Still engaging the pioneering spirit of Daniel Boone, the state of Kentucky welcomes boondocking. Visitors come to Kentucky for its mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and rolling grasslands. Kentucky’s legendary forests include two nationally designated ones: Daniel Boone National Forest and George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, which offer scenic rivers and where panoramic views of valleys surrounded by heights are standard.
These attractions encourage RV travelers to try boondocking in Kentucky.
Boondocking Sites in Kentucky
Swain Ridge Road Dispersed Camping
At Swain Ridge Road Dispersed Camping there is a clear area about the size of a football field that is dedicated to dispersed camping. Located close to Parkers Lake, KY, and near the Kentucky/Tennessee border, this open field offers a place to stay, but there are no amenities. The site is located alongside the Beaver Creek Wilderness, which is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest. This campground is often unused despite its immediate access to the trails, streams, and lakes that attract so many to the forest.
S-Tree Campground
S-Tree Campground, located 60 miles southeast of Lexington, KY, offers free camping on a first-come, first-served basis. There are 20 campsites available for overnight use with a small picnic area and a historic picnic shelter constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The campground has access to the Sweltowee Trace National Recreation Trail and the Renfro Loop Trails. This campground is heavily used, so arrive early to find an available space. This campground is not recommended for rigs over 25 feet in length.
Turkey Foot Campground
Located near the S-Tree Campground is the Turkey Foot Campground. Turkey Foot offers 15 boondocking campsites along the banks of War Fork Creek. The road into the campground is steep, and rigs are limited to 30 feet in length. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, camping pad, and lantern post. Vault toilets are available, but there are no water fixtures, electricity, or dump stations at the campground. The fishing is excellent as the creek is stocked twice per year.
Paragon Dispersed Camping Area
Boondockers will find 10 campsites at the Paragon Dispersed Camping Area near Clearfield, KY. Located in northeastern Kentucky, the area is easily reached by traveling east 60 miles from Lexington. Some of the campsites have fire rings and lantern posts. The Forest Service provides chemical toilets and trash pickup from mid-April through November. The campground sits beside Cave Run Lake, known for its intense scenic beauty, peaceful environment, and extensive water activities.
Little Lick Campground
The Little Lick Campground sits near Somerset, KY. It provides 15 free campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. Vault toilets are available for use by campers. The access road is 5 miles of twisting gravel, which serves to keep the campground secluded. Most days, the campground is empty despite the opportunities to hike, bike, or horseback ride on several trails through the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Indian Creek in the Daniel Boone National Forest
Indian Creek in the Daniel Boone National Forest offers 30 or more free campsites. It is free to camp anywhere along Indian Creek, but you must have a permit to stay overnight. Those permits are $3 per day, but you can get three-day or annual passes as well. These campsites are extremely primitive, are generally beside the creek, and offer no amenities whatsoever. Indian Creek is easy to access from Lexington, KY, by driving 57 miles east.
Where to Boondock in Kentucky
- All of the campsites listed above are located in the extensive Daniel Boone National Forest.
- There are also some boondocking sites available in the Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
- The Department of Fish and Wildlife offers some dry camping, especially in the southern part of the state, with a large collection of them in the town of Rochester.
Kentucky is a beautiful place for RV travel with a fantastic array of activities. By taking advantage of boondocking, visitors lower their travel costs and come closer to the impressive views and hikes that seem to appear around every bend while traveling through the state. Need an RV for the trip? You can always rent one from RVshare.
