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Tanner P.
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TravelerMitchell Creek Road Dispersed
Peaceful!
There’s not a lot of designated camp spots but there’s not many people around. Very peaceful
Dispersed Camping near Fort Knox, KY
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Dispersed camping near Fort Knox, Kentucky centers primarily in surrounding public lands including Hoosier National Forest to the north in Indiana and areas within Mammoth Cave National Park. The region includes several unmarked sites along forest roads and creek beds rather than designated campgrounds. Mitchell Creek Road in Hoosier National Forest provides roadside pull-offs on public land, while First Creek in Mammoth Cave National Park offers hike-in primitive camping. These areas generally lack formal infrastructure but provide access to natural settings within 60-90 minutes of Fort Knox.
Several forest access points require careful navigation due to narrow, gravel roads with limited turnaround space. Mitchell Creek Road features small pull-offs that accommodate tent camping or small vehicles but are unsuitable for RVs or trailers. First Creek Dispersed sites in Mammoth Cave require permits and involve significant hiking on trails that can be poorly marked. Water sources exist but may require filtration, and no amenities such as restrooms, designated fire rings, or trash service are available. Cell service is minimal or non-existent throughout most areas.
The dispersed sites provide secluded camping experiences in thick forests with opportunities to explore creeks, rock formations, and wildlife habitats. As one camper noted about Mitchell Creek Road, "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." First Creek in Mammoth Cave features a pond that empties into Green River, though hikers should be prepared for the challenging return climb. Seasonal conditions significantly impact the experience, with some users reporting beautiful star-gazing opportunities but also warning about insects, particularly ticks along Knobstone Trail areas. Campers consistently mention the importance of being well-prepared with proper maps, as trail markers can be inconsistent.
Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Fort Knox (8)
1. salem lake
"Fishing lake. Quite a few locals throughout the day. Big field, camp anywhere. Porta potty, trash can, no other services. No fires. Nice lake, sunset, sunrise, wildlife. Felt very safe."
2. Hoosier National Forest
"Way off the beaten path and not in a random valley this was a great step over the random spot I had chosen earlier. Gladly unpacked the car to rack out."
3. German Ridge
"Site has a spacious opening and easy drive up. Plenty of room for 3 vehicles or a longer trailer. Flat spots galore."
4. Knobstone Trail
"Most people, even Hoosiers don't realize the Knobstone Trail exists. It's often referred to The Little AT by those who know about it. It's no walk in the park."
"The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail snd creek beds."
5. Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed
"This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities."
"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."
6. Jackson Trailhead
"there’s parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. there are campsites along the trail just have to find them"
7. First Creek Dispersed Camping — Mammoth Cave National Park
"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"
from $8 / night
Check Availability8. Mitchell Creek Road
Drive Time
- 17 min from Elizabethtown, KY
- 35 min from Louisville, KY
- 1 hr 14 min from Bowling Green, KY
- 1 hr 28 min from Owensboro, KY
Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Fort Knox, KY
2 Photos of 8 Fort Knox Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dispersed Camping Reviews near Fort Knox, KY
13 Reviews of 8 Fort Knox Campgrounds
- jjulieTraveler
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
Desert B.TravelerKnobstone Trail
not accessible
Maybe Google Maps took me to the wrong place (probably not). I drove back and forth on the road several times looking for this place The only thing I found was what I believe was the entrance with a cable across it. There was no place to park otherwise.
Susan C.
ScoutKnobstone Trail
Top notch place and people
The entire park is just beautiful. It's very family friendly and quiet. The sites are spacious, and there are a lot of nature things to do.
- SSabrina C.Scout
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.
- Jaymi A.Scout
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.
loganx11ScoutJackson Trailhead
good spot just gotta find it!
there’s parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. there are campsites along the trail just have to find them
- PPhil L.Scout
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.
Maris H.TravelerKnobstone Trail
The KT earns its nickname 'little AT'
The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail snd creek beds. You're never too far from water, although the quality may differ depending on the time of year.
Watch out for ticks. My dogs and I got loads of them in April 2020 from Leota to Spurgeon Hollow. There are road crossings every 5 to 10 miles, so if you run out of something or need to bail you can. The KT asks that you respect leave no trace philosophy, and I felt most hikers did.
There is occasional trail magic but don't depend on it if thru hiking. I have not stayed in any campgrounds near the trail, so I can't review those, but the trailheads all have adequate parking and signage, and I found topo maps online for free.
Let someone know your itinerary, have a means for filtering water, and enjoy!
Guide to Fort Knox
Dispersed camping near Fort Knox is available in several undeveloped areas within Hoosier National Forest in Indiana, approximately 30-40 miles from the military base. Mitchell Creek Road offers primitive roadside camping with limited pull-off sites along a narrow gravel forest service road. These spots are suitable primarily for tents or small vehicles, with no amenities available. A visitor noted, "This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities." The road can be difficult to navigate and several sites may be inaccessible after rainfall.
First Creek Dispersed Camping in Mammoth Cave National Park provides more remote options but requires a permit and hiking access only. The site features basic tent pads and fire rings along creek beds that feed into the Green River. Jackson Trailhead offers additional primitive camping accessed via "a decrepit gravel road" with campsites located along hiking trails. Knobstone Trail provides backcountry camping opportunities along its challenging route, often called "The Little AT" by experienced hikers, though recent reviews indicate some access points may be difficult to locate or blocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Fort Knox, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Fort Knox, KY is salem lake with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.
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What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Fort Knox, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Fort Knox, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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