If you want to explore the beauty of Hodgenville, glamping is an excellent option. The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Hodgenville experience while glamping. You're sure to find glamping for your Kentucky camping excursion.
Mammoth Cave Campground puts campers in a prime spot to explore the depths and overland treasures of Mammoth Cave National Park. Mammoth Cave is an underground passageway containing more than 400 miles of naturally sculpted limestone and sandstone. It is the longest recorded cave system in the world. The grand-scale chambers and long, winding passageways were the inspiration behind the park's name. The campground doubles as an entry point to 14 miles of hiking and biking trails. It's also a five minute walk to the visitor center, where cave tours begin.
A must-do activity in the park is exploring Mammoth Cave. Walking tours of the caverns leave from the visitor center daily. There are also miles of bike trails and hiking trails within the park.
The campground is tucked inside Mammoth Cave National Park, which boasts scenic valleys along the Green River. The river is within walking distance of the camp, and the hilly Kentucky countryside expands beyond the valley. Deer and turkeys commonly stroll around the campground, so visitors are likely to see them grazing in the early morning and at dusk.
Nearly 30 miles of the Green and Nolin rivers offer canoeing and boating through the park. Commercial outfitters outside the park rent canoes, kayaks and safety equipment.Most trails north of the Green River are open for horseback riding. Commercial liveries outside the park rent horses and some may provide organized excursions.
For local information, please call (270) 758-2424 or call (270) 758-2180 for general information.
For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
$25 - $50 / night
Bring the whole family for an ideal getaway in the Bluegrass State! We have endless activities, themed weekends, top notch accommodations and are located only minutes from downtown Louisville. While on the campground, observe the Indian cave dwelling burrowed in limestone cliffs, enjoy movies on our big outdoor movie screen, explore the area with a hike right from your site and enjoy our natural pond area! Make a splash in our crystal clear pool- open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Summer campers can join in the fun with our themed events every weekend from June until September. Please visit our events or Facebook page for more information on our seasonal events. With 90 foot pull-through and 50-amp sites available, our campground is truly big rig friendly. No RV? No problem! Enjoy a comfortable stay in one of our cozy one or two bedroom air-conditioned Camping Cabins. For those who like the comforts of home, try our fully furnished Deluxe Cabin, with full kitchen and bathroom. For more rustic accommodations, spend the night on a grassy tent site, all sites have fire pits and picnic benches. When we say bring the whole family, we mean your four legged friends too! Offering pet friendly cabins as well as a dog park for them to play in.
Jefferson Memorial Forest features a campground for tent camping and can accommodate both families and groups. Although the Forest is only minutes from Metro Louisville, camping here seems like a much more remote camping experience. Located within the Horine Reservation, the campground is in the uplands of the Forest and has good separation between individual campsites. Seven family campsites and four group campsites are available. Latrines and water are near to all the sites.
$15 - $30 / night
Situated along Kentucky's Highland Rim, Smith Ridge Campground is surrounded by forested tracks, rolling meadows and the pristine banks of Green River Lake. Click here for the Green River Lake Virtual Tour.
With 8,000 surface acres of water, the lake is an ideal place for boating. With ten boat ramps located around the shoreline, guests have plenty of room for fishing, jet skiing, wake boarding and more. Three full-service marinas are also located around the lake. Fishing is a popular activity at Green River Lake. Walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, muskie and bluegill are all found in abundance. Hunters enjoy the surrounding land, with various habitats supporting deer, turkey, rabbit, quail, squirrel, dove and waterfowl. There are also miles of trails that wind around the lake and along the shore, affording some of the most scenic views in the region.
Green River Lake encompasses a total of some 32,000 acres in the central portion of Kentucky, creating countless recreational activities for visitors.
Between 05/12/2023 and 09/10/2023 this location is staffed. Please call (270) 789-2743 to speak with local staff. From 12/15/2022 to 05/11/2023 this location is unstaffed. Please call (270) 465-4463 for general information.
The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and the Historical Civil War Atkinson-Griffin Log Cabin are located only a short 13.5 miles from Smith Ridge near the Green River Lake Dam . Several historical attractions and National Parks are located within an hour of Green River Lake, including the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and Mammoth Cave National Park.
Customers who change their dates outside the original reservation date (i.e., different week or month) will incur a $10 change fee. No-Shows are charged a $20.00 plus the first nights use fee.
$20 - $36 / night
$12 - $22 / night
Diamond Caverns RV Resort & Golf caters to the vacationing family, offering southern hospitality, 18-hole golf course and a unique family atmosphere. Located at the gateway to Mammoth Cave National Park, the 743-acre year-round RV resort creates the setting for relaxation, exploration and enjoyment. Our Thousand Trails Diamond Caverns RV Resort offers full hook-up sites, as well as water and electric. Guests can choose from a wide variety of outdoor activities. There are walking, hiking and biking trails available, as well as local attractions. Plus, our pool suits family vacationers or the golfer. Diamond Caverns RV Resort & Golf is located 6 miles from the longest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave National Park. The National Corvette Museum and Corvette Plant are 20 miles south of our RV Resort on I-65, Exit 28. RV Resort, 18-Hole Golf Course & Condos at the Gateway to Mammoth Cave Come visit our RV resort with 70 RV sites (55 full hook-up, 50 amp & 15 full hook-up, 30 amp), water & electric sites & primitive tent camping, a 18-hole golf course, and condos at the Gateway to Mammoth Cave. Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Diamond Caverns RV Resort & Golf. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
This recreation area is part of Green River Lake
Ranger
WE went to this KOA during the kentucky derby weekend, so of course you can expect it to be packed, we made reservations months ahead. When we got there is was not only packed, but there was no one enforcing the quiet hours, and it seemed like the cleaning staff could not keep up. There were loud people all through the night, and trash was overflowing everywhere. I'm not sure what it's like during other weeks of the year, but during the kentucky derby week it is a hot mess.
Traveler
Very popular campsite for the surrounding area. Otter Creek runs through the Outdoor recreation area. Lots of hiking, biking and horse trails. Great opportunities for fishing also abound.
It is an older campsite with the facilities in need of an upgrade, but serviceable. Used to be owned by the city of Louisville Parks and Recreation, then set dormant and unused for several years before the State of Kentucky took over.
Legend
The Narrows
The Narrows at Barren River Resort Park , Kentucky is a nice, well maintained campground. If you are a fisher person this is a campground for you. Within walking distance of the Marina, nice shaded sites and room to spread out. A cool feature in the sites is a fish cleaning table as well as fire ring and picnic table. Another nice feature is the campground is off the main road to the marina. Unfortunately there aren’t any hiking trails , however bike riding in the campground is an option and there’s an interesting sunken basketball court.
Legend
This campground is a walking distance to the visitors center. It's a well established campground and geared towards folks visiting mammoth caves. You will find a clean campground as well clean facilities. The sites are relatively close but plenty of space for familiy party's.
Theres many activities to be had here but obviously mammoth cave is what it's all about. After driving past mammoth caves for years we finally decided to stop camp and explore. It was worth every penny. The cave, although geared to tourist is still rediculous. Apparently one of the biggest cave systems in the word. You will enjoy your time here. It's crazy to think your in Kentucky when you in there...we'll except for the accents.
Cheers!
Traveler
Having lived 62 years in Kentucky, less than twenty minutes from the Jeff. Forest, leaving to explore USA, then returning to my home state allows me a unique point of view. The seclusion here and the closeness to nature is a grand slam! Due to fall, the sites seem much closer than they are due to the thinning foliage. Friendly neighbors, standard picnic table/fire pit/port-a-potties/potable water. Roomy campsite and room for my son to visit in his car with my van parked inside the campsite. Lots of trees for hammocking. Lots of downed wood for easy collecting, lots of trails ranging from 1.5 to 13.0 miles through gorgeous mixed forest of old and new growth deciduous and coniferous hardwoods.
Guide
They have recently built a new bath house and it’s awesome. It has rooms that each have a toilet, sink and shower. Total privacy! Nice and clean as well. Big points for this amenity.
We had a new site, 6, totally paved and great view of the conestoga wagons and pastures. Came with a movable fire pit and nice picnic table. I think it’s the best site.
Our main issue was the dump station, horrible layout. What takes us maybe 10 minutes took over 25. Plan ahead or decide to dump elsewhere.
The area around the KOA is a bit suspect. You can see an adult store, pass a confederate store on the way into the KOA and have business that are abandoned . While the KOA cannot prevent these things it’s worth noting for travelers. The KoA is a 4 star, if I factored in the area it would be a 3.
Easy trip down to Mammoth Cave. Very close to Hidden River and Kentucky Down Under.
LegendWe stayed at this KOA many years ago on our way home. I again needed an overnight stop on our way home & booked here again. WOW! things have changed.
We got a fabulous patio site that was twice the size of our camper. It had a gorgeous view of the Kentucky hills. Full hook up.
The sites all looked very nice. They had teepees, covered wagons & a couple of treehouses. A nice area for tents as well.
The pond is catch & release.
The pool wasn't open yet.
The bathrooms were outstanding! Recently remodeled? Clean as well.
They had a nice camp store I really didn't get to explore.
So many activities for kids.
The worst thing I can say about it is there is highway noise from I-65, but really I feel we've had worse.
Looks like a nice base camp for the surrounding area.
Thanks office ladies for the Derby pie!
Traveler
One of my absolute favorite spots to camp!! We had a blast this past September. A lovely time to camp and still warm enough to swim at their sandy beach. We enjoyed fishing and caught a variety of fish like catfish, bluegill and bass. The bath houses are well maintained and quite clean. Super nice playground which the kids fully enjoyed! Extremely helpful park staff and plenty of firewood and extras available to purchase. Before we arrived it flooded and our site was under water but they were kind enough to move our site back and accommodate our reservation. The sky was so clear and bright. Almost zero light pollution allowed us to see many constellations, the milk way, falling stars and the brightest, most breath taking view of the night sky. This lakeside getaway is one that will keep us coming back!! If you've never been to Kentucky...this will keep you coming back to the Bluegrass to camp for years to come!
LegendI went to Mammoth Cave National Park the first time as a child with my family in the 70’s. I took my children to Mammoth in the 90’s. And I have lived within 45 minutes of Mammoth for the last 10 years. The only time during the last 10 years I was not at the Park at least monthly was during my deployment and when the government shutdown in 2013.
In all that time I have visited the cave maybe 10 times. Spelunking was the most exhilarating visit. Make sure you check out the tour offerings online https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/gocavetours.htm well before your visit and reserve a place. If you wait until your visit you will probably have a hard time getting past the cathedral.
All the other visits were spent enjoying all the other things there are to do at Mammoth.
First and foremost is the camping. Mammoth has a campground adjacent to the Visitors Center which is basic except for two sites. There are reservable as well as walk up sites. A store, showerhouse, laundry and post office are co-located at the front of the campground and there are toilet facilities in the campground. I used the access points in the campground to hike some of the trails and walk to the visitors center.
An aspect that I have just recently started exploring are the several dispersed camp sites throughout the park. These are free but you must check in at the Lodge before hiking to them. A good , waterproof map is key.
In addition at Maple Springs on the far side of the Green River Ferry ( yes, there is a cool little two car ferry) is the Maple Springs horse and group site camping area. Nice basic, shaded area with trailheads in the area.
Now that you have found your home for your stay what to do?
Kayaking/watercraft, fishing: several companies work the Green River. If you brought your own craft they will usually meet you at the Green River Ferry parking area and transport you up river for a nominal fee. Check ahead at least a day so they are tracking you and can coordinate.
Hiking, Trail Running, dirtbiking, , horse, Geocaching: My favorite trail run is from the main picnic area to the ferry, with several connectors. Just technical enough to keep you on your toes, definitely not a mountain but the hills and valleys give you good work out.
The Maple Springs Trailhead is the major access point for all things backpacking and horse back riding. It even has a handicap accessible horse “loading” area which is wheelchairs friendly.
If your going to geocache pre-save your coordinates and instructions cause there is no signal in the park. If you visit the restaurant at the lodge they have WiFi but it’s slloooowwwww. When we stay over I always try to do my site surfing first thing in the morning.
If you are dirt biking check your trails, some are limited access.
On our most recent visit we explored the new construction on the ferry trailhead. Pictures included.
Not Mammoth related or affiliated but a few things you may want to try while in the area:
http://www.kentuckywine.com/cave-valley-winery-at-park-mammoth-resort/
Guns and wine, can’t get much more Kentucky then that!
https://dinosaurworld.com/kentucky/
Dogs allowed ;)
Educational and fun, who knew!
http://mammothcave-adventures.com/
You will drop some green here but it is a lot of fun!
And there’s more ;) Happy Camping
LegendRanger Review of Boost Oxygen at Nolin River State Park
Campground Review: Nolin River SP is one of our area favorites. Near Brownsville, Ky and a little off the beaten path. But definitely worth a visit or two.
This is not a huge State Park but it sits on Nolin River Lake and offers plenty of water sports to keep you entertained. The campgrounds were crowded when we visited.
The RV campground sits behind a gated entry and has sites that have direct lake access. Very clean and well maintained, not a lot of shade or privacy though. The primitive/basic area is crowded. The sites are walk in and placed pretty close together under cedar trees. There is a fresh water point and the beach is a short distance away. There are some sites on a small hill lakeside that give an excellent view and have picnic tables.
Obviously the main attraction is the lake, there is a lot of traffic on the lake. I kayak so at times it can be a little stressful when your wondering if that speedboat flying at you over the water sees you. I stayed close to the shoreline and did not attempt to cross the main thoroughfare. There are inlets that are less busy , you will usually see fishermen in those areas and travel is safer.
In addition to the water Kentucky Mountain Bike Assiciation(KYMBA) has built a very nice trail system in the woods. I’ve never hiked the longest loop but the two shorter ones are challenging and fun to hike. Mountain bikers would find them very technical.
On this visit we saw a new privately owned campground being built in front of the park entrance. It will be opening this season , graveled RV sites and a smal basic area for tents.
Product Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I had the opportunity to use and review Boost Oxygen https://www.boostoxygen.com/ last summer. I recently received the smaller version of Boost Oxygen to take with me adventuring. Boost comes in three sizes and the one I reviewed is the mid-size version.
I took Boost along with me on a vigorous hike in humid weather. It was more beneficial due to the humidity then the level of excercise.
Pro: smaller size fit in one of my hydration packs front pockets
Pro: easy to use
Con: filling up those land fills
Pro: it does make recovery faster
Con: for amateur athletes/ sports enthusiasts not really sure it’s cost effective
In conclusion if you are an extreme, high altitudes, low drag kinda adventurer this would be a worthwhile investment into your performance. For me, I can just as easily sit down and take a break, I’m in no hurry;)
RangerNever a Dull Moment at Mammoth!
Campground/Park Review:
We first entered the park via the "secret" entrance, byway of a narrow road at the very north of the park, in which we had to take a single car automated ferry across the green river, which was enjoyed by all, and we appreciated avoiding the main entrance besieged by spring break campers!
The Campground itself's best feature is its proximity to the main park attractions. It's a few minute walk to the visitor's center, from which you can catch daily tours of all types ranging from themed cave tours to botony forest walks and guided history walks. Our normally restless kids were so taken by the 2 hr cave tour that they remained in near total silence and awe as we tunneled through this slow moving guided cave walk. You've got to make a reservation for tours - be warned, they fill up quickly. I recommend making a reservation at least a week before in the busy season (March-Sept), although up to a couple days before, you can usually get in, albeit not at your ideal time, most likely. Adjoining the campground is a more than adequate camp store, with all the common items and a few groceries you may need while there. Across a short walkway from the visitors center is also 2 restaurants, if roasting dogs on the fire isn't you thing, one cafe style with an ice cream shop, and another more formal table service in the historical Lodge.
We went in April, one of the area's wetter months, and found the campsites to be well maintained, drained and free from debris. While no one enjoys wet camping, the great thing about this park is that the main attraction is always the same comforatable temp and weather year round - and you can spend a dry several hours while you avoid the rain spurts outside. The camping was quiet although crowded for spring break, sites were averagely spread apart (those near the front and the store had a bit more room) and included hook ups for campers. There's even a place to park your horse if horsecamping is something that interests you, very Kentucky, indeed. Bath houses are average but well maintained as all the park is.
Product Review:
Being a Dyrt Ranger, I sometimes have the chance to try out new products on our adventures. This time I was able to test out the Birler Axe by #CRTK.
As anyone who's ever had to camp in moist conditions will tell you, it's no fun having to cut through a damp piece of kindling or wood. While we could purchase dry firewood at the campground, we had to chop our own kindling, which we found dry on the inside and wet on the bark...the Birler cut threw it like butter.
It's compact size was easy to pack, and while I'd guess it weighs in at about just over a pound, and wouldn't be ideal for most backpackers, it was perfect for some average campsite wear. The quality was high, and it split a log like no body's business. There's enough heft behind it to make chopping easy, yet a short enough handle to maneuver. Balance was great. A leather sheath is sold separately, and while the axe comes with a rubber blade guard, is highly recommend a sheath for it as it's extremely sharp, unlike our old axe which had a hard time cutting through a carrot. We were the envy of the campground.
Traveler
Spent 2 nights here while passing through on our way to Mississippi. We had full hook ups on a pretty level pull through site. Wifi and cable was good and we had decent Verizon service. Although our spot didn't have leveling challenges, I noticed some did. One class C I saw had his front wheels 6 inches off the ground. The people in the office were friendly and accommodating.
ScoutVery helpful got a spot at last minute Not the most level spot but adequate
TravelerVery nice campground the tent sites even have electric and water but my advice is try not to setup tent near the little pond they have, it stinks. Showers are great, if your tall like me, your gonna have to bend a knee to get underneath the shower head. LOL bathroom water pressure could be better. Very affordable!
ScoutThe people here are friendly. It's nice and clean would come back here anytime they have a nice pond and pull it's nice all around
ScoutNice shady relaxing camp ground.
ScoutIf you need to make a one night stop en route to somewhere along I-65, this park is less than 2 minutes from the highway. It’s old school and a little creepy, but convenient.
GuideThe bathrooms were beautiful and air conditioned! They were very clean and smelled like a swimming pool. They were nice and cool after a hot sweaty day and tent camping.
GuideWe stayed here almost 3 weeks and will visit again. It's a great little stop, almost right in town. Review doesn't include any wifi services or the pool because it was closed for the season. It's also not a place that has a bunch of organized activities etc but we don't care about that. Anyway, it's easy to navigate (we have a triple axl), clean, and owners were very nice and responsive. It's very shaded and pretty quiet. Huge open area for pets, and a nice little pond for catch and release. We didn't see the bath house but did use the washer/dryer area which was nice. Literally the only gripe I can make is the playground just needs torn down. Not repainted etc, just destroyed. It's so old and has some safety concerns, so we only used the swings.
TravelerWe stayed here one night. It's a small campground about 35 mins from Louisville and has about 40ish sites for RVs with electric and water, some with sewage. Our site was fairly small and pretty close to other sites but it was easy enough to get into and fit our 12ft pop up without issue. They have 2 bathrooms(the one by the laundry/store is very nice!), a catch and release pond(small, but there are small bluegill and some bass), a nice playground, clean pool, store on site, and overall we had a great time. There are also several connections for wifi, and cable(we didn't try it). The staff seemed very nice. Our site without sewage was $30 plus tax, they also offer tent sites and small cabins($40-50 with air conditioning) if that's your thing. Our site was nice and shaded. We were disturbed a few times by trains in the middle of the night- otherwise it was pretty peaceful and quiet.
GuideLots of trees and a nice fishing pond. The bathrooms were clean. Very affordable. We checked in late and left early so we didn’t get to see the little store. When I called to make a reservation the lady was very nice and helpful.
GuideWe stopped here for the night it was a great RV spot tons to do for all ages don’t miss the turkey 😊and the bathroom facilities were top notch
GuideNature and close to highway
GuideThis is a smaller campground which is why it might be pretty quiet. It is close to the freeway (we could see in our spot) so you hear the road but I don't mind that noise. The pool was well kept and the kids loved the jumping pillow and the little farm on the premises. We only stayed two nights as part of a bigger trip. It seems a lot of the people who stay here just stay a night or two. I would totally stay here again.
TravelerNot a bad place to stop if you are visiting the caves. The bathrooms appear to be newly remodeled in June of 2020.
Travelerstaff was nice, campground was clean. The only thing I would change ... I wish it was a bit further from the highway. Close to Mammoth Caves.
Travelertheir tent sites kinda suck barely had room for my tent. the camper and rv sites looked good for what they are. had a nice playground for the children but there is a lot of hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Hodgenville, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Hodgenville, KY is Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 136 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Hodgenville, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Hodgenville, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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