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Old Martinsville Trail Camp
Hosted by Teri · Bowling Green, Kentucky
7 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're looking for a place to camp this summer in Warren County, look no further. Here at Old Martinsville Trail Camp, we offer several campsites for your family and friends to enjoy. Our property spans more than 23 acres of forest 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 once led to the "lost city" of Martinsville.
No matter where you choose to camp on the property, all guests have access to the creek and hiking trails. We ask that you be mindful and respectful of other visitors who may be staying at the same time. The creek is a shared area, and tents are not permitted on the gravel along the water's edge. Please set up camp along the field borders or in the wooded areas.
We are just 15 minutes south of Bowling Green and only a 10-minute drive from the nearest gas station and Dollar General. We do not offer Wi-Fi, and cell phone service can be very limited near the creek. You may need to go to the end of the driveway—or even the end of the road—to get a signal. We hope you'll enjoy the opportunity to disconnect and relax.
In the event of an emergency, we are available at the house if you need to use a phone to call 911. We do not provide restroom facilities, so please bring a camping toilet if desired. If you choose to use the property for bathroom needs, please be respectful, leave no trash behind, and either bury waste properly with a shovel or pack it out with your trash.
Our campsites are primitive, with no running water or electricity. Fire pits are not provided, but campfires are permitted when conditions allow. We do not provide firewood, and guests are responsible for checking local burn restrictions before lighting a fire. During active burn bans in Warren County, all fires are prohibited.
Be sure to bring insect repellent, such as OFF!® or mosquito spray. We do our best to keep the grass around the campsites trimmed. As with any natural setting, please watch for snakes in and around the water, especially near brush piles and fallen wood.
Pets are welcome if they are friendly and well-socialized. Please keep pets on a leash whenever other guests or dogs are nearby unless all animals are comfortable and get along well.
Select a site
Tent-only sites
1 site
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 (dispersed)
6 sites
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
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
Day Creek Pass
RV/tent site · Sleeps 5 · Vehicles under 20 ft
We are now offering a day pass on our property due to popular request. If you are in Warren County and not sure where to go enjoy the outdoors, we would love to have you visit during the day to swim, fish, or cookout with friends and family. If you have an event and you would like to visit and see if it might be a good fit, feel free to message us anytime.
This day pass is just during daylight hours only. Not for overnight camping. Just for swimming, fishing, and hiking. Here, you won't have to worry about trespassing onto private property and can relax and unwind beside the water.
Short walk to site
Pets allowed
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: [xxxxxxxx]
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
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 2026Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 7 hours
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