Best Dispersed Camping near Stearns, KY
Several dispersed camping options exist near Stearns, Kentucky, with sites along Rock Creek Road, Jellico Creek Road, and in the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area. Trace Branch Dispersed on Rock Creek Road offers primitive camping with riverside sites, while Jellico Creek Road features three dispersed sites, including one with a swimming hole and rope swing. Additional options include Redbird Boat Ramp and Swain Ridge, though camping at Swain Ridge is restricted to trailheads and roadsides rather than open fields.
Roads to these sites are predominantly gravel and dirt, requiring careful navigation. No amenities are available at these locations - campers must bring all necessary supplies including drinking water. Most sites feature natural or user-created fire rings, though visitors should check current fire restrictions. Sites generally accommodate both tents and smaller RVs, but none offer hookups or services. Cell service is limited throughout the region. "You can only set up your tent on the designated tent pad," noted one Trace Branch camper, while another mentioned, "We were even blessed with seeing several bats fly around at night" at Swain Ridge.
Campers appreciate the seclusion and natural surroundings of these areas. The sites along waterways are particularly popular, with Rock Creek and Jellico Creek providing swimming opportunities during warmer months. Wildlife viewing is common, with bats and other forest creatures frequently spotted. Visitor reports indicate variable site conditions - some areas have issues with litter despite being leave-no-trace locations. Winter camping is possible but challenging; one visitor described camping at Trace Branch "in the middle of January with all the snow" when "the entire river was frozen over." Hunters frequently use Bi-Color Campground in Catoosa WMA, particularly during hunting seasons, making it busier during those periods.
