13 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Holly Bay Campground at Daniel Boone National Forest permits dogs at all sites with standard leash requirements. Campsites are spacious, shaded, and offer water and electric hookups with easy access to Laurel River Lake. The large, secluded sites provide plenty of room for pets to settle in while maintaining distance from neighboring campers. Laurel Lake Camping Resort also welcomes pets and features full hookup sites, a swimming pond, and fishing opportunities for the entire family. Dog-friendly campgrounds near Laurel River Lake generally require pets to be leashed, supervised at all times, and properly cleaned up after. The wooded campsites create natural boundaries and provide shade during summer months, an important consideration when camping with dogs.
Trail access from Holly Bay leads directly to the lake's edge, providing convenient water access for dogs that enjoy swimming. Many campers report that the clear, clean water of Laurel River Lake makes an excellent spot for pets to cool off during hot weather. The nearby Cumberland Falls State Resort Park offers additional pet-friendly trails for day excursions. Wildlife is common in the area, so keeping dogs leashed protects both local animals and your pets. Camping sites throughout the region feature picnic tables and fire rings, allowing families to enjoy meals outdoors with their pets nearby. When hiking with dogs, be aware that poison ivy is prevalent along some trails, particularly those leading down to the water. The Grove Boat-In Campground provides a unique option for those willing to transport pets via kayak or boat, though facilities are limited to vault toilets with no showers.
"Sadly, there is a massive amount of trash at the bottom (as you can see in the pictures posted here) which takes away from the natural appearance of the falls."
"It’s has many (12) trails and many falls. Would definitely recommend shopping before camping, it’s several miles, and mountains, to get to stores."
from $26 - $35 / night
"Swim next to show, bring your pets, tie up you're boat, be around friendly people or private, primitive to big pull thru, clean, great staff, prettiest lake in KY, best camp sites with poles, shady, level"
"Clean bathrooms with showers in walking distance. Helpful staff. Stunning views. Great hiking paths. Bring you boats, bikes, kayaks, fishing poles and bathing suits. The water is fantastic!"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $46 - $92 / night
"Visiting Daniel Boone is like stepping back in time. A lot of history from the origins as well as the structures built."
"You can still walk across the bridge to get to Bee Rock and the hiking trail to the top, just can't camp over there."
from $8 - $12 / night
"Nice campground surrounded by forest. They have a pond for fishing and another pond for swimming with nice Sandy beach. They also put out bouncy houses for the kids at no extra cost."
"Drive in camper spots, drive up to tent spots. Two ponds. Close to laurel lake. Gated and safe. Store for all your needs."
"Corbin n/Laurel Lake KOA First! Do not trust your navigation. Once you get off the interstate look for the KOA signs."
"Being April, it was still a little cool and we had a rain day, their are several places to go around Corbin. Take a quiet peaceful walk down the back trail to Laurel River Dam."
"Primitive camping if you like to really rough it with nice trails to each spot. The camp hosts comes by nightly to see if you need wood or ice."
"Close to laurel lake and close to the marina. Corbin is nearby also, where the original KFC is by the way! Also check out Cumberland falls in the area!!"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $32 - $92 / night
"Many activities at the park and it is also close to the birth place of Kentucky Fried Chicken. They have nice sites for larger campers and some for small units that are more shaded."
"Decent WIFI which was a big plus and, while we stayed in a full hook up site, the dump station was well positioned and easy to navigate."
"Bring your horse, bring your trail bike, bring your dogs. You might want to bring a generator too."
"Take an awesome little ferry across the river (or drive around). Tent sites vary in privacy. Great simple site, clean. No trails on site but we did a pretty one nearby (forget the name)."
from $2 - $15 / night
"This campground is conveniently located near Corbin, KY. It sits right off the main road on the way to Cumberland Falls. There are plenty of signs and it is well marked, easy to find."
"The staff was friendly, the bathhouses were clean, the playground was unique, & plus it’s dog friendly 😍 our puppers had the best time! We also had very sweet neighbors."
from $25 - $174 / night
"It was dark once I set up but an awesome could helped me with fire wood and had a nice talk around their campfire. Beautiful area. Very busy on labor day weekend!!"
ScoutIve been here in the summer and now in the Fall and I've been lucky enough to be the only person here. Nice places to hike around the area. Hiking trail out the backside of campground. Boat launch down the road.
RangerNo service and I wholeheartedly suggest getting here before dark because driving in was like the intro forest version of The Hills Have Eyes. Abandoned houses and even a cemetery at one point. If you’re into it like I am, this was a welcomed, eerie experience. Only complaint is that the site felt a little “lived” in with random items and trash left behind. For the love of Pete, please pack out your stuff. Found a spot with direct water access. There was a picnic table and fire pit. I arrived after dark so did not explore until morning. The river had cool rocks and there was obvious beaver activity. The massive boulders and Tarzan worthy tree vines made for a scenic adventure that was worth the drive for.
ScoutMost of the camp sites on the Clifty side are small and right on top of each other, except one- T-49. T-49 is off by itself and its big and private. There is a trail head (12) right next to the site, which was great. Its about a 1.5 mile hike, moderately difficult. This site is also not too far from the bathrooms, which were very clean. You can fill up a water can in the bathroom. We have At&t and had no service at the camp site. Lastly, there is plenty of fire wood at the site if you're willing to process it. So long as it has not rained recently, no need to buy fire wood. 5 stars for sure!
GuideWilderness rosd campground is awesome!! Beautiful area, with electric hookups and nice restroom and shower facilities. Smooth paved level sites and easy to find the site. We loved our stay here. They also have beautiful trails that are pet friendly. Will come back here again.
RangerThe campgrounds around here are old and not updated. But with the high price of campgrounds around here, we don’t mind staying in an area that is older for a cheaper rate. Most campgrounds in the area are $50-$75, this place is $35. With water and electricity. So it doesn’t matter that the bathrooms were quite dated but clean. There are showers but only shower curtains. There is a code to get into the bathrooms.
GuideThis could possibly be the best camp I've ever stayed at. I personally visited around early May & it was quiet, very clean & everything worked. Showers and bathrooms were quite clean also. Great place to stay.
TravelerWe stopped here for an overnight traveling to Charleston, South Carolina. The sites were very nice. Staff very friendly. Very clean. Would recommend
GuideThis is somewhat of a RV parking lot with level gravel sites with electric, sewer, and water. Some lots have trees. Ours did not. Park has pool, clean bathrooms and showers, laundry. People are friendly. The shop has multiple convenience items. They offer propane and have a kerosene tank too. It’s about 30 mins to Lexington. We have a 35’ travel trailer
GuideThe bathrooms are very clean well lit.
Camping areas around Laurel River Lake offer both primitive sites and full-service campgrounds across Daniel Boone National Forest. The lake sits at 1,013 feet elevation and contains 5,600 acres of water with 192 miles of shoreline. Temperatures range from 68-88°F during peak camping season, and afternoon thunderstorms aren't uncommon during summer months.
Hiking to viewpoints: Several trails near Bee Rock Rec Area provide excellent views over the river valley. "The hike to Bee Rock is very enjoyable. Lots of small falls and cool views of the muddy river," reports Tony E.
Waterfall exploration: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, just a short drive from Laurel River Lake, offers impressive waterfall viewing. "What a nice surprise! We aren't the type that typically makes reservations; and we were simply looking for a place to stay the night when we saw this state park on our trusty Nat Geo road atlas. Well, we found it…and stayed for nearly a week. Filled with waterfalls (the main falls are the largest south of Niagara Falls), numerous hiking trails, and the home of the only regular moonbow (lunar rainbow) in the northern hemisphere," shares Shari G. from Ridgeline Campground.
Kayak camping: For a unique experience, paddle to remote sites at Grove Boat-In Campground. "My first experience to a boat in and did it all on my own! My boat was my kayak. I parked at the Grove marina and packed all I could on my kayak and headed to the sites," explains Emilee B.
Large, private sites: The spaciousness of many campsites provides room for pets and gear. "The sites are spaced out, large and completely shaded. There are several bathhouses and some include large sinks to wash supplies," says Carissa D. about Holly Bay.
Swimming opportunities: Beyond lake access, some campgrounds offer dedicated swimming areas. "They have a pond for fishing and another pond for swimming with nice Sandy beach. They also put out bouncy houses for the kids at no extra cost," notes John P. about Laurel Lake Camping Resort.
Multi-generational appeal: Activities for all ages make the area suitable for family reunions. "Staff was great - lots of activities for the kids to do through the State Park - Archery (free), Swimming Pool (free), and more free activities, horseback riding ($20pp). Camp host led scavenger hunts, lazer tag, capture the flag, etc in the campground in the evenings," explains Michael R. at Ridgeline Campground.
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer the same privacy or amenities. "We stayed in Site 19 - by far the most private site. 19 is actually a double site - two tent pads, two tables. Site is surrounded by forest on three sides. The rest of the sites are packed extremely close together," warns Michael R. about Ridgeline Campground.
Weather preparation: The area can experience quick weather changes. "The campground is so prone to flooding that they have the picnic tables on the lower loop chained down so they don't float away," mentions Tony E. at Bee Rock Rec Area.
Limited services in primitive areas: Some pet-friendly camping near Laurel River Lake lacks facilities. "A group of 6 campers on our way to the East Coast stayed over in Grove Campground, part of the Daniel Boone National Forrest. We stayed 2 nights in our site B12 and enjoyed the stay. Although COVID had bathroom closed, we brought our own," shares Don L.
Pool access option: Levi Jackson Wilderness State Park Campground offers swimming for relief from summer heat. "In the summer season you can take a trail off of loop I that leads to the community pool to cool off. The campground organizes fun activities for the summer holidays like tie dying, camper's only pool party, bingo, best decorated campsite," notes Joanna H.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites around campgrounds provide learning experiences. "The hiking trails are quite historic with Daniel Boone and other settlers' stories, including a historic mill, stone church, and cemeteries," shares Lynn G. at Levi Jackson.
Wildlife awareness: Animals are active in camping areas. "Keep following the tent signs, they will get you to Little Lick Campground. This is a primitive little campground out in the middle of nowhere... Bring your horse, bring your trail bike, bring your dogs. Be wary of shy bears and bobcats," advises Tombo T.
Site leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling equipment to pet-friendly camping near Laurel River Lake. "Spots were pull through so that was a plus. Pretty unlevel though. Bring lots of blocks," suggests Travis S. at Levi Jackson Wilderness State Park.
Length restrictions: Check maximum vehicle sizes before booking. "Make sure to watch the 'max vehicle length' - we have a 21' van and we barely fit into our site that had a longer max length," warns Denise at Ridgeline Campground.
Hookup considerations: Utilities aren't always conveniently placed. "The water and electric hookup for this site is very far away from the actual site - we had to use a regular 110 extension cord to get the hookup to our van and we couldn't use the water at all because we only had a standard length hose," notes Denise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Laurel River Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Laurel River Lake is Ridgeline Campground — Cumberland Falls State Resort Park with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Laurel River Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 108 dog-friendly camping locations near Laurel River Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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