Best Campgrounds near Calvin, KY

Camping in southeastern Kentucky near Calvin includes a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites across state parks and public lands. Wilderness Road Campground in Virginia lies just across the state line, featuring drive-in and hike-in access with both tent and RV accommodations. Pine Mountain State Resort Park in nearby Pineville offers electric and water hookups primarily for RV camping, while the Asher Hunting Access Area provides dispersed camping opportunities in a more primitive setting.

Road conditions vary significantly between campgrounds, with some developed areas featuring well-maintained access roads while forest service roads to dispersed sites often require high-clearance vehicles. Camping in this mountainous region presents unique challenges, particularly after rainfall when forest roads can become rutted and difficult to navigate. A visitor noted, "Do not take 'Pleasant Valley Rd' into the campgrounds! That road takes you on a single lane road and if you meet another vehicle, someone will have to backup. The road is extremely washed out and huge chunks are gone." Cell service remains inconsistent throughout the region, with Verizon typically providing better coverage than other carriers in rural areas.

The Cumberland Gap area represents a significant draw for campers seeking historical and natural attractions. Wilderness Road Campground receives positive reviews for its proximity to the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and access to hiking trails, including portions of the Appalachian Trail. Several visitors mentioned the educational value of nearby historical sites related to early American frontier settlement. Many campgrounds in the region feature wooded sites that provide natural shade and some privacy between camping spots. Sites with electrical hookups tend to fill quickly during peak season, while more primitive tent camping areas often remain available even on busy weekends. Water access is limited at some locations, with campers noting the importance of bringing adequate supplies when visiting more remote areas.

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Best Camping Sites Near Calvin, Kentucky (132)

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Recent Reviews near Calvin, KY

561 Reviews of 132 Calvin Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Panther Creek State Park Campground

    Panther creek camping

    I had a very cute camp spot up in the woods away from the road it was number 50 it was so cute and quieter than the rest of the spots. It also had two fire pits one up by the tent area and one down by the picnic table

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Clinch River Family Campground

    Be prepared for 7 mile drive from main road

    We chose this campground because it was close to Natural Tunnel and Devils Fork trail (30-45 min). Both of these are worth doing if you are in the area. We chose to only hike to Devils bathtub (about 2 miles one way). It was exceptional but difficult.

    Most of the final road to campground is paved with exception of last mile, its wide enough but slow going. You will lose cellular pretty quickly when you turn on that road.

    Campground is well maintained, lots of playground equipment for kids and a launch for tubes/kayaks. At main road there is a public launch if you want to put in there and then float to campground.

    No laundry. Bathhouse is just ok, dated but functional.

    Owners are nice, and communicate quickly by email or phone. We had issue with the site we reserved and just moved over one site when setting up late and in the rain…told owner next day and it was no problem.

  • Jackie S.
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort

    Terrible service and sketchy

    We were told the river float would last 1.5 to 2 hours, but it ended up being less than an hour. The life jackets smelled terrible and were clearly dirty, and the rafts weren’t much better. To even get to the river, we had to walk through tall, uncut weeds— a serious problem for someone like me who is highly allergic to poison ivy. The path down to the water was muddy, slippery, and unsafe. Both my mom and I almost fell just trying to get in. The entrance was located behind a sketchy, run-down mall, which felt completely inappropriate and unprofessional. It honestly seemed more like we were sneaking into a forgotten alleyway than starting a paid river float. While the dirty water isn’t something they can control, the poor condition of their gear made everything worse. When we called to complain, they basically brushed us off and said,“Well, you already did the float.” What were we supposed to do— stop halfway and hike out of the river? They did offer us another trip, but why would we want to go through that experience again? This was an extremely poorly run operation with zero concern for safety, cleanliness, or customer experience. I absolutely would not recommend this to anyone.

  • Jennifer R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Westgate RV Campground

    It'll do

    It'll do for a quick stay. Staff was very friendly. Sites are literally mom and pop developed land. Grounds weren't filthy. But the bathrooms are curtain closed the shower is small and meh. Cops frequently circle do either high crime suspected (very possible) or they like the area. Either way I felt safe.


Guide to Calvin

Camping near Calvin, 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 and Biking: Explore the trails at Panther Creek State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "There are beautiful trails, frisbee golf, a big park, and pretty streams."
  • Fishing and Boating: Enjoy fishing or take a boat out on Norris Lake at Loyston Point Campground. A camper shared, "You can camp on the water and watch amazing sunsets."
  • Disc Golf: Try your hand at disc golf at Indian Mountain State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "There is an 18-hole Disc Golf course we will be playing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathhouses. A visitor at Panther Creek State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms are very clean, loads of hot water and private."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Loyston Point Campground remarked, "The staff in the store were super sweet and helpful."
  • Scenic Views: The beautiful surroundings are a big hit. A visitor at Indian Mountain State Park Campground said, "We love the views and are looking forward to trying out the 5 trails this weekend!"

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A camper at Big Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "TMobile cell service was very spotty."
  • Site Spacing: Some campgrounds have closely spaced sites. A visitor at Loyston Point Campground noted, "A bit noisy on the back side & people going through your area are the complaints."
  • Weather Considerations: Check the weather before your trip, especially if you plan to camp at Clayton Geneva Memorial Campground. One reviewer warned, "Only 2 of the 6 sites are usable if it has rained within a week of your stay."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Lengths: Make sure to verify the length of your RV site. A camper at Panther Creek State Park Campground advised, "Pay attention to the site lengths when making your reservations."
  • Leveling Gear: Bring leveling blocks as some sites may not be perfectly level. A visitor at Wilderness Road State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are not 100% level."
  • Dump Station Access: Look for campgrounds with convenient dump stations. A camper at Loyston Point Campground appreciated, "Clean bathhouse and trash dumpsters nearby."

Camping near Calvin, Kentucky, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Calvin, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Calvin, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 132 campgrounds and RV parks near Calvin, KY and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Calvin, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Calvin, KY is Wilderness Road Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 15 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Calvin, KY.

What parks are near Calvin, KY?

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