Best Dispersed Camping near Nancy, KY

Dispersed camping options near Nancy, Kentucky include several primitive sites within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Swain Ridge offers secluded camping with important restrictions; campers must stay at trailheads or roadside areas rather than open fields, as camping in fields carries a $1000 fine. Trace Branch Dispersed along Rock Creek Road provides free camping with designated tent pads and fire rings. Jellico Creek Road Dispersed #1 features three sites, with the first being largest and including a swimming hole with rope swing.

These primitive sites lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Visitors must pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. Fire regulations vary by location and season; Trace Branch permits campfires at established rings while Swain Ridge prohibits them entirely. According to reviews, Trace Branch campers should bring heavy-duty stakes for securing tents on the designated pads, especially during winter months when the ground may be frozen.

Wildlife considerations include ticks and poison ivy, particularly at Swain Ridge where campers report heavy tick presence along field edges. The area offers excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Several sites provide water access, with Redbird functioning primarily as a boat ramp with limited camping. Winter camping is possible but requires proper preparation as streams and ponds may freeze over. Visitors should practice Leave No Trace principles, as some campers note finding litter such as broken glass at certain sites. All locations permit pets but require proper control and waste management.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Nancy, Kentucky (4)

    1. Swain Ridge

    2 Reviews
    Parkers Lake, KY
    21 miles

    "But we did have ticks EVERYWHERE and poison ivy along the edges of the pasture. We had a ball we were playing with roll in there."

    2. Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    2 Reviews
    Stearns, KY
    29 miles
    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."

    3. Redbird Boat Ramp

    3 Reviews
    Williamsburg, KY
    36 miles

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

    4. Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1

    1 Review
    Jellico, TN
    43 miles
    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."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Nancy, KY

3 Photos of 4 Nancy Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Nancy, KY

5 Reviews of 4 Nancy Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2023

    Swain Ridge

    Gravel only

    Not able to camp in open field. 1000$ fine for doing so. Camping at trailhead or on road side is fine.

  • Matthew H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2025

    Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    Great Spot

    Visited here in the middle of January with all the snow and I was hot tent camping. You can only set up your tent on the designated tent pad, luckily we had heavy duty stakes that could get through the ground. The entire river was frozen over and ponds were frozen too. There were a few cars that drove through the middle of the night but no issues. We left our site unattended for hours to check out the streams and rivers and nothing was missing. Lots of beer bottles left over and shattered so I have to pick up the trash before letting my dog out. There are more sites down the gravel road but we went with the first one we came to.

  • Pam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2024

    Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    Small Campsite on the shores of Rock Creek.

    One picnic table and fire pit.  Dispersed camping.   We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening.

  • Pam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1

    Jellico Creek 1

    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.

  • Sierra E.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2023

    Swain Ridge

    Quiet Pasture But Ticks

    It was wonderfully secluded, we used the car to “mow” the grass down, and set up fine. But we did have ticks EVERYWHERE and poison ivy along the edges of the pasture. We had a ball we were playing with roll in there. Outside for normal outside life inconvenience; it was a beautiful, quiet pasture. We were even blessed with see several bats fly around at night. There was no light pollution so we had a great time star gazing!


Guide to Nancy

Daniel Boone National Forest contains several primitive camping areas near Nancy, Kentucky. This region features sandstone cliffs, deep ravines, and hardwood forests at elevations ranging from 750 to 1100 feet. Dispersed camping locations vary from roadside pull-offs to established sites with minimal amenities, most situated within 30 miles of Nancy.

What to do

Water activities: Swimming holes and creek access at Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1 provide natural recreation options. "This first site has room for two groups. It also has a small swimming hole with a rope swing," notes camper Pam B.

Stargazing: Dark skies with minimal light pollution at Swain Ridge offer excellent night viewing. Sierra E. mentions, "We had a ball we were playing with roll in there. Outside for normal outside life inconvenience; it was a beautiful, quiet pasture. We were even blessed with see several bats fly around at night. There was no light pollution so we had a great time star gazing!"

Creekside relaxation: Bring portable seating for waterfront enjoyment at Trace Branch Dispersed. According to Pam B., "We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening."

What campers like

Solitude and seclusion: The remote nature of dispersed camping provides quiet surroundings. Sierra E. describes Swain Ridge as "wonderfully secluded" where they "used the car to 'mow' the grass down, and set up fine."

Multiple site options: Some locations offer various camping spots along access roads. Pam B. notes about Jellico Creek, "There are three dispersed camp sites along this road. We stayed at the first and largest of the three."

Winter camping opportunities: Cold-weather camping is possible with proper preparation. Matthew H. shares about winter camping at Trace Branch: "Visited here in the middle of January with all the snow and I was hot tent camping. You can only set up your tent on the designated tent pad, luckily we had heavy duty stakes that could get through the ground. The entire river was frozen over and ponds were frozen too."

What you should know

Strict camping restrictions: Regulations limit where camping is permitted. Jacob M. warns about Redbird Boat Ramp: "Not able to camp in open field. 1000$ fine for doing so. Camping at trailhead or on road side is fine."

Ground conditions for tent setup: Designated tent pads may require special equipment. Matthew H. advises, "You can only set up your tent on the designated tent pad, luckily we had heavy duty stakes that could get through the ground."

Site security: While remote, most sites appear relatively safe. One camper reports, "We left our site unattended for hours to check out the streams and rivers and nothing was missing."

Trash management issues: Some sites have litter problems requiring cleanup. A visitor mentions, "Lots of beer bottles left over and shattered so I have to pick up the trash before letting my dog out."

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife awareness: Families should prepare for common forest pests. Sierra E. cautions about ticks at Swain Ridge: "We did have ticks EVERYWHERE and poison ivy along the edges of the pasture."

Multiple party accommodation: Some sites can accommodate larger family groups. Pam B. notes that Jellico Creek's first site "has room for two groups."

Water features for children: Natural swimming areas provide recreation options. The swimming hole with rope swing at Jellico Creek offers entertainment for older children when supervised.

Site selection for privacy: Choose sites strategically for family comfort. Matthew H. mentions at Trace Branch, "There are more sites down the gravel road but we went with the first one we came to."

Tips from RVers

Limited space for larger vehicles: Most sites accommodate small to medium RVs only. Aaron R. describes Redbird Boat Ramp simply as "a boat ramp," indicating minimal dedicated camping infrastructure.

Amenity planning: No hookups or facilities exist at these primitive sites. RVers must bring all necessary supplies including water, waste storage, and power solutions.

Access road conditions: Gravel and dirt roads may present challenges. Campers should assess recent weather conditions before attempting access with larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Nancy, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Nancy, KY is Swain Ridge with a 2.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Nancy, KY?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Nancy, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.