92 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Columbus, KY ranges from developed campgrounds with full RV hookups to primitive tent sites in national forest settings. Kentucky Horse Park Campground, located north of Lexington, provides over 250 campsites with full hookups for RVs and dedicated areas for tent camping. Fort Boonesborough State Park Campground along the Kentucky River features boat-in access options alongside traditional drive-in sites. The region includes both state park facilities with modern amenities and more rustic national forest campgrounds like Koomer Ridge in Daniel Boone National Forest, which offers a more secluded camping experience.
Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though some facilities like Elkhorn Campground operate seasonally from April through October. Electric hookups and water access are common at developed sites, while shower facilities vary by location. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly near the Red River Gorge region. During peak summer weekends, reservations are strongly recommended as riverside and lake access sites fill quickly. As one camper noted, "You're smack in the middle of Georgetown and Lexington which both offer several family friendly options, a lot of great local eating options and bars/nightlife options."
The Kentucky River serves as a central feature for many camping areas, with several campgrounds providing direct river access for fishing and boating. Water-based recreation represents a significant draw throughout the region. Campers frequently mention spacious sites with shade trees, particularly at locations like Queenslake Horse Farm and Hidden Lake Farm Camp. Bathroom facilities receive mixed reviews, with some campers noting cleanliness issues during busy periods. A visitor to Zilpo Campground remarked, "Amazing seeing the Milky Way one evening," highlighting the dark skies available at more remote locations. Both family-oriented campgrounds with playgrounds and more secluded natural settings can be found within reasonable driving distance of Columbus.
"I'll preface this with the fact that I am a Lexington, KY Native and have always lived close to the Kentucky Horse Park and Kentucky Horse Park Campground, but have never stayed there until this weekend"
"Clean bathrooms and sites, within easy walking distance to the Kentucky Horse Park. Pay attention to which site you pick- if you’re in c loop, it’s a long walk to the bathroom!"
from $45 - $48 / night
Check Availability"We really liked this campground and kayaking on the Kentucky River is great. Tons of activities for the kids and even adults."
"Fort Boonesborough SP is near I64 and I75 Between Lexington and Richmond , Ky. The Kentucky River is adjacent. I remember watching Daniel Boone in black and white when I was a kid."
from $41 - $47 / night
Check Availability"Stayed here for 5 nights while attending an equestrian event at the Kentucky Horse Park. The staff at the park are really helpful & friendly. "
"About 30 minutes away from the Ark. Easy trip on I75, about 30 minutes. Some level sites, but most seem to have a slope."
from $36 - $46 / night
Check Availability"It's situated high up on the Kentucky river bank which is nice but there's little access to the riverbank except from the floating dock and boat ramp."
"They take you to your sight assist you with backing in the rest rooms are very clean the pool is very clean they have a boat ramp into the Kentucky river a covered dock to fish off."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Surrounded by rivers and open green fields. Very nicely maintained. Lots of campers even this early in the season! Looks like kids and fishing folk would be in heaven."
"It was a short walk to the beautiful Elkhorn Creek (at the back of the campground). Perfect little spot for fishing (you will need a fishing license to fish, as it’s public water). "
"If I recall correctly, pets are allowed, but they must be leashed at all times since there's farmland nearby."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"We've some spent time now in Kentucky and Red River Gorge area is one of favorites in this state. The campground is good pretty simple."
"It is located just off Exit 11 on the Bert T Combs Parkway (the highway that runs through the area, which is a beautiful drive itself)."
from $27 - $45 / night
Check Availability"We found Queenslake and booked one of their lakeside camp sites. When we arrived the owners we very kind and showed us to the designated site. "
from $100 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Off the beaten path, quiet, and friendly....what more could you ask for???"
"The pool is nice although they do sell memberships to it for outside folks to use which means there can be a lot of people there on a holiday or very warm day."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"I would rank the Red River Gorge area as the most beautiful place in the Kentucky. Any time I get the chance to head out this way, I do."
"Pros: clean bath house, convenient to SUP Kentucky/Gorge underground, level sites (smaller though) Cons: traffic noise, no cell service (which is a pro for some)"
from $23 - $35 / night
Check Availability
GuideA lot of permanent rundown trailers parked haphazard as the sites are not laid out nicely. Stray cats running around. Muddy at the sites. Saving grace was clean bathhouse but who ever heard of automatic showers? Wasting a lot of water.
TravelerWe love Twin Knobs! We have camped there numerous times - in the Sping, Summer, and Fall. Electric and non electric sites. The campground staff is always a pleasure to interact with, and so kind! Always clean. Most sites are within walking distance to the lake. My only suggestion is I wish they had some playgrounds for small kids.
GuideStarting with the good, it is reasonably close to the freeway yet far enough away not to be bothered by road noise. Wi fi was mostly usable. Electrical power was stable. Estimate , if the park was probably half full of campers , some long term , some transit. Was quiet. On the other hand, the place was unmowed with grass 6 to 8 inches high throughout the entire facility. A zero turn mower set unused vext to the office. Some of the water spigots were broken and hoses were strewn about so that people could get it water from different spigots to different sites. What's the worst was the bathroom in showers. A couple of people here and said they were clean , but either there definition of clean was different , or they've been a significant lack of labor to keep them up. In the men's side, there was mold all along the floors at the caulking edges.There was wadded up wet toilet paper smashed on the wall of 2 of them.The ceilings were covered in old cobwebs and fresh spider nests. The floors were quite dirty. Over half of the sites aren't level, so if you use this place bring leveling chocks/plates for your tires if not hydraulically leveled. This facility has a great deal of potential with a bit of money and some elbow grease.
Scouttrails are a complete mess, a lot were impassable and very dangerous not recommended for horses, some have not had any maintenance done in years, even the main trail out of camp a couple miles was impassable... very poor :(
ScoutI would highly NOT recommend staying at Still Waters Campground based on my experience with management. Today I rolled through a stop sign in the campground. I understand that was my mistake, and I accepted being told not to do it again. However, what happened afterward was completely unnecessary. Instead of simply speaking with me later at the office or sending a text, management chose to chase me down in a vehicle. I was driving around the campground speed limit, yet I was accused of speeding because they claimed they had to drive 30 mph to catch me—even though they had to turn around before following me. What made it even more frustrating was that I was told to“lead by example” while the manager herself admitted to driving around 30 mph in a 10 mph campground just to catch up to me. That felt incredibly hypocritical. What bothered me most was the way the situation was handled. I tried to walk away to avoid escalating the confrontation, but the manager continued arguing with me. She even told me to“go get my boyfriend,” as if I couldn’t speak for myself. I’m a grown woman and didn’t appreciate being dismissed like that. Later, after I had calmed down, my boyfriend and I went to the office so I could apologize for raising my voice and explain my side of the situation. Unfortunately, management wasn’t interested in having a productive conversation and came across as condescending and unwilling to listen. It also seems like the rules are enforced inconsistently. We have watched plenty of other people roll through that same stop sign without being stopped or chased down. If safety is truly the concern, the rules should apply EQUALLY to everyone instead of selectively enforcing them. Overall, this experience left a VERY bad impression. A simple warning then walking away could have resolved everything, but instead it turned into an unnecessarily confrontational situation. Customer service and professionalism from management were extremely disappointing.
TravelerThe Edge Cave Run's Glamping Getaway is a MUST experience on your bucket list!
Beautiful scenery right on the Licking River!
Modern amenities, wi-fi, close to local attractions, comfortable beds. Perfect family getaway!
ScoutIn live locally and they keep it carry nice and always a great spot for family and kids
TravelerLockRidge Park is a beautiful hidden gem with stunning views, unique accommodations, and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the natural beauty of Kentucky.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
TravelerGoldenrod Gap was a beautiful location to unwind for a weekend within reach of Red River Gorge. We stayed at a primitive campsite located next to the convenient showerhouse. Had anyone been using the nearby RV camping spot, we might have been a little too close to neighbors, but our stay was quiet, fun, and filled with cool wildlife sightings on the guest-only trails. Access to the campground was easy, the facilities were clean and fully functional. The hiking trails were varied in difficulty and scenery. Our favorite was Mushroom Loop Trail, which gave us a wide path up to the highest ridgeline on the property that is blooming with colorful mushrooms. But I'd like to give a shout out also to the Frog Trail that lazily followed a small stream flowing through a serene grove. Many great memories were made here, and I'm sure we will return to try out the other campsites on offer!
The Columbus area features gently rolling Kentucky terrain with elevations ranging from 400-700 feet, creating varied camping experiences along the Kentucky River watershed. Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping conditions, with summer humidity levels often exceeding 80% and dramatic temperature shifts in spring and fall. Winter camping requires preparation for occasional ice storms that can affect road access.
Trail hiking options: Koomer Ridge Campground in Daniel Boone National Forest offers multiple trails directly from the campground. One visitor noted, "There are plenty of amenities and clean restrooms but this is really nothing to write home about if you're looking for a great outdoors getaway." The campground serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the Red River Gorge area.
Water recreation: Cummins Ferry RV Park provides direct Kentucky River access with boat ramps and docks. A camper explained, "This is a small well maintained campground right on the Kentucky river. It is down in a hollow which makes it secluded and quiet. There is a dock and a boat ramp." The campground's riverfront location makes it ideal for kayaking and fishing.
Historical exploration: Fort Boonesborough State Park offers living history exhibits depicting 1800s frontier life. According to one visitor, "The Fort was VERY cool. If my kids were still at home this would definitely be a field trip location!" Historical programs run regularly during summer months with costumed interpreters demonstrating pioneer skills.
Spacious campsites: Kentucky Horse Park Campground provides generously sized sites with good separation. A camper observed, "We spent two nights here and were pleasantly surprised that most of the campsites had probably at least 50 to 60 feet between each one and lots of grass and trees." This extra space allows for comfortable setups without feeling crowded.
Rural seclusion: Hidden Lake Farm Camp offers private lakeside camping away from crowds. One visitor shared, "We love going on the pond and fishing even though my friends suck at it. The hosts are always very nice and accommodating to me." The property maintains limited camping spots to preserve the quiet atmosphere.
Clean facilities: Whispering Hills RV Park maintains well-kept amenities including modern shower facilities. A camper noted, "The showers were great and clean. There were 9 of them, each in its own lockable room with a sink and toilet. There was also a laundry in the shower building." Regular maintenance schedules keep facilities functioning properly even during peak seasons.
Site limitations: Many campgrounds have specific restrictions on equipment and site usage. At Elkhorn Campground, sites vary considerably in size and layout. One visitor mentioned, "Gravel and grass FHU sites mostly level. Great pool and bathhouse with full bath suites in beautiful tile." Request specific site information when booking.
Water pressure concerns: Some campgrounds have unusually high water pressure requiring regulation. A camper at Whispering Hills warned, "Water pressure is pretty high make sure you use a regulator." Bring appropriate equipment to protect your RV plumbing systems.
Road noise impacts: Several campgrounds experience highway noise due to proximity to major roads. At Natural Bridge State Park, "Because of its proximity to Route 11, you will hear road noise at many of the sites, including the tent sites." Choose sites farther from roads when possible.
Activity planning: Fort Boonesborough State Park Campground offers numerous structured family activities. A camper shared, "This is a very nice park. There were lots of activities going on the weekend we were there. Playground was really good." Check activity schedules when booking to maximize participation opportunities.
Pool accessibility: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools with varying hours and access policies. One visitor to Fort Boonesborough mentioned, "In season, there is a small mini-golf course. Trout fishing is permitted. Closer to the cottages is a lodge, playground, and pool." Some facilities charge additional fees for pool access.
Educational experiences: Multiple campgrounds provide learning opportunities through organized programs. A visitor noted about Natural Bridge State Park, "Upon check-in, we were given a pamphlet of the many area hikes. There is a sky lift (chair lift) that takes you to Natural Bridge (or you can hike to it)." Many educational programs run primarily during summer months.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. At Cummins Ferry RV Park, a camper warned, "The sites here are not level. We used our normal 2x green blocks for the Jack, but needed all 10 of our leveling blocks, plus 8 paving stones to get the appropriate height." Bring extra leveling equipment when camping in this region.
Site selection importance: Research specific site layouts before booking. A Whispering Hills visitor noted, "We would give it a higher star rating but the spots are pretty small. Also we went during Covid when things should be cleaned more frequently and the bath houses always seemed half clean." Campground maps often don't accurately represent actual site dimensions.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service and WiFi vary significantly between campgrounds. A Cummins Ferry camper reported, "They have 5 WiFi connections making this some of the best campground WiFi I have ever had." Call ahead to verify current connectivity options if working remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Columbus, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Columbus, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 92 campgrounds and RV parks near Columbus, KY and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Columbus, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Columbus, KY is Kentucky Horse Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 50 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Columbus, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Columbus, KY.
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