110 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Manchester, Kentucky serves as a central base for exploring multiple campgrounds in southeastern Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest region. Camping options range from established sites with full amenities to more primitive locations. Nearby campgrounds like Levi Jackson Wilderness State Park offer diverse accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and glamping options. Holly Bay Campground provides waterfront camping with boat access on Laurel Lake, while Turkey Foot Campground offers a more rustic experience with basic facilities. Cross Mountain and Westgate RV campgrounds cater specifically to RV travelers with electric and water hookups.
Seasonal considerations play a significant role in camping experiences throughout the region. Many campgrounds like Buckhorn Dam operate seasonally from May through September, while others such as Levi Jackson remain open year-round. Roads to some locations can present challenges, particularly after rain events or during winter months. Cell service varies considerably throughout the area, with stronger coverage near towns and limited or no service in more remote locations. The terrain includes both mountaintop campsites and waterfront locations along lakes and rivers. As one camper noted about Turkey Foot Campground, it's "perfect for campers who like to rough it, but also likes to have a laboratory near by."
Several campgrounds in the area feature lake or river access, making them popular destinations for fishing and water recreation. Holly Bay on Laurel Lake receives positive reviews for its "large, private and very wooded lots" with electric and water hookups. Kingdom Come State Park offers a more secluded experience with just seven tent sites and free firewood provided by rangers. Reviews indicate that campgrounds near Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Red River Gorge provide excellent access to hiking trails, with one visitor describing the region as "one of the most beautiful and well hidden gems of the region." Campers should be prepared for varying site sizes across campgrounds, with some locations better suited for smaller setups and others accommodating larger RVs with spacious sites.
"Many activities at the park and it is also close to the birth place of Kentucky Fried Chicken. They have nice sites for larger campers and some for small units that are more shaded."
"Decent WIFI which was a big plus and, while we stayed in a full hook up site, the dump station was well positioned and easy to navigate."
"The drive up from the main road is 85% paved with nice new asphalt. Just a short section that's gravel. "
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"There’s a privy near the campsites and a creek the runs nearby. All sites have fire rings and lamp post along with picnic tables."
"Beautiful remote location. Great moderate hiking trails. Clean 🚻."
"Corbin n/Laurel Lake KOA First! Do not trust your navigation. Once you get off the interstate look for the KOA signs."
"Being April, it was still a little cool and we had a rain day, their are several places to go around Corbin. Take a quiet peaceful walk down the back trail to Laurel River Dam."
"The resort has a rustic charm that makes you feel like you’re getting away from it all, yet it still provides modern amenities. One of the highlights of our stay was the peaceful atmosphere."
"We loved the nearby walking trails, community fire pit, and quiet evenings surrounded by nature. If you’re looking for a serene, well-run RV resort, The Farm RV Resort is an excellent choice!"
from $49 - $89 / night
Check Availability"Nestled in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, this campground has all the things your family could want to do in nature. Check in was super easy and the staff was great."
"This is a small campground near Buckhorn Lake. It is close to the water for boating and swimming, there is a playground, but for much else you will need to travel outside the area. "
from $14 - $60 / night
Check Availability"This big campground is a hidden gem near Red River Gorge. The road getting to the campsite is mostly one lane so is you are in an RV, go slow."
"The trail around the lake was very nice, short but hilly so a good morning walk. It rained the first evening which led to some pretty little waterfalls the next day."
from $12 - $104 / night
Check Availability"The only problem right now is construction going on behind it, they are clearing out land to build something and they started work today at 5 in the morning."
"They have complete full utility hook ups, Wi-Fi and you can walk to several restaurants and mini mart. The mini mart also has diesel. Easy on and off to and from I-75 at Exit 41 at London KY."
from $34 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Clean bathrooms with showers in walking distance. Helpful staff. Stunning views. Great hiking paths. Bring you boats, bikes, kayaks, fishing poles and bathing suits. The water is fantastic!"
"Swim next to show, bring your pets, tie up you're boat, be around friendly people or private, primitive to big pull thru, clean, great staff, prettiest lake in KY, best camp sites with poles, shady, level"
from $46 - $92 / night
Check Availability"A very well-developed camping area that caters to the off-road community. There are 2 loops for camping; loop B is still being upgraded."
"They aren't right next to the fireplace shelter, rather just around the corner. Had the place completely to myself on a thursday night/friday morning."
GuideThis beautiful camping area owned by the US Forest service is just the spot. Fits my small camper perfectly. The sites have enough room to be enjoyed and have great gravel pads to prevent flooded tents in the rain. Add the hot shower house and it’s just what the doctor ordered.
GuideWe spent 2 weekend nights in site C21...it was severely unlevel as advertised. Most sites in this loop are either very sloped, or flat with picnic tables down a set of stairs. The campground was very quiet, although you could hear some traffic from the highway. The sites were mostly shaded, clean, and somewhat private. The bath houses were clean and modern. The office/store was not open the entire time we were there, and the host mentioned that there were some electrical issues that caused it to be closed. So we had to head through "the tunnel" into Middlesboro for firewood. Found plenty at the Tractor Supply store on the north side of town. Middlesboro has lots of places for supplies and food. Other than the sloping sites the only other real drawback to the campground is the limited water. In the C loop we only found water by the bathhouses, so the walk to get water was quite long.
RangerThis is my “go to” campground when I need to get away for a few days and reset in nature. Hosts are great! You can pay via Venmo when you arrive / super easy. There is tons of primitive camping and quite a few sites with electric and water. There are plenty of bathrooms and showers. Love this place!! Will be back!!
GuideThe first thing I would say is the bath house is the absolute cleanest bathroom I’ve seen at a campground, they are individual rooms with full doors, no men’s or women’s. This area is in the center of it all. Close to tons of trails, it’s pretty quiet, some light hwy noise but not bad. They have a water fountain in the lake, very well maintained grass, the lots are tight, only gravel, but overall it’s nice with water/ electric and they have a dump station as well. The office has wood, ice, and essentials in case you forget something. We are coming back! Oh and plan to visit the reptile zoo at the front of the park! It’s impressive!
TravelerWe got to RRG national forest campground and every spot was booked. So headed on over to Woodstock campground. I had seen this campground across from Creation Falls road. The owner is so kind and helpful. We had an awesome weekend at this primitive campground
ScoutHighway noise is insane. No sleep in a tent.
ScoutA great spot on a beautiful lake. The fire pit was lovely with a view of the water. The covered deck is the perfect place to enjoy a book, a cup of coffee, or just the surrounding nature.
TravelerBeautiful area, clean and up kept sites! Space, so much space! Lake view and access from the site. You have access to hike the Sheltowee trace from the site.
GuideWe made it down to tent camp in the d loop. Great spot as the reviews had mentioned. I wish all spots had food storage, but the downfall was hearing traffic all night while tent camping.
Camping sites near Manchester, Kentucky range from secluded forest locations to waterfront settings, with elevations between 800-1,200 feet throughout the region. Weather in this Cumberland Plateau area fluctuates seasonally, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows often dropping below freezing. Most primitive campgrounds in the area close during winter, though some developed sites maintain year-round operations.
Hiking trail access: S-Tree Campground offers direct connections to multiple forest trails. "Would definitely reccomened this place for great hiking. And the natural beauty makes the walking absolutely awesome," notes camper Dorothy T. The campground serves as a gateway to numerous Daniel Boone National Forest trails.
Waterfall viewing: Exploring waterfalls makes for excellent day trips from area campgrounds. "There are a few different options of sites to choose from, from the basic to ones with gravel living space to ones with sewer hookups," shares Alison C. about a nearby campground, adding that multiple hiking trails lead to scenic waterways.
Fishing opportunities: Many campsites provide river or lake access for anglers. "We got to fish right beside our camper," reports Martha from Buckhorn Dam Campground. Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased in Manchester or at nearby towns.
Privacy and space: Campers appreciate sites that offer seclusion. "This campground is pretty new and not too large, making it a nice quiet getaway. All the sites are concrete with nice gravel between, along with picnic tables and firepits," explains Will and Lucinda B. about Cross Mountain Campground. Good drainage during rainy periods is another valued feature at many area campgrounds.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers can find free camping in the region. "For a free campsite this was very well maintained. There's a privy near the campsites and a creek the runs nearby. All sites have fire rings and lamp post along with picnic tables," David M. writes about Turkey Foot Campground. Many free sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Organized activities: Some campgrounds coordinate special events. "The campground organizes fun activities for the summer holidays like tie dying, camper's only pool party, bingo, best decorated campsite, etc," shares Joanna H. about a local state park. Seasonal programming typically runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Road conditions: Access roads to remote camping areas can be challenging. "The northern road in isn't all that bad, but the south road is what I NEEDED to use to get to my various destinations, and it was a rough one," Andrew G. reports about traveling to S-Tree Campground. Some roads become impassable after heavy rain.
Low water crossings: Flash flooding can affect campground access. "The only word of caution I would give is the low water crossing. If a big storm came through you could be stuck in or out," warns Matt S. about Turkey Foot Campground. Monitor weather forecasts during rainy periods.
Site limitations: Many campgrounds have restrictions on RV size. "This small campground is good only for small campers(20ft or smaller). The spots are uneven and many backup to a large hill," Amy J. notes about a state park campground. Always check length limitations when reserving.
Playground access: Levi Jackson Wilderness State Park Campground offers numerous child-friendly amenities. "Great option for young families. Many activities at the park and it is also close to the birth place of Kentucky Fried Chicken. They have nice sites for larger campers and some for small units that are more shaded," explains Keith M.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide water recreation for children. "In the summer season you can take a trail off of loop I that leads to the community pool to cool off," mentions one camper about Levi Jackson. Some sites also offer lake swimming during summer months.
Seasonal programming: Family-oriented activities vary throughout the year. "Staff was great - lots of activities for the kids to do through the State Park - Archery (free), Swimming Pool (free), and more free activities, horseback riding ($20pp)," reports Michael R. about a state resort park. Many programs run weekends only during spring and fall.
Hookup logistics: RVers should prepare for varied hookup placements. "Make sure to watch the 'max vehicle length' - we have a 21' van and we barely fit into our site that had a longer max length. Also, the water and electric hookup for this site is very far away from the actual site," Denise advises about Ridgeline Campground.
Water pressure considerations: Some campgrounds have stronger water systems than others. "The water pressure is really strong, be sure to use your pressure regulator!" warns Will and Lucinda B. about Cross Mountain Campground. Bring regulators and extension hoses to accommodate various setups.
Alternative overnight options: Westgate RV Campground serves as a convenient stopover. "This is a great overnight stop for us. They have complete full utility hook ups, Wi-Fi and you can walk to several restaurants and mini mart. The mini mart also has diesel," explains Cam C. This urban-adjacent option provides easy access for those traveling through the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Manchester, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Manchester, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 110 campgrounds and RV parks near Manchester, KY and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Manchester, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Manchester, KY is Levi Jackson Wilderness State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Manchester, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Manchester, KY.
What parks are near Manchester, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Manchester, KY that allow camping, notably Buckhorn Lake and Laurel River Lake.
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