72 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Sweeden, Kentucky range from developed sites with RV hookups and cabin rentals to primitive tent camping along the Green River, clustered predominantly around Mammoth Cave National Park and Nolin Lake State Park. Several campgrounds, including Mammoth Cave Campground and Nolin Lake State Park Campground, provide facilities for tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Houchins Ferry Campground offers more primitive tent camping along the Green River. The area also features dispersed camping options at First Creek within Mammoth Cave National Park, approximately 15 miles from the main cave entrances, providing a more secluded backcountry experience for hikers seeking solitude.
Road access varies significantly among camping areas in the region, with developed campgrounds typically featuring paved roads suitable for most vehicles. Primitive camping areas often require navigation along narrower, sometimes gravel roads, particularly when accessing sites near Nolin Lake or the backcountry portions of Mammoth Cave National Park. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Nolin Lake State Park Campground specifically operates from April 1 to October 31, while some private campgrounds remain open year-round. Cell service is generally limited throughout the region, particularly in remote areas and ravines. According to one visitor: "Not much cell signal here, maybe 1 bar on Visible. Sites are right along the side of the Green River and the temperature here was a consistent 3 degrees F lower than in town."
Lakefront and riverside camping represent particularly sought-after experiences in the region. The campgrounds near Nolin Lake offer water access with boat launches and swimming areas, making them popular for water recreation. Campers frequently mention the clear night skies as a highlight, with minimal light pollution allowing for exceptional stargazing. One camper noted, "The sky was so clear and bright. Almost zero light pollution allowed us to see many constellations, the milky way, falling stars and the most breathtaking view of the night sky." Many visitors combine camping with exploring Mammoth Cave National Park, located within a 15-20 minute drive of several campgrounds. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant throughout the area, with river corridors providing excellent birding locations. Weekend crowding can be an issue during summer months, with waterfront sites filling quickly, especially on holiday weekends.
"This campground is a walking distance to the visitors center. It's a well established campground and geared towards folks visiting mammoth caves."
"green river, which was enjoyed by all, and we appreciated avoiding the main entrance besieged by spring break campers!"
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $27 - $45 / night
Check Availability"**
Campground Review: Coming from Western Kentucky Parkway W or KY I65 either way you drive in to **Moutardier Campground you will"
"It is located on Nolin River Lake. Our site was lakeside which was beautiful (Site D6). This campsite offered electric/water hookup, fire pit, picnic table, filet table, bathrooms, and showers. "
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Wax Campground is located on Nolin River Lake, which is managed by the Army Corp of Engineers. Translated; well maintained, picturesque and organized."
"The area surrounds Lake Nolan, which is an added bonus. The water was warm and calm. It is off the beaten path and you are about 30 min from a grocery store, so make sure you stock up before you go."
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Dog Creek Campground is located on Nolin River Lake in the Kentucky countryside."
"Seems all sites have a lake view. Less than half full sun-Tuesday. Stayed at a006. Very close to beach, but that means you hear everything at the beach. Very humid and virtually no shade at our site."
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Horses are allowed in the campground and you will see a lot of people taking their horses for a few runs around the road through the campsite as a warm up in the early mornings."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Lost of space to run around with the kids. Pretty view of the river. Sites 1-6 were pretty close together. I would have picked site 8 if I had to go again."
"The drive to the campground was a bit out of the way, but scenic. The sites are near a river and there is an option of taking the ferry to the campground."
"This campground is located near the entrance of Mammoth Cave National Park. It is a great place for a day or two of relaxation before getting back on the highway."
"Our site was right next to the catch and release pond. We had a little bridge that crossed the creek from our main site to an additional space where our fire ring was."
"Close proximity to Mammoth Cave. Don’t miss the Amish bakery/cafe nearby!"
"The older sites are more established with shade but most are gravel and not as easy to access while walking or biking. Karst beach is so nice with the wibit (extra cost but worth it)."
"This park is located on the entrance road to Mammoth Caves NP, and it is a spectacular way to stay and enjoy the hiking in the caves!"
"This is a small campground right near the entrance of Mammoth Cave NP. It was nice being so close with plenty of hiking options. Bathrooms were clean, laundry was fine."
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.
ScoutSmall campground with 30/50 and water hookups. Dump station on site. Bath house, concrete pad sites, boat ramp access. Good tree shade.
TravelerFishing lake. Quite a few locals throughout the day. Big field, camp anywhere. Porta potty, trash can, no other services. No fires. Nice lake, sunset, sunrise, wildlife. Felt very safe. Warden, police drove through each day. We'll maintained. Clean.
GuideDoing a road trip from CO to the east coast while hitting some national parks. This RV park is convenient off the highway and close to Mammoth cave national park. Quiet with lots of birds chirping all day. There is a train that runs through it it would bother you. Staff is friendly. So are the other campers. The pool is nice. Showers are clean. We don’t have a regular RV and they were super accommodating (see pics).
TravelerWe had such a lovely stay at Born Again. We were genuinely surprised to be the only guests over Memorial Day weekend! Peggy was an absolute gem - so kind, generous, and truly someone with a heart of gold. It’s clear she has poured so much love and care into the campground, and it shows in every detail. The entire place is perfectly eclectic, charming, and delightfully quirky.
Her sweet dog, Lily, kept us company throughout our stay and quickly won our hearts. We also had visits from Boots the cat, who was just as friendly and welcoming. Peggy kindly let us peek into each of the themed cabins, and it was easy to see the thoughtfulness and creativity behind every space. Each cabin felt carefully curated to match its theme, making the experience even more special.
Her husband, Tony, also stopped by to say hello, adding to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Overall, this was such a special place, and we already can’t wait for our next visit.
TravelerThe trails & cavern tours are fabulous to enjoy while you’re here.
ScoutGreat place to stay when passing through.
ScoutFor a short stay I'd come back again. The RV Park is close to shopping , in case you forgot something or didn't get a chance to stick up. However, the park itself leaves much to be desired. Though there are showers( pressure low and get in early for hot water or sometimes late at night so the propane can heat more) they are relatively clean. It mentioned a dog park, which is more like a run. For noise, there really isn't much in the park, probably due to the long list of rules, but the Kentucky Park Way is rather noisy! The park has lights so you really can't enjoy the night sky especially with lights from the city .The park is maintained and has 24/7 surveillance. Each site has hook up for 30 and 50 along with water and waste hook ups. They do allow for RV's to pull in and empty for a small fee. They have electric as well for .22 a kw. The only other thing I can really say is the manager is super nice and will accommodate you the best she can. Has laundry room for 2.oo a load. Machines are mediocre. So if I had to, or was in a spot of having to stop for either a weekend or a day , it's fine. Most of the campers here are ppl. who are working out of town, so they stay here- which makes perfect sense, otherwise,if you're looking to kick back and enjoy amenities , or for completely no sound of the eternal rat race .. keep searching this ain't the place. Want to add there are no fires allowed on the ground. So no fire pits unless you have your own that is raised.
TravelerFrom the first day, when the person checking us in said she didn't need to see our coggins test, I began to doubt the place. How many horses have come that haven't had testing? After the first day, we only saw one person twice in the week we were there. No-one in the store, you can buy ice or wood on the honor system, which is fine, but shavings and hay were locked up. The barns and areas around them are dirty and run down. The platform by the manure pit has loose and cracking boards that sag when you step on it. Stalls have deep holes, and uneven flooring, with boards missing around the base of the walls. They advertise a "laundry room" which is a coin op washer and dryer crammed into a small hallway, barely wide enough to hold them, that reeks of wet and mold. No change available, so bring enough. Sites are ok, but the campground is not lit, so plan on a flashlight for night check. The obstacle course is run down, with broken features, and rough ground. Manure pits and grounds are not maintained, so the flies are deplorable. The pallets to place feed on are rotting, filled with mold and bugs. Wheelbarrows are held together with baling twine, forks are broken, no shovels provided... but the threat of a $25 fee if stalls aren't cleaned out. The trail system is not their responsibility, but that too is deplorable. It is rough, with severe washouts, and many downed trees that you have to pick your way around. It is overgrown, and narrow. There is little to no signage, they give you a map, but there's nothing to reference. They are not for novice riders, period. There are too many nice places to stay and ride at, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
Camping spots near Sweeden, Kentucky cluster around the central Kentucky karst region with elevations between 500-800 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through August. Many campgrounds in this area feature limestone formations and sinkholes characteristic of the region's unique geology, creating natural drainage systems that keep sites relatively dry even after heavy rainfall.
Fishing opportunities: Moutardier Campground offers excellent bank fishing access with multiple lakeside sites. "Moutardier Campground is a fisherman's paradise. It is located on Nolin River Lake. Our site was lakeside which was beautiful (Site D6)," notes one reviewer who adds that they "saw ducks, and birds such as a grey heron" while kayaking.
Trail systems: Maple Springs Campground provides direct trail access for hiking and mountain biking. A visitor explains, "We stayed on the Maple Springs side of the Green River to be closer to the mountain bike trails and are glad we did. The trails were great for both of us and we could ride straight from the campground." The campground connects to several technical single-track trails through wooded areas.
Water recreation: Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular at multiple lakes. "We loved paddle boarding in the early morning before the boat traffic got going. Water was very warm," notes a camper at Wax Campground. Several campgrounds offer boat ramps and beach access for swimming, with water temperatures typically reaching the mid-70s during summer months.
Dark skies: The area between Nolin Lake and Mammoth Cave offers exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. "Stars at night were beautiful," shares a camper from Wax Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Mammoth Cave Campground offers frequent wildlife encounters right in the camping area. "Very clean & quiet! The wildlife are very friendly!" writes one camper, while another notes, "Deer & turkey walk thru ur campsite!" Bird watching is particularly good in early morning hours, with woodpeckers commonly spotted.
Peaceful atmosphere: Nolin Lake State Park creates a calm environment even during peak season. "We loved the quaintness of the park, the sites are very roomy and flat. We loved being close to the water as well," writes a reviewer. Another camper simply states, "This is our second time here and we love it as much as the first. Will probably be a yearly visit for us."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds in the area fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. "This campground books 6 months out. Very hard to get a spot, but so worth it!" advises a camper about Nolin Lake State Park. For summer weekends, reservations should be made as soon as the booking window opens.
Seasonal limitations: Operating seasons vary significantly between campgrounds. Dog Creek Campground operates from early May to mid-September, while Wax Campground runs from early May to late September. Winter camping options are limited primarily to private campgrounds.
Insect preparation: Houchins Ferry Campground and other wooded sites require tick prevention. A camper advises visitors to "spray up" due to ticks, particularly in grassy areas. Mosquitoes can be prevalent near water sources during summer months, especially in the evening hours.
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature multiple play areas for children of different ages. "3 playgrounds with safe clean equipment," reports one camper about Moutardier Campground, making it ideal for families with children of varied ages.
Swimming access: Many campsites offer direct water access for swimming. "Great for tents or trailers and everything in between. 3 playgrounds with safe clean equipment. Plant of lake view sites and positioned to provide a semi private experience," notes a camper about Moutardier.
Kid-friendly activities: Singing Hills RV Park includes fishing opportunities specifically designed for children. "There is a stock pond for kids to fish with bamboo poles that the park provides (catch & release only)," explains one reviewer. This small, well-maintained fishing pond is stocked with sunfish that are relatively easy to catch.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the region have varied terrain requiring leveling equipment. "Gravel pads are typically fairly level; water and electric at all but tent sites," reports a camper at Dog Creek Campground, though they note some inconsistency between sites.
Utility considerations: Water hookups are sometimes shared between sites, which can affect water pressure. At Diamond Caverns RV Resort, "Water spigots are also shared, which means you'll have low water pressure if you're both using water simultaneously," cautions an RVer. Checking with campground staff about utility arrangements before selecting a site can prevent surprises.
Cell service variations: Connectivity differs dramatically between campgrounds. "Limited cell service" is noted by several reviewers, with one specifying, "No signal at all on my phone or my husband phone" at Dog Creek Campground. RVers requiring connectivity for work should prioritize campgrounds closer to Cave City or Park City.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sweeden, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sweeden, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 72 campgrounds and RV parks near Sweeden, KY and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sweeden, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sweeden, KY is Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 140 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sweeden, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Sweeden, KY.
What parks are near Sweeden, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Sweeden, KY that allow camping, notably Nolin River Lake and Mammoth Cave National Park.
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