Daniel Boone National Forest offers primitive camping options along ridgelines and waterways near Campton, Kentucky, within the eastern Kentucky foothills. With elevations ranging from 600 to 1200 feet, the forest terrain creates natural drainage that affects campsite conditions during rainfall periods. Soil composition provides natural padding but becomes slippery when wet, particularly at dispersed sites.
What to do
Hiking to natural arches: Princess Arch in Red River Gorge Campground offers a quick 0.6-mile trek with 105 feet of elevation gain from the parking area. "Princess Arch is at the Red River George in, KY. This is a primitive camping area. 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," notes Wayne H.
Rock climbing: The sandstone formations attract climbers of all skill levels. "A fantastic place for primitive backpack camping! There are 100's of rock climbs on bullet proof rock! Just try to come here during the weekdays as the weekend we were there it was a zoo," advises Alan B.
Water recreation: Paragon Dispersed Camping Area provides direct access to Cave Run Lake for fishing and boating. "Most spots have boat in access! Will definitely be going back! Located in Morehead, KY," reports Wayne H. The area features a boat ramp nearby for larger watercraft.
What campers like
Solitude on weekdays: Avoiding weekend crowds improves the camping experience at most sites. "Just try to come here during the weekdays as the weekend we were there it was a zoo," advises one camper about Red River Gorge. Another notes, "We've also been on weekends where I was the only camper there" at Red River Adventures.
Wildlife viewing: Morning hours offer prime wildlife watching opportunities at lakeside sites. "Our first morning a heron was fishing in the lake less than 100 feet from us. We saw him catch a fish. There were woodpeckers, hawks and several other birds I did not recognize," reports Kevin C. about his stay at Paragon Dispersed Camping Area.
Natural jumping spots: Swimming holes with rocks for jumping are popular summer attractions. "Every time I've camped the Gorge I head to the water hole and jumping rock. There are plenty of other campers but just enough to give you some happy company," shares Jess P. The water holes provide cooling relief during hot summer days.
What you should know
Permit requirements: For backcountry camping, permits must be purchased. "Pick up your parking pass at the Shell gas station at 12187 Campton rd, Stanton, KY. A three days pass is $5," advises Wayne H. These permits allow access to dispersed camping areas throughout the forest.
Seasonal crowd patterns: Summer weekends see the highest visitor numbers at popular sites. "A lot of amenities. This campground is actually a veteran owned boating rental/shuttle service with an attached campground. It's very spacious, I've camped on holiday weekends and never had other campers within 100 ft of my site," explains Josh J. about Red River Adventures.
Varying site conditions: Site quality differs significantly across dispersed camping areas. "June 2019 was not able to access the campsite due to a gate blocking the road," reports one visitor about Paragon. Another notes, "The campsites are pretty close together providing less than optimal privacy. Some of the campers stayed up late but they kept the noise level down."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: White Sulphur Horse Camp offers more space for families needing room to spread out. "We try and use horse camps when traveling in larger groups since they have more space and are not always used. Since we didn't have horses I can't speak entirely on the how well the horse amenities are but the place was clean, restroom facilities were stocked with TP," shares John.
Cell service considerations: Limited connectivity affects emergency communications. "There was slight cell service for Verizon & AT&T, enough for maybe text but not very consistent" at White Sulphur Horse Camp, according to one visitor. Plan accordingly with downloaded maps and emergency protocols.
Swimming safety: Natural water features require supervision. "Camp amongst the tree line and branch out into the cool clear water on a hot summer's day! Taking a leap off the jumping rock should not be missed!" suggests one camper about Red River Gorge. Check water levels before allowing swimming as conditions change seasonally.
Tips from RVers
Alternative shelters: For those seeking comfort without hauling an RV, consider HomeGrown HideAways yurts or cabins. "We stayed at the Yome, and it was perfect for our family of four. Instead of sleeping in it, which would have been perfectly comfortable, we actually used it as more of an extra shelter and we pitched out tents in the field in front of the Yome," explains Cassandra C.
Limited hookups: Most dispersed areas near Campton lack RV amenities. "No water or electric hookups and no cell service, which is all a plus in my opinion. But they do have a trash bin and portable-potty's scattered around and they sell firewood on site," notes Josh J. about primitive camping options. Prepare to boondock with sufficient water and power supplies.
Access considerations: Not all forest roads accommodate larger vehicles. "Beautiful, beautiful spot. One of my favorite campgrounds. An unbelievable community shelter and community kitchen. Nested between 2 mountains," shares Frank H. about HomeGrown HideAways, which offers alternative accommodations for those with limited mobility.
