EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING
Free Camping in Kentucky
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
Free Camping Sites in Kentucky
PISGAH POINT CAMPING AREA
Overview Boat Gunnel Group Campground is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest on Cave Run Lake. Widely known for its scenic beauty and varied outdoor rec…
Basic Camping No Utilities, Boat Ramp
No Information
Rockcastle Campground is currently closed and most improvements have been removed.
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…
GILBERTS CREEK 2 (Camping Area)
GILBERTS CREEK 3 (Camping Area)
GILBERTS CREEK 7 (Camping Area)
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview Claylick Boat-in Campground is located on Cave Run Lake on the Cumberland District. It features 13 primitive campsites on Cave Run Lake. The campground…
Overview Craigs Creek Group Area is perched near Laurel River Lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Here, group campers find hours of fun playing on the spo…
Overview Grove Campground is perched on a forested ridge above Laurel River Lake in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest. The lake, fed by the Laurel River, …
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview Holly Bay, located two miles north of the Laurel River Dam, sits on the west side of Laurel River Lake. Visitors enjoy the campground for its proximity…
Overview Please review "Need to Know" for the campground and additional "Need to Know" information for individual sites. Clicking on the site link will provide …
Overview Click See More at the bottom of this overview and review the "Need to Know" section of the campground. At Maple Springs, visitors can enjoy the serenit…
Overview Nestled on the shores of Cave Run Lake, this camp is part of the larger Twin Knobs Recreation Area. There are more than 200 sites spread out over 10 lo…
Overview Zilpo, a large, fun-filled campground on Cave Run Lake, is a prime destination for families. The scenic campground offers a cabin rental, tent camping,…