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Buckhorn Lake

The best camping in Buckhorn Lake, KY

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Stories from the community

Lauren

2 weeks ago

Tent

2 nights at Rock Bottom Horse Camp

My girlfriend and I absolutely loved staying here, so peaceful and quiet and we had the best host! Definitely one of the most beautiful places to go camp with you family! I highly recommend going here.

2 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Rustling Pines Campground

We only used the site for 1 night, whilst on a roadtrip and we did very much enjoyed our stay. Showers and toilet are very clean and luxurious. Would very much recommend.

Derek

2 weeks ago

18 ft pop-up camper

1 night at Bar on the Mountain

Definitely preferred when this was one private site, but the neighbors were ok. Way too close for comfort, though.

Zygimantas

2 weeks ago

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Kilns @ The Red River Gorge

Great location near Red River Gorge. Helpful hosts & great communicators.

Greg

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

2 nights at The LAAAAND (just you & 50 acres)

We had an absolutely amazing time at The LAAAAND. The views were stunning in every direction, and the trails were a blast to hike beautiful, and full of variety. We only had two days to explore and easily could’ve spent a full week out there and still not seen everything. The campsite was peaceful, well stocked with firewood, spacious, and perfect for unplugging. We’ll definitely be back again!

Colin

3 weeks ago

22 ft campervan

Group trip

5 nights at Backyard Warriors

Amazing spot for groups or overlanders looking for a quiet place tucked away in the woods. The Filipino food truck and lumpia were just a bonus, this place is quiet and hidden. The campsites are well established with fire rings, there was firewood available, porta-johns, and fantastic stargazing and nature viewing. This place is a perfect getaway and a hidden gem, I can’t recommend it enough as an avid camper and overlander who spends a lot of time exploring hipcamps. One of the best I’ve ever been to!

Tania

3 weeks ago

10 ft campervan

With pets

2 nights at The LAAAAND (just you & 50 acres)

I didn't get to camp bc the weekend i reserved was 20 degrees and i didn't want to do it. I still want to leave a good review because they kept good contact and emails of everything i needed to know on how to get there and a even a video of the road leading up to the camp. Im planning on reserving again when its not so cold!

Marissa

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Bar on the Mountain

Location! Location! Breathtaking view and plenty of space to set up camp and enjoy nature. The bar was a nice central hub for our cooking setup and to keep it dry without having to set up a tarp. Fire pit great size and the constructed seating (boulders, rock slab tables, benches etc) gave plenty of room. Where we pitched camp had plenty of tall trees around for privacy and blocking wind, which was extremely helpful as we got caught in a bit of some snow. The other site at this location is just across the loop but you wouldn’t notice so feels like you are in a private area. Toilet on site could use some emptying and cleaning as it was pretty full and dirty when we arrived. Other than that note amazing spot and can’t wait to come back when the weather is better!

Brad

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to The LAAAAND (just you & 50 acres)

Everything about the location, setup, and scenery are absolutely perfect! The little touches of extras was unexpected and definitely welcomed! The grill rack, extra chairs, table were awesome, and the canopy came in clutch when we arrived while it was raining. We brought a couple bundles of wood just in case, and was surprised to see plenty of precut wood to use as well! The short hikes to the cliff and waterfalls are amazing, and the sights were incredible! Just be extra careful if it rains while you are there. Parts of the hike/climbing can be extremely slippery, especially on the more sloped areas. Absolutely would stay here again and again!

Joshua

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Bar on the Mountain

Camping at Top Shelf was a perfect spot! The views were the best and it was very peaceful!

3 weeks ago

Tent

Group trip

3 nights at Bar on the Mountain

A great site with great views. All around a great time!

Tyler

3 weeks ago

Tent

Group trip

3 nights at Bar on the Mountain

I stayed at the bar with 5 of my friends there were lots of places to park our vehicles and set up tents and hammocks. On the second day it rained for hours we sat under the covered bar and joked and cooked food until it stopped and then we were right back around the fire ring. The gravel on the ground of the campsite helps the water to train quickly, we had no puddles. The view was truly captivating it made for a perfect base camp for our adventures into the Gorge. Even the porta potty was very clean. My only issue was the it’s hard to get tent stakes in the ground without a hatchet or hammer lucky I brought one with me so it wasn’t a big deal. I will return I. The future.

Matt

3 weeks ago

Tent

2 nights at The Kilns @ The Red River Gorge

Second time here. Very nice place and great hosts! My go to spot by the red river gorge

Chad

November 2025

16 ft travel trailer

3 nights at The LAAAAND (just you & 50 acres)

No wonder you have 100% on your reviews. The property is beautiful and the view overlooking the Daniel Boone National Forest is amazing. The camping spot was easy to get to with my Pickup truck and 16’ Sunray Sport Camper. The areas to hike and explore are well marked and there’s plenty of rock features to check out. Also not far from the Red River Gorge area to check out the Rock bridge and the Nada tunnel. Thank you for sharing your amazing property!

Allie

November 2025

14 ft pop-up camper

With pets

1 night at Bar on the Mountain

Very peaceful and quiet. Serene. Breathtaking sunrises. Private and spacious. The ultimate camp site for staying lowkey and having privacy.

Jessica

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The LAAAAND (just you & 50 acres)

Beautiful location and very private. The views was great. I also appreciated the tarp to place my tent under.

Little grove of trees was a perfect place to set up the hammock.

Hannah

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Serenity Camp

Awesome campground would definitely recommend staying there!

Justin

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Kilns @ The Red River Gorge

We loved camping here! Wish we had been able to take advantage of the included firewood but the weather had other plans. Good space between other sites and beautiful fall colors surrounding us. And our host was super helpful and welcoming. Hope to be back!

laura

November 2025

15 ft pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Kilns @ The Red River Gorge

Our little family stayed here in our pop-up camper, and it was nothing short of magical. The hosts were absolutely amazing — so kind, accommodating, and welcoming. They went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and even met us upon arrival to help us find the spot and get parked easily. The campsite itself felt private and peaceful, surrounded by trees and nature with plenty of open space for our two-year-old and our dog to run, explore, and just be free. It was the perfect mix of seclusion and comfort — quiet enough to feel like our own world, yet close to everything we wanted to do near the Gorge. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The atmosphere, the hospitality, and the natural beauty all came together to make this one of our favorite camping trips yet. If you’re looking for a place to truly unwind and enjoy the outdoors near the Gorge, this is it. We can’t wait to come back.

Tollie

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Serenity Camp

Great location! Very pretty property, secluded and private.

Top public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Buckhorn Lake

Buckhorn Campground

4.4mi from Buckhorn Lake · 29 sites · Tents, RVs · in Buckhorn Lake

Trace Branch Campground

5mi from Buckhorn Lake · 18 sites · Tents, RVs · in Buckhorn Lake

Top-rated campgrounds

Roaring Shoals Farm

97%

(17)

22mi from Buckhorn Lake · 1 site · RV · Jackson, KY

The last week of May is hay cutting time, which is a great time to visit our farm! Roaring Shoals Farm is a Black Angus cattle and hay farm. It is a family farm set in the beautiful hills of eastern Kentucky. We have 600 acres of mountains that have amazing views, hiking trails, wildlife and tranquil creeks. Our family would love to welcome you to our farm! Learn more about this land: Roaring Shoals is a family farm. This campsite is a double capacity with full hookup, located in a rural community halfway between Jackson and Salyersville on Highway 30 East. The site is close to the road; however there is much woodland to explore located on the property. We have small waterfall and a natural rock formation that can be hiked to. There is a shoal a very short walk from the campsite that is a wonderful place to enjoy the creek! There is great cellular service if your device uses Verizon towers, as there is a tower on the property. This is the perfect place to come and relax if you are visiting the area. It is approximately 12 miles from a small town with local restaurants and convenience stores. Our farm raised , dry aged black angus beef can be purchased if available; please check availability by calling a few days prior to your stay. You may also purchase firewood that was harvested from our property which is a certified tree farm. Our cattle are raised on another of our properties located a few miles up the road. We would be happy to schedule a time to take you there to see where they are born and raised.

Boone Valley Campground

96%

(139)

28mi from Buckhorn Lake · 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.

Serenity Camp

98%

(357)

28mi from Buckhorn Lake · 26 sites · Tents, RVs · 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.

Backyard Warriors

100%

(12)

28mi from Buckhorn Lake · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · Tyner, KY

30 acres of fields and woods. With a Filipino food trailer available for meals between 11:00am and 9:00pm. There is volleyball, corn hole and karaoke available. Close to Flat Lick Falls, S-Tree Recreational Park and Turkey Foot Recreational Park in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Plenty of hiking and off-roading nearby. Sometimes the apps used to find the campsite location is not right so here is the coordinates 37 19"52"N 83 56"19"W, https://www.facebook.com/share/16h4gwXdPm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Bar on the Mountain

97%

(155)

31mi from Buckhorn Lake · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · 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.

The Kilns @ The Red River Gorge

99%

(183)

32mi from Buckhorn Lake · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · 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 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. Coordinates: 37.75254° N, 83.60836° W Address: 300 Johnson Ln. Campton, KY 41301

Cannon Lake Private Woodland

90%

(21)

36mi from Buckhorn Lake · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Cannon, KY

Learn more about this land: Near Daniel Boone Festival camp sites for primitive camping in tents on fenced and gated scenic private farm. Hill side views of 5 acre spring-fed lake with waterfall. Great for fishing and kayaking, bird watching, and hiking. Road side trail around lake. Pine and deciduous woodlands on far side of the lake. Short drive to Cumberland Falls State Park or Laurel Lake. Hook ups for RV and trailers with electric, water and sewer. Group fire pit and grills.

Camp Middle Fork

98%

(159)

37mi from Buckhorn Lake · 4 sites · Tents · 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.

Wiley's Last Resort

94%

(54)

37mi from Buckhorn Lake · 18 sites · Tents · Whitesburg, KY

Wiley's Last Resort is about a hundred acres on top of Pine Mountain in Letcher County, KY. Jim Webb aka "Wiley Quixote" purchased the property in 1996 and began restoring, developing, and naming all the nooks and crannies that make up this wonderful place.

Gray Hills

100%

(12)

40mi from Buckhorn Lake · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · Gray, KY

**NOTICE - Please note that we will be wrapping up the season early and closing from November 1 through February 28, with a tentative re-opening date of March 1. During this time, we’ll be working on exciting updates and improvements—stay tuned!** 150 acres of raw, peaceful beauty tucked in the Appalachian foothills—just 20 minutes off I-75 near Corbin in southeast Kentucky, but a world away. Gray Hills is a primitive escape for families, friends, and solo wanderers alike—designed to quiet the chaos, steady the soul, and focus on what truly counts. Our sites are surrounded by rolling hills, quiet woods, and big skies. Choose your experience: Pondside – Camp by the water where frogs sing at dusk and mist rises at dawn. Ideal for fishing, relaxing, or spotting wildlife. Bring your own kayak or rent one on site (availability varies). Hilltop – Secluded, breezy, and wide-open, with stunning sunrise and sunset views. Feels like the edge of the world. All sites are primitive—no hookups, no concrete, just fire pits, natural trails, and the kind of peace that gets into your soul. Our dirt roads are a little bumpy to keep speeds safe. The campsites, trails, and key spots are kept cleared—the rest stays wild for the deer, turkey, and everything else that lives here (yes, bugs too—bring your repellent!). A nearby train also runs on its own schedule—it’s part of the holler charm. If you love it rugged, real, and peaceful, join us at Gray Hills where you can breathe deep and stay wild! Need help finding your ideal campsite? Let us guide you! Best sites for fishing - 1, 2, 3 Best site for kayak launch - 2 Best sites for most seclusion - 4, 6, 7, 8 Best sites for RVs/campers - 3, 5 Best sites for campervans - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Best for large groups - 3, 6, 7 Best sites for stargazing - 5, 6, 7, 8 Best sites for sunsets - 2, 6 Best sites for sunrises - 7, 8 Best sites for hammock camping - 2, 3, 4, 8 Shaded sites - 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 Sunny sites - 5 (no shade), 6 (some shade), 7 (no shade) Best sites to Breathe Deep and Stay Wild - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Furnace mountain primitive camping

100%

(12)

40mi from Buckhorn Lake · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Stanton, KY

60+ acres of woods, trails and 2 small ponds for catch and release. Car accessible sites or hike in. You pick a spot and set up wherever you like. There is a porta potty on the property and we have camping toilets if you need one. Just let us know ahead. No water or electricity is available on the property. There will be signs of some suggested camping spots we have used in the past also. Atv’s, dirt bikes welcome! Please take out what you bring in! Feel free to contact me for directions. GPS may not take you directly to Tiny Jones road, but it’s the 1st right after Knowlton church. There will be a sign on the road that says Tilting Rock Trail to the left. Follow the drive about a mile into the property and pick a spot where you like!

The LAAAAND (just you & 50 acres)

100%

(134)

42mi from Buckhorn Lake · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · 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. (***Please note, we leave our personal camper on the property for the camping season, so you will see it when you arrive to the right of the campsite***)

The best camping in Buckhorn Lake, KY guide

Overview

About

The landscape of Buckhorn Lake is truly a sight to behold. It’s as if the Kentucky River just busted through and carved these incredible valleys and green, winding hills, which are now affectionately known as the amazing Appalachian Mountains! You’ll only have to travel a short distance from Lexington to find this rugged and rural outback that surrounds the 1,230-acre Buckhorn Lake and the nearby Cumberland Plateau. If you drive down the main road for a bit, you’ll hit Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, where you can dine, lodge, or camp out. During the day, you’ll want to get out in the woods, so bring your best-loved, broken-in hiking shoes. Paddle around the waters or simply sit on the shore and take in the unsurpassable views. Words could not do this wilderness justice, so you might want to start packin’ now. This out-of-the-way gem is just the right amount of quiet, fun, and beauty that will hit the spot and leave you breathless.

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