Looking for the best options for tent camping near Mammoth Cave National Park? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Mammoth Cave National Park. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
$150 / night
Camping on the river floodpain by Backcountry Use Permit.
Guide
This was a nice KOA, but some sites were small with all sites having very small fire pits made from only old tire wheels. This KOA has a pool, fishing, putt putt, dump station, general store, cabins, a little run down restroom/bath houses, kids play scape, large chess board, and a dog park. This KOA was about 20 minutes from Mammoth Cave National Park and the National Corvette Museum. Both are worth the trip to.
Legend
We really enjoyed this place! It's located on the green river and has very spacious campsites. Plenty of room for the kids or dogs to run around. Very secluded. There is a concrete picnic table, pole and fire pit at each spot. Across the road to the ferry is a large pavillion with several more picnic tables for bigger gatherings. There are a few porta potties and no water or hookups. Primitive camping only. We tent camped here in July and saw hundreds of lightning bugs (see video)! It was magical, that really made the experience so much better for us!
Highly recommend a cave tour as well at Mammoth Cave National Park. You will not be disappointed!! Can't wait to go back!
GuideAbsolutely loved tent camping here! Several modern bath houses with showers, toilets and sinks. Tent sites are spacious enough for multiple tents/ canopy's to be set up. Waterfront and has stairs to walk down to the water.
Scout
Pros: very well maintained facilities, toddlers enjoyed playground, able to walk along lake shore, could hear small waterfall behind our campsite, within 20 minutes of Mammoth Cave NP via Green River Ferry Con: sites nothing special for tent camping (probably great if in RV). Very sunny, out in open so windy. But nice to have electric and water when camping with toddlers so worth it. Would agree with previous review that the 1 tent site among all the electric sites looked beautiful- right on the water. If you don’t need electric, go with that one!
Guide
Been several times at different times of the year. The summer months fill up quick. Great place to visit on its own or with day trips to Mammoth Cave. Water slide, 2 pools, and other things for the kids to do during the hot summers. Karaoke, and games at night at the shelter. Food in the lodge is acceptable snacks for the pool but dont expect 4 star club food. Cabin Rentals, RV Site and Tent sites. All have a fire ring. Cabin came with a golf cart. Cabins are decent. group showers and restrooms are not that great. If I had one down side. If tent camping on the weekend bring earplugs. Durring the summer the adult beverages flow in the evening and into the night and the gas powered golf carts at 2am get annoying. Over all a great place in the summer for a close family retreat.
Ranger
We have camped twice at this campground. Here's what you should know about our experiences. We tent camped at an improved site, so most RV knowledge on my part is limited. I do know that it is a one lane, paved road coming in (Lincoln School Rd). There is a sign telling you to call before you start down the road with your RV so they can make sure no one else is going to block you. If you are in a vehicle, you do not need to call. When you arrive, most likely, Dave or Rocky (the owners) will greet you with a big smile and a howdy! The horse barn is the first building you will see on your left. You continue on your way and you will see the owners house and then you will see a small shed and a gate arm to the entrance of the campground. There is a call box if no one greeted you on your way in. Someone will either come and collect your payment or they will give you the box code and meet you at your site. 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. All the sites are flat and perfect for a tent or RV. The sites are surrounded by a gravel loop, so you can pull straight in and when you leave, pull straight out. The sites are not shaded but the entire property is surrounded by trees of Mammoth Cave National Park. The restrooms/showers are just steps away and easily accessed. All the times we have stayed, the restrooms were well maintained and clean. There is a covered pavilion with seating just outside the restrooms. A perfect place to gather for shade or to get out of the rain. Connected to the pavilion is a room with a tv and is typically used for entertaining. Double J does offer party packages for weddings, parties and meetings. Ice and firewood are available for purchase. There is not a store on sight, but there is a little country store right down the road where you can get gas and snacks. You can bring your own horses and they can stay in the field overnight or in a covered stall with shavings. All the stalls were dry when we were there during a very heavy rainfall. If you don't have your own horse, they have the BEST horses for trail rides! The guide will take you directly into Mammoth Cave National Park. 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. They also have a 4 hour trail ride available. Since Mammoth Cave National Park is just steps away, you can also easily go hiking without having to drive to a trail head. There is a playground for younger kids to play on. While we were there the owners were fundraising so they could improve it further. Overall, I would and have recommended this place to all my friends who love camping and horses. This campground is maintained by people who love it and it shows! Check their website for weekend events like Derby, ladies getaways, kids day camps and more! You should call in advance for reservations as most of their events book fast and sell out!
ScoutI was tent camping with my family Thursday-Saturday while visiting Mammoth Cave.
The good: the tent campground has spacious, level sites. The sites are located in a grove of pine trees, which makes for well shaded sites with a pleasant surface of soft pine straw to pitch your tents. A few sites had trees suitable for hanging hammocks if you enjoy that. There are toilets and sinks in the park office near the primitive campsites. There is a swimming beach and boat ramp on Nolin Lake nearby. Convenient to Mammoth Cave NP and fishing and hiking opportunities abound.
The bad: the shower house is in the RV campground and too far away to be a convenient walk. You have to drive there which is a pain with kids. There were few shower stalls and they were not kept clean. The park staff were very friendly but just overworked. Thursday night we were kept awake by loud campers and campground staff weren’t around to enforce quiet hours. Quiet hours do not start until 11 PM which is not ideal for campers with young children. The park started filling up on Friday and Saturday and was obviously very crowded on the weekend. Seems like a "party spot" for locals.
We might return here but perhaps would choose to camp during the week or during a less busy time of year.
Guide
We were very impressed when we stopped on our road trip to visit Mammoth Caves National Park! They even had a nice area for our dog to stay while we were caving!
Guide
We chose this campground due to the convenient location near Mammoth Cave National Park. The campground was very clean, spacious campsites, nice playground and loops A and C had beautiful waterfront sites.
Traveler
The campground is cute and less than 15 mins to the Mammoth Cave National Park visitor Center. Nothing fancy, older bathhouse, small pond and large field for kids to explore. Some spots are snug. Owner is great and very helpful!
TravelerNice large sites. Ours had lake access and we only booked it a couple days in advance. Launched our kayaks from our site. Decent bicycling in the area. One day we visited mammoth cave national park, about 30 minutes away.
Legend
Diamond Caverns RV Resort was an enjoyable stay on the edge of Mammoth Cave National Park. Right off of I65 it's a short drive to the campground.
Not much shade but the sites were well maintained. A pool, miniature golf and scheduled activities.
ScoutThis 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. Full hookups, fishing pond (catch & release). Unbelievably nice owners who will do everything to make your visit quiet and relaxing.
Ranger
I found this campground looking for a spot near mammoth cave National park. It’s about an hour away but just beautiful. The hosts were so nice, they called us before checking in to make sure we knew how to get there and to suggest a different site. They had a massive firewood bundle for $5.00! Our batteries to our air mattresses pump had died and they had extra. The bathrooms were clean, nice hot showers.
GuideOur site was huge, with enough space for our RV, truck, dog fence and fire area. The gravel pad was recently maintained.
The bathrooms were cleaned regularly. The showers were hot and free! Washer/dryers on-site for $1.5 a load.
The hike to the waterfall was muddy and there were downed trees from a recent storm - but the park was working on it.
We loved that hiking in Mammoth Cave National park was only 15 min away!
TravelerThis is the kind of campground you can take your kids, never leave the campground, and have fun for days. We went over a long weekend in October, with the point of the trip being to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. The campground had activities for the kids all day Friday and Sunday. We did arts and crafts, bingo, trick or treating, watched the golf cart parade, played on several of the different playgrounds, and putt putt golf.
The bathhouses were very clean, campstore is well stocked. This is a LARGE campground so renting a golf cart or bringing your bikes is recommended.
The only downside - it is expensive. We paid almost $100/night.
LegendWax Campground is located on Nolin River Lake, which is managed by the Army Corp of Engineers. Translated; well maintained, picturesque and organized.
Off Western Kentucky Parkway or KYI65 depending on where your coming from and an interesting drive through the Kentucky countryside will get you there. Nearby is Mammoth Cave National Park, also worth a visit but reserve your spelunking way ahead or you ain't getting down under;)
Wax Campground is all about the water. It's directly across from the Nolin Lodge and Wax Marina. Some of the sites are right above the lake and easily accessible with your watercraft or fishing rods.
The sites are packed in the loops they are in, you will see a lot of your neighbors when on shore. Some of the sites are better shaded then others.
One thing I learned about The Army Corp of Engineers is that they will close certain loops so that they don't have to carry them on their books. So when you arrive it may be possible to scope out another spot and change sites. I wouldn't rely on that and skip reserving though.
ScoutWe went during Wet N Wild week and the kids absolutely loved all of the activities there were... The excitement of the Witbit the first day left us sore for a couple days after... ALOT to do at the campground and around... However this is not geared for tent camping... there are minimal shade spots and 95% of the sites are gravel...water and electric are setup for campers not tents... also the whole not being able to squirt water from or too the golf carts is a bummer and killed the excitement. we will definitely be back if a better suited area for tent camping is developed...
Scout
I have been camping here since early 90's, my experience has always been a. Good one, I have mostly camped in a tent right on the water. I used to take my kids by myself and as a lady, my first priority was, safety. I always felt safe. I've taken my boat and kept on water with no worries of anyone taking or messing with any of my belongings. Since then, they have added some things n I'm looking forward for my next stay
GuideImagine a giant parking lot with trees. That’s your campground. RV and tent camping are mixed. Restrooms were rough, but useable, when you’re done waiting.
TravelerWent for an extended weekend tent camp. Facilities were very clean and kept up. Tons of tours (paid) if you're interested. We had a wonderful time.
RangerWe hiked the First Creek Loop Trail at Mammoth Cave National Park and backcountry camped. The campiste itself was okay. There was a fire pit and log to sit on. There were plenty of trees to hang a hammock. There was a water source, but the park ranger didn't really recommend getting and filtering water from it, and once we arrived, we could see why. You would have a difficult time actually getting down to the water as there was no real clearing or way to it. The also was a very thick, green sludge film on top of the water. So we carried in what we would need for our overnight. The campsite was decent size and away from any others, so it was nice an quiet. We did have to take a very short ferry ride in our car to get across the water.
Guide
The bathrooms were beautiful and air conditioned! They were very clean and smelled like a swimming pool. They were nice and cool after a hot sweaty day and tent camping.
ScoutNolin lake was very beautiful and peaceful. The campground had two tent camping locations and a rv area. The scenery was amazing. Highly recommend campsite 23 by the beach, it has the best view....
Legend
Like most, we were here to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. 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. 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. The campground was quiet and we had it completely to ourselves one night. The campground had pit toilets but no shower. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we almost stayed an additional night! If you plan to visit the cave, be sure to book your tour ahead of time. The tours were all sold out when we got there!
GuideGot in on a Sunday evening for tent camping. Nice woman working the entrance let us switch campsites without any hassle.
The site was well maintained and had a nice fire pit. Concrete picnic table in the space.
Traveler
their tent sites kinda suck barely had room for my tent. the camper and rv sites looked good for what they are. had a nice playground for the children but there is a lot of hills.
Tent camping near Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while exploring the stunning landscapes and attractions of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mammoth Cave National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mammoth Cave National Park is Houchin Ferry Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park with a 3.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mammoth Cave National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Mammoth Cave National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
