Camping in the Red River Gorge
Caving, climbing, and camping are on the agenda at this national geological area.
97% (1658 reviews)
- Red River Gorge
97% (1658 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Red River Gorge
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Star Hosts in Red River Gorge
12 top campgrounds in Red River Gorge
100%
(37)
Possum Ridge Ranch
13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents375 acres · West Liberty, KY
Our remote 375 acres part farm and part natural woodland nestled up to Daniel Boone Forest is ideal for hikers and nature lovers. There are several hiking trails onsite and plenty of woods to explore. ATVs or side by sides are welcome to be used on the main gravel roads and some designated areas of our property. There is plenty of wildlife around but no hunting is allowed. Our designated tent sites do have firepits and picnic tables. Our trek in sites do not have those options. Pets are welcome for $10 per pet/per booking and they do need to be leashed/under control at all times. This is an extra so please be sure to add that if you plan to bring your pet. Please pick up after them.
We are a short driving distance from West Liberty, Cave Run Lake, Grayson Lake, Carter Caves, Morehead, Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge.
We are approximately 20 minutes from the nearest store so you'll want to come prepared. We are located in West Liberty (Morgan County). There is a centrally located bathhouse with toilet, shower and sink and a hose for potable water. We have firewood for sale for $15 per bundle and is an extra option when booking(use what you need during your stay and it is located at the tent sites), you can bring your own and you are welcome to gather from the surrounding area but please do not cut down any living trees/limbs.
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from
$20
/ night
95%
(647)
Rockcastle Riverside
50 sites · RVs, Tents200 acres · Livingston, KY
Started as a retirement experiment, Rockcastle Riverside is a story told of music and family. We have almost 200 acres of beautiful country surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rockcastle County. With a mile of river to swim, kayak, and fish and enchanted forest trails to hike, climb, or play, we have all of the best Kentucky has to offer! We have more established sites with fire rings, or you can find a place off the beaten path for more privacy, if you choose. The riverside is perfect for hammock camping, too. We love music and often host bands on the weekends. We rent kayaks and canoes on site, as well. While there are almost 200 acres to escape into, on any fine night, the stage sits wit a drum kit and the will to make music within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Come play, come get away....we have it ALL! We have a little of something for everyone!
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$25
/ night
98%
(264)
Serenity Camp
26 sites · RVs, Tents175 acres · Beattyville, KY
I moved back here a few years ago to my home place where I grew up. To me it is the most relaxing thing I can do to just sit by a bonfire and look at the view.
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$12
/ night
99%
(111)
Camp Middle Fork
4 sites · Tents180 acres · Irvine, KY
Learn more about this land:
Come stay at Middle Fork Camp: two acres of grass and eleven acres of wooded hillside overlooking a valley meadow in the Daniel Boone National Forest region. Just forty minutes from the Red River Gorge and past homesite of pioneer settlers, the property features an outdoor kitchen, potable spring water, an outdoor shower, WiFi, and 110V and RV-type electric outlets. There is a yoga deck, picnic table, and wood benches with stone ring fireplaces for your use. Help yourself to vegetables from the veggie patch in season!
There are ample hiking and trail running opportunities from the site, starting right behind the (private) A-frame cabin, up and over the limestone cliffs or out the gravel road. I have established hiking/running trail loops to scenic points ranging from 1 - 15 miles in length and will be happy to provide detailed information, including GPS tracks upon request. Enjoy!
Note: Camp Middle Fork is a true nature area: in season there are ticks, you may see a snake, and common to this region, there is poison ivy in the woods. If you are sensitive, dress accordingly.
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$30
/ night
99%
(178)
The Harrican Lakehouse
2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · KY
There is a lot of history in this land. It's been in my family for over a hundred years. They worked the land with their hands and so have I. It's a special place. Come see for your yourself and be our guest at The Harrican!
Learn more about this land:
Unplug and unwind at this two story cabin built right on the water in the heart of the Kentucky Wildlands! Even though there is complete peaceful seclusion it does get a little noisy when the bullfrogs start their evening ritual. There is a dock and pier perfect for fishing or swimming. Firepit, grill with gas provided, two boats, fishing poles, lots of seating on the wrap around porch, two bedrooms; one with a queen bed and the other with two twin beds and just lots of natural beauty and peace! The BIG update everyone has been waiting for; the plumbing and electricity are now complete! We have all the ammenities to make your stay comfoetable and relaxing! Early and late check in and check out options available when availability exists the day before or after your booked stay. Thank you for interest in the Harrican Lakehouse!
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$35
/ night
97%
(205)
Kinner Kamping
9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Winchester, KY
My husband, Jason and I would love to host you on our farm in Winchester Ky! We have 4 themed campers and 2 primitive tent sites. Two things we can promise are inexpensive prices and an unique experience! Come visit the home of Kentucky’s soft drink-ALE81! Only 35 miles from Natural Bridge/Red River Gorge!
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$11
/ night
99%
(55)
The Kilns @ The Red River Gorge
5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Campton, KY
Located 1 mile from the Red River Gorge in Pine Ridge KY between Mt. Parkway Exit 40 East and Exit 40 West and 8 miles to Natural Bridge State Park. The Kilns provides an area for rest and relaxation for those wanting to camp. while enjoying the outdoors. The KILNS got its name from large charcoal kilns that was a thriving family business in the late 50's early 60's. Although they are no longer in functioning, they are part of our history.
The camping area is nestled on a small family farm with 5 acres designated for PRIMATIVE Tent or Van Camping. The property is surrounded by beautiful woodlands and a lush green field, freshly manicured. It is easy access to Red River Gorge, Local Restaurants, General Stores all while secluded from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Come relax and enjoy, we look forward to seeing you!
Here are the coordinates: the maps sometimes take you to Campton, but the coordinates are accurate.
Address:
300 Johnson Ln. Campton, KY 41301
Coordinates:
37.75254° N, 83.60836° W
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$25
/ night
98%
(182)
Farm and Forest
15 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Lexington, KY
This land has previously been a tobacco farm, a hay farm, and is now home to a few beef cattle. We acquired the property in 2017, and have been making it our own and enjoying it ever since. We have blazed trails through the woods for hiking, created campsites with fire rings, farmed hay, and grown various vegetables for self-consumption. We love the proximity of the farm to town, yet the seclusion we feel when we are out there.
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$30
/ night
97%
(61)
Boone Valley Campground
50 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents30 acres · Beattyville, KY
Boone Valley Campground is a family owned and operated business that offers 30 acres of primitive, RV, and Van camping. Conveniently located only 1 mile away from the Pendergrass Murray Recreational Preserve, 7 miles from the Miller Fork Recreational Preserve, and 15 miles from the Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Red River Gorge Area. Boone Valley is perfect for outdoor adventurers and families who want to spend and enjoyable weekend in nature.
Enjoy local events! Boone Valley is located 5 miles from downtown Beattyville, KY. Camp with us on weekends of local festivals such as the Bourbon and Moonshine Festival and the Woolly Worm Festival.
Onsite enjoy weekend live music, bonfires, and home cooking from the Boone Valley Kitchen.
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$20
/ night
98%
(80)
Bar on the Mountain
2 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Beattyville, KY
*ADDITIONAL SITE ADDED* Check out our new site, Top Shelf added March 2024!
Primitive camping at its PEAK! Located in the heart of Natural Bridge State Park and the Red River Gorge, this secluded camping ground offers an experience above the rest - literally!
Accommodates tents and RV/campers 24ft and under.
360 degree views including a front row seat to an Appalachian Mountain sunrise!
Minutes from Hollerwood Offroad Park, Gorge-ous climbing and hiking trails, fishing/boating/swimming at Mill Creek Lake, restaurants including Miguel's Pizza, Rockhouse, La Cabana Mexican, and Thatcher's BBQ to name a few!
Close access to Hollerwood Offroad Park.
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$50
/ night
78%
(9)
Lago Linda Hideaway
48 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents454 acres · Beattyville, KY
Our Cabins, RV sites, and Campground are near Kentucky’s breathtaking Red River Gorge!
Situated on a magnificent 410-acre expanse within the enchanting Daniel Boone National Forest, we offer a range of accommodations to suit your preferences. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Eastern Kentucky as you choose from our cozy cabins, comfortable bunk houses, RV sites with electricity and water, or the simplicity of tent camping. For those seeking a back-to-basics experience, we also provide primitive camping options.
One of our most notable features is our fully stocked 5-acre lake, inviting you to indulge in fishing or swimming. Embrace the great outdoors in our expansive field, which features well-maintained primitive campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. Our well-appointed bathhouse ensures your comfort and even offers laundry facilities for your convenience.
RV enthusiasts will find our sites equipped with 30-amp and 50-amp electric hookups, and we provide a convenient dump station within the Campground. If you’re in the mood for adventure, explore our hiking trails or take one of our kayaks out on the water.
When hunger strikes, our on-site Café awaits, offering delicious meals to satisfy your cravings. At Lago Linda Hideaway, we strive to provide everything you need for an unforgettable camping experience.
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$16
/ night
99%
(85)
The LAAAAND (just you & 50 acres)
2 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Frenchburg, KY
When you want to get away to nature, what do you envision? We're a family that loves to camp; and while we love a stop at a KOA or community campground, we sometimes crave quiet time in nature without the noise and distraction of other campers.
That's what makes The LAAAAND so special. The property is comprised of 50 pristine acres, with a mix of fields and woods, that bump up against another 250 acres owned by our family friends. The southern perimeter of the property is all cliff line, so you feel truly remote. The possibilities of sound pollution are limited to a far-off dog barking, horses being ridden down a nearby trail, or the possible hum of a distant lumber yard. Other than that, you'll mostly hear the wind rustling trees, deer and critters making their way through the woods, and possibly a waterfall at certain times of the year. Oh, and you will absolutely hear whipoorwhills, most likely at a time you'd rather not (we've decided they're charming).
Over the nearly 2 decades we've owned this property we have spent countless weekends enjoying the simplest of pleasures; watching butterflies dance in the tree canopy, having dance parties at sunset on the deck, forging new trails and hiking into the unkown, sitting in the truck bed late at night gazing at a star-covered sky counting shooting stars.
If you are looking for a space and place to reset and reconnect, The LAAAAND is waiting for you.
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$59
/ night
Under $50
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Camping in the Red River Gorge guide
Overview
Real-life adventure playgrounds rarely come as impressive as Kentucky's Red River Gorge. Carved out by the Wild and Scenic Red River and cocooned within Daniel Boone National Forest, the soaring cliffs, natural arches, and cascading waterfalls provide a dramatic backdrop for outdoor activities. Rock climbing is the quintessential pastime—"The Red" is one of the world’s top destinations—but you can also hike, horseback ride, kayak, or zipline. Four-season camping is possible at Red River, but we recommend spring or fall, when mild weather combines with seasonal wildflowers and epic fall foliage views.
Where to go
Central Red River Gorge
Follow the 46-mile Red River Gorge Scenic Byway for spectacular views across the gorge, admire the unique rock formations and natural arches along the Angel Window or Sheltowee trails, or put your rock climbing and rappelling skills to the test. Koomer Ridge campground is the only developed campground in the main gorge area, but you’ll also find private campgrounds, cabins, yurts, and treehouses with views of the gorge.
Northwest & Daniel Boone
The 900-foot-long Nada Tunnel marks the western entrance to the Red River Gorge, and some of the most renowned rock formations and arches can be found nearby. Further north, the Daniel Boone National Forest is nirvana for hikers, and self-sufficient campers can enjoy dispersed camping throughout the national forest land. Or, for a change of scenery, head away from the gorge to enjoy boating, fishing, and lakeside camping at Cave Run Lake.
Southwest & Natural Bridge
The Natural Bridge State Resort Park encompasses much of the southwestern region of the Red River Gorge, where you’ll find some of the most easily accessible hikes and campgrounds. Hike or ride the Skylift to the park’s namesake Natural Bridge, rent a kayak or canoe along the river, then check in one of the campgrounds or rent a cozy cottage. Nearby, Muir Valley is a popular spot for rock climbing, while Campton is the starting point for ziplining excursions across the gorge.
East & Clifty Wilderness
If you’re looking to escape the crowds, pack your tent and hit the trails of the vast Clifty Wilderness area. Dense forests, rugged ridges, and streams provide plenty of tranquil backcountry camping spots, or you can bring your kayak or canoe to paddle the wild waterways of the Red River. In the southeastern corner of the gorge, the Rock Bridge Trail is a perennial favorite, with views of the natural bridge and waterfall.
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