Best Campgrounds near Denniston, KY

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Denniston, KY is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Denniston. Find the best campgrounds near Denniston, KY. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Denniston, Kentucky (79)

    1. Koomer Ridge Campground — Daniel Boone National Forest

    47 Reviews
    Pine Ridge, KY
    10 miles
    +1 (606) 663-8100

    $24 - $36 / night

    "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)."

    2. Zilpo Campground

    49 Reviews
    Salt Lick, KY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 768-2722

    $28 - $94 / night

    "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."

    3. Twin Knobs Recreation Area

    42 Reviews
    Salt Lick, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 780-7818

    $31 - $128 / night

    "Stayed here for one night on a road trip to the Great Lakes. It’s basically in the middle of nowhere but nestled nicely on a lake with pretty water and nice scenery."

    "It is close to the water. We left our boats down on the bank. You have a "private" restroom and shower house. Occasionally you will get a hiker or someone coming through the trails that will use it."

    4. Middle Fork Campground — Natural Bridge State Resort Park

    42 Reviews
    Slade, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 663-2214

    $23 - $35 / night

    "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)"

    5. Red River Gorge Campground

    22 Reviews
    Slade, KY
    11 miles

    $10 / night

    "Getting away from the busy life and into backcountry is like stepping into God's country. Don't have to worry about nothing and every day is a new adventure."

    "The Tarr Ridge parking area is located on highway 77 on Tarr ridge rd in the red river gorge."

    6. Whittleton Campground — Natural Bridge State Resort Park

    20 Reviews
    Slade, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 663-2214

    $23 - $35 / night

    "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."

    7. Red River Gorge Retreats (Miguel's Pizza)

    19 Reviews
    Slade, KY
    12 miles
    Website

    $14 / 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."

    8. Clear Creek Rec Area

    9 Reviews
    Daniel Boone National Forest, KY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 768-2722

    "We couldn't have asked for a better place to end this portion of our kentucky adventures This camp ground is pretty basic and lovely."

    "We stayed in spot 17 which had its own access to a smaller creek. You can take a short walk up the small creek to get to Clear creek. Spots deep enough for swimming. Our dogs loved this place."

    9. Callie’s Lake and Campground

    18 Reviews
    Stanton, KY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (859) 559-2554

    $10 - $40 / night

    "There are many campsites of multiple types available, but there are several primitive sites that still feel secluded and surrounded by trees."

    "This was a nice campground near the red river gorge. My friends and I stayed at a primitive campsite # 10."

    10. Natural Bridge Campground

    12 Reviews
    Slade, KY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 663-9352

    $20 - $40 / night

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Denniston, KY

606 Reviews of 79 Denniston Campgrounds


  • Andy M.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    S-Tree Campground

    Great camping spot for Off-Road enthusiasts!

    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. The park will begin implementation of fees as soon as the loop is completed. There are several sets of vault toilets, but no running water nor trash pickup, even though they have built a pad for a dumpster.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Oh! Kentucky RV Park & Campground

    Nice camp ground

    It’s well maintained and the staff are friendly. It’s easy to get to and set up. The sites are a bit too close together. And not perfectly level.

  • S
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Sandy Springs Campground

    Beautiful Campground

    We spent about five months there this past winter. The campground is beautiful and the owners are amazing. The bathrooms and laundry room are very clean. The surrounding area seeps in history and we enjoyed exploring the area.

    The owners, Julie and Darcy, are very friendly, kind and helpful people.

    Don’t forget to say hello to Lulu and Tater.

  • Paul K.
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Twin Knobs Recreation Area

    Fantastic.

    We stayed in one of the "premium" sites, right on the water F19. The view was incredible. The campground was quiet and the facilities clean. Perfect spot.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Turkey Foot Campground

    Good free camping

    This place takes winding back smaller roads to get there, but is very quiet and beautiful! We fit with our 21 foot camper and truck. Large spots, river alongside campground. Sad to see people left a lot of trash. Free is free!

  • Cynthia K.
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Grayson Lake State Park Campground

    Very Nice State Park!

    Grayson Lake State Park- East Kentucky. So, we had reservations for Carter Caves, but they canceled on me due to redoing the campground. I was fortunate to find a site at Grayson Lake for Wednesday & Thursday night. 

    This is a very nice campground at a small state park roughly 10 miles from Carter Caves. Most of it is campground & golf course, with 2 trails.

     Grayson Lake has 71 sites with water& electric. There's a dump station. There's 2 playgrounds. 2 bathhouses. They are on the high side of state park clean. I didn't see any spider webs or bugs.

     The area was meticulously mowed & clean- no trash at the site or fire pit. The staff at check were friendly & helpful. 

    We were at site 19 close to the bathhouse. A nice site, but that row had full sun. There were many nice sites, but many had a serious incline. Stay away from site 39 - that has a good view of the wastewater treatment plant!

    Grayson Lake is part of a larger area managed by the US Army Corp of Engineers. There's a lot of boating & fishing. We had a good time & if in the area would stay again!

  • Kim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Paintsville Lake State Park Campground

    My Eastern KY Fav!

    This campground is just as I'd hoped--small, clean, and peaceful. The sites are spacious and level. The surrounding hills and lake are gorgeous.

    The campground has many full hookup sites. I checked out the bath house: it's the cleanest I've ever seen! Laundry facilities are available. There is a playground for children.

    Lots of boating and fishing occurred.

    Both the staff and the other campers were friendly and considerate. Quiet hours were observed.

    We've already made reservations for next season!

  • Jacklyn A.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2025

    Natural Bridge Campground

    Wonderful All Around

    The staff was amazing, little games available like badminton, and very clean!


Guide to Denniston

Camping near Denniston, Kentucky, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Kayaking and Fishing: Many campers enjoy the water activities available at Zilpo Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "This campground is perfect for kayaking and fishing. Some of the campsites have private beaches."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Koomer Ridge Campground. A visitor shared, "There are several trails that start from the campground. The area is absolutely stunning."
  • Rock Climbing: If you're into climbing, the Red River Gorge Campground is a great spot. One camper noted, "Well traveled trails easily followed. Clean campground. Very scenic as one would expect."

What campers like

  • Privacy and Space: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Koomer Ridge Campground. A reviewer said, "The campground is very well maintained. Some sites have stairs in order to reach the tent pads."
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the cleanliness of the facilities at Twin Knobs Recreation Area. One visitor remarked, "Bath houses/restrooms were very clean and nice."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A review for Middle Fork Campground stated, "The camp staff was super helpful and offered to rearrange a few sites that were open."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Koomer Ridge Campground, do not have electric hookups. A camper noted, "No hookups and super shady so solar is difficult."
  • Noise Levels: Campers at Middle Fork Campground have mentioned noise from nearby roads. One review said, "Biggest downside is the noise from the big trucks going up and down the hill on the highway."
  • Site Sizes Vary: At Grayson Lake State Park Campground, some sites can be cramped. A visitor shared, "We were supposed to spend the night, but after arriving and seeing how small and cramped all the campsites were we decided to forfeit our reservation."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites like Twin Knobs Recreation Area. A camper mentioned, "Good level spots. Quiet the first week of April."
  • Activities for Kids: Many campgrounds offer activities for children. One reviewer at Callie’s Lake and Campground said, "Great people, helpful and nice. Karaoke on Saturday nights (mostly kids)."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A visitor at Zilpo Campground noted, "Campsites have more privacy and are more primitive."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure to choose a level site, especially at places like Grayson Lake State Park Campground. A camper mentioned, "Many spots slant down and cannot level."
  • Plan for Limited Hookups: If you're staying at Koomer Ridge Campground, be prepared for no electric hookups. One reviewer said, "A lot of sites are too slanted for a van or RV."
  • Use a Good GPS: Some campgrounds can be tricky to find. A visitor at Red River Gorge Campground advised, "Just type it in your GPS system and it will take you straight there!"

Camping near Denniston, Kentucky, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Denniston, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Denniston, KY offers a wide range of camping options, with 79 campgrounds and RV parks near Denniston, KY and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Denniston, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Denniston, KY is Koomer Ridge Campground — Daniel Boone National Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 47 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Denniston, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Denniston, KY.

What parks are near Denniston, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Denniston, KY that allow camping, notably Daniel Boone National Forest and Grayson Lake.