Dispersed camping opportunities near Bighill, Kentucky sit within the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet. The area transitions between the Bluegrass Region and Cumberland Plateau, creating diverse ecosystems where campers encounter limestone outcroppings and mixed hardwood forests. Winter camping remains possible throughout most areas with temperatures typically staying above 25°F, though facilities become limited from November through March.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: 45-minute guided excursions at Cumberland Falls for $20 per rider. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park offers family-friendly trail rides suitable for beginners while still providing adventure for experienced riders. One visitor noted, "The park offers guided trail rides that are easy enough for the first timer and still adventurous for the more experienced. Riders, age 6 and up will enjoy a 45-minute ride through an eastern Kentucky forest, beautiful in any season."
Water activities: Swimming holes and river access at multiple locations. The Red River Gorge Adventures campground provides direct river access for kayaking and swimming. A camper shared, "The entire campground runs alongside the river bank, so you can put in your own kayak/canoe or rent one from them. I just love this place. It is super family friendly, they have an 11pm quiet time and strict alcohol policy."
Trail exploration: Varied hiking options from short walks to challenging climbs. Red River Gorge Campground offers access to numerous trails leading to unique geological features. A visitor explained, "Princess Arch offers 105ft of elevation and is a quick 0.6 mi hike from the parking loop. There are bathrooms and trash bins at the parking loop."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Private camping spaces away from crowds. At Pulaski County Park, campers enjoy well-spaced sites with lakeside options. A reviewer mentioned, "There is several different types of camp areas ranging from primitive to cabins. You can bring your boats along and put them in right there they have 2 different ramps on either side of the camp ground."
Animal encounters: Friendly farm animals at select campgrounds. At HomeGrown HideAways, campers interact with resident animals. According to one visitor, "There are ducks and chickens around, and the eggs are always available. There's also a few super friendly dogs to visit. The owners are wonderful people, and we really enjoyed our time there."
Night sky viewing: Star-gazing opportunities at remote sites. Wildcat Creek Farm offers exceptional night sky viewing from riverside sites. A camper described, "On a clear night it was super relaxing listening to nature and looking up in the night sky and seeing orions belt and the moon directly above the river. Pretty damn cool especially if you have never seen country sky at night."
What you should know
Permit requirements: Some areas require paid permits for backcountry camping. When visiting Princess Arch in Red River Gorge, "Pick up your parking pass at the Shell gas station at 12187 Campton rd, Stanton, KY. A three days pass is $5."
Site selection strategy: Specific sites offer better privacy and features. At Clifty Campground, certain sites provide more seclusion. A camper advised, "Best site for privacy is 49 plus it's pretty big. Sites 40-47 have electric and water. Sites 48-50 do not but all sites are close to the bath house."
Water access considerations: Not all sites have water available year-round. Some campgrounds in the region have seasonal water restrictions. At the boat-in sites on Laurel River Lake, one camper noted, "This is a medium sized campground. Yay: wonderful atmosphere here, potable water provided, pit toilets. Nay: no reservations and it apparently fills up on weekends."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Safe swimming areas for children. Near Red River Gorge Adventures, families enjoy river-based activities. A reviewer shared, "This campground is actually a veteran owned boating rental/shuttle service with an attached campground. This campground is only a two mile paddle to the infamous jump rock and swim hole."
Playground access: Multiple play areas for different age groups. Pulaski County Park offers several dedicated children's areas. As one camper noted, "There's many places for kids to play, a basketball court, volleyball court, disk golf, and a small beach area."
Safety considerations: Watch for terrain changes on family hikes. Grove Boat-In Campground requires careful planning for families. A camper advised, "My first experience to a boat in and did it all on my own! My boat was my kayak. I parked at the Grove marina and packed all I could on my kayak and headed to the sites. This was a pretty decent paddle away and I waited til too late to get there."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Many primitive sites unsuitable for larger vehicles. While tent camping near Bighill offers numerous options, RV access is more limited. One RVer at Pulaski County Park observed, "The sites are inconsistent between their sizes. I had to be careful when parking as I had to avoid the water supply, 2 trees, a safety pole for the water supply (painted brown), electricity box, and then the drop off on the other side of the road."
Campsite selection: Check specific site dimensions before booking. RV campers should verify site details before arriving. A visitor noted, "Look closely as each site is rated for a different RV length and they had one pull in site. At Ridgeline they even have one campsite (tent) that was rated for 16 campers. Generally, each site was rated for 8 campers."
Utility hookups: Limited availability at primitive sites. Most primitive camping areas lack standard RV hookups. A reviewer advised, "The majority of the sites do have electric hookups so if, like me, you have an electric car… it's nice to be able to simply plug the car in."
