Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Clarkson, KY

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Clarkson. Clarkson is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Clarkson, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Clarkson, Kentucky (73)

    1. Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    137 Reviews
    Mammoth Cave, KY
    22 miles
    +1 (270) 758-2424

    $25 - $50 / night

    "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."

    "green river, which was enjoyed by all, and we appreciated avoiding the main entrance besieged by spring break campers!"

    2. Nolin Lake State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Sweeden, KY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 286-4240

    $27 - $45 / night

    "Near Brownsville, Ky and a little off the beaten path. But definitely worth a visit or two."

    "This lakeside getaway is one that will keep us coming back!! If you've never been to Kentucky...this will keep you coming back to the Bluegrass to camp for years to come!"

    3. Moutardier

    23 Reviews
    Sweeden, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 286-4230

    $18 - $50 / night

    "It is located on Nolin River Lake. Our site was lakeside which was beautiful (Site D6). This campsite offered electric/water hookup, fire pit, picnic table, filet table, bathrooms, and showers. "

    "Family and pet friendly"

    4. Wax - Nolin River Lake

    15 Reviews
    Sweeden, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 242-7578

    $18 - $50 / night

    "Wax Campground is located on Nolin River Lake, which is managed by the Army Corp of Engineers. Translated; well maintained, picturesque and organized."

    "The area surrounds Lake Nolan, which is an added bonus. The water was warm and calm. It is off the beaten path and you are about 30 min from a grocery store, so make sure you stock up before you go."

    5. Dog Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Mammoth Cave, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 524-5454

    $18 - $50 / night

    "Dog Creek Campground is located on Nolin River Lake in the Kentucky countryside."

    "Seems all sites have a lake view. Less than half full sun-Tuesday. Stayed at a006. Very close to beach, but that means you hear everything at the beach. Very humid and virtually no shade at our site."

    6. COE Rough River Lake Axtel Campground

    14 Reviews
    Falls of Rough, KY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 257-2584

    $20 - $60 / night

    "Axtel is located on the shore of Rough River Lake and has over 150 camp sites. Almost every site has quick access and/or views of the lake. There is a designated swimming and beach area."

    "Lake really low, water warm - but able to kayak. The weekend was close to 100% occupancy, and although busy- the activity and noises were all happy sounds of kids playing."

    7. Maple Springs Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    12 Reviews
    Mammoth Cave, KY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 758-2424

    $50 / night

    "I chose this site because it was pet friendly. Each site was spacious with room for up to three tents without feeling crowded."

    "Nice large camping areas, secluded and quiet, easy access to the trails. Well maintained full hookup for RVs and plenty of room for your horse too."

    8. Cave Creek - Rough River Lake

    6 Reviews
    Falls of Rough, KY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 879-4304

    $20 - $60 / night

    "It was empty, possibly because it has no direct access to the lake? It is a nice shaded area, very open, spread throughout a small hilly area."

    "Cave creek is conveniently close to the water. Setting up was fast easy and convenient."

    9. Peter Cave

    2 Reviews
    Leitchfield, KY
    8 miles

    10. Laurel Branch

    3 Reviews
    Falls of Rough, KY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 257-8839

    $20 - $60 / night

    "In the very first campground the sites along the road to me are not good if you have kids or dogs due to road traffic."

    "My wife, service dog Noobeus and I stayed in a tent one night here. It sits on Rough River. Liked it so much going back for three days this time."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Clarkson, KY

711 Reviews of 73 Clarkson Campgrounds


  • britni M.
    Mar. 10, 2024

    Bowling Green KOA

    Everything we needed

    Great pull through spots. Every ammenity needed. Pet friendly with dog park for off-leash use. If ever that way again, will definitely us. 30 minites from Mammoth Cave.

  • Jody A.
    Dec. 29, 2020

    Horse Cave KOA

    This is a CUTE campground!

    This is a super cute campground.  Easily accessible and very clean sites!  There is a small barn with animals penned up so you can just walk up to the fence and pet them.  My wife and daughter loved that!  Great little dog park with a mini obstacle course.  We had a great little trip here and would love to come again for a longer stay!

  • C
    Jul. 9, 2019

    Louisville South KOA

    Nice

    There was lots to do at this KOA. There was corn hole, ladder ball, pool, walking trails, access to the river, cat fish pond, small dog park, and washers & dryers. You could bring your RV, travel trailer, tent camp, or rent a cabin. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. The spots were close together. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The park was clean and well maintained.

  • Lisa M.
    Apr. 10, 2024

    Louisville South KOA

    Great place to stay

    The staff are super helpful. The site we had was for a 38’ RV. Full hookups, dog park, lots of places to walk, even trails. We had a great stay here and will most likely come back next time we’re near Louisville.

  • Thomas R.
    Jul. 7, 2020

    Cave Country RV Campground

    Good stop along the way

    Off the freeway and very convenient. Very clean. Great dog park. Do not camp close to the railroad tracks. Loud horns in the middle of the night. Not much shade. Close to Mammoth Caves.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2018

    Bowling Green KOA

    Why would I pay that much?!

    My brother visits KOA’s all the time for camping. Me, not so much. I have a hard time paying $40 for a tent site when I can camp for free or under $20. The Bowling Green KOA, Ky is located on the outskirts of Bowling Green near the I65 and Natcher interchange. You can actually see the back end of the campground from the ramp that connects the two. My first thought when considering a stay.
    I spoke with two of the very friendly and helpful ladies in the office and got a plethora of information. So much so that I’m sure I’ll forget some of it, but here goes;) So first with your fee you recieve (you and all your group) a free game of Minature Golf a day. Next there is wifi and cable available. There is a swimming pool on site and two pay lakes with paddle boats. A dog park and short trail. Depending on the month you visit there are also special incentives to stay an extra night. In May some of your fee is donated to Camp. With a KOA card there are special incentives too and you earn points with every stay. So, all that being said I did purchase a KOA card. Though this is not my favorite type of camping it will come in handy on an upcoming trip and when I camp with my brother ;) I was pleasantly surprised that the interstate noise was mostly not noticiple. There are plenty of trees that help block the noise and offer a lot of shade. We were in a busier site at the end of Abby Dr but it was an easy walk to the two small “lakes“( more like ponds ) and the dog park and showerhouse (with dogwash station) were a short walk away. Not much else to do but a fun enough spot for younger kids. ( no “bears“ to take photos with) and not as many special activities as some other theme campgrounds. This is a nice older campground, worth a night or two visit to get away from the grind for a bit.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2024

    Bowling Green KOA

    Nice KOA

    This KOA was easy to find by following our GPS. We checked in about 45 minutes prior to their 1:00 PM check in time and they didn’t even mention us being early. We decided we didn’t need an escort to our site as it was near the office. We proceeded to deluxe-patio pull-through site H-4 with FHUs. The utilities were nicely placed in the middle of the pad. Water pressure was good at about 50 psi. This site has plenty of shade as does most sites in the campground (CG) due to mature trees, so we did not put out Starlink. We got 4 bars LTE on Verizon and used our MiFi versus Starlink. Site H-4 has a utility box on the yard side, so we had extra space between the adjacent site. They have a decent sized dog park with an agility set up. This KOA has a lot of amenities and lives up to a Holiday KOA rating. The dog park is a nice size. They have a decent laundry room behind the office with 4 washers and 8 dryers. It’s$2.50 to wash and$1.50 to dry. They have 2 fishing ponds. The large one you can keep 2 fish for$20 and the small one is catch and release. There’s some traffic noise from I-65 and surrounding roads. Our main reason to visit the area was to visit the National Corvette Museum. We enjoyed our two night stay.

  • Pawsfuradventure T.
    Sep. 11, 2017

    Moutardier

    Lakeside, fisherman's paradise

    Moutardier Campground is a fisherman’s paradise. It is located on Nolin River Lake. Our site was lakeside which was beautiful (Site D6). This campsite offered electric/water hookup, fire pit, picnic table, filet table, bathrooms, and showers. There were boat ramps, a marina nearby to rent boats, and also offered a playground. Pets were welcomed (we have a dog and a hiking cat). We also had cell service (Verizon). 

    The view of the lake from the teardrop camper was awesome. We kayaked around the lake which was very enjoyable - saw ducks, and birds such as a grey heron. Also lots of fish jumping. There are power boats allowed in the lake. Many people were fishing from their boats, kayaks, or from the shore. 

    There is also a two mile hike that is in the campground called Shady Creek Trail. It looked like it had not been hiked in a while but it went through woods, small stream and had a cool rock formation at one part that you would swear is a haven for snakes. Pets enjoyed it but beware if you do not like spiders. This trail was covered in spiders and webs. No exaggeration that we cleared about a hundred spiders out of our path. 

    The campground was very well manicured and clean. Many of the sites were right on the lake. They were close together but did not seem it as they were on different levels and angles. Everyone was quiet and courteous. Bathrooms were very clean and well lit. The showers were “dated” - water stains but clean. Great water pressure and hot water. 

    There was no store on the campground but 5 minutes away was a great little restaurant called Sherry’s that we had both lunch and breakfast at. Food was delicious (fried dill pickle chips!) and one could buy bags of ice. 

    Overall this was a very relaxing campground. We met some wonderful people who have been coming to the campground for years. It is about 30 minutes from Mammoth Caves which was a great place to explore. Overall we gave the campground a 4 - lakeside and if you love to fish - it’s paradise.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Jellystone Park at Mamoth Cave

    Well maintained, easy access sites

    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. Also, lots of golf carts to rent.


Guide to Clarkson

If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near Clarkson, Kentucky, there are several great spots that welcome your furry friends. These campgrounds offer a mix of amenities and activities that both you and your pets will enjoy.

Tips for camping with dogs near Clarkson

  • Ensure your dog is leashed at all times, as many campgrounds, like Mammoth Cave Campground, have leash laws in place to keep pets safe and comfortable.
  • Bring plenty of water and food for your pet, especially during warmer months when campgrounds like Nolin Lake State Park Campground can get quite hot.
  • Consider a portable pet bed or blanket to give your dog a comfortable spot to relax at your campsite, ensuring they feel at home while you enjoy the great outdoors.

Dog owners appreciate the amenities

  • Campgrounds such as Moutardier offer electric hookups and clean facilities, making it easier to accommodate your pet's needs.
  • Many sites, including Dog Creek Campground, feature spacious areas for your dog to roam and play, enhancing your camping experience.
  • Clean restrooms and picnic areas are available at places like Wax - Nolin River Lake, ensuring convenience for pet owners.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include great activities

  • Kentucky Houchins Ferry offers access to the river, perfect for a day of kayaking or fishing while your dog enjoys the water.
  • At Maple Springs Campground, you can explore nearby trails that are suitable for both hiking and walking your dog, providing plenty of exercise for both of you.
  • Cave Creek - Rough River Lake features a disc golf course and playgrounds, making it a fun spot for families and their pets to enjoy outdoor activities together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Clarkson, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Clarkson, 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 dog-friendly camping near Clarkson, KY?

TheDyrt.com has all 73 dog-friendly camping locations near Clarkson, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.