The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping in Kentucky

27 Reviews

With Kentucky’s 45 state parks, the greatest length of navigable waterways in the lower 48, and the world’s longest cave system, the state of bourbon and horse racing is a dream destination for outdoor lovers. A diverse state with numerous distinct natural regions, Kentucky has a plethora of camping locations. Whether you choose to visit a state park or national forest, you don’t have to look hard to find amazing locations for camping in Kentucky.

For some of the most romantic and rugged landscapes in the state, visit the Red River Gorge in the south. With some of the most spectacular sites for camping in Kentucky, the gorge is a popular destination with visitors and locals alike. Climbers and hikers love the steep and rocky hillsides and cliffs which make the gorge famous. Located in the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge offers endless overnight options. From dispersed camping in quiet stretches of forest to whimsical treehouse and full-access campgrounds, it’s easy to find the perfect spot to spend the night. Snag a site next to a lake with record-sized muskies and you won’t have to go far to get on the water first thing in the morning.

If you love fishing, visiting Kentucky’s Red River Gorge is a must. With an abundance of lakes and rivers teeming with fish, it’s an angler’s dream. Enjoy lazy afternoons canoeing on the river or get an adrenaline rush on thrilling rapids. Nature lovers will love the plethora of wildlife and numerous hiking trails that wind through lush shaded forests.

Keep exploring Kentucky’s shaded forests and rugged cliffs in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in southeast Kentucky. Boaters will delight in the park’s large, languorous rivers and quick-flowing streams. Sheer bluffs and rocky gorges characterize the river valleys where water flows over rugged rapids and slows in quiet pools.

There are a variety of options for camping in Kentucky near the Big South Fork, from primitive to developed campgrounds. If you’re travelling with horses, stay in the horse camp, complete with a tack store stocked with essentials. Keep in mind that most parks and campgrounds have a ban on bringing your own firewood to prevent the spread of invasive species. Check with the campground regulations before you come, as some allow collection of wood on the forest floor and other require you to purchase firewood from a ranger. Wherever you choose to stay, with the Dyrt you can be sure to find the best camping in Kentucky.

Map showing campgrounds in KentuckyExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites in Kentucky (14)

    1. Forest Service Rd 343

    8 Reviews
    Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, KY

    "A secluded lakeside spot with a fire pit. We saw three other spots on the way in which looked nice as well. The road coming in is a little washed out but not too pitted."

    "Seems it's a popular road for other people looking for an off-the-beaten-path place. The site is right on the lake an doesn't get any curious cars just driving by."

    2. Paragon Dispersed Camping Area

    7 Reviews
    Daniel Boone National Forest, KY
    Website
    +1 (606) 784-6428

    "We simply love camping in the National Forest Service campgrounds, most often because they are isolated, beautiful, inexpensive and usually, very quiet."

    "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."

    3. Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Warm Springs, KY
    Website

    "I pulled in while passing through the area, it was a short ride off the highway and the road in was nice."

    "No signal, so make sure you have a map or know which way you came."

    4. Demumber's Bay

    5 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY

    "Denumbers is considered a back country campground in Land Between the Lakes. The road going back into the campground is paved, and the roads in the campground are compacted gravel."

    "There are multiple dispersed camping spots available along the way (closer to the bay mostly). There are a couple on the water and some in the woods close by."

    5. Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    2 Reviews
    Stearns, KY
    Website

    "Visited here in the middle of January with all the snow and I was hot tent camping."

    "Dispersed camping.   We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening."

    6. LBL FS154 - Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, KY
    Website
    +1 (800) 525-7077

    "This site is quite remote feeling, but for a dispersed site, it is absolutely the BEST, which is why it is sometimes difficult to secure it, being it is first come first served."

    "You might need 4wd; it had rained all day before I got here and there were some rough/sloppy patches in the road. The pit toilt at the entrance is about a 10-12 minute drive away."

    7. Redbird Boat Ramp

    3 Reviews
    Williamsburg, KY

    "No amenities. The sky was beautiful. Would go again. About ten miles off 75. We were there in Sept 2025"

    8. First Creek Dispersed Camping — Mammoth Cave National Park

    1 Review
    Sweeden, KY
    Website
    +1 (270) 758-2180

    $8 / night

    "First Camp Dispersed tent sites are an enjoyable hike down into the First Creek ,creek bed of Green River in Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky

    If you go early enough in the season you will see some awesome"

    9. LBL FS-326

    1 Review
    Cadiz, KY
    Website
    +1 (800) 525-7077

    "This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time."

    10. Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1

    1 Review
    Jellico, KY
    Website

    "There are three dispersed camp sites along this road.  We stayed at the first and largest of the three.  This first site has room for two groups.  It also has a small swimming hole with a rope swing."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Kentucky Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos in Kentucky

24 Photos of 14 Kentucky Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews in Kentucky

27 Reviews of 14 Kentucky Campgrounds

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2020

    Paragon Dispersed Camping Area

    Beautiful & Free, but Lots of Trash Around

    We simply love camping in the National Forest Service campgrounds, most often because they are isolated, beautiful, inexpensive and usually, very quiet. 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. 

    There is no potable water or electrical hookups, but with our solar panel we are always ready for primitive sites.  There were portable pit-toilets (bring your own TP, if you want to have some). There are no trash cans or dumpsters in the area, so plan accordingly. The main activity of folks in the campground seemed to be fishing, so I assume the fishing is good, or at least the trying is. But launching a kayak for an easy paddle about the lake couldn’t be easier from your site. 

    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. It’s a good reminder to come prepared to pick up after yourself and others who aren’t as thoughtful. We spent a good hour cleaning up the area, and filled one section of our truck bed with it when we left. Carry it in, folks, and then carry it out.

  • Wayne H.
    Sep. 1, 2019

    Paragon Dispersed Camping Area

    Broke campers dream

    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! Will definitely be going back! Located in Morehead, KY.

  • Lynn G.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Paragon Dispersed Camping Area

    Dispersed camping in Daniel Boone National Forest

    The National Forest has hiking, multi-use trails, and boating (there is a ramp nearby). This is dispersed camping, meaning there are no amenities besides a pit toilet and a few fire rings. Make sure to bring your own water treatment.

    Yay: Close to the river, on the less busy side of the forest. Drive along the road and decide which campsite to stay at. All free.

    Nay: Sadly, there was a lot of trash at all the sites. Not all sites have fire rings. There are only 7 sites so and no reservations so you may end up out of luck (but there are many other campgrounds in the area). Can be very muddy!

    Surprise: call or visit the ranger office before entering the forest to get the latest recommendations for good trails and where to see wildlife!

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2020

    First Creek Dispersed Camping — Mammoth Cave National Park

    All down hill

    First Camp Dispersed tent sites are an enjoyable hike down into the First Creek ,creek bed of Green River in Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky

    If you go early enough in the season you will see some awesome rock formations. Once all the foliage fills in its not as picturesque .

    Find Ollie Rd on the back side of Mammoth and take the gravel road straight at the hard right turn. First Creek can be hiked to from two different parking areas and it’s part of the Loop trail used by hikers and horseback riders alike. A map is very useful for distances and trail directions because the markers are not always where they are supposed to be. There is an beautiful pond/lake at the bottom of the hike that empties into the Green River. Realize of course water = snakes and take precautions. Two choices of tent sites. Both have a fire ring , lantern hook and tent pad. Firewood is all around :) tote in your water or filtration system and everything you need cause the hike back up that hill ain’t short! It gets DARK here! You should have some beautiful star gazing opportunities and some wildlife interactions. Once again take precautions with your food, it’s a long hike back up that hill! Bug spray! Enough said! Love this out of the way area but it can be quite spooky ;) Enjoy ;)

  • Jim M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2024

    Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area

    Great "out of the way" spot

    Great camp site!! I pulled in while passing through the area, it was a short ride off the highway and the road in was nice. Quiet spot with a nice grassy level area. will definitely stay here again when I get back up this way.

  • Mikaela K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 24, 2023

    Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area

    Nice spot, even for our conversion van!

    Wasn’t too hard to get there and park in our van. Peaceful for the most part (a few campers were there). No signal, so make sure you have a map or know which way you came.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 7, 2024

    LBL FS-326

    Lovely, quiet spot!

    This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time. Occasionally heard some obnoxious people across the lake where I believe a campground is located. Also heard a sound during the night, possibly coyotes. Otherwise, I felt safe and had a great time here!! The ground was flat and there was a lot of room. We were just passing through and needed somewhere quiet to sleep after two days of driving. There is a lot to do in this area! I hope I got the location right… it wouldn’t let me add the exact coordinates I saved when I was there.

  • R C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 27, 2025

    Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area

    Nice free camp spot(s) next to a river

    Really enjoyed this place. Maybe 5-10 min off of highway 220. There are maybe 5 ish spots to camp next to a river in this mountain valley. I took the one and only site just before the proper camp site (it was the best one IMO). Need to be self sufficient though, only convenience is a toilet house. No cell coverage. Highly recommend for primitive camping.

  • Staci R.
    Sep. 19, 2022

    LBL FS154 - Dispersed

    5 Star Dispersed? Planning ahead will make the difference

    This site is quite remote feeling, but for a dispersed site, it is absolutely the BEST, which is why it is sometimes difficult to secure it, being it is first come first served. Be sure to have your dispersed camping permit before coming out! They are available online, and at any of the Visitor's centers. The roads coming out to this site are graded graveled roads, and do not require 4WD, however some of the roads are still blocked by trees felled (probably during December 2021 tornados), so you won't want to be dragging a trailer behind you when you turn a curve to see a fallen oak.  I traveled in on FS-154 and turned left onto the road that runs next to the site. When leaving, I attempted to continue traveling down the unnumbered road toward FS-134, but both directions in the fork were blocked by trees. This campsite is very popular, even though there are ZERO AMENITIES, which means you need to know and understand sanitation ("cat holes") as there are no port-a-johns or vault toilets, there is also NO POTABLE water, so you either pack it in or bring your filter and drink lake water. 

    The campsite itself is on a small peninsula, just big enough for a large two room tent, a makeshift fire ring, and a vehicle. I was there during the lake's winter pool, so the water was very low, leaving a lot of easy walkable entry areas into the bay or inlet area.  Forrest service checks in with dispersed campers often, so staying longer than the time allowed is usually not an option, but there are also other really nice dispersed areas near by to move to,

Guide to Kentucky

Kentucky offers a wealth of opportunities for those seeking the freedom of dispersed camping, allowing adventurers to immerse themselves in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Top Attractions for Dispersed Campers

  • Experience stunning views and wildlife at the Paragon Dispersed Camping Area, where you can enjoy fishing and birdwatching right from your campsite.
  • Discover the serene beauty of Demumber's Bay, featuring multiple dispersed spots along a paved forest road, perfect for kayaking and enjoying the lake.
  • Explore the secluded charm of Forest Service Rd 343, where you can find tranquility by the water and enjoy the company of fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

Top Activities While Free Camping in Kentucky

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping in Kentucky

  • Always pack out what you pack in, as many areas like Swain Ridge lack trash disposal facilities, ensuring the beauty of nature remains intact.
  • Be prepared for primitive conditions at Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road, where amenities are minimal, and you’ll need to bring your own water and supplies.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife and practice food safety to avoid attracting animals, especially in areas like Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area, where encounters with bears can occur if food is left out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is free camping available in Kentucky and where?

Yes, free camping is readily available throughout Kentucky. The Land Between the Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area offers several free dispersed camping options, including LBL FS154 - Dispersed and LBL FS-326, though you'll need to obtain a free dispersed camping permit before arrival. In Daniel Boone National Forest, Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area provides free camping spots next to a river in a peaceful mountain valley. Many of these free sites are accessible by standard vehicles, though some may require AWD or 4WD, especially after rain. Remember that free camping typically means no amenities beyond perhaps a pit toilet, so bring everything you need, including water.

Where can I find dispersed camping in Kentucky?

Kentucky offers several excellent dispersed camping areas throughout the state. Daniel Boone National Forest contains multiple dispersed sites, including Paragon Dispersed Camping Area near Morehead, which offers lakeside camping on Cave Run Lake. For those seeking a more remote experience, First Creek Dispersed Camping — Mammoth Cave National Park provides tent sites along the Green River. The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area also features numerous dispersed camping options. Most dispersed camping in Kentucky is located on national forest land, wildlife management areas, or within national recreation areas. Always check local regulations before setting up camp, as rules vary by location.

What's the difference between primitive and dispersed camping in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, primitive camping typically refers to designated campgrounds with minimal facilities like pit toilets, fire rings, and possibly potable water, but no hookups or modern amenities. These sites may require a small fee and are often found in organized camping areas. Dispersed camping, on the other hand, occurs outside of designated campgrounds with virtually no facilities or amenities. Forest Service Rd 343 exemplifies dispersed camping, with nothing but a clearing and perhaps a makeshift fire ring. Sites like Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road illustrate the self-sufficient nature of dispersed camping. While both options require campers to be largely self-reliant, dispersed camping demands complete self-sufficiency, including proper waste disposal and leave-no-trace practices.

Are there any regulations for boondocking in Kentucky?

Boondocking (free dispersed camping) in Kentucky comes with several regulations. In Land Between the Lakes, you must obtain a dispersed camping permit before setting up camp. Most sites limit your stay to 14 consecutive days within a 30-day period. Some areas like Demumber's Bay and Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1 may have seasonal restrictions or closures. Campfires are typically permitted but may be restricted during dry conditions. Always practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and properly disposing of human waste. Vehicle access is often limited to existing roads and clearings—no creating new paths. Some areas may prohibit boondocking during hunting seasons. Check with the managing agency (Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, etc.) for specific rules before your trip.

Keep Exploring