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Best Campgrounds near Middlesboro, KY

647 Reviews

The camping landscape around Middlesboro, Kentucky spans across three states with multiple established campgrounds in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Wilderness Road Campground in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park offers both tent and RV sites with electric hookups in a forested setting. Pine Mountain State Resort Park, located about 15 miles north of Middlesboro, provides RV camping with electric, water, and sewer hookups. Mountain Pass Campground in nearby Harrogate, Tennessee accommodates both tent and RV campers with amenities including showers, toilets, and electric hookups. Most campgrounds in the region feature mixed-use sites suitable for different camping styles, though some like Chuck Swan State Forest in Tennessee cater specifically to tent campers seeking more primitive experiences.

"I was very lucky to find this spot near the Great Smoky Mountains. It was October, cool and fine," noted one visitor about camping in the region. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with many campgrounds remaining open year-round. Wilderness Road Campground visitors report comfortable temperatures ranging from the 60s to upper 30s during spring, while fall brings colorful foliage and cooler nights. Several campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak summer months. Cell service varies by location and carrier, with Verizon reported as reliable at Wilderness Road Campground. Road access to some sites can be challenging, as one camper warned about Pleasant Valley Road leading to Trace Branch Campground: "DO NOT TAKE 'PLEASANT VALLEY RD' into the campgrounds! That road takes you on a single lane road... The road is extremely washed out and huge chunks are gone. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!"

Campers frequently mention the region's natural beauty and recreational opportunities. The area features numerous hiking trails, with Cumberland Gap National Historic Park offering extensive trail networks including access to the Appalachian Trail. According to one visitor, "If you like trees, hills, streams, falls, historical markers, old cabins and history, plus not much use of modern technology when you camp then you will thoroughly enjoy" the region. Water recreation is available at several locations, including Norris Lake and Laurel Lake. Campground noise levels vary, with sites closer to highways experiencing more road noise. Many campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathrooms with showers, though more remote locations offer fewer facilities. Wildlife sightings are common, with some areas known for bear activity.

Map showing campgrounds near Middlesboro, KentuckyExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Middlesboro, Kentucky (148)

    1. Wilderness Road Campground

    16 Reviews
    Shawanee, VA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 248-2817

    $18 - $39 / night

    "Wilderness Road Cumberland Gap : (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good 70 yr olds in 17’ trailer: Overall Rating: 4 Price: $24 w electricity $18 w/o Usage during visit: low Site Privacy: 2 to 4 depending on location"

    "Located in the Cumberland Gap where TN, VA and Ky touch borders. Very beautiful mountains with hiking trails ftom short distances to overnight primitive camping trials."

    2. Pine Mountain State Resort Park

    7 Reviews
    Pineville, KY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 337-3066

    "Pine Mountain State Resort Park offers some really cool trails and is Kentucky first state park. Pretty rustic and clean cabins."

    "The trails are very challenging , but the view is totally worth it. Very primitive , rocky trail. Walking sticks would be a bonus and carry water a snacks with you to keep your energy up."

    3. Mountain Pass Campground

    5 Reviews
    Shawanee, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 992-5925

    4. Indian Mountain State Park Campground — Indian Mountain State Park

    22 Reviews
    Jellico, TN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 566-5870

    $33 - $37 / night

    "Large walking path and places for your dog to exercise. Loved watching the ducks swim near our campsite"

    "Full hookups and close to I-75. Well kept with clean bath house. Paddle boats and walking trails."

    5. Big Ridge State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Maynardville, TN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 992-5523

    $8 - $100 / night

    "I’ve stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail."

    "Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc."

    6. Loyston Point Campground

    18 Reviews
    Andersonville, TN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 494-9369

    "Stayed at a premium lakeshore site on Norris Lake. Advertised as a pull through, but that must be for travel trailers, as I have an RV."

    "Steps from biking. We stayed at a site right on the water. Not super private but the area and activities make up for the lack of privacy."

    7. Chuck Swan State Forest

    4 Reviews
    Maynardville, TN
    19 miles
    Website

    "The coordinates on here will lead you to the middle of the road, however, if you keep driving, right before you hit the state park, you will see a campground to your left that is free free free."

    "Lots to explore here, beaches, hi clearance roads(Jeep roads), caves, old cemeteries, rocks to jump off into the lake,and an old fire tower you can climb for what I would expect is a great view."

    8. Cedar Grove Marina & Campground

    1 Review
    Maynardville, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 278-3131

    9. West Campground — Norris Dam State Park

    29 Reviews
    Lake City, TN
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 425-4500

    "We stayed at the main area but not much space or privacy so we put up a tent out side our door, but then moved to the tent camping site area the second night which was more secluded and private, but still"

    "No sewer hook up for our site but has dump station closeby. We have a 44ft pull behind so the roads getting here were a bit nerve racking but doable. Just be prepared to go slow and hit steep grades."

    10. Ridgeline Campground — Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

    38 Reviews
    Parkers Lake, KY
    38 miles
    +1 (606) 309-4808

    $26 - $34 / night

    "Sadly, there is a massive amount of trash at the bottom (as you can see in the pictures posted here) which takes away from the natural appearance of the falls."

    "It’s has many (12) trails and many falls. Would definitely recommend shopping before camping, it’s several miles, and mountains, to get to stores."

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Recent Camping Photos near Middlesboro, KY

234 Photos of 148 Middlesboro Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Middlesboro, KY

647 Reviews of 148 Middlesboro Campgrounds

  • Kody Bear A.
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Redbird Boat Ramp

    It's nice and private

    Nothing special there is a boat ramp. Plenty of space for a couple RVs. No amenities. The sky was beautiful. Would go again. About ten miles off 75. We were there in Sept 2025

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    East Campground - Norris Dam State Park

    Nice park but road is not that friendly

    Google maps and the website will tell you to take the 441 to get here but I recommend going down to the 61 and coming up that way as the road is quite a bit wider and not so steep and windy. The last mile or so into the campground is a pretty narrow road that when we were here was in bad shape with potholes. Note that some of the campsites have only 30 amp and some of the campsites have only 50 amp so when making a reservation don’t assume that a 50 amp campsite will also have 30 amp. They all did appear to 20 amp. There is a dump station available and a fairly nice bathroom and showers. Most of the spaces are fairly level and fairly easy to get into. 1-3 were quite short. Recommend popping down to the Clinch River Brewery for a beverage and possibly dinner. Also the Appalachian museum in Norris was pretty fascinating.

  • e
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Wilderness Road Campground

    Nice National Park Campground

    Pretty park. Sites are wooded and not too close together. Most sites need leveling blocks. The bath house is small. 2 stalls and sinks in the bathroom . 2 individual shower rooms. There appeared to be only 2 bathrooms/bath houses for the entire campground. Water pump at bathroom area. No dish washing station. Some sites had electricity, but not all of them. There are lots of hiking trails and a great visitor center. I hope to go back when I can spend more time in the park. Three star rating mainly due to the inadequate number of showers/bathrooms.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Panther Creek State Park Campground

    Panther creek camping

    I had a very cute camp spot up in the woods away from the road it was number 50 it was so cute and quieter than the rest of the spots. It also had two fire pits one up by the tent area and one down by the picnic table

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Big Ridge State Park Campground

    Big level site

    Site 43. Big site. fairly flat. Just have levelers on one side. Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc. Roads are a little narrow in the campground, made it a little hard to back trailer in- the front of the truck was the issue hitting rocks on the side of the road.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    3 Stars, because no Camp Host, No staffing, Elec Had Reverse Polarity

    Want to give this 5 stars, because it was an awesome base for exploring Big South Fork. However, it is not staffed with a Camp Host, nor is there anyone at the entrance shack. My electrical post at Site 001 showed reverse polarity, so I had to move to site 004. 

    Don't let that discourage you. Great campground.

  • K
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Cumberland Falls RV Resort

    WOW!! A Hidden Gem for RV Enthusiasts!

    My son and I recently had the pleasure of staying at this brand new RV park, and I can’t say enough good things about it! Just opening in July 2025, Every site comes with full hookups, making it super convenient for all your RV needs. The entire park is laid out with beautiful asphalt, which not only looks great but also provides a smooth surface for parking.

    What truly sets this place apart are the owners. They were on-site and incredibly welcoming, helping us get settled into our site with ease. We even received a delightful goodie bag as a thank-you for choosing to stay there! 🥰 It was such a thoughtful touch that made our experience even more special.

    We were lucky enough to be the first guests in our site, and I can confidently say it won’t be our last visit. We’re already planning to return this fall! We’re so glad we missed the state park and stumbled upon this little gem 💎. If you’re looking for a fantastic RV park with amazing hospitality, look no further!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Clinch River Family Campground

    Be prepared for 7 mile drive from main road

    We chose this campground because it was close to Natural Tunnel and Devils Fork trail (30-45 min). Both of these are worth doing if you are in the area. We chose to only hike to Devils bathtub (about 2 miles one way). It was exceptional but difficult.

    Most of the final road to campground is paved with exception of last mile, its wide enough but slow going. You will lose cellular pretty quickly when you turn on that road.

    Campground is well maintained, lots of playground equipment for kids and a launch for tubes/kayaks. At main road there is a public launch if you want to put in there and then float to campground.

    No laundry. Bathhouse is just ok, dated but functional.

    Owners are nice, and communicate quickly by email or phone. We had issue with the site we reserved and just moved over one site when setting up late and in the rain…told owner next day and it was no problem.

Guide to Middlesboro

The camping areas surrounding Middlesboro, Kentucky span across the Cumberland Mountains with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 3,500 feet. This tri-state region offers diverse terrain for campers with the Cumberland Gap providing historic pathways through Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing while summer brings humid conditions with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F.

What to do

Hiking to Cumberland Gap: Follow trails at Wilderness Road State Park where you can reach the historic gap. "Located in the Cumberland Gap where TN, VA and Ky touch borders. Very beautiful mountains with hiking trails from short distances to overnight primitive camping trials," notes Linda S. from Wilderness Road Campground.

Kayaking on Powell River: The Powell River near Mountain Pass Campground offers water recreation options for paddlers. "Kayaking the Powell River was a joy," shares Ellen S. who adds that the campground is "beautiful and well kept, everyone was so very friendly."

Exploring historical sites: Visit Chained Rock at Pine Mountain State Resort Park, a unique geological feature with local significance. "One really cool feature is Chained Rock which is a giant bolder that is tethered to the mountain to protect the small town below in case it falls," explains Kyle S.

What campers like

Privacy in wilderness settings: Chuck Swan State Forest provides secluded camping experiences. "If you like primitive camping out in the middle of nowhere with a view, this is a place for you!" explains Shelly S. about Chuck Swan State Forest, adding "if you like the night sky and quiet, alone time, this place is perfect."

Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained bathhouses at various campgrounds. "Bathhouses were above average - large family rest rooms with private showers made this a plus for families with small kids," reports Michael R. about Ridgeline Campground.

Waterfront access: Sites along Norris Lake at Loyston Point Campground offer direct water access. "We were right on the lake and the grounds were very clean. The staff was so nice and always around to help if needed," mentions Casey S., highlighting the appeal of lakeside camping near Middlesboro.

What you should know

Campsite leveling challenges: Many campsites in the region require leveling equipment. "The only downside is the horrifically unleveled sites," notes Michelle S. about Loyston Point Campground, though she adds that "the view from our site was spectacular and the staff was very helpful."

Seasonal considerations: Winter camping is available but with limited amenities. "Only a few campers this time of the year. Only 1 bathhouse open," reports Shawn L. about winter stays at Wilderness Road State Park.

Site selection matters: At Ridgeline Campground, site quality varies significantly. "Stayed in Site 19 - by far the most private site. 19 is actually a double site - two tent pads, two tables. Site is surrounded by forest on three sides," explains Michael R., adding "the rest of the sites are packed extremely close together."

Tips for camping with families

Activity planning: State parks offer structured activities for children. "Staff was great - lots of activities for the kids to do through the State Park - Archery (free), Swimming Pool (free), and more free activities, horseback riding ($20pp)," notes Michael R. about Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.

Campground layouts: Consider how sites are arranged when camping with children. At Indian Mountain State Park, one camper noted: "Super fun little state park. It was very busy and kids everywhere. The spaces had some shade but not everywhere. We were next to the old playground but the new one was very nice."

Shallow swimming areas: Look for swimming spots suitable for children. Andy S. describes The Forks of the River picnic area at Chuck Swan State Forest: "This spot was absolutely gorgeous and secluded aside from the occasional boat passing by. There is a nice rocky/sandy beach to play in and it stays shallow for a ways out so it would probably be nice for the kids."

Tips from RVers

Site length restrictions: Many campgrounds have limitations on RV length. At Big Ridge State Park, one reviewer cautions: "This campground is good only for small campers (20ft or smaller). The spots are uneven and many backup to a large hill."

Hookup positioning: Utilities at some campsites may require extensions. Crystal H. notes about her Cumberland Falls experience: "If we were to go again, we would pull straight into the site (this would have put our slide towards the road)," while another camper mentions "Make sure to bring an extension cord if you want to use power. The hookups are too far away."

Big rig access: Several campgrounds near Middlesboro accommodate larger RVs. One visitor to Mountain Pass Campground, which is listed as big-rig friendly, described it as "a beautiful and peaceful campground! The owners are great and accommodating! They keep the grounds and sites very clean!"

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available near Middlesboro, KY?

Several excellent campgrounds surround Middlesboro, KY. Wilderness Road - Cumberland Gap National Historic Park offers both electric ($24) and non-electric sites ($18, half price for seniors) with clean facilities and hiking trails. Just a short drive away, Kingdom Come State Park Campground provides primitive tent camping with 6-7 sites, each featuring gravel drives, mulch tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Other options within driving distance include Blue Heron Campground in Big South Fork and Indian Mountain State Park across the Tennessee border.

Where can I find tent camping options around Middlesboro?

Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area offers excellent tent camping on the Kentucky side of Big South Fork with private sites featuring picnic tables and fire pits. Many sites include spacious grassy areas perfect for tent setup. Another great option is Indian Mountain State Park Campground, which provides peaceful tent sites with full hookups at affordable rates. The park features walking trails, fishing opportunities, and paddle boat rentals. Both locations are within reasonable driving distance from Middlesboro and offer clean facilities for tent campers.

What amenities do Middlesboro area campgrounds typically offer?

Campgrounds near Middlesboro typically provide essential amenities for comfortable stays. Panther Creek State Park Campground offers recreational activities including hiking trails and water access, while maintaining clean facilities. Clinton-Knoxville North KOA provides full hookups with friendly staff who guide you to your site. Most area campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire rings, and clean bathhouses with toilet and shower facilities. Electrical hookups are available at select sites (typically $20-25/night), while primitive sites cost less. Some parks also offer additional amenities like shelter houses, fishing areas, and hiking trails. Cell service varies by location.

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