Looking for an adventure where you can explore McKee and then fall asleep in your tent? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find McKee campgrounds for you and your tent. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of McKee, Kentucky's most popular destinations.
Red River Gorge Campground is known for its picturesque surroundings and range of outdoor activities. The campground is located in the heart of Red River Gorge, a geological wonderland with soaring sandstone cliffs, natural arches and deep gorges. The area is popular with hikers, climbers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering numerous trails for all levels of experience, as well as opportunities for rock climbing, kayaking and fishing. Red River Gorge Campground provides a one-of-a-kind camping experience in Kentucky.
$10 / night
$14 / night
You can spend a weekend in our Treehouse Yurt, experience comfort and seclusion in our Yome Away From Home, park your RV, pitch your tent, or hang your hammock.
We are also available for your wedding, retreat, reunion, fundraiser, or festival.
We are a farm in the mountains so be prepared to encounter INSECTS (mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers), WILDLIFE (deer, turkey, snakes, toads, and dare we mention the bear track we spotted one spring?), WEATHER (hot, cold, rain, snow), TOXIC PLANTS (poison ivy, stinging nettle, wild mushrooms), just to name a few.
We DO NOT have internet or cell service, though we do have a phone for emergency use (trust us, your "people" aren't out here). Instead, we do encourage other forms of entertainment: instruments, hiking shoes, fishing poles, bubbles, hula hoops, etc.
We also DO NOT have trash service. We will have recycling bins set up for plastic, cans, paper, and compost for your food waste, but plan to take your trash with you when you leave. We will have extra bags for those that forget. We also encourage you to bring your own dishes & cutlery to minimize excess trash as well.
You're always welcome to try our home line before 9pm at 859.Yum.Dirt (986.3478), but the best way to catch us (usually) is via email at Jessa@HomeGrownHideAways.org.
$15 - $75 / night
The campground is on 10 acres of tree lined frontage on the Red River. There is a mix of trees/shade and open fields. It is a primitive campground, meaning that there are no power hook-ups or running water. There is an excellent canoe/kayak take-out. It's location in the heart of the Gorge makes it the perfect place for riverside camping and provides access to hiking trails.
$8 - $20 / night
White Oak Boat-In Campground is one of two boat-in campgrounds on [Laurel River Lake] on [London Ranger District]. The area is accessible by boat or by [Cold Rock School Trail] that begins near the [Marsh Branch Boat Ramp]
The campground has 51 lakeshore campsites, most of which are located near the water's edge with boat moorings available. Sites have a tent pad, picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole. Self-serve pay stations, water and vault toilets are centrally located. There are no flush toilets or showers. The sites are wooded and spaced far enough apart to provide a sense of seclusion. The campground usually fills on weekends during the peak camping season.
Trails nearby: [Cold Rock School Trail #430] (3-mile hiking and biking route into the White Oak Boat-In Campground) The campground is located on Laurel River Lake. The lake features 5,600 acres of clear, deep water and nearly 200 miles of tree-lined shore. The quiet coves and cliff-lined shores offer relaxation and quiet reflection, as well as boating, fishing, skiing and scuba diving in one of the deepest and cleanest lakes in Kentucky.
Rockcastle Campground is temporarily closed due to the hazardous road conditions and deteriorating campsite conditions. The February 2019 Rockcastle River flooding further increased the damage to the area. In 2018, the ash trees that were infected with the Emerald Ash Borer were eliminated. Because of the extensive amount of work needed, and the lack of funding available, the campground will remain closed until further notice. The boat ramp remains open. Rockcastle Campground is located on the backwaters of Lake Cumberland at the mouth of Rockcastle River on London Ranger District. Large, towering beech and hemlock trees provide plenty of shade and a sense of seclusion. Fishing and hiking are popular activities. The campground is bounded on one side by the lake and on the other side by massive sandstone cliffs. Rockcastle Boat Ramp is nearby. A picnic shelter located at the campground entrance is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Make this page look nicer by submitting photos of your visit to Rockcastle Campground. Learn more... Most of the 27 campsites are designed for tent camping although a few are large enough to accommodate pop-up campers. Each site has tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, and lantern poles. The sites are near the water’s edge. CAUTION: Low lying areas are prone to flooding, so be alert for flooding when driving, camping or crossing streams in this area. Swift currents and undertows can make swimming and wading very hazardous. Some of the most popular hiking trails on the London Ranger District lead from this campground. Dutch Branch Trail #404B leads hikers through a rich cove forest of mostly beech and hemlock. Scuttle Hole Trail #404 climbs through a crack in the cliffs to reach overlooks of the lake. Lakeside South Trail #412 follows the shore of the lake and connects with Twin Branch Trail #406 and Ned Branch Trail #405 to form an 8.5 mile loop around the campground.
Located 15 minutes NW of Williamsburg Kentucky, Tranquillity Creek Campground offers 8 acres of beautiful woods with a creek for a peaceful get away to relax and be one with nature. Close to stores and area attractions in SW Kentucky.
$60 - $100 / night
This recreation area is part of Buckhorn Lake
Traveler
Review from the perspective of a motorcycle traveler tent camping. Tent sites are along two sides of a river. Clean and well maintained. Nice hidden gem. Honor system payment of $15 at envelope boxes.
Guide
This was my first time to the Niagara of the South. My husband and I left our dog back in Louisville for this trip which was originally an attempt to see the moon bow at Cumberland Falls.
We looked at the tent site map on the state resort park map and nothing looked GREAT except for Clifty Campground spots 050, 048, and 049 they all look isolated from any of the other sites with 050 being a site that you have to traverse a grassy/rocky area from your car to set up.
We opted for spot 047 because, on the map, it looked set back from the campground road… and it was… sorta. Nothing at this campsite is going to be private. The majority of the sites do not have so much as a weed between them although the sites themselves are very roomy for car camping. Your vehicle will be a presence at the site, which have electric hookups so if, like me, you have an electric car… it's nice to be able to simply plug the car in. This site did not get a lot of shade except for where we had the tent set up, and still… that would've received sun had it not been raining.
Our site had a good picnic bench, a sturdy wooden post for hanging trash etc and the fire pit seemed pretty new. The grill wasn't bent at all, which was a 1st in my years of camping. The view from this site was pretty cool… we set out tent up at the furthest out spot on the small cliff as we could before it turned to mostly rock and faced the door out over the trails. We hung our rain tarp because, instead of a moon bow, we endured a nearly 24 hour torrential downpour. The tarp, which is small, and having the tent faced appropriately gave us a semblance of privacy although we had a camper van family next to us. Site has a lot of gravel so it was reasonably muddy but not dried out quick.
There are a lot of raccoons that visit the dumpster area so expect it to be a little messy if your fellow campers aren't shutting the dumpster lids. Shower facilities reminded me of middle school camp… kind of mildewed… and well… rustic. Everything functioned and it wasn't "gross" just old. Water was hot. Toilet stalls (ladies) were small. I weight 130 and at 5 foot 2 it was a tight squeeze for me.
We hiked the WIldflower Loop Trail (1.5 miles) in a drizzle and although wet it was safe. When the rain stopped we hiked Eagle Falls Trail and it was very muddy but the views were worth it.
Would love to go back but if camping in a tent it's a must to get one of the two more private spots, or at the very least
Traveler
showers, tent camping, little to no trees for shade. friendly
GuideWe stayed at site RV33. We have a 25ft travel trailer and it was perfect. There were two tent sites very close to us, but we had more than enough room. If we were to go again, we would pull straight into the site (this would have put our slide towards the road). The tent sites looked to be the best tent sites I’ve seen. The bath house was very clean. The staff was very helpful. There were trails from the campground to Cumberland Falls. We hiked to see Cumberland Falls (from the lodge) and Eagle Falls. After a short drive, we hiked Natural Arch and Yahoo Falls.
Guide
One section is for campers and rv’s with electric hook ups. While one is tent camping . Showers available
Scout
Cabins, tent camping and rv sites hosts the annual Whippoorwill earth skills festival as well as many climbers visiting the nearby Red River Gorge.
Guide
We finally made it hear this spring and as long as you enjoy tent camping and no RVs this is your place. We’ll be back!
TravelerLimited Wifi, only 2 bathrooms, RV camping is not so great in that campsite are close to the road. Tent camping looks much more pleasant down by a lake.
Traveler
A nice quiet campground on Lake Cumberland in the Burnside area. Nice RV sites and tent sites
ScoutThis place is a great place to camp either with your RV or if you are a tent camping they have a restaurant as of right now it's open on the weekends they also have a ShakeOut lunch with TV available they have two sets of bathrooms the owners are great people sometimes people getting stuck out here be honors coming home get you out my car won't start one time they came and helped me out these are great people I store my RV here when I pay the monthly storage and when I come into town like I'm going to stay in my RV and pay like everybody else like their tent camping with no electric it's very quiet here and very enjoyable a lot of hiking trails lots of events.
ScoutAwesome tiny cabin, has everything you need and nothing you don’t! I’ve been coming here for years, always tent camp. Brought my dog this time, I’ll be renting this tiny cabin for future adventures in and around the gorge area!
Scout
We fell in love with The Gorge in April and will be back in September and at Christmas! Several kid friendly (ages 8, 4, & 2) spots and while we went the cabin route, we'll be tent camping next round!
TravelerWhittleton Sites are level, not huge, well kept. Good mix of shade and sun. Small creek runs behind camper and tent sites. we plan on returning in a month for the fall leaves.
Traveler
This is a large and clean campground. It has RV sites, tent sites, and shelter houses.. There are several cabins on site. Great lake views and beach. Lots to do at PCP.
Traveler
We stayed here Mothers Day weekend. Had perfect weather and our tent site was by the creek so we could here running water all night. It was so peaceful! You can stay in the tent site only area which I recommend if you want to be away from the noise and lights of a campground. The campground was not noisy but with the travel trailers and RVs you always get a little more noise. Campground was clean and the shower house was clean but very small for the size of the campground. They did run out of toilet paper in the women’s bathroom but replace it quickly. It was quite a walk to bath house if you stay in the tent only area. We will definitely go back though! The Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge area is beautiful with great hiking!
TravelerStayed at Middle Fork Campground in March 2021, love Daniel Boone National Forest and love the hikes/views at Natural Bridge but the campground is not what we had hoped for. Primitive tent sites are almost right on top of each other with little to no foliage to create privacy. Tent sites are a hike from the restrooms, if you have to go in the middle of the night just hope no one is driving over the ridge from the RV lot, you likely will get surprised! Though the area itself is beautiful, we will not stay at this primitive site again. We have reservations coming up for Whittleton, the other campground across the street, and are eager to see if it is right for us. This is only a short drive for us and a great distance to get away for the weekend. Happy camping!
Ranger
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). Babbling river and nice wildlife. Good place to bring a boat.
GuideDecent campground a short drive from a ton of nearby climbing crags. Love that the showers are not pay by the minute like others, though tent camping sites are pretty close together and most don’t have platforms. Staff are super friendly and it’s a nice alternative to the hustle and bustle of Miguel’s (though we ended up there each day anyway)!
GuideWere able to stay here for a week, tho the campowners were out, thus only the open field camping was available. The individual sites looked nice, some were a little close clustered, others had nice space between them.Bunk houses, as well as covered tent camping areas.
Restrooms were clean. Wifi did not work (tho that was a problem with most of this area)
Traveler
Stayed 2 nights mid week and campground wasn’t busy. Many nice tent sites and also good level RV sites. Easy access to hiking. Helpful resident manager. Management by Thousand Trails, although the campground is not associated at all with Thousand Trails. No reservations accepted. Self register and pay at the entrance.
GuideWell traveled trails easily followed. Clean campground. Very scenic as one would expect. Local food is good a lot of small mom an pop establishments. 30/50 amp service at most if the campgrounds all have tent camping. Cell service is very spotty WiFi was the same pet friendly. Did see signs for ADA sites. Found food and supplies available found a few outfitters for camping and rafting gear
GuideThis place is not for you if you are looking for solitude or silence. It might be your scene if you’re into parties. Tent sites were not all accessible by drive up - some you had to park at the top of the hill and walk down. Bathrooms were clean though, and the staff was friendly. Can’t beat the proximity to the falls either.
ScoutWhen we pulled up to check in we were a little confused about the honor system they run off of but after a quick phone call to the owner we had everything figured out and ended up with a great tent site and wonderful neighbors. Not all sites have electric hookup, when booking call and check. The small lake has excellent fishing for Bluegill
Scout
Got here just after dark. Was a bit difficult finding the office. The office was closed but they left me information on my assigned site and a map. The tent sites are off a gravel, poorly maintained path that was difficult to locate in the dark. The site itself was okay but on a hill. The location was convenient and my pup enjoyed using the enclosed dog area to run around.
Scout
We usually camp here at least 3 times every year. They have dedicated tent sites with electric and also a primitive tent area. It's open year around but 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, etc. It always seems to pack out everytime we are there.
TravelerTent sites are pretty close together and small, as well as far from the bathroom. Bathroom is clean though. Not really any connection with at&t but the hemlock lodge is open all night w free wifi, but you do have to drive to it (nice to have the option if you need to use the internet for something). Safe place, friendly people, pretty much what you expect at a state park- nothing crazy!
RangerThe Natural Bridge is advertised in every rest stop within a 5 hour radius, but it is a very nice park with interesting geology and lots to do. It's pretty touristy, good for kids, not super great for secluded camping. Know what to expect and you'll enjoy yourself. Make reservations! Slightly more resort-y camping accommodations but still rustic. Tent sites are pretty spread out. Nice little stream near campsites and lots of shade. Also a lodge and cabins on site.
Tent camping near McKee, Kentucky offers a variety of scenic spots and unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near McKee, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near McKee, KY is Red River Gorge Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 22 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near McKee, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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