Best Tent Camping near Scottsville, KY

Several tent campgrounds dot the Mammoth Cave National Park region and surrounding areas within a short drive from Scottsville, Kentucky. Primitive tent sites at Houchin Ferry Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park offer riverside camping with basic amenities, while Turnhole Backcountry Campsite provides a more secluded hiking experience. These established tent campsites serve as gateways to explore the extensive cave system and trail networks throughout the park.

Most tent-only campgrounds in the region feature concrete picnic tables, fire rings, and pole lanterns but lack drinking water or shower facilities. Sites at Houchin Ferry Campground include porta-potties that are regularly maintained by park rangers, while backcountry sites like Turnhole require hikers to pack in all supplies including water. Reservations are required for Mammoth Cave campgrounds, with fees typically around $10 per night. The Green River Ferry status affects driving routes to several campgrounds, so campers should check the hotline (270-758-2166) before departure to determine the best access route.

The tent camping experience near Scottsville offers diverse natural settings that appeal to different preferences. Tent campers at Houchin Ferry enjoy spacious riverside sites with room for children to explore, though sites are relatively close together. For more seclusion, Turnhole Backcountry Campsite requires a moderate hike in but rewards campers with privacy on a peninsula nearly surrounded by the Green River. One camper noted that "it is a very nice and clean campground with about 10 sites" and that "the temperature here was a consistent 3 degrees F lower than in town" due to shade cover. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with many campers reporting deer sightings and the magical experience of seeing "hundreds of lightning bugs" in summer months.

Best Tent Sites Near Scottsville, Kentucky (21)

    1. Narrows Boat Ramp

    1 Review
    Lucas, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 858-1549

    "The Narrows Boat Ramp Barron River Lake is actually more then just a boat ramp.

    There is a marina on site along side the boat ramp and a nice pavilion, playground, nature trail and restroom."

    2. Houchin Ferry Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    9 Reviews
    Brownsville, KY
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 758-2180

    "It's located on the green river and has very spacious campsites. Plenty of room for the kids or dogs to run around. Very secluded. There is a concrete picnic table, pole and fire pit at each spot."

    "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."

    3. Mountain top retreat

    1 Review
    Cave City, KY
    29 miles
    Website

    $150 / night

    4. Holleman's Bend Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Granville, TN
    37 miles

    "Cute little town nearby, decent service when we were expecting none, and a cute little peninsula to camp on! The water is BEAUTIFUL, though you’ll hear fish splashing all night."

    5. Laguardo

    2 Reviews
    Mount Juliet, TN
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 449-6544

    $85 - $120 / night

    6. Long Hunter State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    J Percy Priest Lake, TN
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 885-2422

    "Primitive campsite 1 has 3 long log benches and a grill. It is located directly by the water, so you have a water filtration source at your finger tips."

    "Long Hunter State Park Primitive Campsites are my kinda camping."

    7. Nat Caldwell Park

    1 Review
    Gallatin, TN
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 822-4846

    $50 / night

    8. Camp Nashville Highland Rim

    1 Review
    Goodlettsville, TN
    36 miles
    Website

    $32 - $45 / night

    "I had a chance to talk with the owner at Camp Nashville and learned that due to city regulations, it can be difficult to find camping this close to the city. "

    9. Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park

    2 Reviews
    Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 758-2180

    "Another backside primitive campsite at Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky.

    A lot of people don’t realize the extensive trail system of Mammoth Cave."

    "Despite this campsite being surrounded by the Green River on 3 sides, water is hard to come by here, and hiking it in may be your best bet."

    10. Tailwater Rec Area

    1 Review
    Carthage, TN
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 735-1034

    $50 / night

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Tent Camping Reviews near Scottsville, KY

895 Reviews of 21 Scottsville Campgrounds


  • Greg S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2025

    Anderson Road Campground

    4.5 stars

    Stopped for one afternoon and night on our way through. Driving in through da hood you get a questionable feeling but, once through the gate and checked in this is a fantastic little campground! We picked an awesome site- number 8 is a huge pull through with water and electric, a grill, prep table, picnic table, and fire ring with grill. The site has its own path and private lake access. The lake is rocky here but we had no trouble walking in and swimming with our Crocs on. All sites in this small loop campground are great and very large. There is some erosion and there was some trash near the lake that we gladly cleaned up. Overall a fantastic place to camp.

  • Shea M.
    Apr. 3, 2020

    Houchin Ferry Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    Cave Camping

    We really enjoyed this place! It's located on the green river and has very spacious campsites. Plenty of room for the kids or dogs to run around. Very secluded. There is a concrete picnic table, pole and fire pit at each spot. Across the road to the ferry is a large pavillion with several more picnic tables for bigger gatherings. There are a few porta potties and no water or hookups. Primitive camping only. We tent camped here in July and saw hundreds of lightning bugs (see video)! It was magical, that really made the experience so much better for us!

    Highly recommend a cave tour as well at Mammoth Cave National Park. You will not be disappointed!! Can't wait to go back!

  • Peg D.
    May. 1, 2019

    Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    Best weekend ever

    Loved staying at the mammoth cave state park last weekend. April 26th-28th 2019.

    No reservations are needed until May 1st. It was Walk up First come first serve from March through May. The last weekend of April was perfect and was not over crowded but had a good amount of visitors. We had perfect weather as well. The camp grounds are clean and nice looking , bathrooms also very clean and have normal toilets, laundry room had new washers and dryers and very roomy & clean with attached bathrooms & showers for men & women. The camp store was nicely set up and had plenty of foods and stuff Incase you forgot anything. However they do not sell real fire wood. They do sell compressed fire bricks. That Looks-like compressed sawdust bricks. So if you want real fire wood you have to go off trail and find it. Recommend and saw to cut it up but there was plenty of dead branches to be found through out the park and you are allowed to pick it up and burn it. The cave tours are fun and educational however if you lack fitness some of them will test your limits. So know your limits before booking. Highly recommend buying your tickets before you arrive as they fill up super fast and they offer more tours during the peak season than they do in spring.

    The lodge is nice has 2 restaurants one is sit down one is fast food snacks like setting. There are 5 gift shops in all between the camp store has 1 the lodge has 2 and the visitors center has 2. It’s worth the trip if your in to caving and hiking. Unfortunately there is lack of access to the river unless you go backwoods hiking/camping But all in all it’s a fun time!

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2018

    Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park

    Base Station

    Mammoth Cave Campground is in the country but centrally located between several nice size cities and right off I65.

    No signal once you get in the park except if your lucky at the lodge. We tuned in to WIFI whenever we passed through the Visitors Center/lodge restaurant in the morning.

    The campground is primitive, no electric with parking pads, picnic tables and fire rings. There is a restroom in the campground and a shower house, laundry room, post office and store adjacent. The dump station is next to that facility right outside the front “gate”.

    There is enough space between camp sites to have some privacy and the trees provide natural noise block and shade. There be critters in the woods so protect your food! You may see deer and turkey, you won’t see the little shit raccoon that runs off with dog toys and any food left out ;)

    There are several trail access points directly from the campground. Including two easy trails to the visitors center.

    Aside from the obvious, cave tours, there are several other options on how to spend your day and nights.

    If your coming for the cave specifically make sure you reserve your preferred cave tour way ahead of time!

    If you are coming for the trails, enjoy! There are multiple options. I run the trail near the visitor center year round. It is technical and hilly, not stroller friendly.

    The trails on the far side of the Green River ferry have dispersed camping sites and plenty of natural features to discover.

    The float down the Green River is enjoyable. If you bring your own water craft several of the companies will drive you to the put in from the ferry parking area for a nominal fee.

    Also across the Green River is the Maple Springs group and horse campground, I’m not a horse person but I see plenty of them in the area and they seem to be enjoying the trails and campground.

    There is also zip lines in the area, a winery and golfing.

    Fast food and Wally World in Brownsville, other touristy attractions one exit up at Cave City. (Ky Down Under and Dinosaur World, plus a Yogi Bear Campground)

    We spent the weekend hiking in the rain and avoided Green River, it’s a muddy mess right now.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2025

    Barren River Tailwater

    40 Mins from 65

    Tailwater CG - Glasco, KY 1/1/25

    (72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 4 for an overnight stay. Great winter price, but 40 minutes from 65 w trailer. Price 2024: $8 w interagency pass during winter Security: Host’s site at entry. Usage during visit: Only us Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: No Site Spacing: Close. Varies.
    Pad surface: Gravel Reservations: Required. Can be made at the cg.
    Outside Road Noise: No Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes, however off during winter 24/25.
    Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: Yes. Only at one location during winter. Generators: Allowed. Bathroom: Two. Flush Bath and showers bathhouse is closed during winter. Pit toilets at far end open. Pull Throughs: One. Cell Service (Verizon): 1 to 3 bars Setting: Along River Recent Weather: Cold nights.
    Solar: Yes Host: Yes, helpful.
    Rig Size: Varies between sites. Sites: Some sites back up to the river. These are the best locations, I think.

  • Kristin H.
    Nov. 5, 2021

    Nolin Lake State Park Campground

    Tent Camping Paradise

    We camped at site P27, which is in the RV section of the campground, but off to the side and pretty private. Great little spot and had our own piece of shoreline. No electricity or water here but equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post. Had to back truck up as best we could and walk a little trail to the site and unload. Had to park by basketball court when done unloading, so keep in mind your vehicle won't be within site. There is a group site off in the distance and they were pretty loud but still a good distance off so it was tolerable. Daughter caught her first fish here. Loved waking up to the fog over the lake. Bath house wasn't as clean as I recall from previous trips but it wasn't anything to get worked up about. Lots of places are short staffed these days so I can't fault them too badly. Nolin is on of our favorite campgrounds!

  • Lauren M.
    Jul. 23, 2020

    Nolin Lake State Park Campground

    Tenting area is a bit close, but still quiet

    We camped in tent site 15, which is the far back corner of a large rectangular tenting area. Each site had a table and fire ring, and shared water and trash were located in several central locations. Some sites are between two parking areas (sites 7-9, I think), and some sites are along the lake shore. While most people rate the lake shore sites highly, I think you'd get a lot of headlights flashing at you as they're right along the parking lane. We really liked the back corner for privacy, and relative proximity to the bathrooms (located in what looks like an office). Showers, firewood, ice, playground, and laundry are in the trailer campsite nearby. 

    One caveat is that, if fully booked with weekenders, I can imagine this place getting a bit noisy at night. It's also pretty hot, though very well shaded, in July.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2020

    Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park

    Easy or Hard

    Another backside primitive campsite at Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky.

    A lot of people don’t realize the extensive trail system of Mammoth Cave. They come for the Cave and never take the time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

    Before using this campsite you are supposed to check in at the visitors center. Unfortunately the ferry is closed so it’s a long drive around to the backside.

    Turnhole Campsite is a short or long hike from the Maple Springs parking area. Sal Hollow Trail would be the long trail, twisty , turny and moderately challenging. Buffalo Trail is a straight hike in , take a left at the intersection and straight on to the campsite. Difference of about 3 miles-ish.

    The trails are used by hikers and horseback riders, are well marked and lotsa fauna to see. No major vistas here, just woods.

    The campsite has poles to tie your horses, a fire ring, tent pad and lantern hooks. Pretty easy to find seasoned wood to burn. DARK at night, lots of animal noises ;) not much of a night sky except in the winter months.

    The cool thing about this campsite is your sorta on a peninsula of the river. Very private and it’s not on a loop trail so no foot traffic passing by.

  • T
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Anderson Road Campground

    Large sites

    The area is clearly designed for RVs, not tents, which was fine since I had my campervan. I did notice, however, some the the sites had seriously sloping drives so lots of leveling would have been required. The area is heavily wooded.y site had no view of the lake but some do. Most that have beach access also have electric. There are 10-12 of those sites. The remainder are primitive. The only water is near the dump station. To access the lake if you don't have a lake site requires driving to a separate area. The bathhouse is fine. Most sites seem to be large enough for a couple of tents and vehicles. Verizon service was adequate. No wifi.

    Guns shots in the surrounding area in the overnight periods. I don't think they were originating from inside the campground. Also, campground is near the Nashville airport so air traffic can be heard. Generators are allowed in the campground.


Guide to Scottsville

Scottsville, Kentucky, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation in nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Campground amenities to enhance your stay

Unique features of local campgrounds

  • The Narrows Boat Ramp is not just a boat ramp; it also includes a marina, pavilion, and playground, making it a great spot for families.
  • River Floodplain Campsites provides a secluded experience within Mammoth Cave National Park, perfect for those seeking tranquility in nature.
  • Wartrace Ck Rec Area offers water hookups and a serene environment, ideal for tent campers looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Scottsville, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Scottsville, KY is Narrows Boat Ramp with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Scottsville, KY?

TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Scottsville, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.