Daniel Boone National Forest, KY is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Daniel Boone National Forest is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Daniel Boone National Forest, KY. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
Lota. Rocks- Land of the Arches Campground
1 hr away
Nocomas Pass
1 hr 5 min away
$28 - $94 / night
"Zilpo Campground is nestled in the Daniel Boone National forest, so there's plenty of wildlife. Also the fishing is amazing ."
"This campground has it all:) I picked this campsite as it is further south in the Daniel Boone National Forest so it isn't near the chaos of the climbing that is found further North. "
$31 - $128 / night
"This portion of Daniel Boone National Forest is peak beauty in the summer, the beautiful mature trees and well maintained sites make camping so much more enjoyable."
"Stayed here for one night on a road trip to the Great Lakes. It’s basically in the middle of nowhere but nestled nicely on a lake with pretty water and nice scenery."
$24 - $36 / night
"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)."
$20 - $30 / night
"Natural Bridge State Park is within Daniel Boone National Forest and Middle Fork is the campground in the State Park."
"The bathroom (toilets, showers, sinks) was decently kept (facilities were in the front half of the campground so we had to walk over that hill to get to it)."
"We couldn't have asked for a better place to end this portion of our kentucky adventures This camp ground is pretty basic and lovely."
"We stayed in spot 17 which had its own access to a smaller creek. You can take a short walk up the small creek to get to Clear creek. Spots deep enough for swimming. Our dogs loved this place."
"The proximity to the river and kayaking is a big priority for me. They have kayaks for rent at the campground or you can bring your own. "
"We were able to put up a 20 x 10 canopy outside of our camper canopy with plenty of extra room. Lots of space for the kids to run."
$10 / night
"Getting away from the busy life and into backcountry is like stepping into God's country. Don't have to worry about nothing and every day is a new adventure."
"The Tarr Ridge parking area is located on highway 77 on Tarr ridge rd in the red river gorge."
"With about a dozen or so sites, some along the lakeshore, others closeby, lots of options exist to be alone or with a group. "
"This drive in campground is awesome for those who like to camp for free. Right off the highway! Located on Cave Run Lake. No fire pits, no restrooms, no water or electricity hookups."
$20 - $30 / night
"Located off I-64 in eastern Kentucky, RRG and Natural Bridge offer a wide variety of activities including hiking, camping, backcountry camping, kayak and canoe rentals, and the area has various local"
"Close to the Natural Bridge trail and multiple SUP Kentucky sites."
$14 / night
"For a few bucks per carload, Miguel’s camping spot is contains of a few open field areas situated between the Climbing Gear Shop and the famous pizza spot."
"There is only a community fire pit - you can't have fires next to your tent.
Here are some of the cool things at this campground.
Great breakfast, lunch, and dinner at their on-site restaurant."
GuidePrimitive Site 22 was fantastic, tucked away from everyone and quiet. Greenbo just doesn't have a lot to do if you arent boating. And that's okay. We just wanted a lazy trip anyway.
TravelerPlenty of spots, including pull thrus. More affordable than some of the nearby state “resort” parks, though without much in the way of shade or scenery. Staff is very kind, helpful, and understanding. Perfect for an overnight.
RangerBeen going to Greenbo since I was a kid in the 70s. Facilities are well maintained and clean. The campground has been recently paved. Plenty of full service sites with sewer, but lots of other shady sites without sewer. Was there July 13-16, 2025 -- VERY HOT. Staff are friendly and just excellent. The operating hours of marina and other activities are out of date/wrong on the parks.ky.gov web site, just call the park for hours.
Oh, if you want firewood, the campground office is at the marina. Go there, pay for the firewood, and it will be delivered to your site while you go enjoy the park.
Mini golf is in good shape, get clubs and balls at marina. Be prepared, the course is hard, but in a fun way.
Very bike friendly.
TravelerWe spent about five months there this past winter. The campground is beautiful and the owners are amazing. The bathrooms and laundry room are very clean. The surrounding area seeps in history and we enjoyed exploring the area.
The owners, Julie and Darcy, are very friendly, kind and helpful people.
Don’t forget to say hello to Lulu and Tater.
GuideWe stayed in one of the "premium" sites, right on the water F19. The view was incredible. The campground was quiet and the facilities clean. Perfect spot.
GuideThis place takes winding back smaller roads to get there, but is very quiet and beautiful! We fit with our 21 foot camper and truck. Large spots, river alongside campground. Sad to see people left a lot of trash. Free is free!
RangerWe just spent a long weekend at Greenbo Lake State Park. It’s a clean campground, but sites are packed in pretty tight. Not my ideal kind of camping. The kids had fun because there were about 100 kids in the campground running around. There was a vacation bible school going on. Our kids were invited to take part in activities. Really nice people all over the campground. They advertise the sites with 30 and 50 amp hookups. What they didn’t say was that you had to share a post. The people beside me already had the 50 amp. I pulled everything to run on propane that I could and plugged into the 30 amp. We just had to watch and not use electrical appliances while the air was on. It was just way too busy and loud to relax for me. I think I’m just way too spoiled by Twin Knobs. There were way too many young kids on electric bikes that were turned loose. We were almost ran over a couple of times. We were standing beside the road once talking to the camp host in his golf cart and one teen flew between us and I had to grab my 87 year old mother to get her out of the way. The host didn’t seem to care. I was just on edge the whole time trying to keep my grandkids and mom from getting ran over. There were also a bunch of golf carts driving around as late as 2 am. I sound like an old fart, but I’m just putting it out there for future campers. We were on site 53 along the creek. There was no AT&T service, but Verizon had service.
LegendGrayson Lake State Park- East Kentucky. So, we had reservations for Carter Caves, but they canceled on me due to redoing the campground. I was fortunate to find a site at Grayson Lake for Wednesday & Thursday night.
This is a very nice campground at a small state park roughly 10 miles from Carter Caves. Most of it is campground & golf course, with 2 trails.
Grayson Lake has 71 sites with water& electric. There's a dump station. There's 2 playgrounds. 2 bathhouses. They are on the high side of state park clean. I didn't see any spider webs or bugs.
The area was meticulously mowed & clean- no trash at the site or fire pit. The staff at check were friendly & helpful.
We were at site 19 close to the bathhouse. A nice site, but that row had full sun. There were many nice sites, but many had a serious incline. Stay away from site 39 - that has a good view of the wastewater treatment plant!
Grayson Lake is part of a larger area managed by the US Army Corp of Engineers. There's a lot of boating & fishing. We had a good time & if in the area would stay again!
TravelerThis campground is just as I'd hoped--small, clean, and peaceful. The sites are spacious and level. The surrounding hills and lake are gorgeous.
The campground has many full hookup sites. I checked out the bath house: it's the cleanest I've ever seen! Laundry facilities are available. There is a playground for children.
Lots of boating and fishing occurred.
Both the staff and the other campers were friendly and considerate. Quiet hours were observed.
We've already made reservations for next season!
Camping near Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, offers a fantastic escape into nature with plenty of options for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, this area has something for you.
Camping near Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Daniel Boone National Forest?
Daniel Boone National Forest offers several outstanding campgrounds across its vast terrain. Middle Fork Campground in Natural Bridge State Resort Park provides a scenic setting with primitive tent sites along Middle Fork Creek and RV hookups in the front section. Whittleton Campground offers excellent access to Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge hiking trails. For water activities, campgrounds on Cave Run Lake provide stunning shoreline camping. Koomer Ridge is popular among rock climbers for its proximity to climbing routes. For a quieter experience with fishing access, check out the southern section of the forest. Each area offers unique landscapes, from sandstone arches and cliffs to serene lakeshores and dense woodlands.
Is dispersed camping allowed in Daniel Boone National Forest?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in Daniel Boone National Forest with some regulations. A permit is required for backcountry camping, which can be obtained through the forest's mobile app or at ranger stations. Paragon Dispersed Camping Area offers a more established dispersed camping option with basic facilities like toilets. When dispersed camping, you must set up at least 300 feet from any water source, 100 feet from any trail, and outside of developed recreation areas. Practice Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and properly store food to prevent wildlife encounters. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, so check current conditions before your trip. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days in one location within a 30-day period.
Do I need reservations for camping in Daniel Boone National Forest?
Reservations are highly recommended for developed campgrounds in Daniel Boone National Forest, especially during peak seasons. Twin Knobs Recreation Area and Zilpo Campground both operate on reservation systems through Recreation.gov. During busy summer months and fall color season, campsites can fill up quickly. Some campgrounds offer first-come, first-served sites, but these are limited and not guaranteed. For backcountry camping, a permit is required but not a reservation - these permits can be obtained through an app or at ranger stations. Planning ahead with reservations is particularly important for holiday weekends and the popular climbing season in Red River Gorge area.
Are there cabins or glamping options in Daniel Boone National Forest?
Yes, there are several cabin and glamping options in and around Daniel Boone National Forest. Lago Linda Hideaway near Beattyville in the Red River Gorge area offers comfortable cabins with friendly staff who accommodate camping needs. Natural Bridge State Resort Park, located within the forest, provides cabin rentals with modern amenities while maintaining a rustic feel. For those seeking a glamping experience, Red River Gorge Retreats offers unique accommodation options. Additionally, several private resorts around the forest boundaries feature yurts, treehouses, and luxury canvas tents. These options provide an excellent middle ground for visitors wanting to experience the beauty of Daniel Boone National Forest without traditional tent camping.
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