Best Dispersed Camping near Staffordsville, KY
Paragon Dispersed Camping Area provides free camping options in the Daniel Boone National Forest near Staffordsville, Kentucky. Located approximately 45 miles northwest of Staffordsville in Clearfield, this primitive camping area sits along Cave Run Lake and features basic sites with minimal amenities. The Paul Van Booven Wildlife Management Area offers another potential dispersed camping location about 25 miles southeast of Staffordsville, though specific camping regulations for this site appear limited in available information.
Access to Paragon requires careful planning as road conditions can vary seasonally. The area has pit toilets but no drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own water treatment supplies. Fires are permitted in existing fire rings, though not all sites have established rings. No reservations are accepted and the limited number of sites (approximately seven) fill quickly during peak seasons. Some visitors have reported occasional access issues, with one noting a gate blocking the road in June 2019. The area permits both tent camping and walk-in access.
The natural setting along Cave Run Lake attracts anglers and paddlers seeking free lakeside camping. "We found a spot right on the lake. Our first morning a heron was fishing less than 100 feet from us. We saw woodpeckers, hawks and several other birds," according to one visitor's experience. Wildlife viewing opportunities appear common, though site conditions vary. Multiple reviewers mention trash problems, with one noting they "spent a good hour cleaning up the area" after arriving. Campsites are relatively close together, offering limited privacy. The camping area experiences varying levels of activity, with some visitors reporting consistent traffic through the night, particularly on weekends and holidays. Bringing supplies for trash removal is highly recommended as there are no dumpsters or trash collection services.
