14 Best Places to go Camping in Kentucky

Camping is a fantastic way to spend time outdoors with family and friends. It’s also a great way to get some much-needed fresh air and exercise, especially in urban areas. With so many beautiful camping areas throughout Kentucky, it can be challenging to find the best places to go camping in Kentucky. However, if you know a little about where you’re camping, research before your trip.

14 Best Places to go Camping in Kentucky

1: Wildcat Creek State Park, Bedford

Wildcat Creek State Park along the banks of Wildcat Creek, Kentucky’s largest natural river. There are many opportunities on the beautiful wooded park property. You can go fishing, canoeing, or kayaking on the creek and nearby ponds. Wildcat Creek State Park is great for you if you’re looking for a great place to go camping in Kentucky and want access to water (but just a short distance from town).

Fee for the use of park facilities: $5 for car, $10 for RV. Permits are required for fishing and paddling on state park waters. It requires reservations for canoe or kayak rentals. It is open from mid-March through mid-December.

2: Otter Creek Park, Lawrenceburg

Camping in Kentucky can sometimes mean the great outdoors. Otter Creek Park is located just south of Lawrenceburg in Dearborn County. Beautiful rolling hills surround it, providing campers with a peaceful place to spend the night under the stars. Otter Creek Park is a great place to escape city life for a few days and enjoy nature at its finest.

It’s central, so it’s easy to find, and you can make it your final destination no matter where you’re traveling. Reservations are there for camping at Otter Creek Park. Camping costs $20 a night. Permits are a must for camping in state parks and state forests. It is open from late March through early November.

3: Biddles Natural Area

The Biddle Natural Feature, known as the Biddles Natural Area, is just outside Dayton in Perry County. The area has numerous hiking trails, rock climbing, and a great place to enjoy nature without leaving your campsite. The park is also a great place to go camping in Kentucky because it provides access to many different water features. In addition to hiking, which you can do year-round, plenty of waterfalls and lakes offer tons of fun for kids and adults alike.

Reservations are necessary for camping at Biddle. Camping costs $16 a night. Permits are a must for camping in state parks and state forests. It is open from March 15 through November 30. campers should check with park authorities for current conditions.

4: Williamsburg. Architectural Landmark

Williamsburg is a small town in Kentucky, located just off I-75. There are two great places to go camping in Kentucky if you’re looking for a place to unplug and spend some time in nature. The first is Williamsburg County Park, a beautiful place to hike and enjoy the outdoors. In addition to hiking trails and picnic areas, swimming holes and campgrounds are available for use. The other is Historic Williamsburg, the world’s largest open-air museum.

There are numerous museums and historical sites and tours of several historic homes. Reservations are necessary for camping in Williamsburg. Camping costs $15 a night. Permits are a must for camping in state parks and state forests. It is open from April 1 through November 30. campers should check with park authorities for current conditions and rules before coming.

5: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill

Carter Caves State Resort Park provides campers with a convenient spot to go camping in Kentucky, just minutes away from Lexington in the Appalachian mountains. It also provides access to spectacular hiking trails on the park property and a great swimming hole for all ages. There are also several resorts on the campground property, which provide a place to stay, allowing you to unplug and enjoy the outdoors truly.

Permits are necessary for all camping, and three campgrounds offer a place to set up your tent or park an RV. Reservations are essential for camping at Carter Caves State Resort Park. The park is open from late April through November. Camping costs $20 a night.

6: Pickett State Park, Iuka

Pickett State Park is in Iuka, providing campers with rolling hills and beautiful scenery. Shelters, campsites, cabins, and recreation areas are available on the property. You can also go hiking or fishing on park-managed lands nearby. The best part is that Pickett State Park offers a unique look at Kentucky’s past. There are numerous historical sites to visit while camping there. Permits are needed to camp at Pickett State Park, but they are available at the park office.

Fee-based cabins and resort hotels and cabins are also available on the property. Parking at the park entrance is free, but overnight parking at campgrounds costs $10 per night. It opens from April 1 through November 30. reservations are necessary for camping at Pickett State Park. Camping costs $15 a night, but cabins and resorts cost $35 (plus tax). Permits are a must for camping in state parks and state forests. It is open from late March through November.

7: Monticello Architectural Landmark

Monticello is a small town in central Kentucky with many historical areas and buildings. One of the best ways to camp in Kentucky is to make a trip to Monticello to visit Thomas Jefferson’s home. It’s located in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and has many different things for people of all ages to enjoy.

You can tour the home, hike on one of the nearby trails or go fishing for hours. In addition to the house, Monticello is also home to a golf course and a winery. Reservations are necessary for camping at Monticello. Camping is available on the park grounds, but fees apply, and reservations are during certain times of the year. It’s open from April 1 through November. Camping costs $25 a night, and cabins cost $60 (plus tax).

8: Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Jenkins

Pine Mountain State Resort Park provides campers with plenty of recreational activities, scenic views, and access to some of Kentucky’s most beautiful lakes. It’s near the city of Paintsville in Johnson County. There are numerous activities available for people of all ages. You can go fishing, hiking, and camping on the property. You can also take hikes or bike rides in the Paintsville area.

There are also several restaurants and a golf course nearby, so you will be close to home if you decide to stay overnight. It’s open from the beginning of April until November. It has a beautiful rustic cabin with a unique look and feels, unlike any other place you might have experienced before. $49 per adult per night, and kids 12 and under are free.

9: Hidden Hilltop Hideaway

Hidden Hilltop Hideaway is a beautiful site just outside of Scottsville. You can find the campsite and cabin at different locations on the property. The camp provides access to a swimming hole, hiking trails, and camping areas. The Hideaway cabin provides shelter from rain and bugs and cooking facilities for dining outdoors. If you’re looking for a great place to go camping in Kentucky, that’s easy to get to and doesn’t require you to travel far; this is it.

Reservations are strongly recommended for the camping site and in the cabin. It was open from April 1 through November 30, 2017. camping costs $20 a night, but houses cost $65 (plus tax)—permits are a must for camping in state parks and forests.

10: Big Bone Lick State Park

Big Bone Lick State Park has several different things for you to do if you’re looking for the best place to go camping in Kentucky. You can go hiking, fishing, boating, and swimming. There are also cabins available on the property that provide all the comforts of home while you’re enjoying nature at its finest.

In addition to visiting Big Bone Lick State Park, a zoo nearby offers a unique look at animals from yesteryear. It is open from late March through November. It has a beautiful cabin with a unique look and feels, unlike any other place you might have experienced before. $59 per adult per night, plus tax

11: Green River Lake State Resort Park, Campbellsville

Green River Lake State Resort Park is located in central Kentucky, providing campers with plenty of fun. The park property includes a lake that’s great for fishing and swimming. It also has several cabins available for rent, so you can truly unplug and not worry about driving home after a long day exploring the woods. Numerous other activities to enjoy on the property, including a game room, miniature golf course, and playground.

It is open from early April to November .this spacious, walk-out lakefront cabin has an open floor plan, a stone fireplace, and a large private screened-in porch. $125 per night plus tax (for up to 6 guests.)

12: O. Wayne Rollins Reservoir State Park, Clay City

O. Wayne Rollins Reservoir State Park is part of central Kentucky’s Green River Lake chain. It provides campers with a great place to go camping in Kentucky that’s easy to access and has several different areas to explore. The park property includes a lake, hiking trails, cabins, and an interpretive center that provides information about the wildlife and the artificial structures on the property.

There are also fishing holes, picnic areas, and swimming holes for those who want to cool off in the summertime. It is open from March to November. Reservations aren’t required for camping but are necessary for cabins. It was available from early April to November 30, 2017.

13: Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Rough River

Rough River Dam State Resort Park is in central Kentucky and provides campers with two lakes for fishing and numerous hiking trails. Several cabins on the property can rent out to visitors, so they don’t have to worry about going home after a long day of fun in the sun.

Numerous other fun activities are available on the park property, including boating and swimming, hiking trails, and other things to do without leaving the property. Reservations are a must for the cabins, but not the campsites. It was open from early April to November 30, 2017.

14: Woodford Lake State Resort Park, Shepherdsville

Woodford Lake State Resort Park is in the state’s western region. Campers can take advantage of several things on the property and the surrounding area. There are cabins, campsites, and recreation areas to choose from when looking for a great place to go camping in Kentucky.

Numerous hiking trails, fishing holes, and swimming holes are nearby. One of the best parts is that there are numerous restaurants located nearby, including some that provide dining with spectacular views.

Many campgrounds in Kentucky provide excellent opportunities for fun and relaxation during your camping trip. The best part is that there are so many best places to go camping in Kentucky that you’re guaranteed to find the perfect place to go with no problem. All you have to do is pick a location and an activity, pack your tent and go.