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Koomer Ridge Campground in Daniel Boone National Forest offers pet-friendly camping with accessible hiking trails directly from campsites. The campground maintains clean facilities with potable water available throughout the sites, making it convenient for campers with dogs. Sites are well-spaced and relatively secluded, providing privacy while accommodating tents and RVs. Clear Creek Recreation Area also welcomes pets with spacious sites backing up to a small creek. The primitive setting includes tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings at $15-20 per night on a first-come, first-served basis.
Multiple trails connect directly to Koomer Ridge Campground, allowing pet owners easy access to hiking without driving. Dogs must remain leashed on all trails throughout Daniel Boone National Forest. Cave Run Lake provides additional pet-friendly recreation opportunities with swimming areas where dogs can cool off during warmer months. Sites at Clear Creek Recreation Area are shaded and well-spaced with multiple water taps available. Some campers note hearing occasional noise from the nearby shooting range during operating hours (9am-9pm). The campground's primitive setting and proximity to nature trails make it ideal for campers seeking a quiet retreat with their pets, as sites remain uncrowded even during summer weekends.
"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."
"There are gravity toilets throughout and a bathroom with running water and hot showers towards the entrance."
from $27 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Having recently moved to Kentucky from California was so happy to get to camp in another season besides summer."
"We brought our small a-frame, kayaks, ez-up, kitchen set up and one of our dogs, Butters, with us for this trip."
from $31 - $105 / night
Check Availability"This drive in camp site is a pay only and it’s best to call a couple weeks before your trip to reserve you spot! You can tent camp, pop up, or set up your pull behind."
"It is close to the water. We left our boats down on the bank. You have a "private" restroom and shower house. Occasionally you will get a hiker or someone coming through the trails that will use it."
from $35 - $150 / 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."
"Unless you are a distance hiker you will have to drive to most of the attractions from the campground because they aren’t close. So that’s a pro and a con."
from $26 - $39 / night
Check Availability"I love the creek that runs through the campground (we were in the Whittleton loop)...and the trail that starts in the back of the campground."
"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"
from $26 - $39 / night
Check Availability"Well traveled trails easily followed. Clean campground. Very scenic as one would expect."
"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."
from $10 / night
"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."
"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."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"Nice shaded creek on the outskirts of the campground. Running water, RR, a grill, & Fire ring. All perks. 🔥"
"You cannot bring in firewood from outside of Natural Bridge State Park/Red River Gorge, so we purchased some with our reservation. They loaded up a wheel barrow for us and we took it to our site."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Festus the cat was very welcoming too."
"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."
"There are many campsites of multiple types available, but there are several primitive sites that still feel secluded and surrounded by trees."
"This was a nice campground near the red river gorge. My friends and I stayed at a primitive campsite # 10."
from $10 - $40 / night
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ScoutWe have stayed here many times. Very clean campground.the staff is helpful and friendly. The shower and bathrooms have always been clean . Just wish that they had a fenced in dog park
ScoutBathhouse is immaculate! Super clean facilities! Also laundry available for a small fee, picnic pavilion for all guest with starlink internet FREE! Cheap and affordable place great for families or just a trip for 1! Pet friendly, and beautiful pond! Quiet, off the beaten path, affordable!
GuideThis drive in camp site is a pay only and it’s best to call a couple weeks before your trip to reserve you spot! You can tent camp, pop up, or set up your pull behind. Twin Knobs is very clean and spacious campsites and most are on the water! This campground has basketball courts, a beach area, restrooms and more. Pet friendly but must stay on a leash.
GuideGot there in April and basically no one was there which was awesome. Although we did lose our long haired cat named Trouble, she has her collar and chip but there were dogs around and she never came back. Attached is a picture. Other than the weather and losing Trouble it was great.
ScoutThe folks that run this RV park are very nice and obviously have a lot of pride in their place. Valley Breezy is very well kept and clean. Good amenities- electric/sewer/water hookup. Pets allowed (on-leash).
ScoutOne key feature of The Dyrt is its extensive campground database, which includes over 44,000 campgrounds nationwide. This allows users to easily search for and discover new camping destinations based on location, amenities, and user ratings. The app also offers offline maps and filters for specific preferences such as pet-friendly sites, RV accessibility, and more.
GuideI was extremely thankful to get a last minute tent site during my trip to run the Rugged Red. Locationwise, it's perfect and right at the start of the race. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to go back!! I love the creek that runs through the campground (we were in the Whittleton loop)...and the trail that starts in the back of the campground. It poured all night while we were there, but we stayed dry...our site didn't flood or anything.
I only have two complaints. The website said free wi-fi, but evidently that's only on the other larger loop. It was misleading. Also, this trail is one of the only ones in the area where dogs are allowed. That's a huge issue for me, since I always camp and hike with my sidekick. That's a state park issue, not an isolated campground issue. It's pet friendly!!
GuideWell traveled trails easily followed. Clean campground. Very scenic as one would expect. Local food is good a lot of small mom an pop establishments. 30/50 amp service at most if the campgrounds all have tent camping. Cell service is very spotty WiFi was the same pet friendly. Did see signs for ADA sites. Found food and supplies available found a few outfitters for camping and rafting gear
ScoutWe have stayed in four sites her during the past couple of month. There are two walk-in sites (10 & 51). Both were pleasant, nearly level, close to amenities, but were under no shade. [Site 10 is presently inhabited by a large family with a sign that says “Camp Host out front. I have not seen them do anything for campers here, and the site is kept in disgraceful cluttered condition.] we next stayed on Lot 13, which backs up to the primitive campground. Quite nice, but beware: this site as well as about half of the other sites at this campground require the use of electrical and water extensions because the connections are on the “wrong” side of the RV, and quite a distance away. For Lot 13, I needed over 50’ of extensions. We then stayed on walk-in lot 51. I was able to “self permit” at the gate…it’s first come first served, no online reservations. Nice, but no shade. Finally, we’re on Lot 47. Eureka! This is my favorite so far. It’s one of the “premium sites” with wooden deck and nicer picnic table for only $2 additional per night. View is phenomenal, and it’s close enough to dumpsters and gatehouse. Notice that I didn’t mention anything about sewer hookups. That’s because there are none. There is a single, very popular dump station near the entrance/exit.
There are several miles of decent trails here, a swimming pool, putt putt golf, a pioneer museum, and a lodge with a good restaurant. The campground is easily accessible and is very kid and pet friendly. Nice sites for tent camping. Facilities are a bit dated, but clean and well maintained. All RV sites are back-in, and some are limited length. (Though some campers have rather cleverly managed to pull through a couple of the sites.) Some are quite unlevel.
Overall good family campground on rich historical site.
Denniston, Kentucky sits in eastern Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest region at approximately 1,000 feet elevation. The surrounding terrain features steep wooded hillsides, sandstone cliffs, and abundant natural water sources including Clear Creek and Cave Run Lake. Camping options near Denniston range from primitive backcountry sites to established campgrounds with RV hookups, most operating between April and November.
Hiking trails from campgrounds: Koomer Ridge Campground connects directly to multiple trail systems. "Multiple trails leave straight out of the campground and head into the Red River Gorge, a nice feature," writes Jeffrey A. about Koomer Ridge Campground. The campground's ridge location provides good access to both upper and lower gorge trails.
Mountain biking opportunities: The area offers terrain for cyclists of various skill levels. Erin H. notes that "Koomer Ridge campground has a great location for mountain biking (what we went for), hiking, fishing - anything really! The Daniel Boone Nat Forest is, I think, at its most beautiful in late spring."
Rock climbing access: Red River Gorge attracts climbers worldwide with hundreds of routes. "A fantastic place for primitive backpack camping! There are 100's of rock climbs on bullet proof rock!" says Alan B. about Red River Gorge Campground. Climbing permits aren't required, but backpacking permits ($5) are necessary for overnight stays in non-designated areas.
Fishing and paddling: Cave Run Lake and Clear Creek offer fishing opportunities year-round. "Clear Creek Lake just up the street was quiet and great for some lazy kayaking. I used this as a base camp for trail running at multiple parks," writes Anna S. about her experience at Clear Creek Recreation Area.
Spacious sites with natural buffers: Many campgrounds offer sites separated by vegetation. "The sites are wooded, level and drain well. The prices are reasonable and the shower house is clean," reports Janice C. about Koomer Ridge. These natural separations provide privacy even during busier seasons.
Proximity to geological features: The area's unique sandstone formations are a main attraction. "Natural Bridge is worth seeing, even if you've been to Utah etc., and there are different access options (trails, ski lift) to suit your whole family," explains Justin S. about Whittleton Campground.
Creek access within campgrounds: Many sites offer direct water access. "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," shares Dylane S. about Clear Creek Rec Area.
Off-grid experience with basic amenities: For those seeking to disconnect while maintaining some comforts, Anna S. notes about Clear Creek, "I stayed 3 nights and I was the only person there the whole time. My site was a good size, a nice camping pad, picnic table, fire ring, Clean bathrooms, multiple water taps... No cell signal (verizon). $15/night."
Seasonal operating schedules: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through early November. "Zilpo Campground is open April 25 to November 2," according to official information for Zilpo Campground, which is typical of the region's facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Denniston, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Denniston, KY is Koomer Ridge Campground — Daniel Boone National Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Denniston, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 59 dog-friendly camping locations near Denniston, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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