Daniel Boone National Forest spans across 708,000 acres in eastern Kentucky, with tent camping options near Denniston situated in the northern region of the forest at elevations between 800-1,300 feet. This section of the forest features mixed hardwood forests with rolling terrain and several water features accessible for campers. Tent camping near Denniston offers multiple waterside options with Cave Run Lake and Red River providing natural boundaries for many camping areas.
What to do
Paddling adventures: 2.5-mile river routes at Red River Gorge Adventures provide gentle water experiences for beginners. "This campground is only a two mile paddle to the infamous jump rock and swim hole. Also, you are just 10 minutes from slade, where you will find Miguel's, (the best pizza you'll ever eat), gas stations, and cell signal," writes Josh J.
Rock climbing: Hundreds of established routes are available throughout the area, particularly appealing to weekday visitors. "A fantastic place for primitive backpack camping! There are 100's of rock climbs on bullet proof rock! Just try to come here during the weekdays as the weekend we were there it was a zoo!" notes Alan B. from Red River Gorge Campground.
Wildlife observation: Early morning opportunities near water sites provide the best viewing conditions. "Our first morning a heron was fishing in the lake less than 100 feet from us. We saw him catch a fish. There were woodpeckers, hawks and several other birds I did not recognize," explains Kevin C. who tent camped at Paragon.
Hiking to overlooks: Moderate 2-3 mile trails lead to premium viewpoints. "Hanson's point at the red river gorge is often called the best view of the Gorge. To get to Hanson's point you'll have to earn it by hiking for about 2.5 miles, but trust me when I say it's worth it," recommends Wayne H.
What campers like
Tent camping privacy: Varied site spacing across campgrounds determines social atmosphere. At The Ole Cornfield, "We pulled in late, around 7:30pm and had been in contact with Justin prior to arrival. He was waiting for us with a colleague and escorted us to our site. They provided us with firewood and a fire ring and made sure we were comfortable. We were camped right on the river with nobody around us," reports Sandra&Dunn.
Water access: Riverside tent sites provide both scenery and recreation. "The tent sites along the river are so peaceful with the river running below you. There is a lot to do in the area with Cave Run Lake for water adventures and Lockegee Rock and the Sheltowee Trail for hiking," notes Karen P.
Backcountry seclusion: More remote tent camping appeals to those seeking solitude in Denniston's surrounding forests. "W always go to Indian Creek in the RRG. My family loves it. 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," shares Vandee K.
Firewood provisions: Several campgrounds include wood with site fees. At The Ole Cornfield, "They provide fire rings, tables, and wood. There is water and electric at each site. The hosts are definitely the greatest," explains Karen P. in a different review.
What you should know
Permit requirements: $5 backpacking passes must be purchased for tent camping in certain areas. "Red river gorge as a whole is one of my favorite places. I personally prefer to camp off-site but you need a pass. Luckily it's only $5. I highly recommend RRG to anyone who loves to hike and swim and explore," advises Natasha T.
Weekend congestion: Plan to arrive Thursday for better site selection in popular areas. "Some of our favorite backpacking. Getting little busy unless you're out deeper in the back country," notes Ted B. about Red River Gorge Geological Area.
Trash management: No services at many primitive tent camping sites requires planning. "We spent a good hour cleaning up the area, and filled one section of our truck bed with it when we left. Carry it in, folks, and then carry it out," urges Shari G. after tent camping at Paragon.
Water sourcing: Bring treatment supplies for river and lake water. "Princess Arch is at the Red River George in, KY. This is a primitive camping area. Princess Arch offers 105ft of elevation and is a quick 0.6 mi hike from the parking loop. There are bathrooms and trash bins at the parking loop," explains Wayne H.
Tips for camping with families
River wading spots: Shallow water areas provide safe exploration zones for children. At White Sulphur Horse Camp, "We try and use horse camps when traveling in larger groups since they have more space and are not always used. Since we didn't have horses I can't speak entirely on the how well the horse amenities are but the place was clean, restroom facilities were stocked with TP," advises John.
Nature observation activities: Morning wildlife watching keeps kids engaged. "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. We went kayaking (they have a kayaking service on site) and played in the river," shares Karen P.
Family-friendly campgrounds: Quiet-hour policies help with younger campers. "During our two night stay the other sites were all filled with families, so very kid friendly. Not a lot of amenities," notes David C. about his tent camping experience at Red River Adventures.
Cell service planning: Limited connectivity requires advance preparation. "There was slight cell service for Verizon & AT&T, enough for maybe text but not very consistent," reports John from White Sulphur Horse Camp.
Tips from RVers
Campsite dimensions: Pull-through sites accommodate larger setups with extra space. At HomeGrown HideAways, "We had such an amazing time at HomeGrown HideAways!! We stayed at the Yome, and it was perfect for our family of four. Instead of sleeping in it, which would have been perfectly comfortable, we actually used it as more of an extra shelter and we pitched out tents in the field in front of the Yome," shares Cassandra C.
Electric access: 50-amp service available at select locations for tent campers wanting power. "The campground is brand new and it has new bath/shower houses. It has 10 RV sites and riverside tent sites. The sites are level and pull through with 50 amp service," explains Karen P. about The Ole Cornfield.
Gate restrictions: Security policies may limit after-hours access. "They close the gates at night and don't open the gates till 8 am was the only drawback. The gate adds to the security of the campground I liked that they control coming and going at night times," notes Andrew C.
