Best Dispersed Camping near Stearns, KY

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Stearns

14 Reviews of 5 Stearns Campgrounds

• 

  Pam B.

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  Pam B.

  Guide

  

  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.

• A

  A D.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 7, 2024

  Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

  CLOSED.

  I rode all the way over here from Greeneville to check out the area in order to bring a group of friends camping next weekend.

  BUT the entire campground is closed. When I pulled up to the iron gate and saw the sign, it read "CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO VANDALISM AND UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITY"

• 

  Tripp A.

  Scout

  

  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.

• 

  JC J.

  Scout

  

  May. 19, 2024

  Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

  Pretty sweet

  Great location. Not crowded. But could use a cleaning. PortaJons are nasty.

• h

  hannah P.

  Guide

  

  May. 13, 2024

  Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

  Not too shabby for the south

  Lots of lil cozy pull offs on an easy gravel road. Lots of longer term people staying it seemed like (or just really full send camping friends lol). Many fire rings and spots by the lake. Unfortunately the other reviews are right - A decent amount of trash. There are trash cans and porta potties. I’ve seen worse porta potties at festivals but there were a few stinky ones.

• 

  Robert W.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 14, 2023

  Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

  Nice Little Getaway

  The GPS coordinates will get you directly to where you want to go there's probably about 10 to 15 campsites there was trash on a few of them. Overall it was a nice place to just go and get away. It is a hunter's Camp first and foremost so there were quite a few people setting up for this week's opening day but the ones I did talk to were all friendly even went and had a couple beers with one of them.

  My dog snd I stayed for 2 nights and 2 days. Lots of wildlife sounds at night.

  Also a random heard of cattle strols through every now and again.

  I'd definitely come back around this time of year!

• 

  Amin A.

  Traveler

  

  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.

• 

  Karli P.

  Traveler

  

  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 💚

• J

  Jacob M.

  Scout

  

  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.

• 

  Sierra E.

  Traveler

  

  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!

• 

  Michael W.

  Legend

  

  May. 21, 2023

  Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

  Primitive at its best

  Didn’t stay. To far out for me. Lots of knats. Dirt rd I , washboard out was north to Rock Creek campground steep downhill grade narrow. My opinion not for 5th wheel. No cell for miles

• 

  Rachel G.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 10, 2022

  Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

  Jammed packed with hunters

  I’d like to say this spot is beautiful, but I’ve seen better. Rifle season starts Nov 20. I’m 10 days early, and was a bit surprised just how many hunters are already here. I feel like I’m the only solo woman here, also seem to be the only Van lifer. Lots of RVs. The camp was pretty easy to find. There are fire pits, mine is full of garbage. The spots are pretty spacious but there’s no privacy. I won’t be staying here long.

• 

  John B.

  Guide

  

  May. 15, 2022

  Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

  Great Dispersed Primitive camping

  This area is beautiful almost all times of the year! Plenty of wildlife and lots of shady areas. Alcohol is allowed in designated camping areas. Only saw one other camper on our trip this weekend so it was very peaceful. There was no accessible water near by so make sure you bring your own provisions. Haven’t got to explore much around the area by hiking. Found a nice creek a few miles on down the road. Other then that, great area and will most definitely be back soon!