Looking for the best Hartford tent camping? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Hartford, including sites, reviews, and tips. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Hartford, Kentucky's most popular destinations.
Camping on the river floodpain by Backcountry Use Permit.
Guide
Absolutely loved tent camping here! Several modern bath houses with showers, toilets and sinks. Tent sites are spacious enough for multiple tents/ canopy's to be set up. Waterfront and has stairs to walk down to the water.
Scout
Pros: very well maintained facilities, toddlers enjoyed playground, able to walk along lake shore, could hear small waterfall behind our campsite, within 20 minutes of Mammoth Cave NP via Green River Ferry Con: sites nothing special for tent camping (probably great if in RV). Very sunny, out in open so windy. But nice to have electric and water when camping with toddlers so worth it. Would agree with previous review that the 1 tent site among all the electric sites looked beautiful- right on the water. If you don’t need electric, go with that one!
ScoutI was tent camping with my family Thursday-Saturday while visiting Mammoth Cave.
The good: the tent campground has spacious, level sites. The sites are located in a grove of pine trees, which makes for well shaded sites with a pleasant surface of soft pine straw to pitch your tents. A few sites had trees suitable for hanging hammocks if you enjoy that. There are toilets and sinks in the park office near the primitive campsites. There is a swimming beach and boat ramp on Nolin Lake nearby. Convenient to Mammoth Cave NP and fishing and hiking opportunities abound.
The bad: the shower house is in the RV campground and too far away to be a convenient walk. You have to drive there which is a pain with kids. There were few shower stalls and they were not kept clean. The park staff were very friendly but just overworked. Thursday night we were kept awake by loud campers and campground staff weren’t around to enforce quiet hours. Quiet hours do not start until 11 PM which is not ideal for campers with young children. The park started filling up on Friday and Saturday and was obviously very crowded on the weekend. Seems like a "party spot" for locals.
We might return here but perhaps would choose to camp during the week or during a less busy time of year.
Scout
I have been camping here since early 90's, my experience has always been a. Good one, I have mostly camped in a tent right on the water. I used to take my kids by myself and as a lady, my first priority was, safety. I always felt safe. I've taken my boat and kept on water with no worries of anyone taking or messing with any of my belongings. Since then, they have added some things n I'm looking forward for my next stay
Guide
Imagine a giant parking lot with trees. That’s your campground. RV and tent camping are mixed. Restrooms were rough, but useable, when you’re done waiting.
TravelerWent for an extended weekend tent camp. Facilities were very clean and kept up. Tons of tours (paid) if you're interested. We had a wonderful time.
ScoutNolin lake was very beautiful and peaceful. The campground had two tent camping locations and a rv area. The scenery was amazing. Highly recommend campsite 23 by the beach, it has the best view....
GuideGot in on a Sunday evening for tent camping. Nice woman working the entrance let us switch campsites without any hassle.
The site was well maintained and had a nice fire pit. Concrete picnic table in the space.
Ranger
Campground Review: I have stayed at and reviewed this campground before, however this time I am reviewing our experience at site I158 over Labor Day Weekend while using the Red Ledge Thunderlight jacket. Site I158 has no electric or water. It is a fairly small tent site that is very close to other sites. There is only enough room for 1 tent and 1 vehicle. The fire ring is nice and has a grill attached. There is a large picnic table and a prep table with a tall hook, which we hung our trash on. The site is gravel but I was able to put in my tent stakes with minimal effort. The site is completely wooded, so if you don't like tent camping near trees, this site is not for you. The upside is there are plenty of sticks for kindling. I did however get hit with a few falling acorns, and that did not feel good at all. The quiet time at this campground is respected and followed. The beach is great for hanging out and swimming in the lake. The beach had previously been damaged by flooding but was beautiful for Labor Day Weekend.
Product Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt www.thedyrt.com, I get products to test from time to time and today I am reviewing the Men& Women's Thunderlight Jacket from Red Ledge https://www.redledge.com/products/mens-and-womens-thunderlight-jacket?variant=7068462153788. I made a video folding the jacket into the carrying bag after I returned home from camping.
1. What I liked about this product: The jacket fits great. Using the size guidelines on Red Ledge's website, I ordered the appropriate sized jacket and it fits perfectly. I like the sealed edges that kept any water from getting to my clothes underneath. This jacket is lightweight. It is a great jacket to use anywhere, but this would be great for back country camping. Because it's lightweight and breathable, I also used it for sun protection while sitting on Rough River Lake beach. The hood hangs over a little bit keeping the sun and rain out of your eyes. The cuffs and the bottom of the jacket are adjustable, which I love. Red Ledge offers this jacket in 13 different colors, but I chose Mercury(gray). The price of the jacket is a little higher than I expected, however, I believe this jacket will hold up over time and be completely worth it. As a tent camper, I have learned to spend a little more money on better quality products than to buy cheap stuff and have to keep replacing them.
2. What I didn't like about this product: I didn't quite understand how the hood adjust worked and it took me a little bit of figuring it out. However, once I understood what I was doing, it worked great.
Overall, I would recommend this jacket. My son has the youth version of The Thunderlight and he loves it. I think Red Ledge has made a good quality product that anyone can use and appreciate.
GuideNice hiking trails, nice tent site, bathrooms were clean. The shower is coin operated. Three campground is on the grounds with the national park so you can walk to your tour. The ranger was friendly and helpful.
GuideGood camping, although sites are somewhat close. Very few with shade, especially if you want "water front". Gravel pads are typically fairly level; water and electric at all but tent sites. Grass way overdue for cutting making it extra buggy.
Traveler
The camp ground itself isn't bad. I don't think it's quite up to the usual KOA standards. Bathrooms were centrally located which was fine unless you're tent camping on the outer edge. The shower curtains were moldy and the bathrooms seemed a little run down, but everything functioned well.
Some TLC would definitely help this place out a bit.
ScoutMammoth Cave NP is a nice National Park, and not as crowded as some other more popular parks. We tent camped in the drive in campground. Bathrooms are few and far between, and the showers are located at the general store and are pay to use showers. They showers are probably one of my least favorite shower facilities I’ve been to. Overall the cave tours are fantastic and the weather was nice on October.
Legend
We really enjoyed this place! It's located on the green river and has very spacious campsites. Plenty of room for the kids or dogs to run around. Very secluded. There is a concrete picnic table, pole and fire pit at each spot. Across the road to the ferry is a large pavillion with several more picnic tables for bigger gatherings. There are a few porta potties and no water or hookups. Primitive camping only. We tent camped here in July and saw hundreds of lightning bugs (see video)! It was magical, that really made the experience so much better for us!
Highly recommend a cave tour as well at Mammoth Cave National Park. You will not be disappointed!! Can't wait to go back!
ScoutWe camped in tent site 15, which is the far back corner of a large rectangular tenting area. Each site had a table and fire ring, and shared water and trash were located in several central locations. Some sites are between two parking areas (sites 7-9, I think), and some sites are along the lake shore. While most people rate the lake shore sites highly, I think you'd get a lot of headlights flashing at you as they're right along the parking lane. We really liked the back corner for privacy, and relative proximity to the bathrooms (located in what looks like an office). Showers, firewood, ice, playground, and laundry are in the trailer campsite nearby.
One caveat is that, if fully booked with weekenders, I can imagine this place getting a bit noisy at night. It's also pretty hot, though very well shaded, in July.
TravelerThis is a beautiful place with decent facilities and very kind campground hosts! The downside is the campsites are close together and the guests are more into partying than enjoying nature. We had one nice night, and the next night a RV pulled in almost on top of us (due to very close campsites) and started up an unusually loud generator, so we ended up leaving our stargazing / campfire and sitting in our car until 10 when they turned it off. Guess what? Quiet hours are 10pm to 6am - which is when it started up again. They got belligerent with the campground hosts about it, so we just packed up and left a day early. We just wanted some peace and quiet, which is why we were camping in the first place. So my recommendation is: if you're into quiet tent campsites, look elsewhere 😊 happy camping.
Scout
Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph View all Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph 4.2(1.2K) OVERVIEW PRICES REVIEWS PHOTOS BY OWNER ABOUT Google review summary 5 4 3 2 1 4.2(1,185) Reviews All cabin184 golf cart167 water slides45 mattress41+6 Sort by Most relevant Newest Highest Lowest ron james 11 reviews Vacation| Family I have shared with the management at sun outdoors and they have ignored my message. Unit cabin 518 was ant infested and dirty. But the dangerous impact on our health was BLACK MOLD. We all experienced breathing, headaches and other issues… More Stephanie S Local Guide·167 reviews·4193 photos a week ago NEW Our first trip here. We absolutely loved it. All of the staff is very friendly. The park is very clean and we looked out with good neighbors. Golf carts are available to rent and they have golf cart light parades a few… More Video 1 in review by Stephanie S Photo 2 in review by Stephanie S Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph(Owner) a week ago Stephanie, thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay and all the amenities our park has to offer. We can't wait to welcome you back for another fantastic visit! Ryan Levasseur Local Guide·19 reviews·12 photos 4 days ago NEW It's so rare to find a place that you wish you would have booked one more night.… More Photo 1 in review by Ryan Levasseur Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph(Owner) 3 days ago Hi Ryan, thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a great time during your mini vacation at our campground. It's fantastic to know that you enjoyed the nostalgia, amenities, and activities we offer. We hope to welcome you back soon! Shelbey Sledge 1 review a month ago We stayed from Friday-Monday and 10/10 recommend. We stayed in a tent camp site. Having electric and water was nice. The bathrooms near 119K were personal bathrooms with a shower, toilet, and sink. So much better than a community bathroom.… More Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph(Owner) a month ago Shelbey, thank you for sharing such a detailed review of your experience at our campsite! We are thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time and enjoyed the amenities provided. Your feedback about the lack of hanging space is duly noted, and we will look into improving that aspect. ron james 11 reviews Vacation| Family I have shared with the management at sun outdoors and they have ignored my message. Unit cabin 518 was ant infested and dirty. But the dangerous impact on our health was BLACK MOLD. We all experienced breathing, headaches and other issues but they will not respond I am now on the March for safety and action. I will post on every social media method possible. I asked for their legal contact but they have chosen to ignore. I was handed a spray can for ants and spiders with the message this has a bad smell. Other posts will give more gruesome details Rooms: 1/5| Service: 1/5| Location: 3/5
Legend
Catbrier Loop at Tipsaw Lake Recreation area Hoosier National Forest is an excellent area to reserve if you are planning a family get together, reunion or group camping trip. I say this because most of the RV/tent sites are clustered in the grass island created by the loop roadway. There are a few sites that sit on the right side of the loop. There isn’t a lot of tree cover. There is a toilet facility , picnic pavilion and field area that would work well for group cooking and get togethers on the left side of the loop.
The back in sites have electric and water hook ups and are bricked so even if it rains you will have traction and the water should drain well. There is a trail to the beach within the loop.
If your going to the beach it’s best to leave Fido at the campground, no dogs allowed!
It is a nice beach area with a picnic area , parking lot, bathhouse facility and small pavilions and paved trails.
The boat ramp is close by, accessible by road or a trail.
The 5.9 mile Tipsaw Lake Trail traverses through the are and though it doesn’t seem to be well used it’s meandering path gives you a good look at the picturesque area around the lake.
LegendLet me just say, it is nice to find a campground that not only welcomes tent campers but seems to be designed for them exclusively. This campground is primarily a tent site. There are a handful of RV sites, but over 3/4 of the camp is set up for tents only which makes for a better overall outdoor feel without the humming of generators, the height of large RVs blocking your tree views and the overall feeling the you are squished in next to someone.
The closest campground to the Visitor Center, this campground has narrow roads through camp, flushing toilets and hot showers. Preparing for tent campers, the amenities are vast enough to not feel like you are stuck waiting for a shower because they have not properly accommodated you. It is a great feeling to have.
Seasonally there is a small camp store which offers ice and firewood along with some basic items. I even picked up an ice cream here on a hot evening.
My site was $20 and was well shaded, almost nestled into the trees.I was in site 46 which was on the bend and seemed a bit closer to other campers, yet I still had plenty of space for my activities as a solo camper. Had I have been in a larger group or even not camping as a single I might have opted for a site a bit further around the loop.
TIPS:
If you are a senior and have an access pass you can present this when booking and get 1/2 off your site.
Look at the campground map in advance, you wlll be happy to have done so when looking for larger sites or sites which offer pull through options.
RangerI suggest you make a reservation as this campground fills up quickly. Axtel is located on the shore of Rough River Lake and has over 150 camp sites. Almost every site has quick access and/or views of the lake. There is a designated swimming and beach area. There are several restrooms located throughout the campsite. They were clean and stocked with toilet paper and hand soap. There is an easily accessed dumpster area and dump station near the main entrance. WiFi is available however, there is a fee. There is a boat ramp, so you can bring your boat and/or other watercraft. Fishing is allowed as well. There are a lot of sites with electric and water, but some without either. There are sites for tent camping and RV's. Sites have fire pits and a post with a hook for hanging trash and/or lanterns. No alcohol is allowed. Dogs on a leash are allowed. While we were here, several of the sites along the lake were flooded (see pics). The beach had recently been closed due to flooding, but was open while we were there. If you dig down just a couple of inches on the beach, you'll find clay. My kids loved this and made a couple of clay pots (see pics). As with most campsites we visit, people here were friendly and courteous. There is not a market on site, however there was a Dollar General about 13 miles away. They had a lot of the groceries we needed. There were also several gas stations along the way there that had ice and firewood. This is a great place for families to enjoy a beach without leaving KY!
LegendMy brother visits KOA’s all the time for camping. Me, not so much. I have a hard time paying $40 for a tent site when I can camp for free or under $20.
The Bowling Green KOA, Ky is located on the outskirts of Bowling Green near the I65 and Natcher interchange. You can actually see the back end of the campground from the ramp that connects the two. My first thought when considering a stay.
I spoke with two of the very friendly and helpful ladies in the office and got a plethora of information. So much so that I’m sure I’ll forget some of it, but here goes;)
So first with your fee you recieve (you and all your group) a free game of Minature Golf a day. Next there is wifi and cable available. There is a swimming pool on site and two pay lakes with paddle boats. A dog park and short trail.
Depending on the month you visit there are also special incentives to stay an extra night. In May some of your fee is donated to Camp. With a KOA card there are special incentives too and you earn points with every stay.
So, all that being said I did purchase a KOA card. Though this is not my favorite type of camping it will come in handy on an upcoming trip and when I camp with my brother ;)
I was pleasantly surprised that the interstate noise was mostly not noticiple. There are plenty of trees that help block the noise and offer a lot of shade. We were in a busier site at the end of Abby Dr but it was an easy walk to the two small “lakes“( more like ponds ) and the dog park and showerhouse (with dogwash station) were a short walk away. Not much else to do but a fun enough spot for younger kids. ( no “bears“ to take photos with) and not as many special activities as some other theme campgrounds. This is a nice older campground, worth a night or two visit to get away from the grind for a bit.
GuideMy husband and I, along with our dog Frank, found site P27 using Google Maps Satellite view and saw that it was juuuuust far enough away from the RVs to feel like we were camping in the woods.
The site itself doesn't allow you to have a vehicle at site and the short wooded trail to the site does get incredibly muddy when it rains heavily. However, your vehicle is close enough but you can't see it easily due to the wooded area between the site and the rest of the campground/parking lots. I felt that aspect made this site all the better. HOWEVER, you will be carrying your firewood into the site if you buy it at the campsite store so keep that in mind depending on your physical abilities. P27 wouldn't be very convenient for strollers and definitely not wheelchair friendly unfortunately.
The site itself is mostly rock and gravel as you look towards the lake with the rear portion of the site turning to the wooded area. There is decent enough shade for your tent and a friends tent if you're using 1 to 4 person set ups... but the tents will be CLOSE.
There isn't a great hammock set up option at this site. We had two with us and could only hang one, the trees were fairly young and on the edge of a small drop off to the rocky beach. That was a decent spot to hang a hammock but a double with adults would be detrimental to the trees perhaps.
There is a picnic bench that is staked to the rock with a chain so you have limited options of moving that closer to the fire pit or further away. Table was in great shape.
The bath house was super nice but a bit of a walk from this site. Toddlers wouldn't be stoked on it more than likely.
We visited Halloween weekend and there was a huge thunderstorm for the majority of the two nights we spent here. The site got incredibly muddy by the fire pit, like... boots sticking in the mud wet Ky clay.
All that aside, we will be camping here. The RV section was packed and they had trick or treating for the kids but we couldn't hear any of it from this site. Waking up in the morning to the fog on the lake was super beautiful. Watching people fish from their boats Sunday morning and walking the shoreline looking for cool rocks... it's a great campsite. It's an awesome tent site and everyone that worked at the campground was great. A young man came to check on us because of the thunderstorm as well.
*tent stakes work just fine at this site. It's not just a rock outcropping.
Ranger
We have camped twice at this campground. Here's what you should know about our experiences. We tent camped at an improved site, so most RV knowledge on my part is limited. I do know that it is a one lane, paved road coming in (Lincoln School Rd). There is a sign telling you to call before you start down the road with your RV so they can make sure no one else is going to block you. If you are in a vehicle, you do not need to call. When you arrive, most likely, Dave or Rocky (the owners) will greet you with a big smile and a howdy! The horse barn is the first building you will see on your left. You continue on your way and you will see the owners house and then you will see a small shed and a gate arm to the entrance of the campground. There is a call box if no one greeted you on your way in. Someone will either come and collect your payment or they will give you the box code and meet you at your site. All the improved campsites are easily accessed and easy to find. Each improved site has a light post with electric,water, picnic table and fire ring. All the sites are flat and perfect for a tent or RV. The sites are surrounded by a gravel loop, so you can pull straight in and when you leave, pull straight out. The sites are not shaded but the entire property is surrounded by trees of Mammoth Cave National Park. The restrooms/showers are just steps away and easily accessed. All the times we have stayed, the restrooms were well maintained and clean. There is a covered pavilion with seating just outside the restrooms. A perfect place to gather for shade or to get out of the rain. Connected to the pavilion is a room with a tv and is typically used for entertaining. Double J does offer party packages for weddings, parties and meetings. Ice and firewood are available for purchase. There is not a store on sight, but there is a little country store right down the road where you can get gas and snacks. You can bring your own horses and they can stay in the field overnight or in a covered stall with shavings. All the stalls were dry when we were there during a very heavy rainfall. If you don't have your own horse, they have the BEST horses for trail rides! The guide will take you directly into Mammoth Cave National Park. They are the only guided horse trails that authorized to go into the National Park. At only $25 for an hour ride and $35 for a 2 hour ride, it's less expensive than a lot of other places I have been. They also have a 4 hour trail ride available. Since Mammoth Cave National Park is just steps away, you can also easily go hiking without having to drive to a trail head. There is a playground for younger kids to play on. While we were there the owners were fundraising so they could improve it further. Overall, I would and have recommended this place to all my friends who love camping and horses. This campground is maintained by people who love it and it shows! Check their website for weekend events like Derby, ladies getaways, kids day camps and more! You should call in advance for reservations as most of their events book fast and sell out!
LegendWhat's that name...
Campground Review: Coming from Western Kentucky Parkway W or KY I65 either way you drive in to Moutardier Campground you will end up on Rt 259.
Several interesting places along Rt 259; The Bee Spring motorsports ( MUD DRAGS!) and The Bee Spring Restaurant. Further out is Ralph's Market, fuel and groceries and Alexander's Farm about 6 miles down Rt 259 toward Litchfield, JOHN DEERE TRACTORS, enough said !
Right outside Moutardier Campground on Rt 2067 is Sherry's Red Roof restaurant (open Sunday! And local fare; catfish, ribs, spuds, fried appetizers and ice....it is NOT fast food but the locals were eating there sooo)
Now the Campground. Army Corp of Engineers knows how to landscape and maintain a Dam, Lake and beautifully manicured and laid out campgrounds. Moutardier fits the mold. The sites are strategically stacked in each loop. Close but angled so you see a lot of your neighbors but a lot of scenery too.
The staff was awesome; friendly, informative and helpful. The facilities were well maintained and clean. I asked to change sites due to there being no trees on the site I had reserved. The attendant opened C loop for me, which is not directly on the lake and was in the trees.
Product Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt I get to test gear, I won a Tentsile coupon in May from The Dyrt.
Tentsile's tree tent is an eco-friendly concept which is a totally cool. I upgraded to a Connect Tree Tent, which is a two person massively huge , lotsa head room tent. The set up is actually really easy once you get the hang of it. There are 4 zippered openings on the tree tent, mess pockets for your phone, keys, etc and the option to go topless or throw the rain cover on for rain and weather protection.
The one major con is finding an appropriate area to set up the Tentsile. If you don't know the campground you may end up in a site without any trees or not the right configuration needed. The Tentsile can be set up on the ground but what's the fun in that.
Otherwise I am totally liking this Tree Tent! I tried it with and without an air mattress. The mattress worked better for my decrepit self. Took the dogs a bit to get used to it, was like a slip and slide for them. We figured it out though, I put their mattress pad in and that worked well for them ;)
GuideStayed one night in tent. No neighbors to left or right. Really nice sites, picnic tables, bathrooms, tent pads etc. You have to use their special wood, otherwise no fires. Lots of birds. Little general store. Friendly staff. We thought it was a wonderful campground.
Scout
The Pennyrile state park campground is in need of a makeover. I didn’t see any sites suitable for a tent. I was car camping and slept in my SUV so no tent but I’m glad I didn’t have to rely on the sites being level. There were roots and rocks on all the sites. It is quite and relaxing. Electric and water was adequate. The shower house only had one working shower in the women’s bathroom. The entire thing could use a good cleaning and maintenance.
LegendDog Creek Campground is located on Nolin River Lake in the Kentucky countryside. No worries though this part of Kentucky is pretty well settled, Rednecks at the next campsite not withstanding.....
The Army Corp of Engineers maintains Nolin Dam, Nolin River Lake and the Campgrounds around it so the area is very well maintained, staffed by retirees and organized. However...STAY ON YOUR SITE! :) no grass camping allowed here! The whole area is very picturesque and manicured.
I liked the campground and love Nolin River Lake. The sites are level and have tables, fire rings and lantern hooks. The sites are pretty close together so okay nice with the neighbors, or at least realize you will probably get to enjoy their music and conversations with them whether you intend to or not ;)
Tent camping near Hartford, Kentucky offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the scenic beauty of the region. With a variety of campgrounds available, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hartford, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hartford, KY is Houchin Ferry Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park with a 3.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hartford, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Hartford, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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