As the weather is beginning to cool down, these days between summer and fall are some of the most beautiful in Louisville. It’s the perfect time to take the family out camping near Louisville, KY for some outdoor exploring! Get your gear together and check out these 9 amazing campgrounds near Louisville, KY that you need to visit the next time you need to escape into the Great Outdoors. Here are some of the best places for Louisville camping:

1. Jefferson Memorial Forest

Horine Reservation, 12304 Holsclaw Hill Rd, Fairdale, KY 40118, USA
Wandering Mike/Google
One of the closest and most beautiful campgrounds around Louisville is the Jefferson Memorial Forest, located a mere 20-30 minute drive from Downtown Louisville. This forest has many trails to explore and Tom Wallace Lake to fish on. Take your family out to enjoy the beauty of Kentucky nature without driving hours away to experience it!

2. Hoosier National Forest

Hoosier National Forest, Bedford, IN, USA
Mark Mckim/Google
While Hoosier National Forest is a little farther away, it's still under an hour and a half away from Louisville and it's a massive park to explore. Pakota Lake is located in the forest, which offers boating, fishing, and even swimming on the designated beach.

3. Charlestown State Park

Charlestown State Park, 12500 IN-62, Charlestown, IN 47111, USA
Stubby Lee/Google
Charlestown State Park is also located in Indiana, but is right across the river and about 30 minutes away. Here you can find beautiful trails, amazing views of the Ohio River, and even the remains of the abandoned Rose Island Amusement Park.

4. Lake Jericho

Lake Jericho, Kentucky 40068, USA
Ritish Kumar/Google
Lake Jericho is located 30 to 40 minutes from Louisville and is another amazing area to camp in near the city. It's the perfect lake to take your family fishing.

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5. O'Bannon Woods State Park

7234 Old Forest Rd, Corydon, IN 47112, USA
Kevin Anderson/Google
Located 45 minutes out in Corydon, Indiana, O'Bannon Woods State Park is a beautiful place to explore. Check out Wyandotte Lake for fishing and the Wyandotte caves, which recently reopened to offer guided tours.

6. Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave, KY 42259, USA
John Pendley/Google
Mammoth Cave offers tours that make for an amazing day trip, but many people don't realize that it's also a great park to go camping. It makes for the perfect location to take a weekend trip, as you can explore the beautiful forests and take a guided cave tour through the longest known cave system in the world.

7. Taylorsville Lake

Taylorsville Lake, Kentucky 40008, USA
Jeremy Bobb/Google
Taylorsville Lake is one of the best places to camp around Louisville and there are so many activities to do here! There are trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, and of course, the gorgeous lake to boat and fish on. You'll have the perfect camping trip at Taylorsville Lake, and you won't have to do too much driving as it's only an hour away.

8. Deam Lake

Deam Lake, Carr Township, IN 47106, USA
Flickr / Jonathan Parrish
Deam Lake is located only about 30 minutes away. For those who want to swim, Deam Lake is the closest place to camp. The sandy beaches are the perfect place to relax on a warm summer day.

9. Red River Gorge

Red River Gorge, Kentucky 40387, USA
Worth Blackwelder/Google
Although this beautiful site is located two and a half hours from the city in the Daniel Boone National Forest, I encourage everyone to make the drive out to this location before the weather becomes too cold to camp. This location is a prime example of the natural beauty that Kentucky has to offer. Wake up to the sight of these amazing canyons filled with tall tree canopies from your tent!

There’s still time to head out, build a campfire, and roast some s’mores… just don’t put it off for too long, or you will be waiting for a whole year to get back out there! Where is your favorite place to go camping near Louisville, KY? Let us know in the comments! During your Louisville, KY camping trips, you’ll likely want to get some hiking in. Here are some of the best hiking trails in Kentucky:

18 Best Hikes in Kentucky: The Top-Rated Hiking Trails to Visit in 2024

 

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More to Explore

Camping in Louisville

Sarah M. | April 15, 2023

What are some beautiful parks near Louisville?

Just because we're in the largest city in Kentucky doesn't mean that we can't enjoy a remote and rugged park experience.  Some beautiful parks near Louisville include:

  • McNeely Lake Park. Home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Louisville, McNeely Lake Park is located right here within city boundaries and is a favorite for many residents in the city. This park offers beautiful trails, great fishing spots, boating ramps, and sports fields. This lake offers a little bit of everything for the entire family to enjoy.
  • Waverly Park. Another beautiful lake located in Louisville is Waverly Park Lake. This lake offers mountain biking, fishing, grills, hiking trails, picnic areas, and a playground. The scenery here is a perfect setting to kick back, relax, and enjoy the outdoors. We especially love hiking along the park's 9.5 miles of hiking trails in the summer and fall seasons!
  • Laurel River Lake. Yes -- this park is admittedly a bit of a trek from Louisville, but it's worth it! Located two and a half hours away in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Laurel River Lake is a beautiful man-made lake that was built in 1977 as a reservoir of the Laurel River. There's a pristine beach to swim at and the water is amazingly clear and clean. While you're in the area, you should also check out Cumberland Falls!

Are there any places for glamping in Louisville?

A place for glamping in Louisville is Progress Park.

Yes! One of our favorite spots for glamping in Louisville is Progress Park. This 12-acre campground is unlike anything else in the Bluegrass State — it’s a glampground getaway situated within Kentucky’s largest city. The campground has five vintage Airstreams, a bunkhouse, and two houses available for overnight rentals. These Airstreams are luxury glamping at its finest, offering guests all the comforts of home - and more! With wonderful amenities and next-level features for guests, Progress Park is easily the Disneyland of Kentucky campgrounds.

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