Houchin Ferry Campground

$20.00/night

Show on map 270-758-2180 maca_park_information@nps.gov

Mammoth Cave National Park, PO Box 7
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259

Estimated location

No source publishes exact coordinates for Houchin Ferry Campground. Its map marker is estimated from the surrounding area and can be miles from the actual site — don't navigate to it. Its official page may have the detail needed to find it on the ground.

Overview

This lush campground is located 15 miles from the park's Visitor Center, along the south bank of the Green River. Houchin Ferry Campground offers 12 primitive, tent-only campsites with beautiful riverfront views. Serving as a day-use area, it's an ideal spot for birdwatching, fishing, canoeing, and picnicking. If you're looking to explore more, take a short drive to the Visitor Center to plan your tour of Mammoth Cave, the world's longest cave system.

Recreation

A must-do activity in the park is exploring Mammoth Cave. Walking tours of the caverns leave from the visitor center daily. There are also miles of bike trails and hiking trails within the park.

Facilities

The 12 primitive campsites are nestled among aromatic trees, offering a peaceful experience with the Green River just steps away. Potable water and portable restrooms are available at the head of the campground. This is a primitive, tent-only campground and also serves as a day-use area. The picnic tables and shelters are available for public use, and the boat launch is open for public access.

Natural Features

This campground is part of Mammoth Cave National Park, a 52,800-acre park that includes the Green River Valley, rolling Kentucky hillsides, and the expansive Mammoth Cave with grand-scale chambers and long, winding passageways.

This remote campsite is quiet, peaceful and ideal for those who want to be immersed in nature. Wildlife includes deer, turkey, and coyotes.

Nearby Attractions

Nearly 30 miles of the Green and Nolin rivers offer canoeing and boating through the park. Commercial outfitters outside the park rent canoes, kayaks and safety equipment. https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/canoeliveries.htm

Most trails north of the Green River are open for horseback riding. Commercial liveries outside the park rent horses and some may provide organized excursions. https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/horseback.htm

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (270) 758-2424.

Charges & Cancellations

For rules and reservation policies please follow the link below:

https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

Camp site features

Across 12 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 12 sites
Pets allowed: all 12 sites
Longest RV: 30 ft
Largest party: 8 people

Fees

Nightly/Daily Rates $20.00

Directions

Note: Do not rely exclusively on your mobile GPS, Google Maps or similar automated navigation systems to get to the Houchin Ferry Campground. Routes can be misleading and incorrect. Directions from the North: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 53 (Cave City Exit). Turn right onto KY-70. Follow 70/255, about 4 miles you turn left on 255 just before entering the park, follow this to Brownsville Rd, turn left and follow this all the way until it ends at Hwy-101, turn right go about a quarter mile to Houchin Ferry Rd. (Minit Mart on corner), turn right and follow this to campground. Directions from the South: Take Interstate 65 to Exit 48 (Park City Exit). Turn left onto KY-255 follow this into the park, when you come to the stop sign turn left and follow this to Brownsville Rd, turn left and follow this all the way until it ends at Hwy-101, turn right go about a quarter mile to Houchin Ferry Rd. (Minit Mart on corner), turn right and follow this to campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 12 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

178 reviews

5 stars

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1 stars

Kenneth T

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Good campsite, but the wires were too close together. Everyone I talked to said the same thing.

Benjamin B

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Quiet, well kept, small campground. Good spot for only two things, though: relaxing or a kayak/canoe exploration (Green River entry point). Very dark at night (=excellent stargazing)!

silas c

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

The ground is as hard as a rock and very difficult to drive a stake through. Portapotties smell. Other than that, it's a beautiful place.

Shelby C

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

The bathrooms were very nice at our campground and the river was a short walk from our site!

Kenneth B

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Such a beautiful spot, we used it as a sleep break before doing the cave tours and it was wonderful

darrell P

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

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Season dates

Peak season

Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026

Reservable online

Peak season

Jan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

Jan 1, 2028 – Dec 31, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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