut Nature Trail, located near the lake office, is a self-guided educational trail. The trail is open Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4pm EST.

    Facilities

    The campground offers 17 RV sites, all with electric hookups, and five tent-only sites. Eight of Waitsboro's sites are on the waterfront, making them prime locations for weekend recreation. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water, laundry facilities and a dump station. A day-use area with a group picnic shelter and a parking area is also available.

    Natural Features

    The campground overlooks the main body of the lake, offering sweeping scenic views. Dense stands of mature hardwoods forest the site, offering scenic views, pleasant shade and wildlife habitat. Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, the lake provides varied outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year.

    Nearby Attractions

    General Burnside Island State Park is nearby. It was named after Civil War General Ambrose Burnside, who led patrols along the Cumberland River, circling this 400-acre island to keep watch for Confederate soldiers. Visitors come today to enjoy boating, fishing, golfing and picnicking on Kentucky's only island state park. Burnside Marina is 10 minutes away, with boat rentals, a restaurant and general store.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $35 / night

  9. Camper-submitted photo from Great Meadows

    9.

    Great Meadows

    7 Reviews
    8 Photos
    22 Saves
    Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Kentucky

    The Great Meadows Campground, located on Stearns District of the Daniel Boone National Forest, is developed on both sides of the road. Deer Loop is on the right; Raccoon Loop is on the left. Deer Loop is open year round; but the water is shut off during the winter season. Raccoon Loop is April 1 - November 15. Make this page look nicer by submitting photos of your visit to Great Meadows Campground. Learn more... View Great Meadows Guide and Map Rock Creek, a designated Kentucky Wild River, runs along the Raccoon Loop. Rock Creek is stocked with rainbow trout March - June and September - December.. Campsite availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Trails nearby: Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail - Section 37 and Section 38; Mark Branch Trail # 635 and Gobblers Arch Trail # 636.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents
  10. Camper-submitted photo from Cove Lake State Park Campground

    10.

    Cove Lake State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    49 Photos
    87 Saves
    La Follette, Tennessee
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $25 - $55 / night

Showing results 1-10 of 106 campgrounds

Popular Camping Styles near Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Pet-friendly camping near Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Recent Tent Reviews In Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

579 Reviews of 106 Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Campgrounds