Daniel Boone National Forest near Clay City, Kentucky sits at the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,300 feet. The area features limestone cliffs, natural arches, and sandstone formations that define the landscape. Cave Run Lake and the Red River create water-based camping opportunities with fishing access that remains productive even during summer heat.
What to do
Explore natural arches: At Red River Gorge Campground, 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," according to Wayne H. The area contains dozens of natural stone arches accessible via interconnected trails.
Visit the water hole: When camping near Clay City during summer, seek relief at the swimming holes. "Every time I've camped the Gorge I head to the water hole and jumping rock... Taking a leap off the jumping rock should not be missed!!" writes Jess P. about Red River Gorge. The jumping rock sits approximately two miles by paddle from several campsites.
Backpack to viewpoints: For tent campsites with spectacular views, consider hiking into more remote areas. Hanson's Point "is often called the best view of the Gorge. To get to Hanson's point you'll have to earn it by hiking for about 2.5 miles," notes Wayne H. Backpackers should bring all necessities as these are primitive campsites without facilities.
What campers like
Riverside tent locations: Campers consistently rate waterfront tent sites highly. At Paragon Dispersed Camping Area, "The view of the lake from our camp site was amazing. Very picture worthy! Our first morning a heron was fishing in the lake less than 100 feet from us. We saw him catch a fish," reports Kevin C. These free tent sites offer direct water access.
Privacy on weekdays: Visiting during non-peak times provides better camping experiences. "I've camped on holiday weekends and never had other campers within 100 ft of my site. I've also been on weekends where I was the only camper there," says Josh J. about Red River Adventures. Mid-week visits from September through May offer the most solitude.
Wildlife viewing: The forest surroundings provide excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. "There were woodpeckers, hawks and several other birds I did not recognize," writes Kevin C. about Paragon. Early mornings and dusk offer the best wildlife viewing times, particularly along waterways.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Some areas require permits for overnight stays. For Princess Arch camping, "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.
Trash management challenges: Several tent campsites suffer from poor visitor practices. At Daniel Boone National Forest White Sulphur Horse Camp, John found that "the place was clean, restroom facilities were stocked with TP" but many dispersed areas have issues. One visitor at Paragon noted they "spent a good hour cleaning up the area, and filled one section of our truck bed with it when we left."
Cell coverage limitations: Communication can be spotty throughout the area. At White Sulphur Horse Camp, "There was slight cell service for Verizon & AT&T, enough for maybe text but not very consistent," reports John. Most primitive camping areas have minimal to no cellular coverage.
Tips for camping with families
Chose established campgrounds: For camping with children, select sites with basic facilities. "HomeGrown HideAways is 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," reports Cassandra C.
Bring wildlife identification guides: The diverse ecosystem offers educational opportunities. "We saw him catch a fish. There were woodpeckers, hawks and several other birds I did not recognize," notes Kevin C. about morning wildlife viewing at Paragon.
Consider site security: Some camping areas have better oversight than others. Josh J. notes that at one campground "they close the gates at night and don't open the gates till 8 am... The gate adds to the security of the campground I liked that they control coming and going at night times."
Tips for RVers
Limited hookup options: Most tent campsites near Clay City, Kentucky offer minimal RV amenities. At Red River Adventures, campers note the sites are "fairly primitive, only including a fire ring and a nice picnic table. They do not have any water or electric hookups."
Access road challenges: Many camping areas have difficult approach roads. "This drive in campground is awesome for those who like to camp for free. Right off the highway!" notes Wayne H. about Paragon, making it one of the more accessible options for vehicles.
Bring leveling equipment: The terrain throughout Daniel Boone National Forest features uneven grounds. "Most spots have boat in access!" at Paragon, but this also means sloping tent sites that may challenge RV parking and leveling.
