Top Camping Spots Near Chestnut Gap, KY: Discover Nature’s Best Retreats
Nestled in the stunning foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Chestnut Gap, KY, offers a variety of camping options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure amidst breathtaking natural landscapes. For RV campers, the nearby Red River Gorge features spacious campgrounds with full hookups, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying modern amenities. For those looking to pitch a tent, the Daniel Boone National Forest boasts several picturesque campgrounds, where you can enjoy tranquil nights under the stars and access to hiking trails that wind through lush forests and scenic vistas. Additionally, dispersed camping opportunities are abundant in the surrounding areas, allowing for a more rugged experience on public lands, where you can truly embrace the wilderness while surrounded by native wildlife and captivating mountain scenery. The region is renowned for its impressive rock formations, making it a popular spot for rock climbing and hiking enthusiasts. Whether you're an RV traveler seeking comfort or a wild camper looking for solitude, Chestnut Gap is the perfect base for your outdoor adventures.

















Buckhorn Campground is located in the Redbird Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 43 min southeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 1,025 feet. There are a total of 37 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 28 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 28 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, marina. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Trace Branch Rec Area is located in the Redbird Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 44 min southeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 1,073 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 28 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 28 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include dump station, playground, swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Littcarr Campground in Knott County is located 1 hr 54 min northwest of Kingsport, TN with an elevation of 1,050 feet. There are a total of 45 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 54 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include shower, swimming, marina. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Zilpo Campground is located in the Cumberland Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 35 min northeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 728 feet. There are a total of 165 campsites including 12 cabins. The campground is normally open from mid March to the end of October. 143 sites can accommodate RVs between 16 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 3 sites have electric and water hookups. 30 sites have electric hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $85.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, sewer hookup, dump station, general store, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, trash dumpster, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Twin Knobs Campground is located in the Cumberland Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 23 min northeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 807 feet. There are a total of 202 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid March to mid November. 198 sites can accommodate RVs between 18 and 96 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 9 sites have electric and water hookups. 101 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $28.00 to $115.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, general store, playground, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, trash dumpster, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Boat Gunnel Group is located in the Cumberland Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 16 min northeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 748 feet. The site is normally open from mid March to the beginning of November. Prices start at $130.00 per night.
Craigs Creek Group Area is located in the London Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 8 min south of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 1,067 feet. There are a total of 4 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid October. Max equipment length is 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $125.00 to $170.00. Some amenities include shower, playground. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Holly Bay Campground is located in the London Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 12 min south of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 1,114 feet. There are a total of 89 campsites including 19 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 70 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 90 feet. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 70 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $26.00 to $76.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, sewer hookup, accessible, boat ramp, marina, fish cleaning station, restroom, trash dumpster, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Grove Campground is located in the London Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 16 min south of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 1,182 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid October. 12 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 12 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $26.00 to $38.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, marina, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Waitsboro Campground in Pulaski County is located 1 hr 6 min southwest of Richmond, KY with an elevation of 732 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 17 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 27 and 72 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 18 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Fees range from $16.00 to $42.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Fishing Creek Campground in Pulaski County is located 1 hr 7 min southwest of Richmond, KY with an elevation of 743 feet. There are a total of 46 campsites including 20 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of August to mid October. 26 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 23 and 73 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $36.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Kentucky Horse Park Campground in Fayette County is located just 16 min northwest of Lexington, KY with an elevation of 893 feet. There are a total of 258 campsites. The campground is open all year. 257 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 38 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. 257 sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, sewer hookup, general store, laundry facility, playground, swimming, restroom, flush toilets, pet area. Activities include biking, hiking trails, sports.
Pound River Campground is located in the Clinch Ranger District, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (2 hrs 3 min north of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 1,733 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 21 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 21 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, floating sports.
Carter Caves State Resort Park is part of Carter Caves State Resort Park in Kentucky (53 min west of Huntington, WV) with an elevation of 796 feet. There are a total of 129 campsites including 2 cabins. The campground is open all year. 90 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 29 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 27 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 69 sites have electric and water hookups. 2 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $119.95. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, sewer hookup, playground, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Blue Heron Campground is part of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in Kentucky (1 hr 39 min northwest of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 1,280 feet. There are a total of 45 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 28 and 61 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $32.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, playground, restroom, trash dumpster, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Cranesnest Campground in Dickenson County is located 1 hr 46 min north of Bristol, TN with an elevation of 1,425 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites including 15 boat sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 15 sites can accommodate RVs up to 55 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 15 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $28.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Lower Twin Campground in Dickenson County is located 1 hr 46 min north of Bristol, TN with an elevation of 1,425 feet. There are a total of 33 campsites including 8 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 25 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 26 and 41 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 25 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Natural Tunnel Campground is part of Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia (39 min northwest of Kingsport, TN) with an elevation of 1,315 feet. There are a total of 52 campsites including 18 cabins. The campground is open all year. 41 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 38 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 34 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $35.00 to $386.00. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Cumberland Point Campground in Pulaski County is located 1 hr 28 min southwest of Richmond, KY with an elevation of 741 feet. There are a total of 31 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 29 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 68 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 30 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has electric hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Bear Creek Horse Camp is part of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in Tennessee (1 hr 39 min northwest of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 1,305 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 47 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $28.00 to $32.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, flush toilets. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails.
Fall Creek Campground in Wayne County is located 1 hr 23 min southwest of Richmond, KY with an elevation of 970 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 10 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 29 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 10 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $26.00 to $35.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Breaks Interstate Park Campground is part of Breaks Interstate Park in Virginia (2 hrs 5 min north of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 1,800 feet. There are a total of 134 campsites including 10 cabins. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 122 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 62 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. 114 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Fees range from $21.00 to $231.00.
Station Camp is part of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in Tennessee (1 hr 24 min northwest of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 1,452 feet. There are a total of 24 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, wifi, flush toilets. Activities include horseback riding, hiking trails.
East Fork Campground in Wayne County is located 58 min south of Huntington, WV with an elevation of 1,028 feet. There are a total of 160 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 159 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 142 sites have electric and water hookups. 18 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $30.00 to $40.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, general store, playground, boat ramp, swimming, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Bandy Creek Campground is part of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in Tennessee (1 hr 30 min northeast of Cookeville, TN) with an elevation of 1,562 feet. There are a total of 144 campsites including 37 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 107 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 73 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 95 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $125.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, accessible, playground, swimming, restroom, trash dumpster, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Holmes Bend Campground in Adair County is located 1 hr 11 min southeast of Elizabethtown, KY with an elevation of 856 feet. There are a total of 125 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 37 and 99 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 62 sites have electric and water hookups. 40 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $18.00 to $28.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Smith Ridge Campground in Taylor County is located 57 min southeast of Elizabethtown, KY with an elevation of 905 feet. There are a total of 80 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 99 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 61 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has electric hookups. 5 sites have water hookups. Fees range from $18.00 to $28.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Pikes Ridge Campground in Adair County is located 1 hr 13 min southeast of Elizabethtown, KY with an elevation of 723 feet. There are a total of 60 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 49 and 97 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 20 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $16.00 to $24.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Love's RV Hookup-Bulls Gap TN 787 in Greene County is located just 27 min east of Morristown, TN with an elevation of 1,169 feet. There are a total of 9 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, wifi, general store, laundry facility, restroom, gasoline pump, ice, flush toilets.
Kendall Campground in Russell County is located 1 hr 26 min northeast of Cookeville, TN with an elevation of 607 feet. There are a total of 112 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the beginning of November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 115 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. All sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.