CampgroundsDB

First-come camping in Kentucky (no reservation needed)

Kentucky has 24 public campgrounds you can camp at without a reservation, 4 free and 20 charging a fee. All are run by the U.S. Forest Service.

24
Total
0
Reservable
24
First-come

noindex Fewer than 3 campgrounds here clear the indexable bar yet, so this page stays noindex.

First-come campgrounds vs. dispersed camping

Every campground below is a named, developed site that takes no reservations: show up, find an open site, pay if there's a fee. Dispersed camping (boondocking) is different: camping on open public land away from any campground. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26).

Most first-come campgrounds by town: 5 near Aurora , 5 near Corbin , 5 near Grand Rivers , and 2 near Cadiz .

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Bee Rock Campground London · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $15 per night
 Birmingham Ferry Campground Grand Rivers · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Clear Creek Campground Salt Lick · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $20 per night
 Colson Hollow Group Camp Aurora · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Overnight Use:
 Cravens Bay Campground Grand Rivers · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $12 per night
 Energy Lake Campground Cadiz · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $16 per night
 Fenton Lake Campground Aurora · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site with electric (30 Amp) hook-up: $22 per night
 Great Meadows Campground Whitley City · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Grove Boat-in Campground Corbin · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $28 per night
 Grove Drive-in Campground Corbin · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $46 per night
 Hillman Ferry Campground Grand Rivers · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $16 per night
 Holly Bay Rec. Area Corbin · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $46 per night
 Jones Creek Campground Aurora · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Nickell Branch Campground Grand Rivers · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Paragon Dispersed Camping Area Morehead · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Redd Hollow Campground Aurora · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Rockcastle Campground - Inactive Corbin · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 S-tree Campground McKee · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $15 per night
 Smith Bay Campground Grand Rivers · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Sugar Bay Campground Aurora · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Taylor Bay Campground Cadiz · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Turkey Foot Campground McKee · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 White Oak Boat-in Campground Corbin · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $28 per night
 Zilpo Recreation Area Salt Lick · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $31 per night

Common questions

Is there free camping in Kentucky?

Yes. 4 public campgrounds here are free and first-come: Jones Creek Campground, Paragon Dispersed Camping Area, Rockcastle Campground - Inactive, and Turkey Foot Campground.

Can you camp on BLM land in Kentucky?

Yes, in most places. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26).

Campgrounds you can book ahead: camping in Kentucky.