Best Tent Camping near Frenchburg, KY

The Frenchburg area of Kentucky provides several tent camping options in the surrounding Daniel Boone National Forest, with Red River Gorge standing out as a premier destination for backcountry tent camping. Paragon Dispersed Camping Area in Clearfield offers primitive tent sites approximately 12 miles northeast of Frenchburg, while White Sulphur Horse Camp in Salt Lick provides basic tent camping with minimal amenities. Most tent campgrounds in this region feature established sites within the forests, providing natural shade and proximity to hiking trails in the rugged, scenic Appalachian foothills.

Tent campground amenities vary significantly throughout the area. The more primitive sites like Paragon Dispersed Camping Area have basic toilet facilities and trash collection but lack drinking water and electrical hookups. Campers need to pack in all necessary supplies, including water and cooking equipment. Sites typically feature dirt or natural forest floors with minimal site preparation. Red River Gorge requires a backcountry permit for dispersed camping, available for around $5 for a three-day pass, which can be purchased at local gas stations in Slade. A visitor commented, "Dispersed camping is in the forest, so lots of shade. There is no water. Trash disposal and vault toilets at the parking lots at trailheads."

Walk-in tent sites in the Red River Gorge area offer more secluded experiences away from vehicle noise and other campers. These sites require hiking gear to be carried in, but reward tent campers with pristine natural settings. Many tent sites are positioned along ridgelines or near water sources, providing both scenic views and practical camping considerations. The terrain varies from flat areas near parking locations to more remote spots requiring moderate hiking to access. During peak seasons (spring and fall), backcountry camping areas can become crowded, particularly on weekends. One camper noted that "the primitive campsites will vary based on location, but you can typically find decent spots off of most of the trails. Some spots will be closer to the trails, and others you will have to explore/hike to find."

Best Tent Sites Near Frenchburg, Kentucky (10)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Frenchburg, KY

624 Reviews of 10 Frenchburg Campgrounds


  • R
    Aug. 13, 2018

    John Swift's Lost Silvermine Historic Campground

    Great family-friendly, primitive car camping

    This campground is easy to access and good for individuals or groups; it's mostly covered with grass though there are areas that are more dirt, closer to the river. It's nestled between the Red River and Highway 715, so you are pretty close to the road and will hear some road noise, but it's a pretty quiet 2-lane highway. There are picnic tables and fire-rings at each campsite, and it is easy to pitch a few tents in close proximity if you are there with a group. The toilets are port-a-potties scattered throughout the campground. You are asked to sign a waiver and agree to the quiet hours (11-6). The campground is gated and the gate is closed and locked at 10 pm (but the campground manager sleeps on-site). The firewood we purchased here was very wet though, and never burned well. This is typical of much of the firewood purchased at the RRG though, unless you buy kiln-dried from the store. Canoe and kayak rentals happen at the site as well. This was perfect for camping with my 10-month old, without needing to hike in from the car. A good balance between a crowded state campground and backcountry camping.

  • Jeffrey A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2023

    Koomer Ridge Campground — Daniel Boone National Forest

    Lovely NF Campground

    Koomer Ridge is really an excellent campground!  As of April 2023 all sites were first-come, first-serve (no prior reservations permitted).  We camped one night and thoroughly enjoyed it!  No hook-ups but the site was level for a 21" campervan and had a HUGE tent pad, 2 lantern posts, fire ring and picnic table in a spacious site.  Plenty of trees for hammocks, too!  Sites were more than adequately spaced out around the campground and some were quite private.  Multiple trails leave straight out of the campground and head into the Red River Gorge, a nice feature.  Campground is heavily wooded, too, so plenty of shade should be available during the summer months.

    The shower house is next to Site 14 and was clean though chilly but had hot & cold running water and was modern/updated.  Only ding here was that a couple of the toilets were out of service during our stay - no big deal as the campground was fairly empty and I hope they'll be addressed before summer crowds arrive.

    The campground is on a ridge - so apart from the sites themselves, there is very little flat ground to be had.  Not a drawback, just an observation.  But the hills make for a lovely setting and beautiful sunsets/sunrises filtering through the trees.  Only criticism is the proximity to the Mountain Parkway nearby; had we been tent camping, the traffic noise would have been a nuisance all night.  But in the campervan it wasn't noticeable, fortunately!  Not enough to cost a star, but worth noting if you're using a tent or soft-sided camper.

    Red River Gorge is an extraordinary and beautiful place to explore, and Koomer Ridge is an excellent basecamp from which to do so!

  • Angie A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Turkey Foot Campground

    Excellent find in the woods!

    Found the perfect spot for our trailer and our friends car camping. Clean vault toilets. Each site has fire ring and picnic table. Pack in pack out even though some didn’t get the memo yet park service was there in the morning to clean. Limited to no cell service.

  • Chris H.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Twin Knobs Recreation Area

    Hidden Gem

    We've stayed at Twin Knobs twice now in our popup camper. First time was at F26, second was at F24. We love how the outer loop sites have such quick access to the water.

    Both sites are shaded very well and the sites themselves are huge. We could see other campers through the trees but we felt pretty well secluded.

    Each site has several tall poles with hooks for trash bags/food storage. as well each site has a large fire pit with flip-over grill for cooking.

    The firewood bundles are a bit pricey ($7) at the checkin shack, but I'm glad they are available. we purchased at least 7 bundles to have a pretty much constant fire through the day and night.

    The bathrooms are clean and easily accessible. There was a bit of an overflow issue our first day on site but it was resolved in less than an hour by the loop hosts.

    Pop's bbq was a hit both nights we were there. We ordered carryout (covid) and ate at camp on the provided picnic tables. The Dollar General is also adequately stocked.

    All in all a fantastic visit which we will repeat ASAP. it's too bad they close at the end of October. I bet winter camping there would be a treat.

    Cheers,

    Chris

  • M
    Jan. 26, 2022

    Callie’s Lake and Campground

    Impressive

    We were very pleased with this campground. When we first checked in, the smell of the food in the campground store was to die for. We had plans to cook at our campsite, but the specials that night were very tempting. The staff was kind and helpful, and provided us with a map of the property. The bathhouse was a nice touch! There are many campsites of multiple types available, but there are several primitive sites that still feel secluded and surrounded by trees. There are several sites that can be accessed by a sedan, but some of the sites farther back really require something more suited to off-road driving. We were in a Subaru Forester and had no issues, but did actually have to help push a Camry out of a rut. We visited in October 2021 and it seemed like the area we selected was still slightly under construction. The campsite was wonderful, but the picnic table was sitting on a slope and we were having a difficult time preventing our food from falling off. A flatter spot for the picnic table would be our only suggestion to the owner. My friend used a tent and was happy to see a flat spot cut out of the slope our site was situated on. I used a hammock and didn’t have any trouble finding suitable trees. We loved it and will definitely be back!

  • Kenny P.
    Jul. 21, 2021

    Turkey Foot Campground

    Turkey foot Campground

    All tent pad sites with fire ring/grill and lantern hook. Vault toilets are available. No garbage pickup so pack it out!! Hiking and fishing are done activities

  • Andrew G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2019

    S-Tree Campground

    A quiet well maintained stopover, or a woodsy weekend retreat; your pick

    Arrived late and took a minute to find the actual campsites. They aren't right next to the fireplace shelter, rather just around the corner. Had the place completely to myself on a thursday night/friday morning. Biting bugs weren't bad,(late May) but there were still a ton of other varieties. Several toilets on site, but no water. Picnic tables, tent pads, and fire rings at each site. There are only 10 tent sites, and the ones by the shelter are for picnics only. I wouldn't recommend a long RV up there, although there seems to be another 10 or so sites big enough for RVs and trailers. I was really impressed by the overall quality of the campground, but the distance from everything is a big negative.  The northern road in isn't all that bad, but the south road is what I NEEDED to use to get to my various destinations, and it was a rough one. I made it in and out twice in an HHR, but I was bottoming out on gravel and such. Overall, the HHR handled it fine, it just wasn't worth it, so I ended up only staying the one night. If not for distance from everything and the road conditions, it would've scored a 5.

  • Steve Z.
    Aug. 5, 2021

    Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park

    Great place for passers through or staycationers.

    We 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.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Fort Boonesborough State Park Campground

    Pricey but interesting

    I was very interested in this area for the living history museum but as a tent camper I had more than a little sticker shock at the $36 price point not to mention the booking fee on Reserve America. That made this one of the most expensive campgrounds I have stayed at including numerous stops in California. 😒

    The sites were well shaded and included the typical set up of fire rings and picnic tables but I did feel a little closer to my neighbor than I would have liked. I can only imagine the feeling to and RV camper would be even more suffocating.

    The campground was noisy and busy as it was a weekend, and while some of that can be expected for the higher price point I would have liked things to have been a bit more accommodating to those times, maybe they should offer a few less sites so there can be a bit more space so if it is busy you don’t feel like you are suffocated by noise.

    With that being said, not all was bad here. The things to do outside of th campground itself were worth some of the inadequacies the camp provided in way of space. The living history museum was one of the best I have seen in the Kentucky or Tennessee area and other amenities such as water access and proximity to hiking was great.

    If I did return it would be during the week and potentially not during summer to avoid the crowd.


Guide to Frenchburg

Tent camping near Frenchburg, Kentucky offers access to the diverse ecosystems of the Appalachian foothills within Daniel Boone National Forest. The area sits at approximately 800-900 feet elevation with surrounding ridges reaching 1,200+ feet, creating varied camping environments from riverside sites to elevated forest settings. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-90°F with higher humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with daytime temperatures in the 50-75°F range.

What to do

Waterhole swimming: At Red River Gorge, campers can cool off at popular swimming spots during hot summer months. "Every time I've camped the Gorge I head to the water hole and jumping rock. There are plenty of other campers but just enough to give you some happy company. Camp amongst the tree line and branch out into the cool clear water on a hot summer's day! Taking a leap off the jumping rock should not be missed!!" says Jess P. of Red River Gorge Campground.

Kayaking and paddling: The Red River offers excellent paddling opportunities with relatively calm waters suitable for beginners and families. Wayne H. mentions, "This was a nice little campground right on the Red River. The spots were all primitive with rock fire rings. One site had a pic nic table. During our two night stay the other sites were all filled with families, so very kid friendly." Boat launch access is available at multiple points along the river.

Hiking to scenic viewpoints: The area features multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "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," notes Wayne H. of Red River Gorge Adventures.

What campers like

Privacy and seclusion: Many campers appreciate the ability to find secluded tent sites away from crowds. Andrew C. says of Paragon Dispersed Camping Area, "Love this place, will be returning in the future. We stayed a week and only saw three other campers and no one with in 100 yards of our campsite."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting provides excellent wildlife watching. Kevin C. shares, "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. The view of the lake from our camp site was amazing."

Varied camping environments: Tent campers have options from lakeside to mountain ridge sites. Josh J. notes, "This campground is very spacious, I've camped on holiday weekends and never had other campers within 100 ft of my site. There are wide open spaces, sites in the trees, sites with sandy floors, etc. The entire campground runs alongside the river bank."

What you should know

Permits required for backcountry camping: A backcountry permit is necessary for dispersed camping in Red River Gorge. "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.

Site conditions vary widely: Primitive sites may require preparation. Shari G. of Daniel Boone National Forest White Sulphur Horse Camp shares, "We try and use horse camps when traveling in larger groups since they have more space and are not always used. The place was clean, restroom facilities were stocked with TP. There was slight cell service for Verizon & AT&T, enough for maybe text but not very consistent."

Trash management: Pack-out policies exist throughout the area. "We arrived right after a busy holiday weekend, and found our site (and those next to it) full of extra fire rings and heaps of trash. 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."

Tips for camping with families

Choose established campgrounds: For families tent camping near Frenchburg, established sites offer more amenities. "This campground is actually a veteran owned boating rental/shuttle service with an attached campground. It is super family friendly, they have an 11pm quiet time and strict alcohol policy," notes Josh J.

Check restroom facilities: Not all camping areas have adequate facilities for children. "The campground was about ¾ full but still plenty of space for our little trailer. There were portable pit-toilets (bring your own TP, if you want to have some). There are no trash cans or dumpsters in the area, so plan accordingly."

Consider seasonal timing: Peak seasons bring more campers. Amy B. of HomeGrown HideAways recommends, "Beautiful camping all year round! Dogs are more than welcome." Another visitor adds, "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."

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Most tent camping areas near Frenchburg lack RV hookups. One reviewer explains, "There is no potable water or electrical hookups, but with our solar panel we are always ready for primitive sites." Prepare for boondocking or find accommodations further away.

Access considerations: Some roads leading to camping areas have restrictions. "Not able to access the campsite due to a gate blocking the road," reports one camper. Call ranger stations for current access information before arriving with larger vehicles.

Cell service limitations: Connectivity is spotty throughout the region. "There was slight cell service for Verizon & AT&T, enough for maybe text but not very consistent," notes John. Download offline maps before arriving to navigate the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Frenchburg, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Frenchburg, KY is Red River Gorge Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 22 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Frenchburg, KY?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Frenchburg, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.