The best campgrounds near Louisville, Kentucky with horseback riding

94% (152 reviews)

The rolling green hills of Kentucky horse country beckon campers out of the bustle of Louisville and out into home of bluegrass and bourbon. If the campgrounds at the tiny Jefferson Memorial Forest aren’t your cup of tea, meander east to Taylorsville Lake, or West toward the Hosier National Forest. Either way you can’t go wrong. You’re only about an hour and a half north of Mammoth Cave National Park, but if you don’t like the drive time, the Louisville Mega Cavern is much closer to home!

Popular camping styles for Louisville

Top-rated campgrounds

94% (152 reviews)

The rolling green hills of Kentucky horse country beckon campers out of the bustle of Louisville and out into home of bluegrass and bourbon. If the campgrounds at the tiny Jefferson Memorial Forest aren’t your cup of tea, meander east to Taylorsville Lake, or West toward the Hosier National Forest. Either way you can’t go wrong. You’re only about an hour and a half north of Mammoth Cave National Park, but if you don’t like the drive time, the Louisville Mega Cavern is much closer to home!

Popular camping styles for Louisville

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Camp Escape

95%

(119)

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents · Louisville, KY

Rustic Camping Near Jefferson County Forestry & Tom Wallace Park Welcome to our 5-acre corner lot, a unique mix of rural charm and city convenience. This primitive campsite is perfect for those looking to disconnect and experience nature while still being close to modern amenities. What to Expect: 🌿 Scenic & Secluded – Our property borders Jefferson County Forestry, with an entrance just 1 mile away, offering miles of trails and outdoor adventures. We’re also near Tom Wallace Park, a great spot for hiking and fishing. 🔥 True Off-Grid Camping – This is a bring-your-own-gear site. No water, electricity, or showers—just you, your supplies, and the great outdoors. A fire pit is provided, and there’s a shared porta potty for convenience. 🚜 A Working Farm Community – Expect to see and hear a mix of country and city life. You may hear wildlife, passing trains, tractors, gunfire from Knob Creek Range, and nearby neighbors working their land. It’s all part of the experience of staying in an authentic rural setting. 🏡 Tiny Home Retreat – Escape to your cozy tiny home retreat nestled on 15 private acres just outside Louisville. This 200 sq ft camper-to-tiny home conversion blends rustic charm with modern convenience. Perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers, this cozy space offers a peaceful and unique retreat. 🏙️ Convenient Location – Though it feels like a getaway, we’re just 5 minutes from Kroger, Walmart, and a variety of restaurants. Downtown Louisville is a 30-minute drive, and we’re 15 minutes from Fort Knox. If you’re looking for an authentic, off-grid camping adventure close to both nature and the city, this is the spot for you! 🌲🏕️

2. Fire pit creek side

98%

(51)

3 sites · RVs, Tents · Waddy, KY

Learn more about this land: A quaint creek side retreat with a fire pit! Enjoy views and sounds of the creek from your campsite. Expect to see families of turkeys, deer, turtles, many beautiful birds and more! Chill out or walk along the creek Along our driveway as we work to grow our organic farm homestead. ** please note we have a few site options for camping which we are happy to tell you more about! Large RVs and campers are welcome but will likely want to stay in the area before our bridge (we are happy to send pictures). Long campers and RVs that are low to the ground may scrape / bottom out going across the bridge. WARNING: The driveway leading to the campsite is a long, steep, gravel driveway with a concrete bridge at the bottom. The bridge also has fairly steep embankments on both sides (entering and exiting) with a turn heading into the site. A 4WD vehicle will be necessary for anyone pulling an RV as we have had at least one guest get stuck halfway up the hill when exiting with a two-wheeled truck with a V8 engine pulling a small RV. In addition, you will likely need a brake-control system installed for coming down the hill. Front-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance should be satisfactory to cross the bridge and exit the steep hill as long as you are not pulling an RV. Please don't hesitate to reach out with specific questions! We operate on a first come first serve basis and promise to get back to you asap!

3. Lost On Purpose

98%

(23)

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents · KY

Secluded 2br 1 bath private and quiet, not a neighbor in sight! We have hiking, biking and horse trails galore. Fishing in the pond is permitted with a barbless hook and catch n release! Rock hounders welcome to explore the creek beds, and bring your disc golf or archery bows- we have that too! You will never want to leave!

4. Flat Rock Farm

86%

(7)

4 sites · RVs, Tents · Louisville, KY

Unwind and unplug on a secluded 7 acre property. A gem in the middle of eastern Jefferson county in Louisville, Kentucky. Fire pit awaits you and your family. Sing songs, cook your dinner, step away from day to day activity and enjoy. Good memories will be made. Looking forward to share with you the prop

5. Cedar Fire farm: Kamp kessa

1 site · Lodging · Frankfort, KY

Cabin in the woods with bathhouse less than 100 steps away. 3 queen beds. 2 sets of bunk beds. Comfy but rustic. The cabin has a private fire pit and picnic table. There is another cabin about 50 yards away. The land has a creek on one side, lovely trails and a pond. Farm has chickens, horses , and a potbelly pig as well as friendly dogs to play with.

6. Solar Off The Grid Cabin

93%

(7)

1 site · Lodging · Paoli, IN

7 Acres close to skiing, hiking, spalunking, canoeing ,moutian biking and over 700 acres across the street of undeveloped Hoosier National Forest . Great for Hunting Learn more about this land: The Cabin is powered by solar &; wind and uses a filtered rain water collection system. It is close to French Lick & Paoli, hiking, golf, canoeing, spelunking, skiing hunting and more. Please note that during the winter months the angle of the sun is lower and the panels do not produce as much power as in the summer months (plus you have less daylight hours) . Depending on the cloud cover you may be limited to lights only in November, December, January and February . There is a generator available for rent at $10.00 per night plus gas or you can bring your own. There is a wood stove and a 13,000 btu indoor gas wall heater for heat, both units provide more than enough heat. There are two window air conditioning units that can be used in, June, July and August. Once you get to the end of August or on cloudy days you are limited to the amount of time you can use the AC units unless you rent the generator. There is a propane cook stove available if you run out of power and 2 charcoal grills (you supply charcoal). Please note that the cabin is still a work in progress and is not 100% completed. Also note that if rain is limited there may be no water.

7. Old Camp At Bear Hollow

100%

(9)

1 site · RV · Saint Croix, IN

This electric campsite is near Hoosier National Forest. This area was established as hunting grounds by our family over 30 years ago and still is to this day. Create your own family tradition in this campsite that is ready for two campers on a total of 160ft gravel space. There is both 30 and 50 AMP electric, however no water or sewer hookup. You must provide your own water. There is a dump station 5 miles from the campsite at Tipsaw Recreation Area. This area is great for hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and ATV riding....or just relaxing and taking in nature in this beautiful and peaceful area. *30 & 50 AMP Electric *Shade trees *Picnic table *Firepit & Firewood *NO water hookup *NO sewer hookup

Stories from the community

Aerial view of campsite number three at the very back of 5 acre field. The property borders Jefferson County Memorial Forest city park directly behind

C

1 week ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Escape

Very peaceful, comfortable and clean! Would definitely go again.!

Clara

3 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Camp Escape

Super cute and private stay. We had a great time.

S

Scott

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lost On Purpose

Absolutely peaceful. The woods and the fields reminded me of where I grew up, sadly my youth and that land is gone. Would highly recommend staying here

S

Savanna

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Escape

Great open space with a cute little creek right by the site! Loved it!

J

John

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Escape

A hidden gem! I woke up to a herd of deer(7) and humming birds drinking dew. Crazy that you're 15-20 minutes away from downtown Louisville and camping underneath the stars. Perfectly located to most tourist areas of the region, you're 30 minutes away from the beginning of the Bourbon Trail, 20 minutes to Churchill Downs. Sites are very roomy and away from the next site. Although the sites are primitive there are portalets and a hand washing station as well as firewood available anytime using payment apps. Walmart and groceries within 10 minutes. Highly recommend if you want some nature and convenience of being close to everything!

J

Joseph

September 2025

Tent

4 nights at Flat Rock Farm

Spacious with the option of a large bonfire. A nice, quiet spot in convenient distance from stores and downtown Louisville. Even saw a few deer on occasion!

S

Sunshinedays!

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Fire pit creek side

We arrived at sunset, it was a beautiful drive and the site was really nice. The driveway was a little rough as explained in the summary, but we drove slow and were able to navigate it pretty easily in our kia soul. There was a nice firepit and large logs to burn; and the stars out there were amazing! It's a little far out, but there is a dollar general close by and a walmart only abt 15min away near an interstate. Would stay here again!

T

Thomas

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Lost On Purpose

Great spot and great host! The fishing lake produced 3 catfish, just make sure to bring barbless hooks. The kids enjoyed it.

Aerial view of campsite number two with mowed grass entrance. This site is the closest to the bathroom and creek entrance.

A

Alaina

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Escape

this was an easy to access, beautiful piece of land!! I really appreciated their communication and clarity from the hosts. it was out of the way, but easy to get to town and the trails nearby so it didn't feel too isolated. the creek nearby was partially dried and made for fun exploration as well.

Aerial view of the 5 acre camping field from the back looking toward the entrance.

M

Mitchell

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Escape

Beautiful land, a peaceful escape. Campsites are separated by tall grass giving you privacy.

J

Jill

September 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Camp Escape

We had a great time! The Cypress site was private and spacious for a family of four with two tents. We had plenty of room to set up a lawn game, food table, etc. Definitely didn’t feel too close to the other sites. The fire pit was nice and the porta-potty was very clean.

C

Chris

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Escape

A great spot for some relaxation really close to Louisville. If you need shade be sure to plan ahead.

J

Justin

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lost On Purpose

Absolutely perfect and was exactly what I needed. Host was fast to respond and had a much needed relaxing camp

Curtis

August 2025

Tent

3 nights at Camp Escape

This was a great spot close to Louisville. Easy in and out and close to a Waffle House! Clean and private camping spot. Close to active railroad tracks.

J

James

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camp Escape

We had a nice stay both times. The camp sights are clean and well maintained.

K

Kyle

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Escape

I’m a travel tradesmen and I prefer to camp when I travel for work. This location was incredible! It was secluded, I keep leave my camp up without fear or it being messed with. The trails and running water through the camp made for a good time when worked ended early. If you’re in the area and need a place to set up camp, I’d highly recommend this camp. Lastly Shelby was very responsive and easy to work!

S

Sam

August 2025

Tent

4 nights at Camp Escape

Great little spot. I travel for work so being able to get out into nature and not a hotel room has been a blessing.

S

Sherry

July 2025

19 ft travel trailer

7 nights at Camp Escape

It was a great place to stay for privacy, yet close enough to the porta potty and a short drive to local stores, gas and food. Shelby was quick to respond when communicating. The porta potty was very clean. I would highly recommend this place to camp.

S

Shell

July 2025

4 ft campervan

1 night at Camp Escape

Booked last minute and had no problem rolling in. Secured, locked, gate entrance with lock box which makes ya feel better traveling as a single female. Chose Sycamore site and made coffee down by the creek in the am. There is trail access next to camp. If the portapotty is important to you, pick a site close to the entrance. There is ample space between sites so you have privacy, however this makes a longer trek for middle of the night pee trips. There is firewood near entry for purchase. Venmo payment, too. I’m with Verizon and had service if that’s important for you. Make sure you bring your own water as there is none on site. Pack it in, pack it out. The train went by a couple times in the middle of the night, which is part of the reason I chose this spot! If that’s an issue for you, bring some earplugs. Great location, good communication from hosts with detailed instructions and clean. Short drive to Tioga Falls for a great hike. Good break on my way to Mammoth NP. Thanks for everything and happy trails!

Jeromy

July 2025

33 ft travel trailer

With kids

6 nights at Old Camp At Bear Hollow

Great spot! Nice people! Let us have privacy but also let was very helpful when we needed help! The place is very well kept shaded and easy pull in pull out spot!