Tent camping near Irvine, Kentucky centers around the Daniel Boone National Forest, which spans over 708,000 acres of eastern Kentucky terrain ranging from 600 to 1,400 feet in elevation. The region experiences seasonal extremes with summer temperatures frequently reaching the high 80s and winter lows dipping below freezing. Primitive campsites throughout the area typically sit on clay and sandy soil, which can become muddy quickly after rain.
What to do
Hiking to geological features: Princess Arch in Red River Gorge Campground offers a quick 0.6-mile hike with 105 feet of elevation gain from the parking area. "Princess Arch offers 105ft of elevation and is a quick 0.6 mi hike from the parking loop. There are bathrooms and trash bins at the parking loop," notes Wayne H.
Swimming and cliff jumping: Red River Gorge Adventures is located just a quarter-mile from popular swimming areas. "This campground is only a two mile paddle to the infamous jump rock and swim hole. Also, 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," explains Josh J.
Backcountry camping: For more solitude, venture deeper on the network of trails. "Some of our favorite backpacking. Getting little busy unless you're out deeper in the back country," writes Ted B. about Red River Gorge. The less traveled sections provide better chances of wildlife sightings and quieter camping spots.
What campers like
River access: Red River Gorge Adventures provides direct water access at their riverside campground. "Great place to camp right on the river! I would suggest bring your own fire wood and do not by it there at the camp the wood they gave us was not good and wouldn't catch fire. But other than that I would go back in a heartbeat," writes Vince B.
Dispersed lakefront sites: Paragon Dispersed Camping Area offers free camping on Cave Run Lake with boat-in access at most sites. "This drive in campground is awesome for those who like to camp for free. Right off the highway! Located on Cave Run Lake. No fire pits, no restrooms, no water or electricity hookups. Most spots have boat in access," says Wayne H.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide excellent bird-watching opportunities at lakefront campsites. "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," reports Kevin C. after staying at Paragon Dispersed Camping Area.
What you should know
Permit requirements: A three-day pass costs $5 for Red River Gorge, available at specific locations. "Pick up your parking pass at the Shell gas station at 12187 Campton rd, Stanton, KY. A three days pass is $5," advises Wayne H.
Site conditions: Many dispersed sites require cleanup before use. "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. It's discouraging to love these camping areas and find them in such a rough state after others use them," reports Shari G. at Paragon Dispersed Camping Area.
Gates and access hours: Some campgrounds restrict nighttime entry and exit. "They close the gates at night and don't open the gates till 8 am was the only drawback. The gate adds to the security of the campground I liked that they control coming and going at night times," notes Andrew C. about Red River Adventures.
Cell service: Coverage varies significantly throughout the camping areas. "There was slight cell service for Verizon & AT&T, enough for maybe text but not very consistent," reports John about Daniel Boone National Forest White Sulphur Horse Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Water safety precautions: Swimming areas require close supervision due to variable depths. "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," advises Josh J. about Red River Adventures.
Kid-friendly atmosphere: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours and policies that create a family environment. "During our two night stay the other sites were all filled with families, so very kid friendly," notes Kevin C. about Paragon Dispersed Camping Area.
Alternative accommodations: HomeGrown HideAways offers yurt options for families wanting more shelter. "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 and we pitched out tents in the field in front of the Yome," shares Cassandra C.
Tips for RVers
Site accessibility: Most dispersed camping areas have limited access for large vehicles. "We rolled up on a Tuesday night in mid-July and found the campground about ¾ full but still plenty of space for our little trailer. With about a dozen or so sites, some along the lakeshore, others closeby, lots of options exist to be alone or with a group," shares Shari G. about camping at Paragon.
Power options: Solar setups work well for primitive camping in the area. "There is no potable water or electrical hookups, but with our solar panel we are always ready for primitive sites," notes Shari G., who camped at Paragon with a small trailer.
