Best Dispersed Camping near Rockholds, KY

Dispersed camping options near Rockholds, Kentucky provide primitive, no-fee experiences on public lands. The area features several established sites including Redbird Boat Ramp, Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1, Swain Ridge, and Trace Branch Dispersed along Rock Creek Road. These locations offer varying levels of seclusion and natural settings typical of eastern Kentucky's forested landscape. Campers should note that Trace Branch receives high ratings (5.0) for its creek-side setting, while Swain Ridge (2.5) has specific restrictions.

Most sites lack basic amenities. No drinking water, toilets, or trash service is available at any of these locations. Visitors must pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. According to reviews, Trace Branch features "one picnic table and fire pit" with beautiful creek access. At Swain Ridge, campers should be aware that camping is restricted to "trailhead or road side" areas only, with a reported $1000 fine for camping in open fields.

Fire regulations vary by site. Fires are permitted at Redbird Boat Ramp, Jellico Creek, and Trace Branch, but prohibited at Swain Ridge. Recent visitor reports indicate potential hazards at some sites, with one camper at Trace Branch noting they "had to pick up trash before letting my dog out" due to broken glass and debris. Jellico Creek offers three dispersed sites along the road, with the first being "the largest of the three" and featuring "a small swimming hole with a rope swing." During winter months, heavy-duty tent stakes may be necessary as the ground can freeze solid.

Ticks and poison ivy are common at these sites, particularly at Swain Ridge where visitors report ticks "EVERYWHERE and poison ivy along the edges of the pasture." The benefit of these remote locations is minimal light pollution, creating excellent stargazing opportunities. All sites accommodate drive-in access, with Jellico Creek and Trace Branch specifically supporting both tent and RV camping.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Rockholds, Kentucky (5)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Rockholds, KY

11 Reviews of 5 Rockholds Campgrounds


  • Amin A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2023

    Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Better than I expected

    So we weren't sure what we would end up finding here. I will say that there are a lot of places to camp, many many many options away from the porta potties. If you get within about 20-30 feet of those they are a bit stinky. The one camp site we chose was a great place, tons of space and well manicured. A lot of options for pull up to your campsite or park and walk to campsite spots.

    My only complaints are about the campers that stay there. The litter isn't horrible, but it's not great. It is a leave no trace place. Apparently some people have difficulty with throwing away their trash.

    When we stayed last night there was a person that kept peeling out up and down the gravel road (3/4 times) in a diesel truck at 10:00 at night. Not very courteous to all of us at the campground.

    And I was awakened at 2:00 a.m. by our camping neighbors when they were playing loud music. Also not cool, thankfully they stopped shortly after

    Overall we were very pleased with this campground, beautiful views, it was hard choosing one spot. We will be coming back, and hopefully we won't have loud campers next time.

  • 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.

  • Karli P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2023

    Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    So Much Potential!

    We arrived at this dispersed campground at around 7:30 on a Saturday evening in July. It was pretty packed but since we were planning on leaving early the next morning, we took a family’s offer of taking over their spot as they left.

    We use a roof top tent so unfortunately we weren’t able to camp at the actual site, instead we set up on an almost level gravel parking area that had a private trail to the actual camp site. There were garbage cans and a port-a-potty set up right there, which is why this site lost some stars. Even though these facilities were provided, people didn’t use the garbages and there was a lot of garbage on the ground, including broken glass that made us worry about our pup’s paws. Also, the port-a-potty was pretty yucky..neither my husband nor I were willing to use it.

    Now, I want to reiterate that this is a geographically beautiful spot! Humans just need to take better care of it 💚

  • Tripp A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2024

    Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Closed to Public

    I drove over an hour to get here to find that it is “closed to public for vandalism”. I was very upset by this but obviously nothing I could do. Just wish I knew how to check before driving all the way. But the drive! Woah! So beautiful, I wish there was a way I could find out when it opens back up because I was very much looking forward to camping here.

  • 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 Rockholds

Dispersed camping near Rockholds, Kentucky centers around the Daniel Boone National Forest, which spans over 700,000 acres of eastern Kentucky at elevations ranging from 750 to 2,200 feet. The region experiences humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, including cold winters where ground freezes solid and hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F. Most primitive campsites in this area are positioned along creekbeds or at boat access points.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Redbird Boat Ramp serves as both a camping area and fishing access point. One camper reported, "Nothing special there is a boat ramp. Plenty of space for a couple RVs... The sky was beautiful. Would go again. About ten miles off 75." This location provides direct water access without the crowds of more developed areas.

Swimming and rope swinging: Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1 offers natural recreation beyond just camping. According to visitor feedback, "This first site has room for two groups. It also has a small swimming hole with a rope swing." This makes it particularly appealing during summer months when cooling off becomes a priority.

Night sky observation: The remote location of these sites creates excellent conditions for astronomy. At Swain Ridge, campers note, "There was no light pollution so we had a great time star gazing!" Many visitors bring telescopes or simply lay out blankets for meteor shower viewing during peak celestial events.

What campers like

Creek access: The sound of running water enhances the camping experience at several sites. At Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road, visitors appreciate the waterfront setting: "We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening." This site consistently receives high ratings specifically for its creek access.

Wildlife viewing: The natural setting supports diverse wildlife observation opportunities. One camper at Swain Ridge shared, "We were even blessed with see several bats fly around at night." Bird watching is particularly productive during spring migration, with multiple species moving through the area.

Multiple site options: Jellico Creek provides flexibility with several camping areas along the road. A visitor noted, "There are three dispersed sites along this road. We stayed at the first and largest of the three." This arrangement allows groups to find the right balance of space and privacy based on current occupancy.

What you should know

Camping restrictions: Rules vary significantly between sites. At Asher Hunting Access Area, camping is only permitted during specific seasons, while at Swain Ridge, there are strict limitations: "Not able to camp in open field. 1000$ fine for doing so. Camping at trailhead or on road side is fine."

Ground conditions: Winter camping presents unique challenges at these locations. A winter camper at Trace Branch reported, "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." Standard tent stakes often prove inadequate when the ground freezes.

Pest prevalence: Insects and plants require preparation at many sites. Campers at Swain Ridge warn, "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." Long pants, closed shoes, and insect repellent are essential, particularly from April through October.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Choose locations with natural play features for children. At Redbird Boat Ramp, "It's a boat ramp" with gentle water access that works well for supervised water play with children during warmer months.

Safety preparation: Bring supplies to address site conditions. One camper at Trace Branch noted, "Lots of beer bottles left over and shattered so I have to pick up the trash before letting my dog out." A small broom and dustpan can help manage similar situations with children present.

Privacy considerations: Some locations offer more seclusion than others. A visitor described Redbird Boat Ramp as "nice and private," making it suitable for families concerned about noise from other campers or wanting flexibility with quiet hours.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most free camping near Rockholds, Kentucky accommodates only smaller RVs. At Jellico Creek, the first site is described as "the largest of the three," but still has limitations for larger rigs, particularly during wet conditions when ground firmness becomes an issue.

Winter preparation: Cold weather camping requires additional planning. A winter visitor to Trace Branch observed, "The entire river was frozen over and ponds were frozen too," indicating the need for robust water storage and proper insulation for RV systems during winter months.

Security concerns: Remote locations generally have minimal issues but normal precautions apply. One camper reported, "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." Still, securing valuables remains advisable at all dispersed camping sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Rockholds, KY is Redbird Boat Ramp with a 3.5-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Rockholds, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.