The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Cave City. Cave City is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Cave City, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$25 - $50 / night
"Our sites backed up to hundreds of acres of uninhabited forest, while also being within short walking distance of the camp store and visitor center."
"Mammoth Cave and the surrounding area offer many activities to suit anyone's desires."
"When we arrived, the check in process was very easy and staff were helpful and friendly. Ice and firewood can be purchased on site."
"The park was beautiful and a packet was ready since we arrived after 7:00pm. Our fire pit was littered with trash. I notified the office the next morning however it was not cleaned during our stay."
$25 - $40 / night
"The sites are located in a grove of pine trees, which makes for well shaded sites with a pleasant surface of soft pine straw to pitch your tents."
"It was on the water and at night we had our campfire in the nice fire pit while overlooking the water. Very serene. The campground doesn’t have a ton of sites and they are spaced out quite well."
"Bathrooms & showers are spacious, CLEAN, and they are air conditioned!
There are seasonal campers here for sure, but that wasn't a negative. The campground is quiet and well maintained."
"This is a small campground right near the entrance of Mammoth Cave NP. It was nice being so close with plenty of hiking options. Bathrooms were clean, laundry was fine."
"It had a gorgeous view of the Kentucky hills. Full hook up.
The sites all looked very nice. They had teepees, covered wagons & a couple of treehouses. A nice area for tents as well."
"They have recently built a new bath house and it’s awesome. It has rooms that each have a toilet, sink and shower. Total privacy! Nice and clean as well. Big points for this amenity."
$22 - $50 / night
"Most sites have electric and water. Many sites have incredible views of Barren River Lake and some are downright on the banks. Bath houses are climate controlled and CLEAN."
"It's one of the few in the state where you can camp near the water and keep your kayaks or boat within a quick stroll."
$25 - $99 / night
"Pros;
This is a simple little campground near Mammoth Cave. The owner is super nice and friendly."
"Very close to mammoth cave and a few others, plus lots of hiking."
$29 - $105 / night
"Kid friendly park, no mature trees in new section but concrete pad with grill and fire pit. Pool with splash pad, pools, pillow pads, multiple playgrounds, dog parks and kennels are available."
"The kids are super excited to do the lake inflatable course and have already enjoyed the nice playground and bouncing pad. We chose a standard site so I didn’t expect much."
$34 - $50 / night
"Two loops, B loop has access to the shoreline so you can park your boat and walk to your site. Loop A has an overlook ( also called a cliff)."
"The Narrows Recreation Area is off Ky 31E outside Glasgow, Ky.
This is Redneck farm country at its best. Surprisingly I saw no signs for mud bogs though there were plenty of tractors and corn."
"Made it less than enjoyable sitting by the beautiful fire pit provided. Had higher expectations for KOA based on other experiences but should have researched to know how close the highway was."
"This was a nice KOA, but some sites were small with all sites having very small fire pits made from only old tire wheels."
GuideWe stayed in sites 102 and 104 with 3 other families, and used a total of five 3-4 person tents. We had plenty of [level] room to spread out. Our sites backed up to hundreds of acres of uninhabited forest, while also being within short walking distance of the camp store and visitor center.
Sites were non-electric, and there were no receptacles to be found anywhere close, even at the conveniently located (and very clean) bathrooms. Bring Your Own Electricity, but please note the generator quiet hours. (Solar generators and power stations for the win.) Fire rings are very heavy cast iron with with very sturdy, adjustable-height cooking grates. They really put out some heat once you get the fire going, and are very easy to cook on.
They don't want you bringing in outside wood for obvious reasons, and they only sell compressed saw dust wood bricks at the camp store. They work well once you get the hang of them, don't smoke much at all, and keep you warm. However, at ~$7.50 for a case of 6 blocks, they can get expensive quickly if, like my family, you're the kind of campers that like a good fire.
Overall, park was clean, quiet, and each site has just enough space for you to ignore the people around you if that's what you're into. We love all of the cheesy tourist traps in Cave City, and love the centralized location between Nashville and Louisville--allows me to easily camp with close friends I have in both cities. Already planning on coming back regularly.
LegendMammoth Cave and the surrounding area offer many activities to suit anyone's desires. There are several competitive runs (5K and up) almost every weekend in the surrounding communities, and several are hosted in Mammoth Cave park itself. There is also the opportunity to go "caving", and you can walk through the caverns, and there are numerous hiking trails. Mammoth Cave offers tent, RV, and cabin camping - just be aware the cabins have running water, but no kitchens or air conditioning.
TravelerWhat can I say, but Bailey's is our happy little piece of paradise! I've camped here since I was in my early 20s in tents, to camping in a camper in my 40s. Most sites have electric and water. Many sites have incredible views of Barren River Lake and some are downright on the banks. Bath houses are climate controlled and CLEAN. Bailey's is a large campground but it's not usually crowded with loud, obnoxious people. There's nearly a camaraderie here between the campers and while everyone is friendly, they tend to keep to themselves. We like loops B and C the best for a combo of waterfront views and shade trees. Something about watching the moonlight sparkle on the lake with a warm, crackling fire nearby. Bailey's is it!
TravelerWe stayed here one night. It's a small campground about 35 mins from Louisville and has about 40ish sites for RVs with electric and water, some with sewage. Our site was fairly small and pretty close to other sites but it was easy enough to get into and fit our 12ft pop up without issue. They have 2 bathrooms(the one by the laundry/store is very nice!), a catch and release pond(small, but there are small bluegill and some bass), a nice playground, clean pool, store on site, and overall we had a great time. There are also several connections for wifi, and cable(we didn't try it). The staff seemed very nice. Our site without sewage was $30 plus tax, they also offer tent sites and small cabins($40-50 with air conditioning) if that's your thing. Our site was nice and shaded. We were disturbed a few times by trains in the middle of the night- otherwise it was pretty peaceful and quiet.
RangerWhen we arrived, the check in process was very easy and staff were helpful and friendly. Ice and firewood can be purchased on site. The efficiency cabin we stayed in was very clean and just perfect for 4 people. The cabin had a bunk bed and a futon bed. The kitchen had a small stove, sink and fridge. The bathroom was small but had a shower and toilet. There was a fire pit and picnic table. The jump pad was fun for the kids. The mini golf course needed a little cleaning/maintenance for the rocks and leaves on the course. The planned fall activities were so much fun for my kids. They did painting, bingo and games. All the staff we came in contact with were friendly. The cabin was situated in a convenient location to all activities. Our stay for this trip was awesome and I would recommend staying at this campground in the fall.
GuideQuiet and laid back. The bathrooms were very clean and also air conditioned, which was a nice treat for a few minutes to step out of the humid June heat. They were flush toilets. There was potable water right by the bathrooms. There were no showers but if you drove right outside the campground in the park there was coin operated showers and laundry room. There was also a camp store and post office. There were trails that ran through the campground and ones right outside in the park. During the day you could schedule tours to the caves which was a great view.
LegendBarren River State Resort Park
Barren River State Resort Park is small but it offers a lot of options.
The campground is off by itself, quiet , with separate areas and pull through options. The campground is somewhat maintained and the sites are somewhat level. I like the back in sites with shade and a small patio to set up on. They have small asphalt pads so you will get your backing skills tested. The middle sites, (I was in site 45 top of the hill, pull thru) are on a hill which ends at the water with a boat ramp and small beach area. I huffed and puffed up and down the hill several times! There is a short trail near the boat ramp, more for fisher folk then a good hike. It ends at a small inlet. You have a strip of grass to your uphill side to use, otherwise not much privacy. The middle sites have pretty much no shade and we sweltered our middays , chasing the limited shade. The showers are newer, air conditioned and clean. Showers are spacious with seating and wall hooks. Luke warm water, which definitely makes for quick showers! A good way to enforce water conservation, lol.
If you are a biker you have some hills to climb in the park. There is a walk/bike trail around the golfing greens, with a dirt trail off the backside. The stable may still be closed. I did not check if they had started a new contract due to Covid restrictions. LOTS of boating options. Bring your own or rent. The lake is huge and busy with a marina. There’s a beach that you will want to drive to, to long of a walk and I didn’t find any cut through trails from our section of the campground.
Two cool events to check out are the Highland Games, ( men in skirts throwing things)and the Bourbonfest a newer event.
Local grocery w/i 10 miles, antiques, restaurants (Funky Paradise Point) and Mammoth Cave, Cave City attractions as well as an Amish Market in Scottsville and seasonal Farmers Market in Glasgow.
GuideWe booked a group site and had 3 tents. It’s very woodsy and tranquil. Bathrooms were close by and air conditioned too! The showers are in the general store building where the post office is so a short walk or drive there. It’s coin operated with a change machine for bills. $1.50 to turn the shower on and insert more coins before it turns off for additional time if needed. The park is amazing and there’s lots of trails that lead to caves and cave openings. All the cave tours within the park were fully booked when we went so we booked some private tours outside the park in the surrounding area. Lots of opportunities to see caves! We stayed for two nights and did some star gazing! Overall great campground and facilities. They also have a kennel for a small fee at the park lodge if you bring your pet and you’re going in a cave tour whether in the park or outside of it. Pets are generally not allowed in caves. Just confirm pet is vaccinated.
GuideWe were nervous about our tent fitting on the pad.....but we could have fit 4 tents on the pad. There was a picnic table, tree coverage, and close to the bathrooms. It was muggy outside, but the bathrooms were air conditioned! There were 2 stalls and 2 sinks, but it was clean. Showers, laundry, and post office are located by the store. You have to pay $1.00 for 4 minutes. There was a storm that blew in the night we stayed, but there were plenty of drains under the pad. It was quiet, clean, and spacious. I wanna go back....like today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Cave City, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Cave City, KY is Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 137 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Cave City, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 glamping camping locations near Cave City, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
