83 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Red River Gorge area near Slade, Kentucky contains multiple camping options spanning from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. Koomer Ridge Campground in Daniel Boone National Forest provides tent and RV camping with drinking water and toilets, while Natural Bridge State Resort Park offers two campground areas—Middle Fork and Whittleton—both featuring electric hookups and reservable sites. Several privately operated campgrounds like Miguel's Pizza and Natural Bridge Campground provide cabin rentals alongside traditional camping. The region's diverse terrain includes sandstone cliffs, natural arches, and dense forest, creating varied camping environments from riverside spots to ridge-top locations.
Access to many campgrounds requires navigation through winding forest roads that can be challenging for larger vehicles. Most established campgrounds in the area remain open from spring through fall, with some private operations offering year-round availability. Several dispersed camping areas exist throughout Daniel Boone National Forest, particularly along Chimney Top Road and Tunnel Ridge Road, though these require purchase of a backcountry permit from local vendors. Cell service is limited throughout the gorge area, especially at primitive sites. One camper advised: "Stay away from site 39 - that has a good view of the wastewater treatment plant!"
The proximity to hiking trails and natural features represents a primary draw for campers visiting the Red River Gorge area. Campgrounds near Natural Bridge State Park provide convenient access to the park's iconic sandstone arch and extensive trail system. Riverside camping options along the Red River receive particular mention in visitor reviews for their scenic value. A visitor noted, "This is my all time favorite campground... This campground is actually a veteran owned boating rental/shuttle service with an attached campground. It's very spacious, I've camped on holiday weekends and never had other campers within 100 ft of my site." Weekends typically bring higher occupancy rates to established campgrounds, while more remote dispersed camping areas tend to offer greater solitude even during peak periods.
"We've some spent time now in Kentucky and Red River Gorge area is one of favorites in this state. The campground is good pretty simple."
"It is located just off Exit 11 on the Bert T Combs Parkway (the highway that runs through the area, which is a beautiful drive itself)."
from $27 - $45 / night
Check Availability"I would rank the Red River Gorge area as the most beautiful place in the Kentucky. Any time I get the chance to head out this way, I do."
"Pros: clean bath house, convenient to SUP Kentucky/Gorge underground, level sites (smaller though) Cons: traffic noise, no cell service (which is a pro for some)"
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Located off I-64 in eastern Kentucky, RRG and Natural Bridge offer a wide variety of activities including hiking, camping, backcountry camping, kayak and canoe rentals, and the area has various local"
"Close to the Natural Bridge trail and multiple SUP Kentucky sites."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"The Tarr Ridge parking area is located on highway 77 on Tarr ridge rd in the red river gorge."
"I've camped here at multiple locations - off Chimney Top Rd, Tunnel Ridge Rd at the Tar Kiln, and off Indian Creek Rd on the banks of the East Fork of Indian Creek. Each has its own unique qualities."
from $10 / night
"For a few bucks per carload, Miguel’s camping spot is contains of a few open field areas situated between the Climbing Gear Shop and the famous pizza spot."
"There is only a community fire pit - you can't have fires next to your tent. Here are some of the cool things at this campground.
Great breakfast, lunch, and dinner at their on-site restaurant."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"There is a pond/lake just big enough to fish and swim in, and there’s a rope swing the kids loved. This place has pretty good food made on site and had karaoke on Saturday nite with a good crowd."
"There are many campsites of multiple types available, but there are several primitive sites that still feel secluded and surrounded by trees."
from $10 - $40 / 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 - $999 / night
Check Availability"Nice shaded creek on the outskirts of the campground. Running water, RR, a grill, & Fire ring. All perks. 🔥"
"You cannot bring in firewood from outside of Natural Bridge State Park/Red River Gorge, so we purchased some with our reservation. They loaded up a wheel barrow for us and we took it to our site."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Having recently moved to Kentucky from California was so happy to get to camp in another season besides summer."
"E-12 was close enough to the bathrooms that it wasn’t a bad walk but we didn’t have to smell anything. Water pump was across from the campsite. Plenty of space for four tents. Sturdy pic-nic table."
from $31 - $105 / night
Check Availability"But they do have a trash bin and portable-potty’s scattered around and they sell firewood on site. Oh and the grass is always maintained."
"With trails close by to explore!"
from $8 - $20 / night
Check Availability
Scouttrails are a complete mess, a lot were impassable and very dangerous not recommended for horses, some have not had any maintenance done in years, even the main trail out of camp a couple miles was impassable... very poor :(
TravelerThe Edge Cave Run's Glamping Getaway is a MUST experience on your bucket list!
Beautiful scenery right on the Licking River!
Modern amenities, wi-fi, close to local attractions, comfortable beds. Perfect family getaway!
ScoutIn live locally and they keep it carry nice and always a great spot for family and kids
TravelerGoldenrod Gap was a beautiful location to unwind for a weekend within reach of Red River Gorge. We stayed at a primitive campsite located next to the convenient showerhouse. Had anyone been using the nearby RV camping spot, we might have been a little too close to neighbors, but our stay was quiet, fun, and filled with cool wildlife sightings on the guest-only trails. Access to the campground was easy, the facilities were clean and fully functional. The hiking trails were varied in difficulty and scenery. Our favorite was Mushroom Loop Trail, which gave us a wide path up to the highest ridgeline on the property that is blooming with colorful mushrooms. But I'd like to give a shout out also to the Frog Trail that lazily followed a small stream flowing through a serene grove. Many great memories were made here, and I'm sure we will return to try out the other campsites on offer!
ScoutI enjoyed a much-needed weekend getaway with friends at Goldenrod Gap! Staying at the Sand Pad site offered plenty of amenities that made the stay comfortable. The Maranda showerhouse was a pleasant surprise—easily the nicest I've experienced on a camping trip! The property is a short drive from Broke Leg Falls and offers a variety of its own trails to explore, each unique in its own way. I loved seeing all of the moss, flowers, and mushrooms along the trails. Closing out a day full of hiking with s'mores by the campfire and stargazing at Goldenrod Gap was a perfect way to kick-off the summer camping season!
GuideAn awesome, secluded spot! Each site includes a picnic table, tent section, lantern post, and a ringed in fire pit with a rotatable grill. They are all mostly graveled in too. The creek is close and fun to explore and there is nice shade throughout. The fellow campers we had were great and not loud, however, the space does echo quite a bit, so if you were to good some rude campers, you would almost definitely hear them. There is also no cell service (which for me is kind of a plus).
Free is free, so it’s that’s also a great plus. If you choose to visit just make sure to keep it clean!
ScoutCampground is beautiful. Restrooms were very clean.
Mix of hook up and primitive. VERY spacious sites with privacy and space between. Its right on Cave Run Lake too.
Only negative we saw was widowmaker limbs in trees directly above campsites.
TravelerQuiet and peaceful campground in the former corn field of the owners grandfather. Clean bathhouse, kids play area and hammocks for relaxing. Staff will shuttle you and a kayak 3 miles up the Licking river for a relaxing, family friendly float. My site had electric and water with a dump station available for $40.
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.
Daniel Boone National Forest encompasses the camping areas near Slade, Kentucky, with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,300 feet throughout the region. The diverse topography creates microclimates where temperatures can vary by 5-10 degrees between valley floors and ridge tops. Fall camping offers peak nighttime temperatures of 45-55°F, while summer typically ranges from 75-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through August.
Fishing opportunities: Callie's Lake and Campground provides a small lake for fishing, though permits are required ($5 for adults) and it's catch-and-release only. "They have a general store stocked with necessities you may have forgotten. The store also sales live bait to fish in the lake with," notes Josh N.
Trail access from camps: Koomer Ridge Campground connects directly to nearby hiking networks. "Multiple trails leave straight out of the campground and head into the Red River Gorge, a nice feature," writes Jeffrey A. The campground serves as an excellent base for mountain biking as well, with one camper noting, "Koomer Ridge campground has a great location for mountain biking (what we went for), hiking, fishing - anything really!"
Swimming spots: Red River Gorge Adventures offers riverside camping with natural swimming options. A camper explains, "If you wade out into the water about 15ft upstream of the boat launch, the river is relatively flat with a sandy bottom that is about 5' at normal water level. Excellent place for an afternoon swim or a rinse after a hot day of climbing."
Rock climbing access: For climbing enthusiasts, several campgrounds provide convenient access to routes. "This campground and purveyor of pizza caters mainly to the climbing community," notes Theresa D. about Miguel's Pizza, while another camper recommends, "Definitely worth a visit if youre a climber looking for a partner or maybe just some project beta!"
Spacious campsites: Middle Fork Campground at Natural Bridge State Resort Park offers creek-side camping with ample space. "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!" reports Mary B.
Quiet weekday camping: Many campers note the difference between weekday and weekend occupancy. "Nobody is there during the weekday. But the weekend is usually packed," mentions Taylour B. about camping in the area. This pattern appears consistent across most campgrounds in the region.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking seclusion, dispersed camping provides alternatives to established campgrounds. "Beauty in ever direction. get a back country pass and head for one of the many trails or stay at one of the campgrounds in the area," advises Tammy G. about Red River Gorge Geological Area.
Lake recreation: Lago Linda Hideaway features a small lake ideal for summer swimming. "Since it was so warm, we took a dip in the lake. Our site was spacious and pretty, with plenty of room for our two tents and a hammock," shares Lena L. about her experience at this campground.
Campground terrain: Whittleton Campground at Natural Bridge State Resort Park offers a mix of site types. "Whittleton Sites are level, not huge, well kept. Good mix of shade and sun. Small creek runs behind camper and tent sites," reports Betsy H. However, some campers note the sites can be tight: "Campsites are tight! Had trouble backing in our 32' bumper pull."
Weather preparedness: Seasonal temperature variations affect camping comfort. "I slept in a truck tent and when it started to snow they offered to move me to a warmer spot just in case," notes Sarah H. about her spring camping experience at Lago Linda Hideaway.
Cell service limitations: Communication can be unreliable in the gorge area. "No cell nor wifi. But all in all a nice park with tons of trails and some awesome sights," mentions Gary P. about Middle Fork Campground. This limitation extends throughout most of the region, particularly in valley areas.
Tick awareness: During warmer months, ticks are present in the area. "I will say we found a few lone star ticks (dead thanks to her prevention) on our dog. Just as a heads up to campers. Always do your tick checks!" advises Lena L.
Playground access: Natural Bridge Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "The staff was amazing, little games available like badminton, and very clean!" reports Jacklyn A. Families can find entertainment options both at the campground and nearby attractions.
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. "We love to camp at Koomer Ridge when we decide not to primitive camp. The campground has a very nice set up along with some great trails!" shares Brittany P. Another camper notes, "Koomer ridge is a great campground if you don't want to hike to camp, it's kid and dog friendly!"
Educational opportunities: The surrounding area offers learning experiences for children. "Close to the Reptile Zoo which is a short walk away," mentions Hannah F. about Natural Bridge Campground, providing families with educational day trip options within walking distance of their campsites.
Weekend noise considerations: Family campers should be aware that weekends bring more activity and noise. "This campground has decent facilities and some shaded areas. The reason for my low rating is that it's 11:00 pm and someone is singing karaoke. I mean loud, amplified country music," reports Colleen M. about Natural Bridge Campground.
Site selection for larger vehicles: When reserving RV sites, space considerations are important. "Sites were level; some were paved, and some were gravel (riverfront sites tended to be gravel). Most are back-in, but the middle row has pull-thru sites, however, if you had a large RV with a toad, you would likely not have room for both in your site," advises Lee D. about Middle Fork Campground.
Hookup variations: Electric hookup options vary between campgrounds. "There are limited 30 amp sites and several sites with electric. Lazy Oaks and Piney are in the trees, Cardinal which is good for larger RVs is in the field, no shade," notes Shelly S. about camping at Lago Linda Hideaway.
Campground navigation: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger vehicles. "The road getting to the campsite is mostly one lane so is you are in an RV, go slow. The area for RV's is a little tight in the trees and probably won't accommodate an extremely large vehicle," warns Heather K.
Road noise considerations: Proximity to roads affects some campsites. "Only criticism is the proximity to the Mountain Parkway nearby; had we been tent camping, the traffic noise would have been a nuisance all night. But in the campervan it wasn't noticeable, fortunately!" notes Jeffrey A. about Koomer Ridge Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Slade, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Slade, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 83 campgrounds and RV parks near Slade, KY and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Slade, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Slade, KY is Koomer Ridge Campground — Daniel Boone National Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 48 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Slade, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Slade, KY.
What parks are near Slade, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 parks near Slade, KY that allow camping, notably Daniel Boone National Forest and Buckhorn Lake.
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