The best campgrounds near Owensboro, Kentucky with swimming

Looking to go camping near Owensboro, Kentucky and have a preference for swimming? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 295 options available near Owensboro, Kentucky that offer swimming, you're sure to find the perfect spot to cool off. Whether you're looking for a rustic camping experience or something a bit more luxurious, Hipcamp has got you covered. Some top campsites with swimming options include On the back of the farm (75 reviews), Barren River Magic (69 reviews), and Dragonfly Ranch camping with horses (70 reviews). With prices starting as low as $10 per night and an average price of $28 per night, you can enjoy a budget-friendly camping experience. Plus, popular amenities like pets, campfires, and trash services are available. So pack your swimsuit and get ready for a refreshing camping trip in Owensboro, Kentucky!

99% (97)

Top-rated campgrounds near Owensboro

Looking to go camping near Owensboro, Kentucky and have a preference for swimming? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 295 options available near Owensboro, Kentucky that offer swimming, you're sure to find the perfect spot to cool off. Whether you're looking for a rustic camping experience or something a bit more luxurious, Hipcamp has got you covered. Some top campsites with swimming options include On the back of the farm (75 reviews), Barren River Magic (69 reviews), and Dragonfly Ranch camping with horses (70 reviews). With prices starting as low as $10 per night and an average price of $28 per night, you can enjoy a budget-friendly camping experience. Plus, popular amenities like pets, campfires, and trash services are available. So pack your swimsuit and get ready for a refreshing camping trip in Owensboro, Kentucky!

99% (97)

Top-rated campgrounds near Owensboro

1. Unplugged Acres

100%

(21)

42mi from Owensboro · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

TWO SPOTS TO CHOOSE FROM…… The camping spot we refer to as the NORTHSIDE SPOT is a flat yard atop a hill it makes for a great spot to park your RV, camper, tent or boat. This grass camping spot is always mowed and clean. Two large pine trees provide some shade for this northside camping spot. You can enjoy nearly panoramic views of the night sky! This spot is alongside a country road. It is considered less private than the SOUTH SIDE SPOT. The SOUTH SIDE CAMPING SPOT, is for tent campers only with a smaller vehicle. It is very private and completely surrounded by woods. This spot can accommodate two tents and one or two cars. There is no view of the night sky since you are in a dense forest. Patoka lake is less than 10 minutes away ( boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, biking). Holiday World ( an amusement park) is about 30 minutes away.

2. 15 Acre Wood on Lake

95%

(43)

43mi from Owensboro · 3 sites · Tents

300 feet behind our house is a fire pit, then 15 acres of wood. around an acre lake. We have a boat and you can swim. There's an out house (and use of the woods is ok too) .There is plenty of wood and plenty of forest fun. No motorized Vehicles allowed. No weapons. No hunting. We want to share our land with other lovers of the woods, plants and animals. Like good "scouts", we expect our campers to leave the site the way they find it, tidy . We have recycle and trash containers. There is a drinking water source at the house. Responsible use of alcohol is accepted but drugs or anything that impairs physical safety, is prohibited.

3. Little Blue Horse Camp

100%

(48)

49mi from Owensboro · 1 site · Tent

Enjoy some serenity in our little piece of heaven on the Little Blue River. A unique retreat, with access to the river, areas to explore, rock features, water falls and a ton of nature. We ask that you respect all the surrounding wildlife and plant life-- we are also a preservation space. Learn more about this land: Enjoy sleeping and waking to the serene sounds of the lazy Little Blue River and enjoy comforts of a cozy campground, nestled on private land in the Hoosier National Forest.

4. Lincoln State Park

299 sites · Gentryville, Indiana

Lincoln State Park: A Tribute to Nature and History.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

5. Rough River Lake

60%

(5)

355 sites · Caneyville, Kentucky

Boasting rocky shorelines, verdant outcroppings, and tranquil waters, Rough River Lake is a stunning getaway for you and your closest friends. About 90 miles south of Louisville, it's far enough away from civilization to get a breath of fresh air, but close enough not to be too inconvenient. If you're really rarin' to explore, try hitting up the sandy beaches built for swimming and boat launches that are just waiting for your vessel. Hiking and interpretive trails are the perfect place to keep an eye out for wildlife, and no one will fault you for wanting to take a swing at the 18-hole golf course. With the historic Green Farm nearby, you can check out a large ancestral home and water-powered mill sitting on 3,000 miles of picturesque land. Pretty sweet deal, we've gotta say.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

6. Scales Lake Park

22mi from Owensboro · 51 sites

Nestled on a stunning 66-acre lake, our campground offers a unique blend of tranquility and adventure, making it the perfect escape for everyone—from solo travelers to families and retirees. Here, you can unwind in a serene natural environment, where the soothing sounds of nature create an ideal backdrop for relaxation. Imagine gathering around a warm campfire on a clear evening, as the sky transitions from vibrant hues to a blanket of twinkling stars. Sharing these moments with loved ones amidst the beauty of the outdoors enhances the experience. At Scales Lake Park, we provide a variety of camping options to suit your needs. Our Class A sites come equipped with water, sewer, and electricity, ensuring a comfortable stay. For those seeking a more rustic experience, our Class B sites offer water and electric hookups, while our Class C primitive sites cater to the adventurous spirit. Whether you’re looking to explore nearby swimming holes, engage in outdoor activities, or enjoy local dining and shopping, our campground serves as the perfect base for your adventures. Embrace the great outdoors and create lasting memories at our picturesque campground.

7. Hoosier National Forest

88%

(13)

252 sites · Paoli, Indiana

See the wilderness of southern Indiana from the Ohio River to just south of Bloomington.

Toilets

Campfires

Showers

8. Ferdinand State Forest

57 sites · Birdseye, Indiana

Discover the natural charm of Ferdinand State Forest and its myriad of outdoor activities.

Campfires

Toilets

Potable water

9. Lake Malone State Park

25 sites · Dunmor, Kentucky

Discover Lake Malone State Park's serene beauty and outdoor fun.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

10. Harmonie State Park

202 sites · New Harmony, Indiana

Discover Harmonie State Park's scenic trails and historic charm.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Public campgrounds near Owensboro

Lincoln State Campground

25mi from Owensboro · 299 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lincoln State Park

100%

(1)

Cave Creek Campground

36mi from Owensboro · 62 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rough River Lake

Tipsaw Lake Campground

37mi from Owensboro · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Hoosier National Forest

Axtel Campground

37mi from Owensboro · 153 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rough River Lake

Laurel Branch Campground

38mi from Owensboro · 61 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rough River Lake

100%

(2)

North Fork Campground

38mi from Owensboro · 79 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rough River Lake

Ferdinand Campground

40mi from Owensboro · 57 sites · in Ferdinand State Forest

All of the sites looked this good at least. Level and easy to back into.

100%

(2)

Indian Celina Lake Campground

42mi from Owensboro · 23 sites · Tents, RVs · in Hoosier National Forest

Lake Malone Campground

47mi from Owensboro · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Malone State Park

Harmonie State Campground

50mi from Owensboro · 202 sites · Tents, RVs · in Harmonie State Park

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

R

River

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Little Blue Horse Camp

This truly is a Perfect Little Spot. The hosts are wonderful and take thoughtful care with the place and the details. Favorite highlights are: the comfy chairs with cushions by the large stone wall fire pit, The composting outhouse is clean, cute and comfortable. The open grassy areas are super soft with the ground underneath, great for walking barefoot and feeling the goodness of the earth beneath your feet, also nice for the level areas for tent camping on the ground. The covered porch for hanging out is lovely, A great place to journal or read when the sun is high. I felt totally tucked away and private. Angie and Paige have made this a very special place.

The huge pine trees provide ample shade for tent and RV campers.

S

Shaelyn

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Unplugged Acres

Natalie and her husband were very friendly and helpful, campsite was very nice and safe.

Polly

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Little Blue Horse Camp

A beautiful site on the river, with deer and fireflies. I didn't want to leave!

J

Julian

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Little Blue Horse Camp

Paige and Angie were both very accommodating and flexible to work with when our schedule didn’t turn out exactly as planned. Their campsite was beautiful, and well maintained; with plenty of safe hiking trails, and even a river bank to fish or launch boats from. Would totally recommend this site to anyone who loves camping out in the woods.

C

Charlie

June 2025

Tent

2 nights at Little Blue Horse Camp

My partner and I really enjoyed this little pocket of heaven. The property is well kept and if you enjoy rugged camping you will surely enjoy it here! The cabin and kitchen area is so lovely. There is a fridge and air conditioning for if you really need to cool off. The property has two perfect places to set up camp and a couple of wonderful trails that lead off of the camp itself. The neighbor off of the property has a cute dog and chickens where you can buy fresh eggs! It is so peaceful and calm at night all you can hear is the animals, the leave,the crickets,and that really loud toad but don't pay no mind to him.overall we really enjoyed are staying and we will be camping here again and did I mention this was are first time camping.

Yaya

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to 15 Acre Wood on Lake

The hosts were very nice and answered all of our questions including greeting us when we got there. The property was very pretty with a lot of woods. We swam in the water it was nice, it wasn’t dirty but a little swampy so maybe not for everyone- but we had fun. The place where we put our tent (and the water) is relatively close to their house. This was no problem for us as we weren’t bothered by them(not that we would have been, again hosts were very pleasant) but might not be ideal for someone looking to camp completely away from others. Really cool town not far from camp site.

C

Calvin

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Unplugged Acres

Camping in the woods at the second site was nice 👍 and secluded.

B

Brookelynne

June 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Unplugged Acres

Right when I got there, Natalie and her husband came out to greet me. They are wonderful hosts and very hospitable. I also had plenty of privacy in a campsite tucked away into the woods. I would definitely stay here again!

L

Lauren

June 2025

Tent

With pets

4 nights at Unplugged Acres

We loved camping on Natalie's land! We had planned it as a landing spot for some trips to Holiday World, with 1 day at camp, but I wish we'd allowed an extra day or two to just enjoy the campsite. It was so peaceful and Natalie and her husband were welcoming hosts. We were invited to grab some fresh lettuce and onions from the garden to add to our dinner which was a great experience for the kids. One thing that wasn't quite clear from the listing was the location of the stream. It's down a steep hill and out of sight of the campsite. Our kids still enjoyed playing down there, butI thought I would note it as if you are planning for it to be a part of your experience, you'll want to make sure you can navigate the hill and/or your children are able to play independently in that setting. Overall this was a great place to camp. It was peaceful and quiet at camp (pretty sure 99% of any noise came from our kids & dog!). At the same time, there were gas stations & towns 5-10 min away if we needed to get moreice or something. Natalie was so responsive before and throughout our stay and I am so appreciative of her & her husband's efforts in hosting.

L

Lou

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Little Blue Horse Camp

“Perfect Little Spot” is an apt name. You can tell that a lot of thought was put into the details here. Angie was very kind and showed me the place. I couldn’t have asked for a better spot to camp and relax.

M

Michael

May 2025

Tent

1 night at 15 Acre Wood on Lake

Great site next to a frog pond. Very lush and remote feeling. Camped in a tent and got rained on all night, but still had a great stay. Friendly host and a really cool spot!

H

Hunter

May 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Little Blue Horse Camp

It was as perfect as a spot as it could’ve possibly been. When it rained we went to hang out at the little bar/ cabin area and it was lovely. We were the only campers in the area, getting on the little blue river was absolutely worth it and there’s beautiful trails nearby. We struck gold and will be going back sometime

C

Calvin

May 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Unplugged Acres

Nice scenic spot to pitch a tent between 2 large pine trees. People there are nice 👍

C

Calvin

May 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Unplugged Acres

Nice tent site in-between the old growth Pine trees. The hosts were very nice. Thanks !

Dawn

April 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Little Blue Horse Camp

What a lovely slice of heaven - truly a serene area to reconnect with nature and friends. Little and large thoughtful touches throughout the property, it's obvious the hosts have put a lot of love and energy into this space. The water was too high/swift to enjoy this trip but we will be back to enjoy that part for sure and make use of their watercraft. We visited nearby Leavenworth which was a treat, and had the most incredible experience at Hemlock Cliffs - the water was really moving and we had never seen such prolific spring wildflowers - an absolutely magical place! We found a place to hang our hammocks and enjoyed an evening of smores and campfire and were sad to leave the next day... We WILL be back!

G

April 2025

24 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Unplugged Acres

We really enjoyed staying here. Despite the last minute notice we gave, their hospitality was absolutely heartwarming. It was quiet and friendly area. We recommend Natalie & Jeremy's Unplugged Acres. Will come back again. Thank you. 😊

Cassandra

April 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Little Blue Horse Camp

Very responsive owners with clear directions for entering and leaving property! Perfect spot for our cross country trip. Clean toilet. Fire was ready for us to start it. Enjoyed listening to the owls! Thank you!