Best Dispersed Camping near Stearns, KY

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Stearns, KY is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Stearns, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Stearns, Kentucky (5)

    1. Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    2 Reviews
    Stearns, KY
    7 miles
    Website

    "Visited here in the middle of January with all the snow and I was hot tent camping."

    "Dispersed camping.   We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening."

    2. Redbird Boat Ramp

    3 Reviews
    Williamsburg, KY
    15 miles

    "No amenities. The sky was beautiful. Would go again. About ten miles off 75. We were there in Sept 2025"

    3. Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1

    1 Review
    Jellico, KY
    14 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. Swain Ridge

    2 Reviews
    Parkers Lake, KY
    15 miles

    "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."

    5. Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    5 Reviews
    Lancing, TN
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 456-2479

    "Solid location for a night or a whole weekend. There are several porta potties available and the sites are spacious. This camp is perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles."

    "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."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Stearns, KY

16 Reviews of 5 Stearns Campgrounds


  • Amin A.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Robert W.The Dyrt PRO User
    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!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Karli P.The Dyrt PRO User
    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 💚

  • Matthew H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2025

    Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    Great Spot

    Visited here in the middle of January with all the snow and I was hot tent camping. You can only set up your tent on the designated tent pad, luckily we had heavy duty stakes that could get through the ground. The entire river was frozen over and ponds were frozen too. There were a few cars that drove through the middle of the night but no issues. We left our site unattended for hours to check out the streams and rivers and nothing was missing. Lots of beer bottles left over and shattered so I have to pick up the trash before letting my dog out. There are more sites down the gravel road but we went with the first one we came to.

  • Tripp A.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Nicholas The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    Great for water sports!

    Solid location for a night or a whole weekend. There are several porta potties available and the sites are spacious. This camp is perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles. Only word of caution is that the ground can get a bit muddy, so try to find something dry.

  • Michael W.
    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

  • Pam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.


Guide to Stearns

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Stearns, Kentucky, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of options available, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a unique camping experience away from the crowds.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Stearns, Kentucky

  • Always check for local regulations before setting up camp, as some areas may have restrictions. For instance, Swain Ridge has specific rules about where you can camp to avoid fines.
  • Bring your own water and supplies, as many dispersed sites, like Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road, do not offer drinking water or restroom facilities.
  • Be prepared for wildlife encounters; sites such as Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1 provide a serene environment where you might spot various animals.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Stearns

Natural Attractions for Dispersed Campers

  • Experience the tranquility of the outdoors at Swain Ridge, where you can enjoy a quiet pasture setting surrounded by nature.
  • Discover the beauty of Rock Creek while camping at Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road, which offers a picturesque backdrop for your camping adventures.
  • Visit Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA) for a chance to see diverse wildlife and enjoy the sounds of nature, making it a great spot for nature lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Stearns, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Stearns, KY is Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Stearns, KY?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Stearns, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.