5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Mammoth Cave Horse Camp permits camping with horses near the trail system within Mammoth Cave National Park. The campground features electric hookups, drinking water, and trailer-accessible campsites appropriate for both tent and RV camping. Fire pits with cooking grates and picnic tables are provided at each site. While the campground does not have dedicated horse corrals, it offers proximity to the park's extensive equestrian trails. Restroom facilities include flush toilets, with shower access available. The campground provides trash collection and access to a sanitary dump station, making it suitable for extended stays with horses. Sites accommodate various camping setups while maintaining space for horse trailers.
The equestrian trail system at Mammoth Cave National Park offers approximately 60 miles of riding opportunities through diverse woodland terrain. Trails are well-marked with varying difficulty levels suitable for different riding abilities. Access to Green River provides water sources for horses at designated areas along the trails. Double J Stables and Campground, another horse-friendly option in the area, features electric hookups and accommodates both tent and RV camping. The campground's proximity to riding trails makes it convenient for day rides without extensive trailering. Most equestrian trails in the region are open year-round, though seasonal closures may occur after heavy rainfall. Trail riders should check current park regulations regarding horse camping, including any requirements for negative Coggins tests and weed-free hay.
"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."
"There is a restroom in the campground and a shower house, laundry room, post office and store adjacent. The dump station is next to that facility right outside the front “gate”."
Available this weekend
from $25 - $50 / night
"Near Brownsville, Ky and a little off the beaten path. But definitely worth a visit or two."
"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!"
Available this weekend
from $25 - $40 / night
"These sites looked super nice, but many are reserved for group camping and equestrian camping it seemed."
"Nice large camping areas, secluded and quiet, easy access to the trails. Well maintained full hookup for RVs and plenty of room for your horse too."
Available this weekend
from $50 / night
"The horse barn is the first building you will see on your left."
from $15 - $25 / night
"Tucked away on the backside of Mammoth Cave NF, Ky, you want to find this Horse Camp."
from $25 / night
"There is a short trail near the boat ramp, more for fisher folk then a good hike. It ends at a small inlet. You have a strip of grass to your uphill side to use, otherwise not much privacy."
"Campground is surrounded by lake. Has a beach for swimming and playgrounds for the kids."
"Easy check in and nice level sites close to the water. The newer section has very few trees for shade. The older section had plenty of shade and nice sites."
from $20 - $38 / night
"Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is right on the Kentucky/ Tennessee boarder and not a short drive from anywhere. It is out in the farmlands, but worth the drive."
"sites: horse sites available. wooded area around campground. semi-private sites. amenities: lake. pool. other attractions: lodge/camping cabins. restaurant. I would go back again."
Available this weekend
from $30 - $55 / night
"Beautiful country farm setting old dairy farm located near Cecilia. There are several mowed areas one is near a fishing pond. Firewood purchasable from the host!"
from $20 - $50 / night
"Has horse camping with covered stalls. Great trails on Green River Lake State Park for hiking, biking & horses. Located close to boat ramps. You’ll be glad you chose Green River Stables!"
GuideI came here an early November, and it has been very quiet. There is very little signal for AT&T, and my Starlink is not very helpful because many of the trees still have leaves on, and it makes for a dense canopy. Site C 079 is fine for my 23’ sprinter van, though I had to put two levels of blocks under the front to get close to level.
RangerThe sites are smaller than the photos show. Some are very uneven. Yes you can walk to the visitors center, depending where you are camped its almost a mile one way. (For those who have difficulty walking) The showers are not wheelchair accessible. Coin showers, but definitely hot. I had NO Verizon service at campsite.
GuideIf you want to be near the cave entrances and popular trails this is a great spot. Stayed in loop A and the bathroom was super clean. Can get noisy due to the road right next to the campsite.
TravelerPrioritize money over safety of guests, period. Focus on seasonal money over long-term gas period management has literally said, we don't like these people, we realize you don't like these people, but we need their money, so get along with them. This is what they tell their permanent people to deal with during the summer when there are drunks. Literally had golf carts with unsupervised kids going past the house, over 300 notifications. Normal traffic is about 100, just on the weekend. Drunks on boats. Management is two-faced. They are so focused on making it a bougie place since they took over four and a half, five years ago, that they no longer care about making sure that they have a community that cares about each other. They have three communities. They have permanent communities who care about the park and get together and look out for each other. Then they have seasonal people who are drunk, don't care, don't follow the rules. And then they have work groups who they prioritize over residents and people who have picked up, cleaned the park, cared about the park, and don't want to see toddlers get run over by kids on golf carts like last summer. Every summer, it is nuts. There's no quiet anytime anymore, even in the dead of winter. This place is nuts. Overpriced. If you get anything in permission, like I did, get it in writing or management will use it to throw you out. I had permission for what I was doing. I'd done it for three years, and they prioritized a group of project workers that will be gone in a few months over a long-term resident who is disabled, not available to meet, not arguing with a neighbor who's a child, and lied three times in the middle of our own private conversation and ran to management with lies.
ScoutEverything is so clean and beautiful here. Tons to do and enjoy. Facilities are well kept!
GuideA beautiful well maintained state park. Would have got 5 stars but no electricity at sites due to flooding and the warnings online made it sound like it was just a few sites affected but we had a generator so it all worked out definitely worth a visit
TravelerGood place to camp while visiting Mammoth Caves. Walkable to showers which are located right outside the campground. Ok, but not super clean. Campsite was a good size and shaded. Pull through driveway was level enough. Staff friendly/helpful.
TravelerBeautiful campground, green, quiet, clean. Walking distance to visitor center and cave tours.
GuideCampground is peaceful despite sites being pretty close to each other. No water or electric at sites, but there are bathrooms and a (coin-operated) shower house nearby. For $25/night, it’s a solid deal.
Equestrian camping near Horse Cave, Kentucky offers access to over 60 miles of trails through woodland terrain within Mammoth Cave National Park. The area sits within the karst landscape of south-central Kentucky at approximately 600 feet elevation, characterized by limestone formations, springs, and sinkholes. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with hot, humid summers averaging 87°F and mild winters with occasional below-freezing temperatures.
Trail riding to Green River: Trail access points at Maple Springs Campground connect riders to the park's extensive trail system. "There are free dispersed camping sites! Just check in with the main camp office first. Many, many interesting things to see," notes reviewer Shelly S.
Cave tours with riding breaks: After morning rides, explore underground wonders at Mammoth Cave. "The campground is standard run of fair, pretty spacious & woodsy. THE CAVE IS VERY BIG AND COOL. Reserve the all day guided tour with crawling about in small spaces for the best experience," advises Dan X.
Guided park access: Double J Stables and Campground provides unique riding opportunities. "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," shares Heather K.
Wildlife encounters: Many equestrian campers appreciate the natural surroundings. "Very clean & quiet! The wildlife are very friendly," reports Gloria J., who stayed at Mammoth Cave Campground.
Evening atmosphere: After trail riding, campers enjoy the natural ambiance. "Fireflies are great at night. Frogs are singing in the evening. Tons of trees and shade," shares Veronica S.
Group-friendly layouts: Certain campgrounds arrange sites to accommodate groups of riders. "The campground is set up in what I call wagon train circles. If you're going with a large group it's perfect. People parked their toys and cars in the middle and set up in the sites around the hub," explains Shelly S. about Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.
Tick prevention essential: The area's wooded trails harbor ticks during warm months. "The park is infested with seed ticks and deer ticks. I was pulling ticks off of every inch of me even though I was coated in several layers of hardcore bug spray and my gear had been treated with permethrin," warns Carrie J. at Maple Springs Campground.
Water access limitations: Some horse-friendly campgrounds lack direct water access despite lake proximity. "Only downfall here is there isn't really a place to access gorgeous dale hollow lake without a boat... we could see it with a small drive but there isn't a beach on the KY side," mentions Beth H.
Trail conditions vary seasonally: Heavy rainfall can impact riding conditions. The Nolin Lake State Park Campground area offers alternative trail options during wet seasons. "I might return here but perhaps would choose to camp during the week or during a less busy time of year," suggests Christina M.
Kid-friendly layouts: Certain campgrounds feature designs that work well with children. "Sites are in sections in small loops. Very good for families. Kids can ride their bikes around the circle. Playgrounds are everywhere," describes Beth H. about Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.
Accessible trail options: For families with mixed riding abilities, consider shorter trails. "Direct trail access" is available at several campgrounds, allowing riders to "spend your day riding and then kick back at your site and relax," according to Shelly S. at Mammoth Cave Horse Camp.
Educational opportunities: Combined riding and learning experiences enhance family trips. "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," shares Shelly S., highlighting consistent year-round access to educational programs.
Water hose length: Some equestrian sites have distant hookups. "I also wish they would have mentioned the length to water hookup. We ended up having to go buy a longer water hose bc the hookup was more than 30 foot away," cautions Beth H.
Access route planning: RVers with horse trailers should research road access carefully. "If you are in a RV note that you can't go across the ferry with your rig!!! You have to go around the park to access this campground. We are so glad we realized that ahead of time and didn't have to back track," advises Bounding Around about Maple Springs.
Campsite configuration: Many equestrian sites have specific layouts for trailers. "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. The sites are surrounded by a gravel loop, so you can pull straight in and when you leave, pull straight out," describes Heather K. about Double J Stables and Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Horse Cave, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Horse Cave, KY is Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 146 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Horse Cave, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Horse Cave, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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