Tent campsites near Union Star, Kentucky provide access to public land and private campgrounds across rolling forested terrain. The area sits at elevations between 450-750 feet with moderate humidity levels throughout camping season. Summer nighttime temperatures typically remain above 65°F, while spring and fall can drop to 40°F after sunset.
What to do
Kayaking on Blue River: Access the water at Old Mill Tent and Hammock Camping, which serves as an endpoint for river trips. "The campground is very secluded right off Blue River. A canoe/kayaking company actually ends one of their river trips there so during the day it could be a bit noisy when those groups come in," notes camper Sammii D.
Rock formation exploration: The tent camping area near Mitchell Creek Road offers geological features for hikers to discover. "There are rock outcroppings along this road, which follows Mitchell Creek and lots to explore on foot," writes Jaymi A. after visiting the area.
Quiet forest immersion: The dense woodlands at Happy Hollow Homestead provide natural noise isolation. One camper reported, "The forest is beautiful and we had no problems with ticks or mosquitoes while sleeping in our hammocks."
What campers like
Low-traffic wilderness: Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed offers genuinely secluded camping with minimal disturbance. According to Jaymi A., "While I was exploring and camping on this road, only two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours. VERY quiet."
Hammock-friendly sites: The Happy Hollow property features numerous sturdy trees ideal for hammock camping. A visitor named Jared W. mentioned, "We were all impressed with the land and how spaced out the camp sites were. The kids loved the tire swing and tree web."
River proximity: Riverside tent sites allow for immediate water access. Trisha A. describes Old Mill as having "Nice size site with fire ring and picnic table. Lots of trees- so great tree canopy and plenty of hammock... Great place to camp right off kayak."
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Cell service is unreliable throughout the region, particularly at dispersed sites. "Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty," advises Jaymi A. about the Mitchell Creek area.
Limited facilities: Most primitive sites require complete self-sufficiency. At Old Mill, Trisha A. cautions, "don't expect a shower. 2 port a pots, no running water except the river in front of you."
Vehicle size restrictions: The dispersed camping roads have significant limitations. "I did not see any pull offs that would accommodate an RV of any size, and nothing large enough to turn a trailer around," notes one camper about Mitchell Creek Road.
Access conditions: Some forest roads can be challenging in wet conditions. At Happy Hollow Homestead, one visitor mentioned, "We were nervous about bottoming in the dry creek bed on way to Walnut Grove area, but no problem."
Tips for camping with families
Web play structure: Children particularly enjoy unique recreation options at Happy Hollow. Heather K. describes, "The tree web is a giant net about 15 feet in the air. My boys loved climbing up and laying in the web. The tire swing was also fun for the kids."
Cave exploration: Newton-Stewart Recreation Area provides a good base camp for visiting nearby cave systems. The campground offers 45 primitive spots suitable for families seeking adventure.
Safety considerations: Some areas may feel isolated for families with young children. One camper noted about Mitchell Creek Road, "If you are solo female traveler don't even waste your time. After 5 min of driving on the very skinny gravel road y saw what it look like spots but Iam not sure really."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Small camper vans can access some sites that larger RVs cannot. At Happy Hollow, camper Marvin B. reported success with "20' Ford Transit ModVan. One bar with cell booster."
No hookup options: Springs Valley Recreation Area allows only tent camping with no services for RVs, but the surrounding area offers day-use opportunities. "The campground is closed for overnight camping, but this is still a beautiful lake for hiking, fishing, and my favorite, kayaking. Electric motors only, so nice and quiet."
Forest road clearance: Forest service roads require high-clearance vehicles in many cases. At Mitchell Creek Road, Phil L. notes, "There are just a couple of sites along the road. One is at the trail crossing for horses, hikers, and bikers. Its basically a make your own campsite."
