Free Kentucky boondocking locations are inspired by exhilarating landscapes and unbridled adventures that abound in Kentucky, whether on land, on water and even underground. Here you’ll find Kentucky hiking and horseback riding on rolling hills of the bluegrass. Kentucky camping sites are close to rock formations that draw climbers from around the world.
Jump directly to the 18 Eastern Kentucky Boondocking and Free RV Parking Spots
Jump directly to the 14 Western Kentucky Boondocking and Free RV Parking Spots
Explore Kentucky’s Great Outdoors with Free Kentucky Boondocking
The state has the most navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States, as well as the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi which are available to use as Kentucky Camping Sites. Horse racing, bourbon, moonshine, coal, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, bluegrass music, college basketball, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the Kentucky colonel are all part of Kentucky’s unique blended culture.
Paddlers and anglers are drawn to the wild rivers. Across Kentucky’s southern and western borders, lakes shimmer, and huge rivers flow in all directions. Because of its many lakes, Kentucky has claimed the title of “Houseboat Capital of the World.” In the Bluegrass State, beauty abounds from Appalachian peaks to subterranean depths.
The world’s largest cave system reveals a secret world of wonders beneath the surface. Kentucky’s pre-Daniel Boone forests, craggy mountains, and stunning geologic formations all beckon the adventurous. And the sweeping bluegrass hills never fail to enchant. Kentucky crams a lot of magic into a small space.
Want more ideas to round-out your trip to the North-Eastern States?
► Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin ◄
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- 18 Free Indiana Boondocking Camp Sites Along With Maps
- 64 Free Michigan Boondocking Locations Including Maps
- 77 Amazing New York Boondocking Campsites And Maps
- 24 Free Ohio Boondocking Camping Areas Including Maps
- 47 Top Pennsylvania Boondocking Areas With Maps
- 47 Best Virginia Boondocking Sites Also Maps
- 19 Top West Virginia Boondocking Camp Sites And Maps
- 31 Favorite Wisconsin Boondocking Spots Plus Maps
18 Eastern Kentucky Boondocking and Free RV Parking Spots
Jump directly to the 14 Western Kentucky Boondocking and Free RV Parking Spots
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1. Great Meadows Campground
Address
Stearns, Kentucky
GPS: 36.6289, -84.7259
Elevation: 1015′
Management: Public – USDA Forest Service
The road in is Gravel and 5.6 miles from a paved road. There are 16-29 Free Kentucky Boondocking campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 35 feet. The Great Meadows Campground, located on Stearns District of the Daniel Boone National Forest, is developed on both sides of the road. Deer Loop is on the right; Raccoon Loop is on the left. Deer Loop is open April 1 – November 15; Raccoon Loop is open year round
2. Bell Farm Horse Camp
Address
Stearns, Kentucky
GPS: 36.668712, -84.667272
Elevation: 938′
Management: Public – USDA Forest Service
Kentucky Boondocking Locations at Bell Farm Horse Camp, located on Stearns District of the Daniel Boone National Forest, is a popular place for wagon-train riders who come to “rest a spell.”
3. Little Lick Horse Campground
Address
Somerset, Kentucky
GPS: 36.97192, -84.398399
Elevation: 1053′
Management: Public – Forest Service (USDA) (Official)
Little Lick Horse Campground is open Year Round. There are 6-15 Kentucky Boondocking Sites at this location. You may stay 14 Nights at Little Lick Horse Campground. Little Lick sits on a long ridgetop north of the Cumberland River, west of the Rockcastle River, and offers plenty of opportunities to see the natural beauty of the forest.
4. Rockcastle Campground
Address
London, Kentucky
GPS: 36.962358, -84.347947
Elevation: 815′
Management: Public – USDA Forest Service (Official)
Rockcastle Campground is open Mid April – Mid November. There are 16-29 Kentucky Camping Sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 15 feet. Rockcastle Campground is located on the backwaters of Lake Cumberland at the mouth of Rockcastle River. Large, towering beech and hemlock trees provide plenty of shade and a sense of seclusion.
5. Redbird 204 Bridge
Address
Hwy 204 Redbird Bridge, 40769
Williamsburg, Kentucky
GPS: 36.760535, -84.223056
Elevation: 920′
Management: Public – Fish and Wildlife Service (Official)
The road in is Paved. Redbird 204 Bridge is open all year. There are 6-15 Free Kentucky boondocking sites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 5 days at Redbird 204 Bridge. Hwy 204. On the Cumberland River, Redbird Bridge boat ramp and camp site. Location in Whitley County, Kentucky
6. Jellico #1 Dispersed
Address
Jellico Creek Road
Strunk, Kentucky
GPS: 36.603341, -84.253019
Elevation: 1027′
Management: Public – Forest Service
Free Kentucky camping sites in the Daniel Boone National Forest’s Stearns Ranger District. No reservations. First come, first served. Don’t go there with any RV, tents its a great spot. Off road vehicles only.
7. Asher Hunting Access Area
Address
Old House Branch Road
Arjay, Kentucky
GPS: 36.896303, -83.560327
Elevation: 2149′
Management: Public – State Park
Free Kentucky boondocking sites. First come -> First Camped. Reservations not accepted. This is an update after reconsidering the location. The access road is NOT recommended for anything that isn’t 4WD! I was in a 2WD van but the mud was pretty dry because it hadn’t rained in a while so I was able to traverse around the mud pits.
8. Boone WMA
Address
Unnamed Road
Pineville, Kentucky
GPS: 36.8786, -83.450689
Elevation: 2090′
Management: Public – Fish and Wildlife
Free Kentucky camping sites. First come -> first served. No reservations accepted.
9. Robinson Forest WMA
Address
Trail 33
Leburn, Kentucky
GPS: 37.435918, -83.020061
Elevation: 1450′
Management: Public – Fish and Wildlife
Free Kentucky boondocking sites. No reservations. First come, first served. There are no amenities here. Plenty of spots but wouldn’t recommend big travel trailers or motorhomes. The one area has travel trailer on sides of the road further back is more open. Still a nice area to rest at for a few days.
10. Paul Van Booven WMA
Address
Long Fork Road
Clayhole, Kentucky
GPS: 37.431894, -83.180352
Elevation: 1355′
Management: Public – Fish and Wildlife
Free Kentucky camping sites. First come -> First Camped. Reservations not accepted. 4×4 REQUIRED. Steep rocky uneven road will pop tires on small cars!
11. Turkey Foot
Address
McKee, Kentucky
GPS: 37.466717, -83.915375
Elevation: 1026′
Management: Public – Forest Service (USDA) (Official)
The road in is Gravel and ~3 miles from a paved road. Turkey Foot is open April 11 to November 24. There are 6-15 Free Kentucky boondocking sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 30′. You may stay 14 Nights at Turkey Foot. We stayed here this past fall. We stayed for about a week. There was only one other site occupied, and it was for only one night (though they left enough trash for a week).
12. Chimney top rock Rd.
Address
Pine Ridge, Kentucky
GPS: 37.82137, -83.615586
Elevation: 1217′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Unofficial)
Free Kentucky camping sites – Multiple road pull offs. No water, port a potty towards end of road
13. Indian Creek Daniel Boone National Forest
Address
Indian Creek Road Stanton, KY 40380
Frenchburg, Kentucky
GPS: 37.87242, -83.6576
Elevation: 719′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel and 4-5 miles miles from a paved road. Indian Creek Daniel Boone National Forest is open All Year. There are 30 or more campsites at this location. You may stay 14 days in Free Kentucky boondocking sites at Indian Creek Daniel Boone National Forest. A PASS or PERMIT is required at this campsite.
14. Buckcreek Road (FR 918A)
Address
Salt Lick, Kentucky
GPS: 38.0433, -83.57094
Elevation: 1086′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel. There are 1-5 Free Kentucky camping sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 14 days at Buckcreek Road (FR 918A). There are several campsites that are primitive along Buck Creek Rd. No facilities but camping is allowed along this road. The road is single track but well graveled.
15. Paragon Dispersed Camping Area
Address
Paragon-Craney Rd
West Liberty, Kentucky
GPS: 38.048074, -83.394839
Elevation: 722′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
Paragon Dispersed Camping Area is open year-round. There are 6-15 Free Kentucky boondocking sites at this location. You may stay 14 nights at Paragon Dispersed Camping Area. This primitive camping area has 7 designated campsites, some with lantern posts and fire rings. Chemical toilet available
16. Hartig Park
Address
Warsaw, Kentucky
GPS: 38.84717, -84.7782
Elevation: 476′
Management: Public – County Park (Official)
Free Kentucky camping sites. They have ten nice sites with fire ring and picnic tables. No facilities . You do have to contact the local sheriffs office, the phone number is on the sign at the entrance. Gravel driveway
17. Maysville Kentucky City Parking Lot
Maysville, Kentucky
GPS: 38.64913, -83.76569
Elevation: 512′
Management: Public – City Parking Lot (Unofficial)
The road in is Paved. Free Kentucky boondocking sites at Maysville Kentucky City Parking Lot is open year round. The maximum RV length at Maysville Kentucky City Parking Lot is 15 feet. We stayed overnight in downtown Maysville, Kentucky at the public parking lot at the corner of East McDonald Parkway and Sutton Street. We walked to the Visitor’s Centre at the Cox Building (2 East Third Street, across from the Russell Theater on Third Street. We received permission to park overnight. A PASS or PERMIT is required at this campsite.
18. Burnwell Beach
Address
Hatfield, Kentucky
GPS: 37.6253, -82.21411
Elevation: 643′
Management: Public – State land (Official)
River access. Free Kentucky camping sites, nice riverside beach area. Shady.
14 Western Kentucky Boondocking and Free RV Parking Spots
Jump directly to the 18 Eastern Kentucky Boondocking and Free RV Parking Spots
1. Rockhouse (Creelsboro Arch)
Address
8249-9293 Kentucky 379
Jamestown, Kentucky
GPS: 36.884723, -85.236112
Elevation: 640′
Management: Public – State Park
Free Kentucky boondocking sites hidden away in Creelsboro Kentucky along the Cumberland river lies a beautiful naturally formed arch way. The locals call it “rock chapel” due to the fact they use to hold church service in it. The land is free and open to the public. There are plenty of spots for camping
2. Wilson Creek Recreation Area
Address
Wilson Creek Rd Elk Horn KY 42733
Elk Horn, Kentucky
GPS: 37.286224, -85.259918
Elevation: 715′
Management: Public – Corps of Engineers (Official)
The road in is Paved. Wilson Creek Recreation Area is open Year round. There are 1-5 Free Kentucky camping sites at this location. This is a very small gravel/dirt lot in a valley in the woods along a creek near the Green River Lake. Our 34′ rig with a 20′ trailer fits here. Beautiful wooded area with a small intermittent stream that runs beside the sites.
3. Butler County Park
Address
Lock 4 Road
Morgantown, Kentucky
GPS: 37.181735, -86.629699
Elevation: 413′
Management: Public – County Park
The road in is Dirt and .25 miles from a paved road. Free Kentucky boondocking sites at Butler County Park is open All year. The maximum RV length at Butler County Park is unlimited. You may stay Unknown at Butler County Park. Very large area of open land at county park. On the Green River. No fee collection system or signs. Locals say people park RV’s and tent camp in this area when not flooded.
4. Mammoth Cave Back Country Campsites
Address
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
GPS: 37.187057, -86.10054
Elevation: 741′
Management: Public – National Park Service (Official)
Free Kentucky camping sites at Mammoth Cave National Park are free. They just require a little bit of a hike to reach. If you like secultion these are some amazing camp sites. Go to the visitor center front desk and request for a back country permit.
5. Horse Cave Rest Area
Address
Horse Cave, Kentucky
GPS: 37.237564, -85.930627
Elevation: 597′
Management: Public – Rest Area (Official)
The road in is Paved. Horse Cave Rest Area is open Every day. There are 30 or more Free Kentucky boondocking sites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 1 night at Horse Cave Rest Area. Located just south of Munfordville. Very clean. Major overnight truck stop. Cricket phone and Verizon Jetpack worked fine.
6. Thelma Stovall Park (tent camping)
Address
101 River Rd.
Munfordville, Kentucky
GPS: 37.26968, -85.88501
Elevation: 499′
Management: Public – City Park
The maximum RV length at Thelma Stovall Park (tent camping) is 15 feet. 2019: Free Kentucky camping sites at Selma Stovall park in Munfordville, Kentucky. Visit www.visitmunfordville.com and click on Green River & Arboretum. Police will make rounds to ensure safety. Port a Johns available.
7. Salem Lake
Address
Hodgenville, Kentucky
GPS: 37.5941, -85.7132
Elevation: 764′
Management: Public – State Forest (Official)
You may stay 2 days in the Free Kentucky boondocking sites at Salem lake.
8. Peabody WMA – HL2 Lake
Address
Unnamed Road
Beaver Dam, Kentucky
GPS: 37.325298, -86.877244
Elevation: 446′
Management: Private – Fish and Wildlife (Unofficial)
Free Kentucky camping sites however, you must have a Peabody permit to even drive on Peabody property. They do make rounds and you will be fined if on Peabody property without permit. A PASS or PERMIT is required at this campsite.
9. Lake Mauzy
Address
Boxville, Kentucky
GPS: 37.615032, -87.856522
Elevation: 481′
Management: Public – Fish and Wildlife Service (Official)
Free Kentucky boondocking sites. They changed the name from Daisy Mae Lake to Lake Mauzy several years ago in the Higgins-Henry Wildlife Management Area.
10. Jones Creek
Address
Forest Service Road 172-C
Murray, Kentucky
GPS: 36.680655, -88.053501
Elevation: 436′
Management: Public – Forest Service
Free Kentucky camping sites. Reservations are not accepted at this campsite. I was told by the Forest Service that two miles south is a paved road to Jones. Apparently I’m not the first to be taken down this road, as Google Maps is telling everyone and their dog to come down this road. A PASS or PERMIT is required at this campsite.
11. Devils Elbow Ramp
Address
Devils Elbow Drive
Cadiz, Kentucky
GPS: 36.793192, -87.964337
Elevation: 384′
Management: Public – Corp of Engineers
Free Kentucky boondocking sites in the Corp of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division’s Nashville District. First come -> First Camped. Reservations not accepted. The camping area is near Lake Barkley.
12. LBL – Taylor Bay
Address
FS Road 136, Cadiz, KY
Cadiz, Kentucky
GPS: 36.883975, -88.020359
Elevation: 397′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Paved. LBL – Taylor Bay is open Year round. There are 16-29 Free Kentucky camping sites at this location. You may stay 14 days* at LBL – Taylor Bay. Backcountry camping at its finest! Sites themselves are gravel but the loop is paved. Vault toilet and dumpster available. A PASS or PERMIT is required at this campsite.
13. Lighthouse Marina
Address
Kentucky Lake Drive
Grand Rivers, Kentucky
GPS: 36.989066, -88.22434
Elevation: 377′
Management: Public – State Park
Free Kentucky boondocking sites in Lighthouse Marina is open all year. It just a parking lot by the water with a portable toilet. Would be good just for a overnight stay.
14. Demumbers Bay
Address
FS Road 108-A
Kuttawa, Kentucky
GPS: 36.977228, -88.153567
Elevation: 364′
Management: Public – Forest Service
Free Kentucky camping sites Demumbers Bay is open all year. Land Between The Lakes offers Backcountry as alternatives to the more developed campgrounds. Although these areas offer fewer amenities than developed campgrounds — these areas offer more peace, solitude, and a more primitive camping experience at Land Between The Lakes. A PASS or PERMIT is required at this campsite.
Free Kentucky Boondocking In State Parks
Enjoy the beauty of nature in one of the 31 tent and RV campgrounds in Kentucky RV parking areas in its State Parks. Whatever your interests, our campgrounds have the facilities to meet your needs and offer some of the best Kentucky Camping Sites. From primitive camping to full service RV camping, the Kentucky State Parks welcome you, your family, and friends to experience the natural beauty that Kentucky has to offer.
In addition to traditional tent and Kentucky RV parking campgrounds, our state parks also offer four equestrian campgrounds for horse enthusiasts. They are: Pennyrile Forest, Dale Hollow, Taylorsville Lake and Carter Caves. RV Boondocking Kentucky.
Visitors who would like to experience camping for the first time, we offer camper cabins at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park and fully equipped camping units at Columbus-Belmont State Park for some of the best Kentucky camping sites.
For the adventurous kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park and Yatesville Lake State Park both have kayak/canoe access only campsites that have waterfront views. Those who want to stay indoors should take a look at other options such as Kentucky cabin rentals or state park lodges.
Due to weather, Kentucky State Parks cannot guarantee the availability of water or other resources at our campgrounds during inclement weather months when freezing temperatures are possible.
Free Kentucky Boondocking Locations – 20 State Parks in Kentucky Allowing Camping
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