EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING

Free Camping in Kentucky

9 No-Fee Sites 1 with Restroom 5 with Water

Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest allows dispersed camping in the Red River Gorge and the Big South Fork areas. The Clifty Wilderness and the Beaver Creek Wilderness have backcountry camping. The Natural Bridge area is the most visited — dispersed camping is available on national forest land outside the state resort park boundary.

No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →

Before You Go

Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water

💧
Water Filter
Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn — essential when no water provided
🏕️
Leave No Trace Kit
WAG bags + trowel for sites without restrooms
🗺️
Offline GPS
Cell service is rare at dispersed sites
🐻
Bear Canister
Required in many dispersed zones in bear country

Free Camping Sites in Kentucky

PISGAH POINT BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING
Restroom Water 140 sites

PISGAH POINT CAMPING AREA

📍 36.9369, 88.1677°W
JONES CREEK CAMPGROUND
Water 128 sites

Basic Camping No Utilities, Boat Ramp

📍 36.6811, 88.0521°W
LAUREL FORK PRIMITIVE CAMP
Water 15 sites

No Information

📍 37.1239, 82.6503°W
ROCKCASTLE CAMPGROUND - INACTIVE
Water 150 sites

Rockcastle Campground is currently closed and most improvements have been removed.

📍 36.9624, 84.3479°W
TRACE BRANCH CAMPING AREA
Water 10 sites

Trace Branch is a small, dispersed campsite with limited development off Rock Creek Road in McCreary County. The campsite is along Rock Creek, a Kentucky Wild R…

📍 36.6736, 84.5963°W
GILBERTS CREEK 2
5 sites

GILBERTS CREEK 2 (Camping Area)

📍 37.1041, 83.4973°W
GILBERTS CREEK 3
5 sites

GILBERTS CREEK 3 (Camping Area)

📍 37.1043, 83.4958°W
GILBERTS CREEK 7
10 sites

GILBERTS CREEK 7 (Camping Area)

📍 37.1122, 83.4753°W
SUGAR CREEK 3
15 sites
📍 37.1233, 83.5029°W