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Best Tent Camping near Cumberland, KY

241 Reviews

Tent campsites in the Cumberland, Kentucky area include Kingdom Come State Park Campground, a primitive camping location in the eastern Kentucky mountains. The park features seven tent sites, each with picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-resistant food storage poles. Additional tent camping options include Misfit Farmz Campground in nearby Virginia, which offers tent-specific sites accessible by drive-in, hike-in, or walk-in methods.

Most tent sites have basic amenities with gravel or mulch tent pads large enough for one or two small tents. Kingdom Come State Park provides primitive camping with no running water at the sites, though there are restrooms with sink water nearby. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at established sites, and some locations like Kingdom Come offer free firewood delivered by rangers. Campers should note that bear activity is common in the region, requiring proper food storage. According to one visitor, "Take the warnings seriously and follow the instructions" regarding bears in the area.

The tent camping experience near Cumberland offers solitude and natural immersion. Sites at Kingdom Come remain largely uncrowded, with one camper noting, "I've camped there twice and only saw one other camper. It is very quiet and remote." Areas surrounding the campgrounds provide hiking opportunities on interconnected trail systems with mountain views. Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost offers more secluded tent sites with access to nearby Jefferson National Forest for additional outdoor recreation including kayaking at Bark Camp Lake. Most tent campgrounds in the region are surrounded by forest, providing shade and natural settings. Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere and ability to disconnect, as cell service is limited or nonexistent at many locations.

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Best Tent Sites Near Cumberland, Kentucky (10)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cumberland, KY

13 Photos of 10 Cumberland Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Cumberland, KY

241 Reviews of 10 Cumberland Campgrounds

  • P
    Jul. 13, 2021

    Kingdom Come State Park Campground

    Quiet, beautiful views

    This campground in the Kingdom Come State Park has about 6 or 7 sites, and they are primitive with no running water, but good pads, picnic tables, food hangers, shade from trees, and fire rings. There are men's and women's bathrooms, with running water in the sinks, but no water faucets as in other camps, and no showers. I've camped there twice and only saw one other camper. It is very quiet and remote. The views from the outlooks at the top of the road are amazing. There is a lake for swimming, and plenty of trails. Bugs are minimal.

  • S
    Oct. 12, 2020

    Kingdom Come State Park Campground

    Lovely quiet, small tent campground

    Kingdom Come State Park is a little jewel in southeastern Kentucky! There are 6 tent sites (7 if they allow you to reserve the one next to the duck pond), each with a gravel drive, mulch tent pad big enough for two smallish tents, fire ring, and picnic table. The nearby shelter house provides restrooms and trash cans. The local ranger was most helpful in providing firewood (free!) and offering to bring us water to wash up with or for drinking (there is a water fountain across from the CG, but it wasn't turned on and there is running water in the restrooms). The area is known for bear activity, but we saw none. The surrounding mountains provide many short hikes that can be easily strung together to make for a longer trek if desired. We look forward to camping there again!

  • G
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Carr Creek State Park Campground

    RV/Tent camp by mtn lake

    Overall; nice place, bathrooms get gross quickly when campground is at full capacity. Not handicap friendly. Good cell service, 4G. Small beach area, clear water for swimming, but have quite a few steps to walk down to the lake. Playground equipment was taken down, only had a couple of swings. All sites have electric and water, picnic table, two poles to hang garbage or lantern, also fire rings with grates for cooking on Pets allowed on leash. Firewood and ice available.

    Attendant on site, not a ranger, maybe a "workamper?" Bathrooms cleaned only once in the midmorning. The commodes have a button to flush which is difficult to push. I think young children couldn't push it, so the toilets got nasty and full. Toilet paper ran out by early evening. There was no commode in the handicap stall in the women's room. Hot showers with regular handle for continual flow (as opposed to some places that only run a couple of minutes before you have to push the button again.

    Most sites are shaded and grassy areas. Sites 7, 8, 26, 28, 31 are washed out, not good for putting up a tent. Lake surrounds campground but not visible through the trees. A few very steep trails from some sites down to the lake.

    Beach is about 100 yds long. Water was clean and clear. It might be a slight challenge walking back up the steps to the parking lot if you're not in good shape. If you plan on hanging out at the beach area for awhile, I suggest bringing a beach tent, it gets hot. There is a drive way down to the beach for handicap access, but the gate was locked. There is a marina on the other side of the road. I believe you can rent a pontoon there.

    While we were there, somebody with a super loud speed boat was racing around, so be aware that if you're wanting peace and quiet, there is boating noise. There was also a group of campers that had speakers set up and played their music Sat night that was annoying. Not super loud, but we just didn't care for their style of music. We tolerated it, but don't know why they weren't asked to turn it down. To me, music shouldn't be heard much past your own site.

    It's about 5+/- miles in either direction for a store. There is an ice cream place about 2 miles away that also sells basic prep fried food and breakfast.

    Our electric didn't work (site 33) but we were with another couple and plugged into theirs next to us. We usually primitive camp, but because of the Aug heat, it's nice to have a fan at night.

    We might camp there again. The main thing is that the bath house needs to be updated and attended to more than once a day. It's better than nothing, but I'd rather go in an outhouse than see an overflowing toilet.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2024

    Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping — Natural Tunnel State Park

    Primitive at its finest

    Booked a 3 night stay over the weekend and had the primitive camping area to ourselves. 5 spots with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pit, hanging poles, and bear box. Then there is a very large, communal fire pit, and an open but covered shelter with picnic tables and an outlet to charge your tech things. Water spigot at top, a little walk, uphill, for water. The camp store people said they are unable to use spigot nearby common shelter because it’s no good. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Glad we brought our large bladder so we weren’t constantly going up and down the hill for water. Camp store with some basics at entrance, and person on golf cart drives around checking on things. Trash dumpster, up the hill just past water spigot. Couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful place, especially for the price, $15/night. Took advantage of some of the hiking trails, which were well maintained and marked. Also, went and checked out the natural tunnel via chairlift. The other two campgrounds looked nice, with big, fancy bathhouses. And the cabins, wow, fancy! Hooray for Virginia State Parks!!

  • Susan E.
    Jul. 16, 2020

    Bristol-Kingsport KOA

    What luck!

    I’d never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting. Mindful of my budget I learned to ask for a tent site with no electricity, no water, just toilets and showers. The young man who helped me observed I was alone and put me in a small cabin for no additional charge. Just outside the cabin was a bonfire of old wood from construction debris. I was super stoked to get this deal. I spent lots of time stoking that fire and sitting outdoors watching the evening arrive. If you’re anywhere near the area do stop in and enjoy a quiet and lovely night. You can even pet the horses nearby.

  • Kelsey G.
    Jun. 7, 2019

    French Broad River Campground - Permanently Closed

    Riverside Urban Camping

    This campground is minutes from Asheville, offering all urban amenities like nearby grocery, Starbucks, etc for last minute errands.

    You share the campground with permanent residents, RV's, and primitive campers. Campsites are relatively flat but a little gravely. Sites are pretty close together but each one has a fire ring and picnic table.

    You can't get any close to the water, being right on the French Broad River. Sling up a hammock for serious relaxation. 

    We enjoyed this campground as a large group and rented out 4 adjacent sites. Dogs are welcome. Firewood can be purchased, but we never saw anyone in the office so I would suggest bringing your own.

    Bathrooms are at the front of the park, a 10-minute walk from the primitive sites. Bathrooms are not spotless, but they do the trick.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2021

    Baileyton KOA Holiday

    Country Time

    Sites: 60 Pull thrus 

    RV-Tent-Cabins 15-30-50 amp service 

    Hot showers, pool, pets allowed, toilets, laundry, small grocery store This is only of couple of miles off I40 in the rolling hills of Tennessee, very quiet and well maintained. Sites ae a bit close together but not on top of each other. Gravel pads, fire rings, picnic table, trash. Beautiful green space and dog walk area. Enjoy the hiking. 

    LNT 

    Travel safe

  • Robert C.
    May. 28, 2022

    Wilderness Road - Cumberland Gap National Historic Park

    Nice Sites, Modern Bathhouse

    We camped in site B-11.

    Sites, even in the RV loops, are well spread out with mature trees separating them. Sites can be hilly, even the RV paved pads, so be cautious on site selection. That said, the roads and pads were recently re-paved and have nice curb stops at the ends to assist in backing in.

    The bath houses are generally clean and updated, with separate shower facilities that are independent from the bathrooms. It’s not especially cold right now but it did seem that they’re at least heated.

    We tent camp in an RV site since we have an EV, allowing us to charge. The power post on our site was typical with 120V 20A (5-20) and 30A (TT-30) connections as well as a 240V 50A (14-50). Power supplied was at 248V while pulling 32A.

    Our site accommodated our larger 9-person tent (16’x9’) well, with only a slight slope on the back end of the site. This left plenty of space for the supplied table, fire ring, and parking in the paved pad. We are across the street from the bath house.

    Note: Site B-10 across the street has a significant slope for the RV pad and the grassy area that could accommodate a tent is also significantly sloped.

    None of the sites I’ve seen have water at the site- there is a spigot at the bath house.

    The dumpster area is at the end of the B-loop road, and also has bottle and can recycling available.

    We could occasionally hear traffic (mostly engine brakes when it happened), but I think that is more an issue in the further back loops. A-loop is furthest from the highway. As a tent camper, the HVAC units of neighboring RV’s were louder than the traffic (not an issue - we know what we’re signing up for in these sites. Just giving a comparison.)

  • Brian B.
    Sep. 17, 2021

    Kingdom Come State Park Campground

    Peaceful and relaxing

    I've been camping at this state park since the early 2000's and am pleased to say not much has changed.The campground has 7 sites each with it's own picnic table, fire ring, and pole for stashing your food away from bears. If you like fishing there is a small lake which is regularly stocked with Trout. Bass, Blue Gill, Sunfish, and a few others. It's just a short walk from the campsites. There are plenty of hiking trails. Our favorite is the Raven Rock trail which leads to a 450 foot  40 degree angle granite rock facing that you can climb to get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains. There is also a natural rock bridge close to the campsites called Log Rock. Of the 7 sites 6 are close together. The 7th is of by itself and about 100 feet from the lake in a more secluded area.  For the adventurers you can drive along a section of The Little Shepard Trail.  A one lane road that runs along the ridge of the mountain. No guard rails! , With 300 foot cliffs to either side . All in all there is plenty to do. Take the time to check it out you won't regret it. Oh, I failed to mention free firewood. Everyday a ranger will come by and keep you stocked with wood. It's included with the price of camping.

Guide to Cumberland

Tent camping near Cumberland, Kentucky provides access to forested mountain terrain ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 feet in elevation. The area experiences moderate humidity with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Many campgrounds throughout the Cumberland region remain open seasonally from mid-spring through fall, with several closing during winter months.

What to do

Lake activities at Carr Creek Lake Shelters: During summer months, campers can fish for bass, bluegill, and trout at Carr Creek Lake, located 35 miles northwest of Cumberland. Water access points provide kayaking and swimming opportunities when water levels permit.

National forest exploration: Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost offers direct access to Jefferson National Forest recreation areas. "The entrance is directly across from the Jefferson National Forrest. There we were able to kayak at Bark Camp Lake which was not busy at all and hike at Little Stoney Falls. Plenty to do and see in this area," reports camper Noah O.

Winter hiking options: Several trails remain accessible year-round in Jefferson National Forest, though campers should note that High Knob Campground often experiences seasonal road closures. "Road closed unfortunately. Not information posted," warns reviewer Michelle, highlighting the importance of checking current conditions before visiting.

What campers like

Abundant wildlife viewing: Bear sightings occur regularly in the Cumberland region, particularly at dusk and dawn. "I saw more bears while at this park then any other time. But it was never scary because they were always far away," notes Jess B. about her experience at Kingdom Come State Park Campground.

Minimal light pollution: The remote location provides exceptional stargazing conditions on clear nights. Many campgrounds in the area have minimal artificial lighting, creating natural darkness for astronomical observation.

Fishing opportunities: Stocked fishing areas provide reliable catches for anglers. "If you like fishing there is a small lake which is regularly stocked with Trout, Bass, Blue Gill, Sunfish, and a few others. It's just a short walk from the campsites," explains Brian B. regarding Kingdom Come State Park.

What you should know

Road conditions: Mountain access roads can be challenging for certain vehicles. "The road in from Cumberland is STEEP! We made it in a mini van pulling a scamp, so you'll probably be fine," advises Grant M. about Kingdom Come State Park Campground.

Bear safety protocols: Food storage requirements are strictly enforced at established campgrounds. "We were really careful to keep our campsite very clean as to not attract the bears closer," emphasizes Jess B., demonstrating the importance of proper camping practices in bear country.

Limited connectivity: Cell service ranges from spotty to nonexistent throughout the region. "Great area, no service or wifi," notes camper Wyman M. about Kingdom Come State Park, making it essential to download maps and information before arrival.

Tips for camping with families

Campsite selection: Choose sites with established facilities when camping with children. Kingdom Come State Park offers "a gravel drive, mulch tent pad big enough for two smallish tents, fire ring, and picnic table," according to Sarah, making setup more manageable for families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cumberland, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cumberland, KY is Kingdom Come State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Cumberland, KY?

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