Best Campgrounds near New Haven, KY

New Haven, Kentucky provides access to several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including White Acres Campground and My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground. These locations accommodate various camping styles from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV spots, with some offering cabin options. The Bardstown area serves as a central hub for campers exploring bourbon country attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities along Nolin River Lake and other nearby waterways.

Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences throughout the region. Most state park campgrounds like Taylorsville Lake State Park operate from April through October, while private facilities such as White Acres Campground remain open year-round. Road access to campgrounds is generally well-maintained, with most sites easily accessible by standard vehicles. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak season and weekends. Cell service varies by location but tends to be reliable near larger campgrounds. A visitor noted, "The campground is close to everything. There is a railroad museum in New Haven, KY."

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, particularly at Nolin Lake State Park where visitors appreciate the combination of lake access and hiking trails. Campgrounds in the area typically provide electric hookups, water access, and fire rings, though amenities vary by location. Sites near Bardstown offer convenient access to distillery tours and historical attractions, making them popular bases for exploring Kentucky's bourbon heritage. Travelers frequently mention the scenic countryside drives between camping areas. According to one review, "The campground is in a beautiful part of Kentucky. The town of Bardstown has a lot to do and a number of great restaurants." While some campgrounds near highways experience road noise, others tucked further from main routes provide more peaceful settings.

Best Camping Sites Near New Haven, Kentucky (73)

    1. My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    New Haven, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 348-3502

    $25 - $45 / night

    "My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground is a small campground, clean, and friendly staff. There is a golf course on site. Plenty to see, including My Old Kentucky Home, the tour was amazing."

    "Located very close to Bardstown and a lot of distilleries on the bourbon trail, the campground is great, very small fills up fast."

    2. White Acres Campground

    12 Reviews
    New Haven, KY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 348-9677

    "Bardstown Kentucky"

    "Well I really have nothing bad to say, it’s a country setting on the outskirts of Bardstown, KY. It’s just a few miles away from the scenic parts of town."

    3. Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    137 Reviews
    Mammoth Cave, KY
    43 miles
    +1 (270) 758-2424

    $25 - $50 / night

    "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!"

    4. Louisville South KOA

    22 Reviews
    Shepherdsville, KY
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 543-2041

    "Will absolutely come back again especially with the proximity to the city but having peace and quiet to the south. The walking trail was much longer than expected and really nice."

    "There was corn hole, ladder ball, pool, walking trails, access to the river, cat fish pond, small dog park, and washers & dryers."

    5. Glendale Campground

    3 Reviews
    Hodgenville, KY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 369-7755

    "Great overnight stop on our drive from Tennessee to Indiana. The hosts Valette and Greg were absolutely wonderful. The campground was well tended with a playground for the little ones."

    "The people were very nice and the lake was beautiful"

    6. Little Patch of Heaven Campground

    3 Reviews
    Clermont, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 348-6717

    7. Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Mount Eden, KY
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 477-8713

    $20 - $45 / night

    "We had a pretty decent time at Taylorsville Lake. The spots were spacious, and very nice picnic tables. We did a trail which was nice and went down to a boat ramp to see the lake."

    "Better if you have a boat ( or rent one at the marina across the lake) good access to the lake, gets busy in the summer. Stores in decent proximity off property. Can get loud at times."

    8. Horine Reservation Camping at Jefferson County Memorial Forest

    18 Reviews
    Fairdale, KY
    30 miles
    Website

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Having lived 62 years in Kentucky, less than twenty minutes from the Jeff. Forest, leaving to explore USA, then returning to my home state allows me a unique point of view."

    "Tent sites have so many trees surrounding them. If you're looking for more privacy anything off of the loop will do just fine."

    9. Longview RV Park

    1 Review
    Radcliff, KY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 982-3526

    $38 / night

    10. Nolin Lake State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Sweeden, KY
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 286-4240

    $25 - $40 / night

    "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!"

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Recent Reviews near New Haven, KY

643 Reviews of 73 New Haven Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Rock Cabin Camping

    Friendly, easygoing, simple camping

    Absolutely love staying here. Quiet, pretty, easy, and the owners and staff are delightful.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Little Patch of Heaven Campground

    Adequate

    Most are pull through sites, many have a shared water faucet. Clean and conveniente to town. Sandy the manager is a peach.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Glendale Campground

    Simply serene

    Great overnight stop on our drive from Tennessee to Indiana. The hosts Valette and Greg were absolutely wonderful. The campground was well tended with a playground for the little ones. We don’t have little ones, but I couldn’t resist a ride on the merry-go-round! The facilities were pristine with piping hot showers that had great water pressure. Perfect TMobile signal and ***free WiFi *** which allowed us to get some work done. Conveniently located near 65 without too much traffic noise. Would definitely return here. Pick site 14 for the best view beside the lake.

  • dereck R.
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Tree Tops RV Park

    Nice quiet place

    Nice quiet place. Very level. He takes very good care of the lot with gravel. The owner also runs an RV repair so you can get on-site repairs. Very useful. The shower house and bathroom are for emergency use only. Laundry room has a four-digit security code to get in. Most of the people staying here are long-term or semi-long-term. Lots of pipeline inspectors currently. Everyone has really nice rigs. Rate discount rates for 6 months or longer. Everything included except electric. Meters red monthly. Accepts mail delivery and package delivery.

  • Overland 1.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Houchin Ferry Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    Very nice remote campground

    This is a very nice and clean campground with about 10 sites. It is part of Mammoth Cave National park. That means I could use my lifetime pass and it only cost $10 per night. Ranger came by twice a day. Very clean port a pottys that are maintained well. Dumpster for trash and each site has a fire ring. Road in is paved and not bad, but has a few hills and is narrow. These sites are listed as "Tent Only" but I got my Dodge van in no problem. In my 3 days here I saw many tents, a small pop up camper, and 2 vans. Anything larger would be a problem I think. Reservation only and pay online. Not much cell signal here, maybe 1 bar on Visible. (Verizon) Decent signal on Starlink mini at site 1. Sites are right along the side of the Green River and the temperature here was a consistent 3 degrees F lower than in town. Lot of shade, not good for solar.

  • Becca M.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Grand Trails RV Park

    Not for rv stsys

    This place could be nice but it is full of permanent trailer occupants, which is fine but .  It shouldn’t be advertised as a RV park.  There were 3 empty spaces, we chose  one and we couldn’t hook the sewer up because the pipe is too high off the ground.  They charged us 45.95 which is too high for the amenities offered.  The spaces are very close, no table, no place to set up a bbq.  We should have left but we were very tired.

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Singing Hills RV Park And Campground

    Super nice staff, great location

    Staff is very nice and informative.

    Close to Mammoth National Park…we were lucky to book a tour and it was really good, our teenagers liked it. We also rode Alpine slide across the street near the RV park.

    Campground had small catch and release pond. Lots of nibbles, one catch…sunfish. No laundry here…laundry mat 10 mins away, Wash n Fold? Super clean but expensive with nice machines. No bathroom there! Connected to car wash if you need. Bath house at Campground has everything you need but dated.

    Our site had issues, no fire ring,,,other sites had one, we didn’t ask about getting one…it probably wouldn’t have been a big deal to grab one from another site. Our parking area was level with gravel. Our water hookup was weird…it ended up under our back bumper were we had to crawl under to connect. And we had issue with 50 amp…the plug needs attention…it turned off at 0430 and we switched to 30amp. No big deal with any of it, but all together we will pick a different site next time.

  • B
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Louisville South KOA

    Avoid Louisville South KOA

    My family of 5 has camped at KOAs across the country with our professionally converted 12’x6’ RV trailer (electrical, but no AC/septic). Upon arrival at Louisville South KOA, I checked in and was escorted to our site by staff. Moments later, we were approached by the campground owners who told us we could not stay because our trailer did not come from a factory with AC or septic.

    I confirmed with KOA Corporate that no such rule exists, and this KOA’s justification was based on “KY Health Codes” which they could not show me in writing. Despite offering to tent-camp with our trailer in storage, we had to leave and pay $100 more to stay at a private campground over an hour away.

    Nowhere on the Louisville South KOA website is this “rule” disclosed. This was a clearly discriminatory and arbitrary. If you travel in a custom trailer or unique camper, avoid this location.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Jellystone Park at Mamoth Cave

    Well maintained, easy access sites

    Kid friendly park, no mature trees in new section but concrete pad with grill and fire pit. Pool with splash pad, pools, pillow pads, multiple playgrounds, dog parks and kennels are available. Also, lots of golf carts to rent.


Guide to New Haven

Camping spots near New Haven, Kentucky offer varied terrain options across central Kentucky's rolling hills, with elevations typically ranging from 400-900 feet. Many campgrounds open seasonally from April through October, though several private facilities maintain year-round operations. The region experiences moderate rainfall during camping seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F during peak months.

What to do

Bourbon heritage exploration: White Acres Campground provides a strategic base for distillery tours. "We we're unable to spend much time at the campground but made our designed trip to see the brewery's! Being minutes away from all the Bardstown brewery's this is a MUST SEE PLACE!" notes camper Justin W.

Lake activities on Nolin Lake: Nolin Lake State Park Campground offers water-based recreation with boat launches and swimming areas. A visitor mentioned, "Water front sites in cove so not a lot of boat traffic. Quiet park with great gravel spots." The lake provides fishing opportunities and relatively calm waters suitable for paddling.

Hiking trails: Wooded paths through Jefferson Memorial Forest provide day hikes ranging from 1.5 to 13 miles. According to Robert P., the area features "lots of trails ranging from 1.5 to 13.0 miles through gorgeous mixed forest of old and new growth deciduous and coniferous hardwoods." Many trails connect directly to campgrounds, allowing campers to start hikes from their sites.

Railroad history: Several campgrounds provide access to regional railroad history sites, with New Haven housing a railroad museum. The small-town setting offers a quieter alternative to busier tourist destinations while still providing cultural attractions.

What campers like

Pine grove camping: The tent camping area at Mammoth Cave Campground receives positive mentions for its natural setting. Christina M. notes, "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."

Secluded sites: Campers appreciate the feeling of isolation despite proximity to urban areas. As one Jefferson Memorial Forest visitor observed, "You are literally ten minutes from anything you want or need. Once you get to the top of the hill you are far removed from the noise, hustle and bustle of city/suburb living."

Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds support wildlife viewing opportunities. At Mammoth Cave Campground, one camper shared, "Fireflies are great at night. Frogs are singing in the evening." Another camper at Taylorsville Lake noted, "Deer & turkey walk thru ur campsite! Very clean & quiet! The wildlife are very friendly!"

Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers highlight reasonable rates at several campgrounds. Jefferson Memorial Forest offers primitive camping for approximately $15-18 per night, while other state parks maintain competitive rates compared to private facilities.

What you should know

Airport noise considerations: Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground sits beneath flight paths from Louisville International Airport. Derek P. warns, "Unfortunately it's in the departure path of Louisville's airport, so be prepared for once-a-minute takeoffs if the airport is using its southbound runways for departures. UPS releases about 100 planes from around 3-5am."

Seasonal operation schedules: Many campgrounds operate limited schedules. Taylorsville Lake State Park remains open only from April 1 to December 15, while Nolin Lake State Park operates April 1 to October 31. Verify operating dates when planning trips outside summer months.

Shower facility limitations: Some campgrounds have minimal or inconvenient shower facilities. At Nolin Lake State Park, Christina M. observed, "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."

Weekend crowding: Multiple reviews indicate significant differences between weekday and weekend experiences. A Nolin Lake camper noted, "The park started filling up on Friday and Saturday and was obviously very crowded on the weekend. Seems like a 'party spot' for locals."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground provides play areas for children. Heather K. shared, "Playground was close and perfect for everyone to go run and play. Reservations were easy and staff friendly."

Cave tours for kids: When using area campgrounds as a base for Mammoth Cave exploration, schedule cave tours in advance. Dan X. advises, "Reserve the all day guided tour with crawling about in small spaces for the best experience. Make sure your boots have enough tread or you won't be allowed to do the tour!"

Site selection importance: Review site maps carefully before booking. At My Old Kentucky Home State Park, one camper reported, "Many sites were not level and some sites were very short so make sure you review the site description." Another visitor recommended: "Site 26 is more private, has a wide pad and a little 'yard' to the side. Site 20 is one to avoid."

Historic site access: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to historic attractions suitable for educational family trips. The Stephen Foster Home at My Old Kentucky Home State Park offers regular activities for children and guided tours of the historic home.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling preparation: Little Patch of Heaven Campground and other area campgrounds may require significant leveling equipment. At My Old Kentucky Home, a camper advised, "Make sure to have levelers to handle 7+ inches."

Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds provide varying levels of hookups. At White Acres Campground, Rick G. noted, "Utilities all worked, but this is a no fringe experience. However, if you want easy access to Bardstown and the various Bourbon Distillery Tours this place will work."

Reservation processes: Pay attention to strict reservation requirements. One frustrated camper at Little Patch of Heaven shared a warning about their payment policy: "The emails about payment all ended up in my junk folder, and I can't easily see those on my phone. I monitor that folder while I'm working on my computer, but as it was over the weekend, I didn't see them in time."

Size restrictions: Some campgrounds have limitations on RV length. A Glendale Campground visitor mentioned the campground is "big-rig friendly" but many others in the area have narrow roads and limited turning radiuses. Particularly at state park campgrounds, research specific site dimensions before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What recreational activities are available at New Haven, Kentucky?

New Haven and its surrounding area offer diverse recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts. At Camp Carlson Army RV Park, visitors can enjoy fishing in Otter Creek and a stocked lake. The Kentucky River provides boating opportunities at Cummins Ferry RV Park, which has a floating dock and boat ramp. The region also offers hiking trails, golf courses (found at My Old Kentucky Home State Park), distillery tours along the bourbon trail, and scenic drives through Kentucky's countryside. For water recreation, both Green River Lake and Lake Cumberland are accessible from the area, offering fishing, boating, and other water sports.

Is there a beach in New Haven, Kentucky?

While New Haven itself doesn't have a designated beach, nearby Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground offers lake access with a boat ramp where visitors can enjoy the water. The park provides opportunities for swimming and water recreation during the warmer months. Another option is Nolin Lake State Park Campground, which features shoreline access on Nolin River Lake. Both locations are within reasonable driving distance from New Haven and offer water-based activities for visitors looking to cool off during Kentucky summers.

What camping is available near New Haven, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, New Haven, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 73 campgrounds and RV parks near New Haven, KY and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near New Haven, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Haven, KY is My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 26 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near New Haven, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near New Haven, KY.

What parks are near New Haven, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near New Haven, KY that allow camping, notably Green River Lake and Nolin River Lake.