Best Dispersed Camping near Falls of Rough, KY

Dispersed camping near Falls of Rough, Kentucky includes several primitive options across public lands in Kentucky and neighboring Indiana. Hoosier National Forest to the north provides roadside pull-offs for self-contained campers, while Mammoth Cave National Park offers hike-in dispersed camping at First Creek. Mitchell Creek Road in Indiana features several informal dispersed sites along forest roads. These areas typically require campers to bring all necessary supplies and follow leave-no-trace principles on public land.

Access conditions vary significantly between sites. First Creek Dispersed Camping in Mammoth Cave requires a permit and involves a downhill hike to reach tent sites along Green River. Mitchell Creek Road features narrow gravel roads with limited pull-offs that accommodate small vehicles only, not suitable for RVs or trailers. One camper noted, "There are just a couple of sites along the road... basically a make your own campsite." Many areas lack cell service, and paper maps are recommended as GPS coverage can be unreliable. Most sites have no amenities—no restrooms, drinking water, or established facilities.

The camping experience in these areas emphasizes seclusion and natural surroundings. Hoosier National Forest sites provide deep woods camping with proximity to the Ohio River. First Creek in Mammoth Cave features distinctive rock formations early in the season before foliage fills in, with camping spots that include basic fire rings, lantern hooks, and tent pads. One visitor described it as "an enjoyable hike down into the First Creek creek bed of Green River." Mitchell Creek Road offers access to rock outcroppings and creek exploration but receives mixed reviews for site quality. The area is notably quiet—a reviewer mentioned "only two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours" at their site. Wildlife encounters are common, including turtles on roads and possible coyote activity at night.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Falls of Rough, Kentucky (4)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Falls of Rough, KY

7 Reviews of 4 Falls of Rough Campgrounds


  • Jaymi A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Perfect for Invisible Boondocking

    This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities. However, if you are camping in a self-contained SMALL vehicle, this is quiet, secluded, and beautiful. I did not see any pull offs that would accommodate an RV of any size, and nothing large enough to turn a trailer around.One pull off was nearly too small to turn around my small pick up truck. But the thick forest was beautiful. There are rock outcroppings along this road, which follows Mitchell Creek and lots to explore on foot. While I was exploring and camping on this road, only two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours. VERY quiet. Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty. The place I camped had a small graveyard behind it, so if you’re superstitious, this may not be for you. There was also a big white building that was all locked up surrounded by open meadow that a larger vehicle might be able to park behind. A circular “drive” was mown around the building. A few of the pull offs I didn’t explore because they were muddy or washed out after several days of rain. I would camp here again for the quiet and it’s proximity to Hemlock Cliffs and Yellow Birch Ravine.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2020

    First Creek Dispersed Camping — Mammoth Cave National Park

    All down hill

    First Camp Dispersed tent sites are an enjoyable hike down into the First Creek ,creek bed of Green River in Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky

    If you go early enough in the season you will see some awesome rock formations. Once all the foliage fills in its not as picturesque .

    Find Ollie Rd on the back side of Mammoth and take the gravel road straight at the hard right turn. First Creek can be hiked to from two different parking areas and it’s part of the Loop trail used by hikers and horseback riders alike. A map is very useful for distances and trail directions because the markers are not always where they are supposed to be. There is an beautiful pond/lake at the bottom of the hike that empties into the Green River. Realize of course water = snakes and take precautions. Two choices of tent sites. Both have a fire ring , lantern hook and tent pad. Firewood is all around :) tote in your water or filtration system and everything you need cause the hike back up that hill ain’t short! It gets DARK here! You should have some beautiful star gazing opportunities and some wildlife interactions. Once again take precautions with your food, it’s a long hike back up that hill! Bug spray! Enough said! Love this out of the way area but it can be quite spooky ;) Enjoy ;)

  • Tommy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Limited dispersed sites

    Mitchell Creek Road in Hoosier National Forest, is just one small section of a road that runs along Mitchell Creek. On the west end, where the road turns right (north), there was a small drive to the right that went down towards the creek bed. There was a small fire ring here, and another fire ring around the back, both set up on the rocks of the dry riverbed. These didn't seem like great camping areas, let alone a "campsite". Towards the middle this road, just east of an intersection for a road to the south, there was a campsite creek side, and a little farther, a campsite on the hillside. The hillside spot was taken, so we took that last spot. Lookout for turtles on the road, we spotted and removed 4 of them.

    The area was rather buggy, and to be honest a little sketchy, so we slept in our van. Only two cars drove by, each time kicking up a big cloud of white dust which covered most of the foliage by the road. It hadn't rained in a while. We went briefly down to the creek, but it was very buggy and not very nice to hike. At night, we heard some loud mysterious crashing in some nearby trees, and what was possibly a large band of coyotes in the distance. Can't imagine I'd ever come back to this area, but it's there as an option for sure!

  • Sofia A.
    Oct. 23, 2020

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Nice but nope

    It took me 20 from route 64 to find this place. If you are solo female traveler don’t even waste your time. After 5 min of driving on the very skinny gravel road y saw what it look like spots but Iam not sure really. 10 min later I got to the coordinates and there was nothing, not seven an opening just more road. Y just keep driving till I got back to 64 and found a Cracker Barrel 17 miles away.

  • S
    Apr. 7, 2024

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    It’s a very spartan spot

    Spot has a creek and is flat enough for a tent mostly just a single person spot no toilets. Road south coming in was destroyed some time ago have to w yer from east or west road.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Small pull off on the side of a gravel road.

    This is a bare bones location. There was evidence of a homemade fire pit and a small cleared area. No cell service at the site but there was a bar or two on the road just a few feet away. With a weboost there was att and tmobile service. Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there. 38.515995, -85.870726, 871 ft

  • P
    May. 7, 2021

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    There is no camp ground

    There are just a couple of sites along the road. One is at the trail crossing for horses, hikers, and bikers. Its basically a make your own campsite. Ok place if you like to really rough it.


Guide to Falls of Rough

Dispersed camping near Falls of Rough, Kentucky typically requires self-sufficiency and preparation for primitive conditions. The region sits at elevations ranging from 400-900 feet with mixed hardwood forests dominating the landscape. Summer temperatures often reach into the 90s with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for rustic camping experiences.

What to do

Creek exploration: At Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed, campers can explore rock outcroppings along the water. "There are rock outcroppings along this road, which follows Mitchell Creek and lots to explore on foot," notes reviewer Jaymi A.

Star gazing opportunities: The remote nature of these areas creates excellent night sky viewing. The limited traffic adds to the experience, with one camper at Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed noting, "Very quiet. While I was exploring and camping on this road, only two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours."

Hiking nearby trails: Forest trails provide access to unique geological features. "If you go early enough in the season you will see some awesome rock formations," reports a camper about the terrain near these dispersed camping areas.

What campers like

Seclusion and privacy: The remote locations provide genuine solitude. "This is quiet, secluded, and beautiful," writes one camper about Mitchell Creek Road.

Proximity to water features: Many sites offer creek or river access. One visitor describes the area as having "a beautiful pond/lake at the bottom of the hike that empties into the Green River."

Wildlife encounters: The natural setting supports diverse wildlife viewing. Some campers report hearing "what was possibly a large band of coyotes in the distance" while others mention spotting turtles and other small animals throughout the area.

What you should know

Vehicle limitations: Many roads are narrow with limited turnaround space. At Hoosier National Forest, a reviewer describes it as a "Big spot for almost any type of camper. Deep woods," but other areas have more restrictions.

Navigation challenges: Cell service is unreliable throughout the region. "Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty," advises one experienced camper.

Fire regulations: Rules vary by location and season. While some areas permit fires, others have strict restrictions, particularly during dry periods.

Water access concerns: Seasonal water levels affect camping conditions. "It hadn't rained in a while," notes one camper, describing how drought conditions impacted their experience.

Tips for camping with families

Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness is essential. One camper advises, "Realize of course water = snakes and take precautions" when camping near water features at First Creek Dispersed Camping.

Terrain challenges: Some sites involve significant hiking. A reviewer notes, "First Camp Dispersed tent sites are an enjoyable hike down into the First Creek creek bed of Green River in Mammoth Cave National Forest," but cautions "the hike back up that hill ain't short!"

Preparation needs: Pack all necessities as no services are available. "Tote in your water or filtration system and everything you need," recommends a camper who experienced the rustic conditions.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Small vehicles only on many forest roads. A visitor to the area warns, "I did not see any pull offs that would accommodate an RV of any size, and nothing large enough to turn a trailer around."

Alternative parking options: Some locations offer limited larger vehicle access. "There was also a big white building that was all locked up surrounded by open meadow that a larger vehicle might be able to park behind," suggests an RVer who found creative solutions for parking near Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed.

Road conditions: Expect unpaved, potentially rough roads throughout the area. "Spot has a creek and is flat enough for a tent mostly just a single person spot no toilets. Road south coming in was destroyed some time ago have to w yer from east or west road," explains one camper about accessing remote sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Falls of Rough, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Falls of Rough, KY is Hoosier National Forest with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Falls of Rough, KY?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Falls of Rough, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.