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Jaxson J.
Scout
ScoutEscape With Us RV Resort
Happy camper rv very friendly close to everything
Friendly people very nice quiet atmosphere
Camping near Strunk, KY
177 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The Cumberland Plateau surrounding Strunk, Kentucky hosts multiple campground options within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Blue Heron Campground offers sites for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping opportunities with amenities like drinking water, electric hookups, and picnic tables. The area also includes Trace Branch dispersed camping sites along Rock Creek Road for those seeking more primitive experiences. Many locations provide access to hiking trails, fishing streams, and historic mining sites throughout this mountainous region straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border.
Seasonal considerations affect campground operations in the area, with some facilities like Bear Creek Horse Camp operating only from April through October. The terrain features steep hills and occasionally challenging road conditions, particularly on less-developed forest service roads. According to one visitor, "If you like trees, hills, streams, falls, historical markers, old cabins and history, plus not much use of modern technology when you camp, then you will thoroughly enjoy Big South Fork." Cell phone coverage is limited or non-existent at many campgrounds, with several visitors noting complete disconnection from service. Campers should prepare for self-sufficient stays, especially at primitive sites where no facilities are provided.
Campsites near water receive particularly positive reviews, with Great Meadows Campground and Kentucky Alum Ford offering scenic waterfront locations. Several campgrounds provide boat access, making them popular bases for fishing and paddling activities. A visitor noted that Blue Heron Campground features "very nice and private sites with a big grassy area" and clean facilities. While some campgrounds like Indian Mountain State Park provide full hookups, others focus on more rustic experiences. Many campgrounds in the region maintain traditional CCC-era structures and designs, creating a nostalgic camping experience. Visitors frequently mention the quiet, secluded nature of camping in this less-developed area compared to more tourist-heavy destinations in the Smoky Mountains.
Best Campgrounds near Strunk (177)
1. Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
"It's located on the Kentucky side of Big South Fork. The campsites have a picnic table and a firepit. Our campsite was very nice and private with a big grassy area."
"The sites are well maintained and old , probably CCC built with wood steps leading up or down to your site."
from $30 - $35 / night
Check Availability2. Ridgeline Campground — Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
"Sadly, there is a massive amount of trash at the bottom (as you can see in the pictures posted here) which takes away from the natural appearance of the falls."
"It’s has many (12) trails and many falls. Would definitely recommend shopping before camping, it’s several miles, and mountains, to get to stores."
from $26 - $35 / night
Check Availability3. Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
"Our site (D36) was at the end of a loop and was nearly level despite being on the edge of the hilltop."
"Family freindly, kept very clean, great hiking in Big South Fork w/some trails even starting at the campground."
from $20 - $140 / night
Check Availability4. Indian Mountain State Park Campground — Indian Mountain State Park
"Large walking path and places for your dog to exercise. Loved watching the ducks swim near our campsite"
"Full hookups and close to I-75. Well kept with clean bath house. Paddle boats and walking trails."
5. Bear Creek Horse Camp — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
"Totally set up for the horse crowd with plenty of horse room :) there is a day use parking and unloading area and direct access to the horse trails. Very open and well maintained."
"The Big South Fork river is some of the best smallmouth fishing around. I love the backcountry camping in BSF, it’s so peaceful, and beautiful."
from $30 - $35 / night
Check Availability6. Clayton Geneva Memorial Campground
"Close to trails and a waterpark too. Love the peace and tranquility. We will be going back again."
"Close to Cumberland falls!"
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability7. Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road
8. Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground
"PICKETT STATE RUSTIC PARK is located adjacent to Scott State Forest, Big South Fork River, Tn and below Daniel Boone National Forest, Ky. The Campground is my favorite type, small."
"Grandma couldn’t leisurely walk, or scale some of the trails, so you have been warned. But for able bodied persons, the hikes are all doable."
9. Great Meadows Campground
"Great for kayaking, fishing, wading, hiking, sightseeing(areas close by to check out), also there are some swimming holes..just have to find them. can camp right by the creek and across the road is a few"
"Love it clean nice people Has water some of the time no electricity sites are well kept has horseshoe pits no stores close by no cell phone service but it does have clean toilets fishing is good"
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability10. Cove Lake State Park Campground
"Great location just off I75, close to easy shopping (Walmart), Urgent Care facility just minutes away, nice BBQ place right in the park, local eatery’s just up the way (less than 2 miles)."
"Our site is nice and right on the lake but it’s a little odd the way the sites are. Our neighbors site is next to us but there table and fire pit are behind our rig."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 12 min from Knoxville, TN
- 1 hr 45 min from Lexington, KY
- 1 hr 51 min from Morristown, TN
- 2 hrs 16 min from Cleveland, TN
Recent Camping Photos near Strunk, KY
237 Photos of 177 Strunk Campgrounds
Nicole O.
Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
James & Lora C.
Summer Shoals Retreat
Pam B.
Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1
Jess S.
Patrick’s Point River Camp
Amber H.
Clayton Geneva Memorial Campground
The Dyrt
Cumberland Falls RV Resort
Hannah L.
Clifty Campground — Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Shelly S.
Ridgeline Campground — Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Jesse H.
Indian Mountain State Park Campground — Indian Mountain State Park
Maurice N.
Tranquility Creek
Steven D.
Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Emma
Bandy Creek - Big South Fork National River Rec Area
Recent Reviews near Strunk, KY
770 Reviews of 177 Strunk Campgrounds
- S
Sherri B.
GuideRidgeline Campground — Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Tranquility & Trails
There's 20 RV campsites at Ridgeline Campground. Each campsite includes 30 amp electric and water hookup. The campsites are spacious but small, not suitable for big rigs. The road and campsite are paved. Trails are present in the park for humans and horses. Playground located in the center of loop at the end of road, directly across from RV sites 17 - 20. Grocery/Camp store, laundry, bathhouse, and dump station on premises.
Braeden M.GuidePulaski County Park
Nice Spot, Good Park Managers, Horrible Campers
Overall I had a great one day get away at this sight. Two issues, Both of the primitive spots are by the road, and the other park goers are some of the least respectful, loud and and plan mean people I have ever been around. In contrast, the park managers are very nice and helpful.
But for example, a car wrecked really close to my campsite at 1 am, people blasted music well past midnight, a car alarm went off around 2 am and then, the family of said car alarm, starting loudly arguing for 30 straight minutes at a volume that everyone could hear. This all happened in one night.
I bet if you go on weekdays it wouldn’t be that bad, however if you want to sleep, I don’t recommend going on weekends. Which sucks because besides being a nice spot with good staff, other people kind of ruin the vibe.
Darla Z.ScoutAppalachia Ridge
Enjoyed our stay
We recently stayed at Appalachian Ridge RV Park and were very impressed with the property. The park is well maintained and offers a great mix of premium concrete pads as well as standard gravel sites. The fire pits are substantial and perfect for relaxing evenings outdoors, and each site includes a nice picnic table.
The park is very dog-friendly, with a dedicated dog area that our pups enjoyed. The bathhouse and laundry facilities were clean, modern, and well cared for. One of the things we appreciated most was how quiet and peaceful the park was during our stay.
If you’re looking for a clean, comfortable, and dog-friendly RV park with quality amenities, Appalachian Ridge RV Park is definitely worth considering. We would happily stay here again.
Shana D.
LegendBrushy Mountain RV Park
Really nice and new
This brand new campground is on the grounds of the Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. The campground offers an on site pizza restaurant and general store. The rear side of the restaurant and store has multiple private shower/bathroom combo rooms that must have a code to be entered. These bathrooms are nice! The campsites itself are level pads. Trees have been planted between each site, so that is going to be nice in a few years once they get some size to them. It appears that most campers staying here are here to ride the local OHV trails. This place is friendly for parking your SXS at your campsite and offers a large adjacent lot to be able to park your trailers. We are here for a concert at the prison and a tour. What a unique venue for a concert!
- QQuindeda C.Scout
Anderson County Park
Nice peaceful campground for RVs and tents.
I've camper here a few times over the years. It's always been a peaceful experience. Bath house has always been pretty clean. Could use an update but over all always been happy with our trips.
- Betsy W.Guide
Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Nice and well kept campground
Site 9 close to showers which are clean and supplied. Grounds are clean and well kept. Kid friendly. Everything you need for a great time.
Carol J.GuideWilderness Road Campground
Pretty setting and quiet campground
We spent 2 weekend nights in site C21...it was severely unlevel as advertised. Most sites in this loop are either very sloped, or flat with picnic tables down a set of stairs. The campground was very quiet, although you could hear some traffic from the highway. The sites were mostly shaded, clean, and somewhat private. The bath houses were clean and modern. The office/store was not open the entire time we were there, and the host mentioned that there were some electrical issues that caused it to be closed. So we had to head through "the tunnel" into Middlesboro for firewood. Found plenty at the Tractor Supply store on the north side of town. Middlesboro has lots of places for supplies and food. Other than the sloping sites the only other real drawback to the campground is the limited water. In the C loop we only found water by the bathhouses, so the walk to get water was quite long.
- kkelly M.Scout
Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road
Great, private spot on the creek!
There were several sites along the creek and we only saw one other vehicle on the road during our stay. The site was clean, spacious, and private with several access points to to the creek. Quiet. A fire ring and picnic table are on site and the ground is mostly level. Plenty of shade but a nice clear view of the sky among the tree canopy as well. Would definitely stay again.
Guide to Strunk
The Cumberland Plateau region near Strunk, Kentucky offers diverse camping experiences across national recreation areas, state parks, and dispersed sites. Elevations range from 700 to 1,700 feet throughout this heavily forested region. Weather conditions can change quickly with cool evenings even during summer months when temperatures drop into the 60s after sunset.
What to do
Astronomy sessions: 0 light pollution: Pickett State Park hosts designated astronomy fields perfect for stargazing. "Pickett CCC is recognized as a dark sky park. If you're into astronomy or just enjoy looking up at the stars this is the perfect place. The stars can be enjoyed from just about anywhere but a short drive down the road there's an astronomy field," notes Clinton N.
Paddling adventures: accessible waterways: Kentucky Alum Ford offers direct water access for kayaks. "Something for everyone at this national park. Whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking await in the big South Fork of the Cumberland River. There are miles of hiking and horse trails through the picturesque countryside," explains Bryan R.
Technical trail hiking: varying difficulties: Pickett State Park Campground provides technical trails for experienced hikers. "The ladder trailhead is in the upper campground. Very technical, and challenging trail," shares Shelly S. These paths often involve rock formations, elevation changes, and sometimes require scrambling.
What campers like
Privacy in natural settings: wooded campsites: Campers value secluded sites at Bear Creek Horse Camp. "We stayed here even though we didn't have horses, but those with horses have priority. According to the others at the campground, there are a lot of horse camps and facilities in this area, if you do have horses this is an excellent area to explore," says Dan N.
Waterfront access: riverside camping: Clayton Geneva Memorial Campground offers sites along the Cumberland River. "Sanded, river front tent sites. The camp sites are also shaded, very comfortable even in July. Great place for canoe, kayak & swimming activities," reports Amber H.
Clean facilities: well-maintained bathhouses: Bandy Creek Campground receives praise for cleanliness. "Bathrooms are clean. Bathhouse has an outside sink and a water bottle fountain to refill your bottles. Lots of hiking in the surrounding area. Each site has a food storage box," states Carissa D.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: prepare for offline: Most campgrounds have minimal or no connectivity. "You can find a great backcountry site off of nearly every trail in there," explains Nate H. regarding Big South Fork areas.
Seasonal closures: verify before traveling: Bear Creek Horse Camp operates April through October only. Some water systems shut down during winter months.
Road access challenges: prepare for gravel: Great Meadows Campground requires navigation on forest roads. "The drive there is a little long and no cell service for the most part but isn't that what camping is about anyway," notes Aaron R.
Wildlife awareness: bear country protocols: "Got surprised by a bear while gathering firewood nearby," reports TNWoodsman about Great Meadows. Many sites provide bear-resistant food storage lockers.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: activity planning: Cove Lake State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "There's riding stables at the camp store too. The campground also has a large swimming pool, with lifeguards," reports Lori H.
Site selection for young children: Choose level sites away from water hazards with small children. "The sites were a bit short and we couldn't park our tow vehicle in front of our 17' camper. So large campers beware. There are limited parking spots near the shower house. The tent pads were huge, lots of space to play at each site," explains Chelsea D. about Bandy Creek.
Historical education opportunities: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park offers ranger programs. "Camp host led scavenger hunts, lazer tag, capture the flag, etc in the campground in the evenings," shares Michael R. about the park's activities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: bring blocks: Many campgrounds feature unlevel sites requiring preparation. "I had 6" of block height to level side to side! I heard other complaints from other longer tongue pullers as well, regarding the difficulty getting into their sites," explains Mr. H. about Pickett State Park.
Electrical hookup placement: Bring extension cords for sites with distant hookups. "Also, the water and electric hookup for this site is very far away from the actual site - we had to use a regular 110 extension cord to get the hookup to our van," notes Denise about Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
Size restrictions: know your limits: Most area campgrounds can't accommodate large RVs. "Would not recommend a trailer much over 25'. Leaves were turning and very pretty. Lots of hiking and things to do," advises Jeremy K. regarding Cumberland Falls sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Strunk, KY?
What camping is available near Strunk, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Strunk, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 177 campgrounds and RV parks near Strunk, KY and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Strunk, KY?
Which is the most popular campground near Strunk, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Strunk, KY is Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 27 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Strunk, KY?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Strunk, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Strunk, KY.
What parks are near Strunk, KY?
What parks are near Strunk, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Strunk, KY that allow camping, notably Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Laurel River Lake.
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