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Best Tent Camping near Grayson Lake

604 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites surrounding Grayson Lake, Kentucky range from established primitive areas to dispersed camping zones in Daniel Boone National Forest. The Paragon Dispersed Camping Area offers multiple tent sites situated along the shoreline of Cave Run Lake, while additional options include locations near Red River Gorge Geological Area and Pine Knob Loop Campground across the border in Wayne National Forest, Ohio.

Most tent campgrounds in the region provide minimal amenities, with vault toilets being the primary facility available at many locations. Sites typically feature natural, ungraded surfaces with scattered fire rings, though campers should verify if fires are permitted based on seasonal conditions. Paragon, in particular, lacks drinking water, requiring visitors to bring their own or use water treatment methods. A review noted that "there are no amenities besides a pit toilet and a few fire rings. Make sure to bring your own water treatment." Several locations have no trash collection services, so pack-out policies apply, and campers frequently mention the importance of carrying out all waste.

The tent camping experience in this region offers direct lake or river access at many sites, making these locations popular among anglers and paddlers. Areas like Paragon provide immediate boat access from most sites, with calm waters suitable for kayak launching. Wildlife viewing opportunities include herons, woodpeckers, and various bird species. A camper observed that "our first morning a heron was fishing in the lake less than 100 feet from us. We saw him catch a fish." While many locations offer scenic water views, some campsites suffer from occasional overcrowding and trash issues during peak seasons. Early morning and weekday arrivals provide the best chances for securing preferred tent sites, particularly at no-reservation areas like Paragon where the limited number of sites can fill quickly on weekends.

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Best Tent Sites Near Grayson Lake (19)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Grayson Lake

26 Photos of 19 Grayson Lake Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Grayson Lake

604 Reviews of 19 Grayson Lake 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.

  • Melissa W.
    Sep. 17, 2021

    Grayson Lake State Park Campground

    Good location, ok campground

    Negatives: This campground is pretty hilly. Many of the spots don't have a great space for a tent. The flattest spots are in the middle of the circle with an open field behind them (but then you won't have any privacy or tree coverage). Even the RV camping on the inside of the loop across from us had its front tires suspended about a foot in the air to make it level though. Considering the flat spots are very limited, I don't think its a great tent campground and geared more towards RVs. One side of the campground runs against a golf course. If you're tent camping over a weekend, be prepared to have golfers tee-ing off next to you beginning at 7am. On Monday morning, be prepared for them to start mowing at 7am. The opposite side of the campground sits against a tree-line and therefore has much better spots. Many of the picnic tables are in pretty rough shape. The ones that have been replaced were done with the metal style that is dipped in plastic and are much sturdier. Likewise, some of the firepits are in pretty bad shape. I'd recommend having a grill grate with you just in case if you cook over the fire like we do. The firewood that is sold at the campground is kept in a shed but it was very wet, there also aren't any options around for buying wood outside the park. The office is supposed to be open until 6pm but one night it was closed earlier and the camp host wasn't on premises all weekend so we were stuck resorting to finding and burning downfall to get dinner cooked. 

    The positives: Its a good location and there are plenty of kayaking spots on Grayson Lake. Going to "The Grotto" aka Clifty Falls is a must (4.5 mile round trip). The same boat ramp has a decent place to get in and swim. Lick Falls Loop hike can be done from the campground and was nice (4.5 miles). We also kayaked the Southern portion of Grayson Lake in Laurel Gorge and that was much quieter than the Clifty Falls area. The campground bathrooms were clean. Most of the campsites were a decent size.

  • Chris M.
    Jul. 17, 2020

    Yatesville Lake State Park Campground

    Great camping on the lake

    Camping: As far as camping goes there’s a little variety. On top of the hill there is camper sites with full hook ups which is actually quite spacious and spaced out from other sites compared to other campgrounds, but some sites are better than others of course. There is also primitive tent camping on top of the hill, but appeared slightly cramped. In my opinion the best sites are the boat in tent camping sites down the hill by the lake. The sites also run along a gravel rode that can be used to hike in. All sites throughout have fine gravel pad, picnic table, a fire ring and access to numerous bathrooms of which have a compost toilet and running water for the sink. Camp staff will deliver ice or firewood to any site if requested. Extras: The main attraction is the lake of course which is quite clean for swimming, boating or fishing, but can be a little busy at times. There are a few hiking trails near by, but I wouldn’t come here for that. There is a golf course and I did notice, but didn’t get to check out, there is a place called The Cove at Yatesville lake that has a beach for swimming with climbable inflatables in the water, kayak rentals and among other things. Conclusion: A great local place to have fun on a lake, but not somewhere I’d travel an extended distance to see.

  • 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!

  • 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

  • Kelley K.
    Aug. 20, 2020

    Paintsville Lake State Park Campground

    Beautiful place, easy kayak launch, clean restrooms and showers

    We tent camped at one of the hike-in (it's a well maintained gravel path) sites at PLSP, #33. This is the first site on your way in. I was by myself with my son and dog so I felt more comfortable being here near the bathhouse. There are raccoons who like to eat so be sure to put your food up at night. The lake is really calm. There are boats coming in and out but not "traffic" per se, no issues at all kayaking and we went out several times. Fishing was good with rooster tails and panther martin spinners (silver), 1/8 and 1/16 oz. The water was down so there were a lot of places to paddle onto the shore and wade fish. There is some access right at the campground for littles to get in the water. I really recommend water shoes as there are some hooks/lures in the water. We never left the campground during the weekend, so I can't comment on the proximity to restaurants but it was only 5-8 min or so back to town. I had terrible phone service with Sprint here. We did have one new camper come in at 3am on Saturday morning to set up their tent and being so close to the entrance of the hike-in spots, I woke up. That was tough. When we go back, I'll pick a site further back up the hiking path and bring a wagon to tote our stuff. The staff at the gate are amazing and so friendly. The restrooms are clean. Three showers. NO ONE other than the tent campers seemed to use the bath house so I never waited for a shower or anything and there were several families tent camping and the rv sites were completely full. It's a really nice and safe place. I really recommend it and look forward to going back. One thing, the actual tent pad was 11x13 and seemed a bit small but worked fine for us.

  • Frank H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2021

    Sandy Springs Campground

    Nice campground

    This was the last campground before returning home from a month long camping road trip across the country and back. Picturesque camp directly on the Ohio River. Very level. Small campground with about 40 sites. Basically all sites are for RVs and equipped with electrical and water and most with sewer. We were tent camping and set up and a very soft & thick grassy space on one of the empty sites. The owners plan to install dedicated tent sites along the edge of the woods. There is a camp store with most needed items. Ice and firewood sold. Very spacious and individual toilet and shower & sink rooms. Good showers with plenty of hot water. Playground for children. Volleyball for anyone. Dumpster for trash. Great people. Easy to make reservations.

  • Mike L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2022

    Grayson Lake State Park Campground

    Wonderful campsite in the grayson lake state park

    Spent 2 nights at the Grayson Lake state park campground. The sites were not private but they were spread out nicely so we had plenty of room set up. The hiking trails around the lake were easy to moderate with great views of the lake. It would have been nice to have easier access to the lake, but overall it is a very good location.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 27, 2025

    Red River Adventure

    Ownership was changing; hopefully improvements followed

    We were with a group that had reservations here but when we arrived mid-afternoon, the gate was locked, no one was there, and there was no cell service. A member of the group drove to where there was cell reception and called but no one answered the phone. Eventually, we spoke with the father of the outgoing owner who gave us the gate code and we set up camp. The manager showed up a few hours later but the owner did not arrive until early evening; it was then we learned new owners were taking over the next day! 

    This is a primitive campground which is not a problem for us, but it had a neglected feeling to it (due likely to pending ownership change). Fortunately, the vault toilets had recently been serviced and were not too bad. Toilet paper but no hand sanitizer. Outdoor non-private solar showers that do not guarantee hot water (and it was chilly when we were there, so no one tried to use them). 

    There was no place to put garbage that I saw and there was loose garbage where it should have been collected. 

    Most sites had a fire ring marked by rocks.

    Some sites had gravel pads while others had grass. They were clearly marked but you had to watch out for the drainage ditch when backing into the site. There is no separation between sites, but we were the only ones there so not a problem for us.

    The main draw for this campground is the kayak rentals and transportation to the put-in site. Kayaking was fun, despite obstacles in the river due to recent rains (and parts of the campground were also flooded). The price was reasonable -$10 per person. I am hopeful the new owners made some improvements, although this may raise the price!

Guide to Grayson Lake

Dispersed camping sites around Grayson Lake feature primarily primitive conditions with limited facilities across the Daniel Boone National Forest. This area sits at elevations between 700-1,000 feet with local terrain characterized by sandstone cliffs and hardwood forests. Weather patterns include humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F and mild winters where occasional snowfall can impact access roads to remote sites.

What to do

Fishing from shore: At Paragon Dispersed Camping Area, campsites provide direct access to Cave Run Lake where fishing is a popular activity. "Most spots have boat in access! Will definitely be going back," notes camper Wayne H.

Kayaking and paddling: Launch directly from shoreline campsites for water exploration. A camper at Paragon shared, "The view of the lake from our camp site was amazing. Very picture worthy!" This accessibility makes it ideal for morning paddling before crowds arrive.

Hiking nearby trails: The Red River Gorge Campground offers access to numerous hiking trails through diverse terrain. "There are so many different places to hike. Be careful of cliffs and your surroundings. Nothing but natural beauty," advises a camper. Most trails require no permits for day hiking.

What campers like

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings provide the best wildlife spotting chances near water. At Paragon, one camper observed, "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."

Budget-friendly options: Free camping at several sites makes this area attractive for extended stays. One camper at Pine Knob Loop Campground shared, "We hiked in at this point near Lake Vesuvius in the Wayne National Forest. Found a secluded spot up the trail. Lots of fun and a good hike."

Natural swimming areas: Several campsites offer swimming access during summer months. At Red River Gorge Adventures, a camper noted, "If you wade out into the water about 15ft upstream of the boat launch, the river is relatively flat with a sandy bottom that is about 5' at normal water level. Excellent place for an afternoon swim."

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites have minimal amenities. A camper at Paragon warned, "There are no amenities besides a pit toilet and a few fire rings. Make sure to bring your own water treatment." Plan to bring all water and supplies.

Site availability challenges: No reservations at most dispersed sites means early arrival is essential. "There are only 7 sites and no reservations so you may end up out of luck," a Paragon camper advised about site availability.

Cleanliness issues: Unfortunately, trash problems affect some areas. "Sadly, there was a lot of trash at all the sites. Not all sites have fire rings," reported a camper. Pack out all trash and consider bringing bags to help clean sites.

Weather preparedness: Sites can become muddy after rain. A camper at Daniel Boone National Forest White Sulphur Horse Camp mentioned, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Choose established sites: For the best tent camping near Grayson Lake with children, consider sites with minimal hazards. "This campground is actually a veteran owned boating rental/shuttle service with an attached campground. It's very spacious," noted a Red River Adventures camper.

Plan for minimal connectivity: Cell service is limited or nonexistent. "There was slight cell service for Verizon & AT&T, enough for maybe text but not very consistent," reported a camper at White Sulphur Horse Camp.

Visit ranger stations: Get local information before heading to remote areas. A Paragon visitor suggested, "Call or visit the ranger office before entering the forest to get the latest recommendations for good trails and where to see wildlife!"

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most dispersed sites near Grayson Lake cannot accommodate larger RVs. At Red River Gorge Geological Area, primitive camping is better suited to smaller vehicles or tents, though some developed sites do exist.

Water access planning: No water hookups means bringing sufficient supplies. "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," notes a camper about nearby resources when staying at Red River Adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Grayson Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Grayson Lake is Paragon Dispersed Camping Area with a 3.6-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Grayson Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Grayson Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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