Are you planning a trip to Clarkson with your horse? We've got you covered. It's easy to find Clarkson campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect site for your Kentucky horse camping excursion.
Mammoth Cave Campground puts campers in a prime spot to explore the depths and overland treasures of Mammoth Cave National Park. Mammoth Cave is an underground passageway containing more than 400 miles of naturally sculpted limestone and sandstone. It is the longest recorded cave system in the world. The grand-scale chambers and long, winding passageways were the inspiration behind the park's name. The campground doubles as an entry point to 14 miles of hiking and biking trails. It's also a five minute walk to the visitor center, where cave tours begin.
A must-do activity in the park is exploring Mammoth Cave. Walking tours of the caverns leave from the visitor center daily. There are also miles of bike trails and hiking trails within the park.
The campground is tucked inside Mammoth Cave National Park, which boasts scenic valleys along the Green River. The river is within walking distance of the camp, and the hilly Kentucky countryside expands beyond the valley. Deer and turkeys commonly stroll around the campground, so visitors are likely to see them grazing in the early morning and at dusk.
Nearly 30 miles of the Green and Nolin rivers offer canoeing and boating through the park. Commercial outfitters outside the park rent canoes, kayaks and safety equipment.Most trails north of the Green River are open for horseback riding. Commercial liveries outside the park rent horses and some may provide organized excursions.
For local information, please call (270) 758-2424 or call (270) 758-2180 for general information.
For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
$50 / night
At Maple Springs, visitors can enjoy the serenity of the campground and surrounding backcountry trails, or spend their days exploring Mammoth Cave. Campers can explore up to ten miles of the cave through a variety of tours available at the Visitor Center. With more than 400 miles (644 km) of mapped passageways, Mammoth Cave ranks as the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave is named for its grand size and scale. Visit the Rotunda for an idea of just how large this underground world is. The World Heritage Site was explored by Native Americans more than 2,000 years ago, and Europeans discovered its existence at the turn of the 19th century.
Avid horseback riders head to Maple Springs to explore the lush backcountry trails. Hikers will also find these trails enjoyable.
This campground is part of Mammoth Cave National Park, a 52,800-acre park that includes the Green River Valley, rolling Kentucky hillsides, and the expansive Mammoth Cave with grand-scale chambers and long, winding passageways. This remote campsite is quiet, peaceful and ideal for those who want to be immersed in nature. Wildlife includes deer, turkey, and coyotes.
Take a tour of Mammoth Cave and see landmark cave areas like the Cathedral Domes and Mammoth's famous formation, Frozen Niagara. Or hike above the caverns to explore sinkholes like Cedar Sink.
Group Facilities - Overnight -$10.00 cancellation fee AND forfeit the first night's use recreation use fee if cancelled less than 14 days before the arrival date (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
$50 / night
$12 - $22 / night
$20 - $50 / night
$15 - $25 / night
Mammoth Cave Horse Camp is nestled on the fringe of Mammoth Cave National Park in south central Kentucky. While staying here you will experience approximately 60 miles of back country trails offering incredible views of big timber, caves, rivers, waterfalls, creeks, four seasons of color and an abundance of wildlife. While in camp you will enjoy first class amenities including water, electric, picnic tables, fire rings and a modern restroom and shower facility, as well as large covered 10x12 stalls for the horses. Book your stay with us, because there's no other place like it!
$25 / night
Jackpine Loop Campground is one of three shady campground loops in the Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area and includes 23 individual sites. The loop has centralized water, flush toilets, hot showers, and a recharge table for electric boat motors. A selection of single or extra-large sites are available. Two walk-in non-electric sites are also provided, the rest have electricity. The campground opens April 15 and remains open through October 31 (weather dependent). A maximum of 2 vehicles and 8 people are allowed in single sites, and 16 people and 4 vehicles are allowed in double sites.
Guide
Obannon Overall, this is a nice state park to camp in. Staff was very friendly. They have ice and wood. My kids enjoyed the nature center, pioneer village, and one of the easy trails.
We stayed in 220. It was nice to be right by the playground and bathrooms (which is what we wanted). Some spots near the back would be nice and secluded like the 180s and 190s and they’re still not too far from the bathrooms and playground. The better playground is in loop A.
I will say, I didn’t see any staff members cleaning up trash, getting campsites ready, or anything the 2 days we were there. Even though we went in November, it was a nice weekend and wasn’t dead, so I was surprised I didn’t see anyone cleaning. Wasn’t the cleanest state campground we’ve been at in Indiana. Certainly wasn’t awful though either.
My biggest gripe was they were hosting a huge cycling group. Like the whole loop A. We were all the way back in C. They held a concert that went on from like 8-11 pm. Being in a pop up, it was so loud and never ending. Made it difficult for my kids to sleep. If they’re going to hold (or allow) events like these, it should be posted on their website. Even with our sound machine, we still couldn’t block it out. I realize quiet hours aren’t until 11, but to me there’s a difference.
There is also hardly any signage and spots are difficult to find. No arrows about which way to go, signs saying which loop you’re in, and spots are only marked on the electrical boxes.
Overall, may stay again and try out the pool since we’re not too far from home, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to stay here.
Scout
Until midnight there was a loud microphone with drunk people trying to sing karaoke where it was heard around campground. Slurring speech and cursing. No respect to others trying to sleep.
Was booked for the weekend but leaving after night 1.
Guide
The campsites are surrounded by trees and it’s beautiful. Campsite has good showers too which is a plus. Nearby mammoth caves!
TravelerBest State Park we have stayed at to date..everything was better than expected. Staff very helpful.
Guide
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GuideVery quiet, clean, and nice campground. Very close to Mammoth Cave. Shower facilities were very very clean. Nice well spaced sites.
GuideWe really enjoyed the four days we spent at the Mammoth Caves Campground, right in the national park. I have to correct some information on this listing, though. There are no electric hookups. There is water available at spots throughout the campground, but not at the sites. There is one difficult to use dump station. Also, internet connections are terrible. You need to rely on the WiFi at the visitor center and lodge.
Setting that aside, it’s a beautiful, wooded campground with large and generally level sites. You’re right in the middle of the park, with all it has to offer. Its about a ten-twelve minute walk to the Visitor Center, which is where all the cave tours and many of the hiking trails start. The Visitor Center also has a great exhibit explaining the geology and history of the park and area. It is connected by a pedestrian bridge to the park lodge, which has several restaurants. Both buildings are wonderfully air conditioned, which helped a lot in the August heat.
Also helping with the heat are the caves themselves, which are spectacular and not to be missed. Other activities right in the park are lots of hiking opportunities and canoe and kayak rental.
There are modern and very clean bathrooms throughout the campground. It’s a mystery why they didn’t include showers when they built those bathrooms. Instead there are paid showers in the building housing the camp store. You insert six quarters and get a decent amount of time. For me, this was the only real downside of the campground, one I could put up with given all the other advantages.
Site 35B was a great site and was next to a small field, giving us extra space and privacy.
TravelerWe loved our visit here! We stayed two nights with our dog and felt very safe. Campsites appear close at first but actually felt comfortably private. People walk and bike along the roads and it felt very friendly. Bathrooms are clean and cool. There’s a camp store, Caver’s, with food, souvenirs, showers, and bathroom. Super close to the visiting center for tours.
TravelerHad the typical state park experience. Bathrooms are decent, a little dated but oh well. The weekends in the middle middle of the season are typically busy. Plan your site well, many lack a level spot for tents and have a lot of slope near the pull off.
RangerReally enjoyed our 3 night stay in Mammoth Cave campground. Level sites, tables, fire rings, running water bathrooms, spigots. Great location walkable to the camp store, lodge, visitor center, and cave tours.
GuideGot in on a Sunday evening for tent camping. Nice woman working the entrance let us switch campsites without any hassle.
The site was well maintained and had a nice fire pit. Concrete picnic table in the space.
ScoutPros: very well maintained facilities, toddlers enjoyed playground, able to walk along lake shore, could hear small waterfall behind our campsite, within 20 minutes of Mammoth Cave NP via Green River Ferry Con: sites nothing special for tent camping (probably great if in RV). Very sunny, out in open so windy. But nice to have electric and water when camping with toddlers so worth it. Would agree with previous review that the 1 tent site among all the electric sites looked beautiful- right on the water. If you don’t need electric, go with that one!
TravelerWe rolled in on the day of our stay with no reservations. Sites with no reservation cards are open for one night. There were 2 open when we arrived around 8 pm. After hours, it's an honor system using the envelopes at the entrance. The sites are level with water and electricity. There are lake sites available. Our site was in the open area. This was an overnight stay for us on our way home. The dump station is at the entrance. Bath house was very clean and well maintained.
RangerThe actual campground is pretty basic. Sites are woodsy and spread out, there is a picnic table and fire ring, bathhouses and water spigot can be a little bit of a walk depending on your campsite, and the atmosphere overall was quiet. We experienced terrible weather so we didn’t explore much and would agree with some of the other reviewers that the RVs seemed out of sync with the more rustic vibe. What I appreciated was how easy and quick it was to drive to the Visitor Center the next morning for our bright and early tour of Mammoth Cave (and yes, book ahead).
TravelerSite 46B is an exceptional site. Extra large with unobstructed views of the woods away from the roads So much to see and do beyond the cave! This campground is set in the woods with lots of hiking and biking trails within walking distance. Yes, the caves are amazing but don’t forget to explore the surface through hiking, horseback riding and kayaking. The campground has lots of tent campers to big rigs and everything in between. Big rig generators can put a major dent into the campground experience unfortunately but it’s still a beautiful family friendly experience. Bath houses were very clean. Sites are level. The dump station leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a two person operation. One person to use their foot to hold drain open and the other to deal with hose. Wish they offered electric at sites but still one of my favorite campgrounds. Very clean friendly and accessible to activities in the park.
GuideMy spot was a nice quite one (24B). Lots of room for tents, hammocks, chairs, or your dog to explore.
TravelerThe park is well kept and organized. There are a ton of sites to visit and see. If you like hiking or mountain biking this is for you! Horse people love it also. The campground is near the trail to the old abandoned bridge which is well worth the hike. The fire tower has a commanding view. If you are not enjoying this park, not much else in Indiana will make you happy. Extra points: experienced cavers will enjoy the number of caves. These are by permit only however and novice non cavers should take a proper class and go with experts. There are multiple show caves in the area you can get a basic tour of also.
GuideI took my family for two nights and we were surprised how quiet and well behaved everyone was. The spots are right up on each other but no loud music, generators or drunks. Dumpster is by the corner store that also makes sandwiches if you don’t want to grill out. Fire ring and picnic table with enough room for two small tents. Bathroom was very clean and the walk to the visitor center was 10 minutes.
TravelerThis is a great place to camp and a wonderful spot for a stress-free getaway! There is a trailhead conveniently located within the campground, perfect for anyone who wants to hike without needing to travel to a secondary location. Our stay was peaceful and the nights were quiet and serene. Everyone was courteous and our neighbors were super friendly making our camping experience a great one!
Guide
Peace and quiet, awesome set up for our 40ft fifth wheel “the big kahuna”. 4 nights, electric and water hookup. Dump site is on the mammoth cave side, only downside is the 45 minute drive around to the dump site, other than that 10/10 for campground and amenities.
Traveler
We researched and though a fair bit of the forest was first come first serve. After stopping at many along the way we wound up here at Jackpine snagging up the last site electric site available. The fees were a bit more than listed as well 28.00 per night or 18.00 for seniors / interagency pass holders. I assume the info we found multiple place including from here is just outdated.
GuideNice spot to camp but unfortunately the tours of the caves get sold out so fast
TravelerClean campground, bathrooms well maintained. Easy access to the camp store and a quick walk to the visitor’s center for cave tours. Sites are well-spaced: you don’t feel crowded. Most sites are pull-through, keep that in mind if you have a camper - you’ll be backwards if your site is on the left.
GuideOur site was huge, with enough space for our RV, truck, dog fence and fire area. The gravel pad was recently maintained.
The bathrooms were cleaned regularly. The showers were hot and free! Washer/dryers on-site for $1.5 a load.
The hike to the waterfall was muddy and there were downed trees from a recent storm - but the park was working on it.
We loved that hiking in Mammoth Cave National park was only 15 min away!
Guide
My husband and I camped here in the May to escape Derby in Louisville. It's close enough to the city that it makes for an easy get-away. Even if you're not camping the hiking is pretty incredible and none of the trails are really to strenuous for an experienced hiker compared to other trails in the region.
This isn't the most quite campground you're going to find. There is an RV area and a loop for tent camping, the sites are fairly close together with some only having as little as a few saplings or briars between sites. The loop itself is a bulky gravel road that is VERY NOISY when campers drive on it, or in our case... a child drives their Barbie Power Wheels up and down the road until 10pm in the dark.
That being said.... it's close to the city. It's inexpensive and the firewood bundles are sizable. Our site didn't have a picnic bench, just a fire ring but the ground was mostly grassy and very level. It was a comfortable site and the majority of them looked pretty similar so it's hard to say there's a "best site" for privacy on the loop. Our site was on the road leading up to the loop and those sites seem best since a few don't have campers across from them and they are spaced out slightly more than the sites on the actual loop... although you're further from water.
*This campground does allow you to make reservations
Horse camping in Kentucky offers a unique blend of scenic trails and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clarkson, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clarkson, KY is Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 138 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clarkson, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Clarkson, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
