Are you planning a tent camping trip to Nicholasville? We've got you covered. Find the best tent camping sites near Nicholasville. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Nicholasville, Kentucky's most popular destinations.
Our farm is located on the property where the ferry brought individuals across the KY River from Versailles, KY. We are a private farm and live here for the pleasure of the land, the quiet from the city, and the outdoor activities. We want to share this with our guests.
Come and enjoy bourbon country on the Kentucky River. We are located next door to the Wild Turkey Distillery, and within miles of a few others. Our 35-acre property offers immediate access to the KY River, and is within 5 minutes of an quaint downtown area, should you decide to go to town for a meal. Plenty of restaurants for your choosing! 7 minutes away is a Walmart should you forget anything. Come and relax in our peaceful surroundings. Horses, mini horses, goats, mini mules, all on site and loving attention. Bring your frisbees, cornhole, and yard games.
$32 - $82 / night
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 - $75 / night
We are a primitive tent camping campground ~ no water or electricity. Family owned. 40$/night. On the Bourbon Trail. Looking for beautiful views with friends and family come stay with us on our farm. Rolling hills, catch and pond, walking creek, friendly dogs. Water hose and portable toilet at barn. Fire pits and tent pads. Generators welcomed. No long term discounts.
$39 - $55 / night
Tree Line Retreat is the ideal spot for some well deserved R&R! Nestled on a 40 acre working farmstead, the primitive camp sites are natural grass areas under a tree canopy of large oaks, cherries and other species. You are welcome to hike around and explore the 40 acres, plenty of backroads for beautiful biking, nearby lake with public access for fishing, swimming& picnicking. Located between Cincinnati OH and Lexington KY, the retreat is a short 20 minute drive to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown KY, 45 minutes to Lexington KY, 50 minutes to Cincinnati. An abundance of wildlife roam the area from many species of birds, deer, turkeys along with possible visits from our free range barn cats!
Bartlett Farm proudly raises California, New Zealand & mini Rex rabbits, Embden geese, Muscovy ducks, pasture raised chicken and pasture raised eggs. There are some fenced farm dogs to make noise to keep predators away and some barn cats. All tent sites are brush hogged and the access road is as well. Firewood and water by the gallon available for purchase.
$20 / night
Scout
Has tent and RV camping. I tent camped this trip and stopped by for one night as I was passing through. Cost was about $16ish. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Tent sites are at the front of the property with the RVs to the back. Tent campsites are not defined - just an open area for all to share with picnic tables and grills scattered around. Kids playground next to it. Couldn't find the potable water for the tent area. The RVs had electric & water hookups. Showers and bathrooms available. Right next to a side road with a bit of traffic the night I stayed.
Legend
Something that sets this place apart from others in the area is long term tent camping!! Yes you read that right, LONG TERM TENT CAMPING! For most of those who travel you know they often offer long term services for those in RVs which provides a discount for staying more than a night or two, but at this campground you as a tent camper can find a location that suits your Kentucky home needs on the road for a day, a week or even a month!
But what does that entail exactly?
This site is really nice, with level sites for RVs or tents, padded grass which is well maintained, nice gravel roads around camp and a river frontage with views which will make you just want to stop and take in the scenery.
When I visited I noticed a lot of people staying here near the weekend were visiting to launch their boats and troll the river fishing for what looked like some pretty large fish. It was pretty cool to see some of the people setting up their campground fish fry, and they were even friendly enough to invite me to join, though I don't eat fish so it didn't really work out that way.
The tent sites were shaded and had several different options, you could choose primitive which is only $17 or for a few dollars more you could have electricity. All sites come with a picnic table and fire ring and a pull in to keep you and your things closely together.
There was a playground and volleyball, but I didn't see anyone using these when I was there. A small camp store has a lot of the essentials in case your forgot something or just needed to pick up a snack. There was also firewood available, a big plus!!
This place is a bit older looking in appearance but it is charming and the owner is very cool. I didn't meet a single person there that wasn't just enjoying life.
TIPS:
Traveler
showers, tent camping, little to no trees for shade. friendly
Traveler
Very popular for RV. I was just tent camping. Decent sized plots. Bathroom facilities were good. Nice stay.
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.
Ranger
First, the good: Lake Shelby was easy to find. The signs were easy to see and tent sites are well marked. The office, RV area and restrooms were easy to find and also well marked. The tent sites were shaded by nice trees and were located right next to the lake. The group tent sites looked nice and had shade and open areas. You can rent a paddle boat or canoe. However, there has to be an adult in the canoe for rental. There are several docks and a boat ramp. You have to pay to launch and there is an honor box for that. The campsite itself, was mostly flat and partially shaded. The fire pit was nice as well. Now, the bad: The lake was brown and had an oily film across the top. It smelled of dead fish and something else that I couldn't identify. I saw people fishing, but I never saw anyone actually catch anything. The tent sites were down a dead end road, however the amount of cars that went past our site made me feel like there was a parade that lasted almost the entire time we were there. The paddle boat lost steering when we were halfway around the lake. The only thing we could do was go in a circle. It took 20 minutes for them to send someone to assist us. There was a trash can next to our site, however, it was nearly full when we arrived and no one ever emptied it. The restrooms are located at the RV parking area, so we had to drive to use them. In my opinion, the restrooms should have been built in between the RV sites and tent sites to make them easier to access by walking. Overall, I didn't hate my time at Lake Shelby, but there was nothing great enough to make me return or recommend it to friends.
Scout
The staff were very friendly and accommodating. I asked for the most remote location to set up my tent. It’s still pretty close (across the gravel road about 100’ from RV/trailer campers). The row of tent sites backed up to a fence line. There are trees along this row so you’re not in full sun all day. I wish the tent sites were along the edge of the lake, but this is safer for small children. I’d camp here again possibly. There is a shower house but I did not use this facility. A Rural King store and other retail businesses are less than 5 miles from the location if you happen to forget something.
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.
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!
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!
GuideThe primitive tent camping is located in a grove of beautiful, mature trees. Fire rings & picnic tables are dotted throughout the trees. There is a highway right beside the campsite so you will best cars, but it is not a high traffic area.
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
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!
ScoutLoved this campground growing up! We tent camped and our relatives RV camped. However they have cut down most of the trees, the facilities aren’t maintained very well and the campground/park looks more run down than ever. It’s sad but I hope they update and maintain it more in the future.
TravelerFun little place. RV sites and tent sites lakeside. Fishing, ducks. $5 swimming pool nearby. $20/night tents. Showers and restrooms. Nice parks nearby for equestrian, playground, disk golf course. Huge mall nearby in Simpsonville KY. Drivable to Louisville. Stop at Wings n Rings, yum. Highly recommend. Closes for winter Oct 31 to tents.
Scout
Enjoying our stay. Owners are updating as we speak and have many more planned. No sewer hookups but have a dump station on site and honey wagon service at trailer for a fee if needed. Tent camping also available. Well off highway so. I road noise to deal with, just lots of squirrels and chipmunks.
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!
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)
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)!
ScoutStaff was very courteous. I was given very clear directions to the site and couldn't miss it. The lake is beautiful. Dog and I took a little canoe ride. My only issue was that the primitive tent sites were so close to the camper sites which likely couldn't be helped.
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
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.
LegendShort visit here, but it was enjoyable :) This park as a few shorter hiking trails, which were nice, as well as historic sites, mini golf, and a pool. The park has a lodge and cabins as well as a campground. In the campground area is basketball and volleyball. Campground is not very large, but ‘secluded’ is not a word I would use when describing it. The tent camping sites, ‘primitive’ were not :( It was an okay experience, but there was road noise and no seclusion (we were in a field essentially with the other tent campers).
Tent camping near Nicholasville, Kentucky offers a unique blend of natural beauty and welcoming hospitality, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nicholasville, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nicholasville, KY is Wildcat Creek Farm with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
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