Forest camping near Beaver Dam

Discover and reserve the best campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, and more.

94% (236 reviews)

United States
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Kentucky
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Beaver Dam

94% (236 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Beaver Dam

Community favorites near Beaver Dam

Public campgrounds near Beaver Dam

One of our 2 dogs enjoying the pet-friendly campgrounds.

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(8)

Houchin Ferry Campground

12 sites · RVs, Tents In Mammoth Cave National Park

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(6)

Maple Springs Campground

7 sites In Mammoth Cave National Park

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(2)

Moutardier Campground

167 sites · RVs, Tents In Nolin River Lake

Mammoth Cave Campground is really beautiful.

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(31)

Mammoth Cave Campground

109 sites · RVs, Tents In Mammoth Cave National Park

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(2)

Wax Campground

110 sites · RVs, Tents In Nolin River Lake

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(1)

Dog Creek Campground

70 sites · RVs, Tents In Nolin River Lake

Lake Malone Campground

25 sites · RVs, Tents In Lake Malone State Park

Lincoln State Campground

299 sites · RVs, Tents In Lincoln State Park

Pennyrile Forest Campground

44 sites · RVs, Tents In Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

John James Audubon Campground

87 sites · RVs, Tents In John James Audubon State Park

Stories from the community

Miguel

1 day ago

Tent

1 night at Beardsnest

This place is amazing, I spent a night camping and watching stars! Kevin is very nice and helpful. Definitely coming back!

1 night at Beardsnest

We had a great camping spot on Kevin's land. He was a perfect host. We look forward to staying there again

1 night at Beardsnest

Easy access and good place to pull up and hang out for a night. Great view of the stars. Excellent communication by host.

Weekend Trip to Beardsnest

Great location and beatiful property! Spent a night with my pups trekking north to Wisconsin. Host Kevin and his son and dog welcomed us and showed me around with a firepit prepped for use.

2 nights at Beardsnest

Kevin met me as I drove up the driveway. He is polite and will help you with any of your tourist activities if you need it. I had a busy sightseeing plan in place prior to arrival. I was off to go caving. I highly recommend taking him up on the kayak offer for a morning or afternoon float down the river if your day is not packed. The sunset across the field is worth slowing down to view. I walked through the lower forest in the morning and scared all the Wild Turkeys, his dogs even joined me for part of the walk. I was the only camper midweek and he checked to see if I was okay with the dogs being out in the field. This was a great place to pitch my tent for a few days, much more peaceful than a typical campground.

1 night at Happy Hollows Farm

Cute spot. Well-kept. Pull-up access for a vehicle. Nice and helpful owner. Great little getaway for a night. No restroom facilities (portapotty or otherwise), but clearly noted in the listing. Appreciated this little retreat outside of town.

Weekend Trip to Tar Springs 2

Highly recommended. Great place. Amazing hosts! Good for fishing and boating. Bike riding. Hiking. Nice and clean restrooms and showers on site. Thank you again!

3 nights at Beardsnest

My partner and I decided to do a last minute camp trip to visit mammoth caves, and since the park itself ran out of tent sites, we booked a stay here. IT WAS SO WORTH IT. Such a wonderful secluded spot in the middle of such beautiful nature. Kevin was such a great host and greeted us on arrival. The campsite itself is about a 10-15 minute hike, and Kevin was kind enough to show us the trail and tell us all about the plants and wild life inhabiting the area. It’s a great quiet spot and a must if you are looking for an escape. Highly recommend.

1 night at Beardsnest

Amazing private spot on edge of field was perfect. My daughter even had a great place to hammock camp. Kevin could not have been more accommodating. Love the project to create a native, sustainable ecosystem. And the dogs were an extra treat!

Weekend Trip to Dragonfly Ranch camping with horses

We loved camping on Tonya’s land. She greeted us and offered firewood and extra accommodations due to the extreme weather. She was so friendly and welcoming. I would absolutely camp with Tonya again!

Weekend Trip to Beardsnest

This place was perfect for us & our pup! He loved running in the field. The location couldn’t have been better with the closeness to caves & attractions. I couldn’t hear any road traffic at all and we got the best nights sleep!

3 nights at Beardsnest

We really enjoyed what camping on Kevin’s land had to offer! If you are looking for a private and spacious site, you will too! Kevin was a great host, he provided a lot of options of what we could do on the land as well as at Mammoth Cave National Park. Being so close to the Park is also a great plus for this site as well. If you are looking to make your way to Mammoth Cave National Park, this campsite is a must.

2 nights at Beardsnest

Great location for visiting Mammoth Cave. Close to the caves, but secluded enough to enjoy some respite from the crowds. Kevin is an excellent host. We hope to come back soon!

2 nights at Beardsnest

Very peaceful, easy to find, welcoming host, great access to Mammoth Cave NP

1 night at Beardsnest

One of the best campsites I've had the pleasure of staying in. Kevin is a wonderful host very informative and educational. I would stay here again if I have the opportunity. It was a blessing to come here I wouldn't have had the lovely opportunity to experience mammoth cave. 10/10 would recommend.

1 night at Beardsnest

Loved our time on Kevin's land! The sites were well maintained and Kevin was super kind and helpful during our stay.

Weekend Trip to Beardsnest

Great place to tent camp near Mammoth Cave National Park!

1 night at Beardsnest

Super nice, responsive, and attentive host with a lovely space!

1 night at Beardsnest

Great spot with simple instructions for how to get there. It’s nicely tucked away from any roads so it feels private. Kevin was responsive and helpful!

Chris

November 2024

Weekend Trip to Waterfront Cabins and Camp Haven

Had an amazing stay at the camp. Beautiful water view from the deck and open space for the dog to run. Highly recommended! Thanks Lori, sorry we missed you!

3 top forest campgrounds near Beaver Dam

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(113)

Beardsnest

5 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Cave City, KY

This new-in-formation ecological art project is currently recruiting visitors to backcountry camp in beautiful fields, on woodland rim sites, or at delicate campsites located along a system of woodland trails. As of 2025, camping here provides a glimpse into a 4 year-old successional prairie, which at this phase is characterized by spacious views of a gently rolling young prairie seeded with a growing variety of native flowers. Most likely a good fit for those who are self-sufficient and like to avoid busy camping areas, but still want to get out to the park quickly (~7 miles to the Visitors Center) or travel into Cave City (3 mi) for coffee/ice-cream/pizza/barbecue/bar/food/etc. Expand from the campsite into a sketch-work of trails, as if were camping near the headquarters of a satellite nature reserve. Water tap and hose by main house parking area, for cleaning dishes, spraying off, or filling reservoirs. Camping funds allow us to plant trees (~525 seedlings as of March 2025), establish prairie grasses and flowers, restore wetlands, create trails, and remove invasive species. If you have only 3 days, a nice way to experience Mammoth Cave NP is to break the trip into 3 layers, covering the underworld (cave tours!), upper world (hiking), and the water that connects the two (Green River kayaking). Mammoth Cave is unique in the way that a study of the underworld will repeatedly draw the mind into a creative space of imagining what is beneath the surface, how these worlds are connected, while navigating the land and water. Thanks to our visitors for supporting this type of project! Bundles of dried and split firewood are available onsite, usually a mix of red cedar and oak with a suggested donation of $6/bundle. We also share kayaks (Perception Sound 10.5) now on a suggested donation basis (45/), providing a flexible option for visitors to float the Green River through the national park. Pending availability, we offer tent setups as well to folks who want to camp but aren't traveling with gear (REI 4 person Half Dome). Tent setup comes with two sleeping pads (you will need pillows, blankets, etc.).

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(124)

Dragonfly Ranch camping with horses

4 sites · RVs, Tents90 acres · Cub Run, KY

Learn more about this land: This is a horse ranch so you can sleep in the company of horses or in the woods with them in the distance ( check if available/storm damage).We have rolling hills, beautiful views from the hill tops, valley with creeks and a waterfall when not in dry or draught and an abundance of wildlife. Also we're located 5-10 minutes from mammoth cave park border, hike, bike and horse trails, river, lake, blue holler atv park and so much more. If you are sensitive to animal noises you may bring earplugs. There isn't a bathroom/ shower house yet so we ask that you bring a port-a-pot of some sort. We're constantly making upgrades to the Ranch so we hope you enjoy your stay. Please refrain from feeding the horses or dogs because it creates a bad habit and folks that don't know how sensitive a horses gut is can possibly kill them. Respect privacy of others and pack out all that you pack in. Shut any gates you come through.please understand that my horses are of all ages and that includes young ones and babies and seniors as well. The young ones like to be nosey and are still learning what they are allowed to do and what not to do. They are naturally curious and love attention. If they think you have snacks , they can act like a pack of kindergarteners with the promise of cupcakes...we don't want that but because some campers think they are the exception and gave them snacks, it is something we have to monitor more closely. Remember they are animals and they will get into anything if it's left unattended. Please be a responsible camper and ensure we all stay safe and enjoy the experience.We have a section for folks to park in if they do not want to be so close to the horses as well. If you don't like horses or dogs please consider alternative camp site. Limited pet allowance...check before booking please. Also, we've had issues with the site and it offering horse time, ride, Q&A etc. for 5$. We've taken steps to fix this. But if you would like something like that it would be through the Ranch directly and as our time allows. Thank you for taking the time to read everything as well.

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(3)

Tar Springs 2

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Cloverport, KY

Historic property once a health resort in the 1840's, lodging rooms available, men's and women's restrooms and showers, lockers, kitchenette, optional breakfast, private 16 acre lake, fishing and boats available, dock, natural springs and rock formations enclose the valley, hiking, camping sites and primitive camping available. Original property was considered for a training camp facility for Mohammed Ali.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

99%

(45)

Mammoth Cave National Park

Brownsville, Kentucky

Lake Malone State Park

Dunmor, Kentucky

Lincoln State Park

Gentryville, Indiana

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

Dawson Springs, Kentucky

John James Audubon State Park

Henderson, Kentucky

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Forest camping near Beaver Dam guide

Overview

Looking to immerse yourself in nature near Beaver Dam, Kentucky? Hipcamp has over 1000 options specifically tailored to your forest-loving heart. With options as low as $7 per night, you can't beat the affordability. Check out top campsites like Happy Hollow Homestead (441 reviews), The Slab (by the Barren) (210 reviews), and Camp Nashville Highland Rim (148 reviews) for tried-and-true experiences. Enjoy popular amenities like trash disposal, campfires, and pet-friendly locations. Plus, indulge in activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. Get ready for an unforgettable forest camping experience!