Best RV Camping in Red River Gorge Kentucky [by RVers]
Best RV Sites in Red River Gorge
Red River Gorge is the premier outdoor destination in eastern Kentucky, offering endless opportunities for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Whether you call Red River Gorge the “Red”, RRG, or the Gorge, this is the perfect place for camping. In fact, we Sara and I bought our first RV visiting Red River Gorge for RV camping was near the top of places to visit!
Before we started RV camping, I tent camped a few times in Red River Gorge and had so much fun. The good news is RV camping in the Gorge is amazing. All the amenities of a comfy bed, warm blankets or cool A/C and super close to all the action! Campers will find themselves at home throughout Red River Gorge.
We’re going to walk you through finding the best RV camping in Red River Gorge. Whether you like the modern amenities of full hook-up sites, simple electrical hookups with a water source, or primitive camping, we will give you the pros and cons of all the campgrounds!
Ready to discover the best RV camping in Red River Gorge?
Popular Campgrounds for RV Camping
Red River Gorge is a huge National Geological Area that covers over 29,000 acres in the Daniel Boone National Forest. As the name implies this huge gorge was carved by the Red River and the steep rock walls, rugged terrain, and forest make designing roads challenging. Camping near the heart of Red River Gorge ensures you have easy access to all the unforgettable experiences this area has to offer, making your day so much more enjoyable!
4 Guys RV Park
Our favorite and best RV camping in Red River Gorge is at 4 Guys RV Park in Slade, KY. 4 Guys RV Park has nearly 70 full hookup RV sites that are mostly level. Every site has electric hookup (30 and 50 AMP service), water, and sewer hookup. Primitive tent camping is not permitted, which cuts down on huge groups camping out.
4 Guys RV Park is located super close to all the fun. The historic Nada Tunnel is about 3 miles from the campground. Natural Bridge State Park is about 5 miles away!
4 Guys RV Park has a fishing pond, swimming pool, private bathhouses, laundry, gameroom, and a fully stocked campground store! The campground even offers propane refills!
A new restaurant, Toad’s, opened in 2024. The restaurant has been crowded the last two nights and smells delicious!
With cabin rentals available, RV campers can bring all their friends on their next trip to the Gorge!
Why stay at 4 Guys RV Park? We love the location of 4 Guys RV Park and all the amenities like big-rig access, full hookup sites, swimming pool, campground store, etc.
Book Your Stay at 4 Guys RV Park
Callie’s Lake and Campground
Callie’s Lake and Campground is a fun place to go RV Camping in Red River Gorge! The campground spans 50 acres and has over 45 RV sites fully equipped with electrical hookups (30 and 50 AMP).
Callie’s is big group friendly. With 50 acres of space, they welcome off-road groups to explore RRG’s offroad trails.
We stayed in a full hookup site during a fall visit and found the campground and the staff very friendly. Our site was one of the only full hookup sites and was next to the entrance road which is paved with gravel. Since the weather was really dry the road was super dusty!
Callie’s Lake and Campground has a full restaurant in their country store!
While Callie’s Lake is located about 10 to 15 minutes from the hiking trails of Red River Gorge, it provides fabulous options for camping and good access to the surrounding natural wonders. This isn’t a huge deal, but campers should know Callie’s is not in the heart of all the RRG action like some other campgrounds!
Why stay at Callie’s Lake and Campground? This campground is big-rig friendly with plenty of room for extra trailers and vehicles to park. This makes it the ideal location for offroad adventurers! Callie’s is super accommodating for large groups, including primitive campers.
Book Your Callie’s Lake and Campground Adventure
Natural Bridge Campground
Natrual Bridge Campground is the first of our Big Rig friendly campgrounds. With a variety of camping options Natural Bridge Campground can accommodate all camping types.
Natural Bridge Campground is located about 1 mile from the Mountain Parkway in Slade, KY and provides the following camping accommodations:
- Tent Sites – Field Camping
- Tent Sites – Primitive Campsites
- RV sites – Electric (30 and 50 AMP electrical connections) and water hookups
- Cabin Rentals – Bring all your friends to RRG!
With nightly rates starting at $40 per night for an RV site, Natural Bridge Campground remains the most affordable private campground option. The campground has several amenities like:
- Fishing
- Horseshoes
- Basketball (we’re in Kentucky!)
- Bathhouses
- WiFi
- Firewood
- Picnic Tables
- Fire rings
- And more!
While we have not stayed here, I walked through the campground on a recent trip to the Gorge. The campground was well kept. All sites looked level and were a mix of backin and pull through on a mix of gravel and grassy sites. In heavy rain this could be a problem!
Some of the water and electrical connections were a long distance from your camper. Plan accordingly and have long cords and hoses!
Natural Bridge Campground has a low key vibe that would be fun for affordable and comfortable camping with friends and family!
Why stay at Natural Bridge Campground? This campground offers a laid back experience at an affordable price in the heart of RRG! Larger RV’s should fit without a problem.
Book Your Stay at Natural Bridge Campground Today!
Koomer Ridge Campground
Koomer Ridge Campground is a great option for smaller RV campers. I estimate campers 20 feet and under can easily navigate these sites. The campground features a mix of backin RV sites and primitive tent camping.
Campers can expect the following site types at Koomer Ridge Campground:
- Tent – Walk to tent
- Tent – Single site
- Tent – Double site
Pro Tip: Sites at Koomer Ridge Campground can be reserved on Reservation.gov and some sites remain open as first come and first served.
All campground sites are non-electric connection. Drinking water, showers, and flush toilets are available seasonally (April to October) in the campground, but not at the site. Vault toilets, if you call that a toilet, are available year round. I did not see a dump station, so plan accordingly.
Koomer Ridge Campground features an outdoor amphether and a large bathhouse. The campground serves as the trailhead for several hiking trails including:
- Silvermine Arch
- Hidden Arch
- Cliff Trail
- Koomer Ridge Trail
Why stay at Koomer Ridge Campground? You are adventurous, but you need to be close to the car. You enjoy tent camping and like having neighbors close by. And you want easy access to some amazing hiking trails!
Whittleton Campground
Whittleton Campground is a hidden gem between Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the heart of Red River Gorge, offering peaceful campgrounds nestled in nature. With a calm brook running behind the campground campers here get to enjoy the fresh air and relaxation that Red River Gorge offers and be located minutes to numerous hiking trails or fun family activities!
Our First Red River Gorge RV Camping Experience
Whittleton Campground is very small. On our 3rd camping trip we tried to wedge our 33 foot travel trailer into this tiny campground. AFter an hour of trying to back into our site, get level, and enjoy the weekend, we gave up. We left super disappointed we did not get to spend a beautiful fall weekend in the Gorge.
We learned a valuable lesson…make sure your camper fits. “Fudging” a little on the length is a bad idea!
The Details On Whittleton Campground
Whittleton has about 20 RV campsites that are all backin sites with water and electric hookups (20 and 30 AMP service). The campground has a large primitive tent camping section that is conveniently located near flush toilets and shower facilities, providing exceptional comfort even for rock climbers and adventurers. Firewood is available for purchase from the campground host.
Several hiking trails are accessible from Whittleton Campround including Whittleton Arch Trail and Henson’s Arch Trail. These are the only trails inside Natural Bridge State Park that allows dogs to join the family hike. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times!
Check out Middlefork Campground at Natural Bridge State Park if you want to get closer to all the amenities of the state park!
Why stay at Whittleton Campground? The Whittleton Campground is a hidden gem and a wonderful small campground. You enjoy RV camping and have a rig that is under 25 feet and want to be shaded by old-growth trees and surrounded by the forest.
Book Your Whittleton Campground Stay Now!
Unique RV Camping Experiences
Camping in Red River Gorge means you can create your own unique camping experience!
If RV Camping is not your thing, give Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals a look. These cabins can accommodate all group sizes from a cozy cabin for two to huge groups of 40! Or maybe try a Yurt!
Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals is located south of Natural Bridge State Park. This outfitter has something fun for everyone including ziplining, slingshot rentals, Jeep and UTV rentals, The Gorge Underground, Kayak Rentals, and more!
Stay in a Red River Group Tree House!
Every kid loves the thrill of treehouse. There is something special about climbing around the trees and sleeping above the ground. The Canopy Crew has some of the most unique camping experiences in RRG!
These tree houses are literally hanging from the side of a rock wall and have glass windows that show off the beautiful scenic views of the Gorge!
Sleeping on teh side of a cliff seems terrifying, so don’t skip out on their traditional treehouses!
Airbnb Options
Red River Gorge has numerous airbnb cabin options available located throughout the area! These are a perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors and relax after exploring the Gorge!
Tiny House
4 Guys RV Park offers a unique camping experience in their tiny house. Guest can rent this tiny house for the night, weekend, or even a full week to explore the entire Gorge. Since the Nada Tunnel is only a few minutes away from 4 Guys RV Park, you are close to the action. And after exploring on a hot summer day, enjoy an evening at the relaxing pool!
Lago Linda Hideaway
The Lago Linda Hideaway is near RRG and offers over 400 acres of fun for RV and tent campers. With several cabins on the property, you can bring the entire family!
On the 400 acres, guests can enjoy over 15 miles of trails throughout the 400 acres of property at Lago Linda. Guest are welcome to fish or kayak in their private lake! Or maybe enjoy a UK football game while hanging out at the Shakedown Shack!
HipCamp in Red River Gorge
Sara and I are high maintenance campers! We love full modern amenities. However, your RV camping may be set up for Boondocking or more primitive RV campaign. If that’s your situation, check out HipCamp for some really cool options!
Camping Options in Red River Gorge
When choosing the best camping option in Red River Gorge, campers must decide their preferred camping style. For instance,
- Do you want to rough it with some amenities nearby like a bathhouse? Or are you good to rough it in the backcountry?
- Do you want to have a large group campout with a mix of RVers, cabin stayers, and tent campers?
- Do you want all the modern amenities offered by an RV resort with full hookups at every site?
- Do you want an affordable, laid back RV Park, with lots to do on site?
- How close to all the action do I want to be?
Answering these questions will help you find the best campground and RV sites.
Looking for more a primitive camping experience?
In addition to the primitive tent camping sites at Callies, Lago Linda Hideout, Koomer Ridge, Miguel’s Pizza, and more, there are so many awesome options for car camping in Red River Gorge! Car camping is accessible along Rock Bridge Road, Chimney Top Road, and Tunnel Ridge Road. There are others, but these are the main locations.
Primitive campsites, as of 2024, are first come and first served. So, if you’re camping on a busy weekend in the fall, arrive early! The National Forest Service has several rules related to backcountry and primitive camping including:
- Overnight permits are required. These can be purchased at local gas stations, the Slade Visitor Center, or online through the Forest Department.
- No alcohol in RRG
- No camping within 100 yards of developed roads, rivers, streams, or bodies of water
- Food storage in bear proof containers
- And More
Nearby Attractions and Activities
Red River Gorge is an outdoor lovers paradise! If you enjoy hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, rappelling, off-roading, stargazing, fishing, and more, then this is your kind of place!
Rock Climbing
Muir Valley is a private nature preserve and climbing destination. With over 300 acres of private nature preserve this peaceful slice of RRG allows guest to enjoy nature. With 7 miles of cliffs and climbing walls ranging from 20 to 200 feet climbers will find a challenging route to test their skills!
There is no charge to enter Muir Valley, but visitors must pay $15 for daily parking. Dogs are not permitted in Muir Valley.
Plenty of climbing options are available in Red River Gorge. We are not climbers, although it looks awesome! Please go with a guide or an experienced climber if it’s your first time to the gorge!
Hiking
We love hiking! Well, Jack doesn’t love hiking, but he tolerates it to spend time with his mother. The rest of us really love a walk in the woods!
Some of our favorite trails include unmarked trails like Auxier Ridge to Double Arch, official trails such as Whistling Arch, Rock Bridge, and hidden gems like Turtle Back Arch. We attempted to hike Indian Staircase (an unofficial trail), but tuned back because Finn could not make it AND it was terrifying trying to scale the rock face! Be careful!
Pro Tip: The best trailhead parking lots get full early in the morning. Arrive early! Please park only in designated parking locations!
Kayaking
RRG offers kayaking above and below ground. That’s right…below ground. The Gorge Underground is a cool kayaking experience that leads kayakers through a flooded mine in a clear bottomed kayak! Or take a pontoon boat to experience the colors of the underground tour in a less adventous way.
Or if staying above ground is more your thing, enjoy a calm float down the Red River and marvel at the cliff lines hundreds of feet overhead!
Tips for RV Camping in Red River Gorge
Keep your RV in top shape for your adventures in Red River Gorge with our DIY RV maintenance checklist. Keeping your camper in working order means you have more time to experience the fun of RRG!
If you’re looking for a mobile RV mechanic, check out our Best Mobile RV Service group on Facebook.
Red River Gorge is FREE! If you plan to stay overnight inside the National Forest and not on private property, you need an overnight parking permit.
Explore the best RV campgrounds in Kentucky for Red River Gorge and beyond.
Conclusion: Plan Your Red River Gorge RV Adventure
Whether you’re an experienced camper or new to the great outdoors, Red River Gorge camping offers something for everyone. From peaceful RV campgrounds with modern amenities to unmarked trails that lead to stunning vistas, the heart of Red River Gorge is truly a special place.
With easy access to natural wonders like Turtle Back Arch and the largest natural shelters in the area, every visit is an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. Whether you choose the comforts of a cabin, an RV site, or a primitive camp site, you’ll find the perfect spot to relax and explore.
So pack your bags, secure your parking pass, and embark on your trip today to one of the top parks in eastern Kentucky.
One last request before you head out…Leave No Trace!
About Us
We are Mike and Sara, and our kids and dog are exploring the US while camping in our fifth wheel! Since the late 90s we have been exploring the great outdoors one hiking trail at a time. We introduced our kids to hiking while they were young and they love exploring new places. We call Kentucky home and we find ourselves exploring the state parks, national parks, and other wildlands in our area as often as we can!
Our RV camping journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waking up close to the trails we love hiking was enough for us to get hooked on the camping lifestyle! Thanks for following our adventures!
