The best camping in Red River Gorge with horseback riding

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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.

98% (604) 39 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Red River Gorge

The Harrican

1. The Harrican

98%
(30)
7 sites · Tents, RVs · KY
Learn more about this land:This is a beautiful 200 acre farm that has been in my family for over 100 years. My father (at age 93) still harvests hay on 100 of the acres twice annually. Primitive campsites range from soft and scenic rolling fields with mountainous backdrops to completely wooded areas with the wild Rockastle River within 1 mile from the property. Discover a rare campsite available between two cliffs that the Native Americans originally called home. It remains just as they found it. There is an easily accessible large flat cliff area perfect for multiple tents and campfires! However, if a little more comfort is your style, you can unplug and unwind in a two story cabin located on a beautiful and secluded 2 acre pond with a dock and pier that can be reserved for $85 nightly. I classify the Lakehouse Cabin as primitive glamping! Wildlife is present every single day! We are near two Wildlife management reserve areas and completely surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forrest. Deer, turkey and so much more can be observed daily in their natural habitat. This is truly an amazing and rare gem right here in our beloved Bluegrass State!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Rockcastle Riverside

2. Rockcastle Riverside

94%
(723)
50 sites · Tents, RVs · 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!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$25
 / night
Boone Valley Campground

3. Boone Valley Campground

96%
(139)
50 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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. Ask us about guided OHV Tours in the area! We offer guided tours! New! 2 Nights camping at Buckhorn Lake State Park. Including Pontoon Guide all day. Price is $300 for 2 people. Max group allowed is 6. Offer available from July - September. Concessions Truck on the property! 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.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$20
 / night
Daniel Boone National Forest

4. Daniel Boone National Forest

97%
(33)
619 sites · Whitley City, Kentucky
Waterfalls, arches, lakes, hiking—This massive national forest has all the recreation you could want
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
The Honey Hut

5. The Honey Hut

100%
(59)
2 sites · Lodging · Mount Sterling, KY
This is a small honey bee farm . Cabin is between ten acres of windflowers and our 5 acre pond. You may see deer, otters, turkey, or even a bald eagle we saw once. Pets are welcome but you must select the optional per pet / per day fee under extras . This money goes to the cleaning lady .
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$162
 / night
Mountainfire!

6. Mountainfire!

100%
(35)
4 sites · Tents, RVs · London, KY
This area is an old tobacco and cattle farm on a point above Laurel Lake. We do a bit of farming and crafting when we can and thought we’d try and share our lovely spot! Much of the timber on the place is nearly 100 years old hardwoods, with a couple of fields throughout. I camp here myself too, and can recommend it for privacy! Learn more about this land: You can park an RV or trailer on these private sites within a 10min drive or short walk to Laurel Lake! Gravel roads to a field capable of holding up to two trailers with more planned in time! Primitive sites, Quiet n private. These sites are also within 10 mi of both London and Corbin Ky, with services available at both. Scenic Cumberland Falls is a short 25 min drive, and this place is adjacent to the Daniel Boone National Forest with plenty of hiking nearby.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
$20
 / night
Trace Space KY

7. Trace Space KY

100%
(20)
1 site · Lodging · Wellington, KY
Ready to share your passion for an eco-friendly tiny camping cabin near Cave Run Lake and the Red River Gorge with someone who shares your love of sustainability and nature, too? This transforming aframe cabin is perfect for nature lovers, campers, and eco-conscious explorers eager to learn, see, and stay, leaving a wildlife-friendly footprint. The tiny cabin is a unique transforming A-frame camping cabin that occupies a compact area, certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat yard and recognized as a certified garden and monarch waystation through monarchwatch.org. TSKY is located 3 miles from Long Bow boat dock on Cave Run Lake, 10 minutes from the Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail, and 18 miles from the adventures in the Red River Gorge. Outdoor seekers and enthusiasts will appreciate the nature trails, the lake's pristine waters, and the opportunity to explore the Daniel Boone National Forest or to simply rest and unplug. There are short hikes within a 20-minute drive, each offering its own unique discovery: arches, an overlook, a cave, and a 60-foot waterfall nestled within a small scenic canyon. With so much natural beauty to explore, your stay at our A-frame camping cabin is a perfect base place to Embrace Nature's Pace.
Toilets
Campfires
Wifi
from 
$52
 / night
Pine Tree RV Park

8. Pine Tree RV Park

100%
(25)
2 sites · RVs · Frenchburg, KY
My campground has 2 gravel hookups. Each hookup has city water, 50 amp electric, and sewer hookup. If you need 30 amp, I will rent a refundable reducer for $20. My house is nearby. Beautiful Cave Run Lake is nearby. It is 6 miles from the campground. One can hike, fish, kayak, boat ride etc…. We are 21 miles from Natural Bridge and 15 miles from Red River Gorge!!
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$40
 / night
D.J.’S Camp LLC

9. D.J.’S Camp LLC

94%
(33)
3 sites · Wellington, KY
This two-site campground is located in Wellington, KY (Menifee County). Water, sewer, and 50/30 amp. electric are supplied at each site for your self-contained rig to camp. Wifi is included in your site fee. Firewood is supplied free of charge to use in our firepit. Long Bow Marina is just 3 miles away so bring your boat. Cave Run Lake Dam, Natural Bridge State Park, Broke Leg Falls, and Red River Gorge are just minutes away from our campground. If you are attending an event at Sunset Ridge Farm/Wedding Lodge, it's only 4 miles away.

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.

98% (604) 39 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Red River Gorge

The Harrican

1. The Harrican

98%
(30)
7 sites · Tents, RVs · KY
Learn more about this land:This is a beautiful 200 acre farm that has been in my family for over 100 years. My father (at age 93) still harvests hay on 100 of the acres twice annually. Primitive campsites range from soft and scenic rolling fields with mountainous backdrops to completely wooded areas with the wild Rockastle River within 1 mile from the property. Discover a rare campsite available between two cliffs that the Native Americans originally called home. It remains just as they found it. There is an easily accessible large flat cliff area perfect for multiple tents and campfires! However, if a little more comfort is your style, you can unplug and unwind in a two story cabin located on a beautiful and secluded 2 acre pond with a dock and pier that can be reserved for $85 nightly. I classify the Lakehouse Cabin as primitive glamping! Wildlife is present every single day! We are near two Wildlife management reserve areas and completely surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forrest. Deer, turkey and so much more can be observed daily in their natural habitat. This is truly an amazing and rare gem right here in our beloved Bluegrass State!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Rockcastle Riverside

2. Rockcastle Riverside

94%
(723)
50 sites · Tents, RVs · 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!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$25
 / night
Boone Valley Campground

3. Boone Valley Campground

96%
(139)
50 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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. Ask us about guided OHV Tours in the area! We offer guided tours! New! 2 Nights camping at Buckhorn Lake State Park. Including Pontoon Guide all day. Price is $300 for 2 people. Max group allowed is 6. Offer available from July - September. Concessions Truck on the property! 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.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
$20
 / night
Daniel Boone National Forest

4. Daniel Boone National Forest

97%
(33)
619 sites · Whitley City, Kentucky
Waterfalls, arches, lakes, hiking—This massive national forest has all the recreation you could want
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
The Honey Hut

5. The Honey Hut

100%
(59)
2 sites · Lodging · Mount Sterling, KY
This is a small honey bee farm . Cabin is between ten acres of windflowers and our 5 acre pond. You may see deer, otters, turkey, or even a bald eagle we saw once. Pets are welcome but you must select the optional per pet / per day fee under extras . This money goes to the cleaning lady .
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$162
 / night
Mountainfire!

6. Mountainfire!

100%
(35)
4 sites · Tents, RVs · London, KY
This area is an old tobacco and cattle farm on a point above Laurel Lake. We do a bit of farming and crafting when we can and thought we’d try and share our lovely spot! Much of the timber on the place is nearly 100 years old hardwoods, with a couple of fields throughout. I camp here myself too, and can recommend it for privacy! Learn more about this land: You can park an RV or trailer on these private sites within a 10min drive or short walk to Laurel Lake! Gravel roads to a field capable of holding up to two trailers with more planned in time! Primitive sites, Quiet n private. These sites are also within 10 mi of both London and Corbin Ky, with services available at both. Scenic Cumberland Falls is a short 25 min drive, and this place is adjacent to the Daniel Boone National Forest with plenty of hiking nearby.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
$20
 / night
Trace Space KY

7. Trace Space KY

100%
(20)
1 site · Lodging · Wellington, KY
Ready to share your passion for an eco-friendly tiny camping cabin near Cave Run Lake and the Red River Gorge with someone who shares your love of sustainability and nature, too? This transforming aframe cabin is perfect for nature lovers, campers, and eco-conscious explorers eager to learn, see, and stay, leaving a wildlife-friendly footprint. The tiny cabin is a unique transforming A-frame camping cabin that occupies a compact area, certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat yard and recognized as a certified garden and monarch waystation through monarchwatch.org. TSKY is located 3 miles from Long Bow boat dock on Cave Run Lake, 10 minutes from the Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail, and 18 miles from the adventures in the Red River Gorge. Outdoor seekers and enthusiasts will appreciate the nature trails, the lake's pristine waters, and the opportunity to explore the Daniel Boone National Forest or to simply rest and unplug. There are short hikes within a 20-minute drive, each offering its own unique discovery: arches, an overlook, a cave, and a 60-foot waterfall nestled within a small scenic canyon. With so much natural beauty to explore, your stay at our A-frame camping cabin is a perfect base place to Embrace Nature's Pace.
Toilets
Campfires
Wifi
from 
$52
 / night
Pine Tree RV Park

8. Pine Tree RV Park

100%
(25)
2 sites · RVs · Frenchburg, KY
My campground has 2 gravel hookups. Each hookup has city water, 50 amp electric, and sewer hookup. If you need 30 amp, I will rent a refundable reducer for $20. My house is nearby. Beautiful Cave Run Lake is nearby. It is 6 miles from the campground. One can hike, fish, kayak, boat ride etc…. We are 21 miles from Natural Bridge and 15 miles from Red River Gorge!!
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$40
 / night
D.J.’S Camp LLC

9. D.J.’S Camp LLC

94%
(33)
3 sites · Wellington, KY
This two-site campground is located in Wellington, KY (Menifee County). Water, sewer, and 50/30 amp. electric are supplied at each site for your self-contained rig to camp. Wifi is included in your site fee. Firewood is supplied free of charge to use in our firepit. Long Bow Marina is just 3 miles away so bring your boat. Cave Run Lake Dam, Natural Bridge State Park, Broke Leg Falls, and Red River Gorge are just minutes away from our campground. If you are attending an event at Sunset Ridge Farm/Wedding Lodge, it's only 4 miles away.

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
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The best camping in Red River Gorge with horseback riding guide

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.

Top cities in and near Red River Gorge