- Bowling Green
Old Martinsville Trail Camp
Hosted by Teri · Bowling Green, Kentucky
5 sites · RV, Tent · 23 acres
First Hipcamper Club
Earn this patch by being the first to spend a night outside at a new Hipcamp.
Near Mammoth Cave National Park
Within a 60-minute drive from the New Entrance.
Nomadic camping
Best for self-contained campers. There are no toilets, showers, or potable water at this Hipcamp.
If you are looking for a place to camp this summer in Warren County, look no further. Here at the Old Martinsville Trail Camp, we are offering several camp sites for your family and friends to enjoy. Our property is over 23 acres of forests and open meadows and borders the West Fork of Drakes Creek. Between our upper and lower fields, you can still walk along the old horse and buggy trail that led to the “lost city” of Martinsville.
No matter where you choose to camp on our property, everyone has access to enjoy the creek and hiking. We ask that you be mindful and respectful of other visitors on the property who might be staying during the same time. The creek is a common area, and we don’t allow tents to be set up on the gravel by the water’s edge – only along the borders of the fields or in the wooded areas.
We are just fifteen minutes south of Bowling green and only a ten minute drive to the closest gas station and Dollar General store. We don’t offer Wi-Fi and cell phone signals are very spotty at the creek. You might have to go to the end of the driveway to get a signal, or potentially the end of the road. I hope you find the disconnect from social media peaceful and relaxing. Should there ever be an emergency, we are at the house if you need to use our phone to call 911. We don’t offer our bathrooms for use, however, so be sure to bring a camping toilet if you prefer. We don’t care that you use the bathroom on the property, but please be mindful of the location and don’t leave trash on the grounds. And we ask that you bring a shovel to bury waste or take it with your trash.
Our camp spots are primitive with no running water or electricity. No fire pits are provided, but are allowed. We don’t provide fire wood, and you have to check with local fire departments to ensure there isn’t an active burn ban. During active burn bans in Warren County, we do not allow fires of any type.
Remember to bring your own pest control such as Off! or mosquito spray. We try to keep the grass around the camp sites cut back. Watch out for snakes in and out of the water this summer, especially around wooden brush piles.
Pets are allowed if they are friendly and sociable. Only have them on leashes if there are other dogs around unless they get along.
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Tent-only sites
1 site
New
Mushroom Trail Camp Site
Tent site · Sleeps 10
We call this location our mushroom trail camp site because we tried to grow some shitake mushrooms in some logs on this area of our property. It is through a cedar thicket and in the shade all throughout the day. If you want to camp right in the middle of the woods, this is the spot for you. Although we used to have a trail that went through this area, it is currently blocked, so you can't drive into this camping site. You'll have to park along the field edge and walk to your camping area. We don't mind for you to choose any spot in the woods to camp as long as it is on our property. There are some flat areas, but the mushroom trail goes up a slight incline from the bottom of our upper field almost up to the road and circles around the house. It is great for walking and hiking by yourself or with pets. Very scenic views and you can occasionally see deer in this area.
*We can potentially offer drop off services for kayak/canoe put-in if you are interested in floating back down to the camp site from the Goodrum Bridge or Horseshoe Bend.*
Short walk to site
4WD recommended
Campfires allowed
Pets allowed
RV/tent sites
4 sites
New
Blackberry Bush Camp Site
RV/tent site · Sleeps 12 · Vehicles under 20 ft
This camping site we offer is the closest one to our blackberry bushes that start to bloom around the middle of June to beginning of July. Feel free to collect them as long as you leave some for other campers and guests as well. This site is the closest one to the flat rocks along the creek. You also get a great view of the wildlife that cross our upper field. Watch out for snakes around the blackberry bushes.
All camp sites are allowed creek access as well as hiking across the entire property. Plenty of mature trees around to hang your hammock on. Come enjoy the peaceful and serene environment that awaits you here. Right now is about peak firefly season. As soon as the sun starts to go down, the lightning bugs come out, lighting up the night. There are so many lightning bugs that it feels magical on some nights. You'll see them across the field and up in the trees.
Our driveway is pretty steep and has some bad spots that might require a 4x4 truck to get down to the camp sites. Cars can make it down, but very slowly. We can send better photos or videos of the driveway if requested. Large RV’s probably wouldn’t be able to make it down there. Small campers might with a truck.
We typically have groups of deer that cross our property daily. We ask that you do not disturb the deer. Please don’t try to go up to them, chase them, or scare them. We absolutely don’t allow any type of hunting or shooting on our property. If we hear any shots or any animals are killed, the police will be called and charges will be pressed. We wish you wouldn’t even bring firearms onto our property, but we understand that sometimes you might want to have something with you on a camping trip for protection. Unless it is a snake, we don’t want any animals harmed or disturbed. You may see squirrels, rabbits, opossums, chipmunks, beavers, armadillos, and deer and hear owls pretty much every night.
There are numerous birds throughout the property at various times of the year. During a ten minute visit, my Merlin Bird ID app named 17 different species by the water.
*We can potentially offer drop off services for kayak/canoe put-in if you are interested in floating back down to the camp site from the Goodrum Bridge or Horseshoe Bend.*
4WD recommended
Campfires allowed
Pets allowed
New
Creekside Camp Site
RV/tent site · Sleeps 12 · Vehicles under 20 ft
We have cleared out this new camping site that is situated right beside the water. There is a very steep hill right beside the water, so the creek isn't easily accessible from this camping spot. However, it has some breathtaking views of the water and is a prime spot for spotting deer, birds, and other wildlife.
This location is a primitive tent camping site with no running water or electricity. Accessible by truck or 4-wheel drive vehicles, some cars and SUVs. Feel free to bring multiple vehicles as well as canoes, kayaks, or 4-wheelers to enjoy during your stay. Please drive along the edges of the fields and not directly through in any vehicle.
You are within view of the water at this camping spot, nestled in between clover and cane poles. We're working on a second creek access point at this spot, but it is a short walk to the main access point. This would be a prime spot to hang a hammock and watch other kayakers and visitors float by you here. This spot overlooks the rapids so you can hear running water throughout the night.
*We can potentially offer drop off services for kayak/canoe put-in if you are interested in floating back down to the camp site from the Goodrum Bridge or Horseshoe Bend.*
4WD recommended
Campfires allowed
Pets allowed
New
Fire Pit Camp Site
RV/tent site · Sleeps 12 · Vehicles under 20 ft
This is our prime camping spot site that we recommend you book during your stay with us. It is situated right beside the creek access and you will have access to the only stone fire pit we offer on the property. Here, you have a prime view of the open bottom field as well as all the wildlife along the creek banks.
All camp sites are allowed creek access as well as hiking across the entire property. Plenty of mature trees around to hang your hammock on. Come enjoy the peaceful and serene environment that awaits you here. Right now is about peak firefly season. As soon as the sun starts to go down, you will see them across the fields, lighting up the night.
We feel blessed to share this scenic creek your family and kids can enjoy swimming or fishing in. It’s typically only about waist deep while some spots may be over your head. Swim at your own discretion. You can typically walk from one gravel area to another with water above your knees. Should there be a high rain and flooding, we are able to refund your visit. When you book a reservation or contact us, we can let you know how high the water level is expected to be that weekend.
You can also lookup current water levels through the following link: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-03314000/#dataTypeId=continuous-00065-0&period=P7D&showFieldMeasurements=true
Some campers go up to the Goodrum Road bridge that is about a twenty minute float back down to our property and maybe a ten minute kayak trip. Other campers put in at Horseshoe Bend in Gold City and float back down, and this trip is probably closer to 3.5 hrs kayaking 4 + hrs floating. *We can potentially offer drop off services for kayak/canoe put-in if you are interested in floating*
Our driveway is pretty steep and has some bad spots that might require a 4x4 truck to get down to the camp sites. Cars can make it down, but very slowly. We can send better photos or videos of the driveway if requested. Large RV’s probably wouldn’t be able to make it down there. Small campers might with a truck.
We typically have groups of deer that cross our property daily. We ask that you do not disturb the deer. Please don’t try to go up to them, chase them, or scare them. We absolutely don’t allow any type of hunting.
4WD recommended
Campfires allowed
Pets allowed
New
Horse and Buggy Trail Site
RV/tent site · Sleeps 10 · Vehicles under 20 ft
This beautiful wooded camping spot sits in between our upper and lower fields. It is where the actual horse and buggy trail used to run through. You can still walk along the route and see the roadway as it was long ago. This spot is close to the water and shaded throughout the day. Currently, you can't drive into this site due to some downed trees and limbs, but it is a short walk from the lower field where you can park.
This camping spot overlooks the bend in the creek that looks down towards the flat rocks and "The Triangle" (a place where locals go to swim and fish on the weekends). You get a great view of the water from this vantage point, and there are many places to put your tent up. Tall trees overhang and it is a wonderful spot to listen to the birds and owls. Around 8 pm the frogs and crickets get the loudest before they fade away. Then the owls take over the night nature soundtrack.
*We can potentially offer drop off services for kayak/canoe put-in if you are interested in floating back down to the camp site from the Goodrum Bridge or Horseshoe Bend.*
Short walk to site
4WD recommended
Campfires allowed
Pets allowed
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Location
Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Teri P.
Joined in May 2026Things to do nearby
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