Tent campsites near Dunmor, Kentucky extend beyond the main Mammoth Cave National Park area. Houchin Ferry Campground provides primitive camping along the Green River approximately 15 miles from the main cave complex. The campground features concrete picnic tables at each site with portable toilets and trash disposal, though access to the river can be challenging due to muddy conditions.
What to do
Kayak the Green River: Paddlers can enjoy an 11-mile stretch from Green River Ferry back to Houchin Ferry Campground. "Set up camp at Houchins Ferry and kayaked from Green River Ferry back to the campsite," reports David, who notes the campground "fills up fast on the weekends."
Explore backcountry trails: Hikers can access two trailheads near Temple Hill—First Creek Trail and McCoy Hollow Trail—about 30 minutes from the campground. "There are three dispersed campsite on First Creek Trail (west side of the Houchins Ferry Rd). A good map of the area is available at the visitor center," writes Shelly S., who adds it's "worth the drive, excellent back country hiking shared with equestrians."
Visit nearby Nolin River: The Nolin River provides additional water recreation opportunities close to the camping areas. "We kayaked the Nolin and Green rivers. Both were very pretty! Recommend a trip on the Nolin," suggests Micah N., who found the primitive sites at Houchin Ferry "well maintained" with "lots of space to run around with the kids."
What campers like
Natural seclusion: The remote location creates a quieter camping experience than other areas in the park. "Houchins Ferry gives you the isolated feel that some people like. The ferry is closed so no through traffic," explains Shelly S., who notes that despite the isolated feeling, "Rangers make their rounds."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The riverside location creates habitat for various wildlife, particularly in summer months. "We tent camped here in July and saw hundreds of lightning bugs! It was magical, that really made the experience so much better for us," shares Shea M., who found the campsites "very spacious" with "plenty of room for the kids or dogs to run around."
Temperature advantages: The riverfront location provides natural cooling compared to other areas. "Sites are right along the side of the Green River and the temperature here was a consistent 3 degrees F lower than in town," reports Overland 1., who also notes there's "lot of shade, not good for solar."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: While historically first-come-first-served, camping now requires advance booking. "It usually is first come first serve, but during Covid is reservation only," explains David, who found the campground "small and the sites are pretty close together."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is extremely limited throughout the camping area. "No signal. Your phone will tease you with one bar and occasionally something might get through but it would be easier on your battery to just wait until you get into town," advises Shelly S., who describes Houchin Ferry as being "in the sticks."
Distance from main attractions: The campground is significantly removed from the primary park facilities. "I arrived to find the campground pretty much empty, but a lot further from the main area of the park than I thought," writes Tucker B., who clarifies "it's just about a 20-minute drive over to the caves and main hiking trails."
Tips for camping with families
Choose the right site: Site selection can significantly impact your camping experience. "Sites 1-6 were pretty close together. I would have picked site 8 if I had to go again," recommends Micah N., who appreciated having "lots of space to run around with the kids."
Consider the pavilion area: The campground includes additional gathering spaces beyond individual sites. "Across the road to the ferry is a large pavilion with several more picnic tables for bigger gatherings," mentions Shea M., who highly recommends combining camping with "a cave tour as well at Mammoth Cave National Park."
Plan for primitive conditions: No running water or modern facilities are available at the campground. "Water, dumpster toilet, table and fire ring. What else could you need," writes Micah N., who found the River Floodplain Campsites area had sites that were "well maintained" with "rangers making the rounds cleaning up."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions apply: The campground has significant limitations for larger vehicles. "These sites are listed as 'Tent Only' but I got my Dodge van in no problem. In my 3 days here I saw many tents, a small pop up camper, and 2 vans. Anything larger would be a problem I think," explains Overland 1., who stayed at Houchin Ferry Campground.
Road access considerations: Access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "Road in is paved and not bad, but has a few hills and is narrow," notes Overland 1., who found the site affordable at "$10 per night" with a lifetime park pass.
