Kentucky is a sleeper hit for RV travel — Mammoth Cave, the Red River Gorge, the Daniel Boone National Forest, and a bourbon trail that winds through genuinely beautiful countryside. The average rental runs about $115/night, with travel trailers starting around $80/night and Class C motorhomes typically running $160/night.
Eastern Kentucky mountain roads require a mid-size or smaller rig. The Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge, and the Daniel Boone National Forest involve some narrow, winding mountain roads. A Class C or smaller handles them well. A 40-foot Class A is manageable on KY-15 and KY-11 but limits your secondary road options considerably.
Slide-outs are worth the cost at Mammoth Cave. Mammoth Cave's Headquarters Campground has roomy sites with full hookups. The extra living space of a slide-out makes a multi-night base camp here genuinely comfortable — and you'll want multiple nights to do the cave tours justice.
A tow vehicle setup works well for the Bluegrass region. The horse farms, distillery tours, and rolling countryside of central Kentucky are best explored in a smaller vehicle once you're set up at camp. A travel trailer with a tow vehicle gives you the best of both.
Awnings earn their keep in summer. Kentucky summers run hot and humid — consistent 85–90°F with high humidity from June through August. A good awning and a quality air conditioner are worth factoring into your unit selection for summer trips.
Kentucky is moderately complex to navigate in the east and straightforward in the center and west. A few things to plan around:
Mammoth Cave tours must be reserved separately from your campsite. The cave tour tickets and campsite reservations are separate bookings through Recreation.gov. Both fill fast for spring and fall weekends. Handle them at the same time — not sequentially.
Red River Gorge campgrounds are first-come, first-served during peak season. Natural Bridge State Resort Park has reservable sites, but most dispersed campgrounds in the Daniel Boone National Forest are first-come. Arrive Thursday if you're targeting a popular weekend.
Kentucky State Resort Parks are an exceptional value. Kentucky operates one of the best state resort park systems in the country — full hookup sites, on-site restaurants, pools, and activities at most locations. Book through the Kentucky State Parks reservation system.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park fills fast for fall. The "Niagara of the South" is one of Kentucky's most beloved destinations. Hookup sites book well ahead for October foliage and the rare moonbow phenomenon on clear full-moon nights.
Some of Kentucky's most popular RV parks combine the creature comforts of home with beautiful, natural surroundings and fantastic access to nearby attractions and events. Campgrounds in Louisville, such as Derby Campground and RV Park, provide guests with fabulous amenities that include an outdoor grill and patio, 24-hour security, and recreational games that are just a few blocks away from Churchill Downs. If you're visiting during the Derby, you'll enjoy the park's annual celebration that's one of the largest in the city.
The Bowling Green KOA Holiday is another great park that's only a short distance away from a long and fun list of attractions that include Mammoth Cave National Park, the National Corvette Museum, and The Reindeer Farm. Fantastic features include inflatable, weekend waterslides, fishing ponds, mini-golf, and a number of beautiful hiking and walking trails.
Whispering Hills RV Park is located a few miles north of Lexington in the heart of horse country. Here, RVers can set up camp in a lovely, well-manicured park that has a large, fishing pond, a swimming pool, and a basketball court. You'll find the Kentucky Horse Park 15 minutes from Whispering Hills.
As you travel through the Bluegrass State, you'll find a variety of Kentucky dump stations that are conveniently located near or in the bigger cities. Many dump stations can also be found at local campgrounds and state parks in less-populated areas that provide guests with free access — although nominal fees may be charged for dump station use only. Amenities vary depending on the site you choose with many of them offering non-potable and potable rinse water, big-rig-friendly accommodations, and 24/7 access.
Kentucky is home to Mammoth Cave National Park, a geological wonder with a fascinating history that spans over 200 years. This incredible national park boasts over 400 miles of mapped caves, making it the longest cave system in the world. Tours of Mammoth Cave allow visitors to go on a journey deep beneath the earth's surface through massive caverns where ghosts of past explorers still haunt the endless tunnels.
In addition to thriving cities and a unique national park, there are also many noteworthy state parks to enjoy throughout Kentucky. The gorgeous forests that surround Cumberland Falls State Park offer plenty of terrain for hikers to explore, and the views of Cumberland Falls are nothing short of epic. DuPont Lodge and the Pinnacle Knob 1937 Fire Tower are historic places you'll want to check out.
On average expect to pay $142 per night in Kentucky.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Kentucky?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Kentucky from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Kentucky?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in Kentucky?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in Kentucky.