Kingdom Come State Park offers primitive camping with 7 tent sites near Whitesburg, Kentucky. Each site includes a gravel drive, mulch tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table. The campground sits at 2,700 feet elevation in the Appalachian Mountains, with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails: Kingdom Come State Park has multiple interconnected trails including the Raven Rock trail with dramatic views. "Our favorite is the Raven Rock trail which leads to a 450 foot 40 degree angle granite rock facing that you can climb to get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains," says a camper at Kingdom Come State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Buckhorn Lake offers accessible fishing from multiple locations including right near campsites. "Our site backed up to the creek and a nice little levee for fishing. You could also go up back the park and fish right at the spillway from Buckhorn Lake Dam. Really fun experience," reports a visitor at Buckhorn Dam Campground.
Water activities: Beyond glamping near Whitesburg, Kentucky, visitors can enjoy Buckhorn Lake State Park's water recreation. "There is a small lake which is regularly stocked with Trout, Bass, Blue Gill, Sunfish, and a few others. It's just a short walk from the campsites," notes a Kingdom Come visitor.
What campers like
Peaceful environment: The quiet atmosphere at Kingdom Come State Park provides a serene camping experience. "I've camped there twice and only saw one other camper. It is very quiet and remote. The views from the outlooks at the top of the road are amazing," shares a reviewer at Kingdom Come State Park.
Bear sightings: Wildlife viewing adds excitement to your glamping experience in Eastern Kentucky. "We saw a bear across the valley, so take the warnings seriously and follow the instructions," advises a camper at Kingdom Come State Park. Another mentions, "I saw more bears while at this park then any other time. But it was never scary because they were always far away."
Helpful rangers: Natural Tunnel State Park Yurts staff receive consistent praise from visitors. "Easy to walk to trails and a nice little gift shop available + helpful rangers!" writes one yurt camper. At Kingdom Come, a ranger "was most helpful in providing firewood (free!) and offering to bring us water to wash up with or for drinking."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is non-existent in some areas near Whitesburg. "Great area, no service or wifi," notes a Kingdom Come visitor. Another camper at Leeman Field Park mentions the campground "is quiet and feels very safe. Nestled nicely in the hills in the Pennington gap."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds near Whitesburg have difficult approach roads. "The road in from Cumberland is STEEP! We made it in a mini van pulling a scamp, so you'll probably be fine," reports a Kingdom Come visitor. Another camper warns about access to Trace Branch: "DO NOT TAKE 'PLEASANT VALLEY RD' into the campgrounds! That road takes you on a single lane road and if you meet another vehicle, someone will have to backup."
Summer heat in yurts: The canvas structures can get extremely hot during warm months. "Once we walked inside the yurt, it was like walking into an oven. The temperature had to be somewhere around 110 degrees inside," reports a visitor at Natural Tunnel State Park, noting: "There is no way we could have stayed in the yurt without the fan, so if you decide to stay in a yurt during the summer, make sure to take extension cords and at least one fan."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground offers excellent recreation facilities. "The kids loved riding their bikes and scooters on the paved road through the park. My son and I enjoyed a round of disk golf while my wife and daughters made use of their awesome playground," shares a camper.
Food storage precautions: Bear-proof containers are provided but require diligence. "We were really careful to keep our campsite very clean as to not attract the bears closer," explains a Kingdom Come camper. Sites at Kingdom Come include "pole for stashing your food away from bears."
Educational opportunities: Natural history programs enhance glamping trips near Whitesburg for children. A visitor at Warriors' Path notes, "They have a full docket of activities, ranger-led hikes, games, crafts and wildlife lectures offered throughout the day."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require equipment for leveling. "There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks," advises a camper at Warriors' Path State Park. "We lucked out in the B loop, as a small trail took us to see the northern lights one evening."
Hookup positioning: Breaks Interstate Park Campground offers full hookups but has some unusual configurations. "Campsites are set up where the water hookups at in front of your camper. Bring long water hose," advises a visitor to Jenny Wiley State Park, which has a similar setup to several parks in the region.
Supply planning: Remote locations require bringing all necessities. "Be sure to bring all necessary supplies BEFORE you get here, nearest stores are a 20 minute drive away on crooked mountain roads," notes a Breaks Interstate Park visitor.
