The best waterside campgrounds in Norris Lake

Camping along Norris Lake puts you right by the water, with over 1,400 waterside sites to choose from—expect everything from quiet coves to sprawling riverbanks. You’ll find options starting at just $10 a night, with an average stay costing around $35. Most sites offer toilets and showers, and many welcome pets. Swimming, fishing, and wildlife-watching are local favorites, and the hiking here takes you through thick forests and along rocky shores. Top picks like Low Meadow Farms (569 reviews), Patrick's Point River Camp (473 reviews), and Clayton Geneva Memorial Camp Ground (434 reviews) consistently get high marks for their access and setting. Bring your binoculars—the birdlife is serious here. And if you want to cool off, Norris Lake’s clear waters are tough to beat.

94% (3K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Norris Lake

Camping along Norris Lake puts you right by the water, with over 1,400 waterside sites to choose from—expect everything from quiet coves to sprawling riverbanks. You’ll find options starting at just $10 a night, with an average stay costing around $35. Most sites offer toilets and showers, and many welcome pets. Swimming, fishing, and wildlife-watching are local favorites, and the hiking here takes you through thick forests and along rocky shores. Top picks like Low Meadow Farms (569 reviews), Patrick's Point River Camp (473 reviews), and Clayton Geneva Memorial Camp Ground (434 reviews) consistently get high marks for their access and setting. Bring your binoculars—the birdlife is serious here. And if you want to cool off, Norris Lake’s clear waters are tough to beat.

94% (3K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Norris Lake

1. Clayton Geneva Memorial Camp Ground

98%

(638)

23 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Williamsburg, KY

Thank you for considering Clayton Geneva memorial campground for your camping trip. Please read the entire description including our rules and regulations. Also be sure to view the site map. The gravel driveway to the sites is passable with any vehicle As long as the vehicle Does not have an aftermarket lowered profile or entirely overloaded with gear. We offer camping ranging from primitive tent sites, to an actual cabin. Hikers, kayakers, canoes, Horses and riders welcome, located a couple miles from Daniel Boone National Forrest, seemingly endless trails through some of the most beautiful country. Bring your canoe and kayaks. Located 16 miles from Cumberland Falls State Park. Located 11 miles from Sheltowee Trade Adventure Park. Located 11 miles from Kentucky Splash Water Park. 11 miles from The Mint Casino!! Clayton Geneva Camp Ground began as a retreat for our family since the 70's. My grandparents, Donald Clayton Russell & Jewel Geneva (Davis) Russell, purchased this little piece of heaven to get away from the hustle and bustle of Cincinnati life. Judy was born in a little cabin just down the road. Judy & Don along with many family members have made cherished memories here over the years. We want to share its beauty with you and your family. Please consider, Clayton Geneva is a primitive campground, gravel drives and left as natural as possible. This is not a sculpted campsite or a concrete campground. The primitive area is as such, gravel, grass, sand terrain accessible by a one lane gravel drive that leads over the hill and around the cliff to the riverbank. This drive is absolutely passable however is left bumpy to keep traffic at a safe speed as pedestrians also walk the drive. It is passable by any vehicle as long as the vehicle is not overloaded beyond its ability and/or has an extremely low profile. Any area that is not an actual campsite is left to nature, not manicured, trimmed or sculpted. As you’ll find all the sites are clear please don’t expect micromanaging of wild growth of our native plants in areas around the sites as we reserve those areas for the wildlife to enjoy. Please consider all the above mentioned details, primitive campsites are not for everyone and that’s ok.

2. 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

3. Big Ridge State Park

50 sites · Maynardville, Tennessee

Discover Big Ridge State Park's lush landscapes and outdoor adventures.

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Campfires

Public campgrounds in and near Norris Lake

Big Ridge Campground

50 sites · Tents, RVs · in Big Ridge State Park

Barren Fork Horse Camp

41 sites · in Daniel Boone National Forest

Grove Campground

16 sites · Tents, RVs · in Daniel Boone National Forest

Grove Boat-In Campground

31 sites · in Daniel Boone National Forest

White Oak Boat-In Campground

51 sites · in Daniel Boone National Forest

Holly Bay Campground

29 sites · Tents, RVs · in Daniel Boone National Forest

100%

(2)

Craigs Creek Group Campground

3 sites · in Daniel Boone National Forest

Bell Farm Horse Camp

5 sites · in Daniel Boone National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

C

Chad

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Clayton Geneva Memorial Camp Ground

This is the perfect little get away! Every time we have stopped they have been great and even flexible when our plans changed.

C

Chad

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Clayton Geneva Memorial Camp Ground

Great campground and awesome host. This campground is an awesome find. We loved the river side primitive camp sites. Just what we needed to Unplug and get away. If you are running the Kentucky Adventure Tour. This awesome place is right off the route! We will definitely be back! Thanks Again.

C

Charaya

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Clayton Geneva Memorial Camp Ground

This site was beautiful. Plenty of space, kind host, and perfect for relaxing.

A

Abigail

June 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Clayton Geneva Memorial Camp Ground

Amber and the crew were awesome! They helped us with anything that we needed and the campsite was beautiful! It was a little hot, but being by the river helped so much. We can’t wait to come back!

B

Ben

May 2025

Tent

3 nights at Clayton Geneva Memorial Camp Ground

Amber was a great host! Kept me updated regularly on the weather. Would love to come back to this quiet little river side place during the dry season. Had some bad storms but was kept updated by amber regularly. Even offered to move me to a different site. The site itself was nice. Right by the river. Perfect little getaway to do some fishing. Would definitely recommend this place to others.