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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near McDowell, KY
35 campgrounds and RV Parks near McDowell, KY. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
35 campgrounds
879 campsites
53 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near McDowell, KY
Carr Creek State Park
Kentucky (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(39 sites)
+5
Breaks Interstate Park
Virginia (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(138 sites)
+9
Paintsville Lake State Park
Kentucky (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(42 sites)
+6
Hatfield's Hideout
Kentucky (32 miles away)
$$$$$
(15 sites)
+2
Trails 2 Paradise
Delbarton, WV (34 miles away)
Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure RV Park
Grundy, VA (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(19 sites)
+9
Coal Camp Lodging
Matewan, WV (34 miles away)
Devil's Backbone Adventure Resort
Red Jacket, WV (36 miles away)
+5
Devil Anse ATV Resort, LLC
West Virginia (40 miles away)
$$$$$
(9 sites)
+5
Crockettsville RV Park
Booneville, KY (41 miles away)
Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground
Big Stone Gap, VA (42 miles away)
$$$$$
(32 sites)
+3
Buffalo Camp & Ride Campground
Buckhorn, KY (42 miles away)
Most common amenities
Toilets Showers Pet friendly Tables Grills Dump station Hiking Trails Internet Laundry
Campgrounds near McDowell, Kentucky
McDowell sits in Floyd County in the eastern Kentucky coalfields, surrounded by Appalachian ridges and reachable via KY-122 and the Mountain Parkway corridor. RV travelers use the town as a base for lake camping, off-road trail riding on the Hatfield-McCoy system, and canyon hiking at nearby state and interstate parks.
The closest developed campgrounds sit within roughly an hour's drive. Carr Creek State Park features the longest sand beach in the Kentucky State Parks system, and pleasure boaters and fishermen can explore the 750-acre lake with miles of shoreline and good bass, crappie and walleye fishing. Paintsville Lake State Park Campground sits along the shores of the 1,139-acre Paintsville Lake in Johnson County and offers a marina, ADA-accessible boat launch, and opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, jet skiing, and water skiing. Breaks Interstate Park is a 4,500-acre bi-state park located partly in southeastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia, at the northeastern terminus of Pine Mountain.
Private options fill in the gaps. Hatfield's Hideout and Trails 2 Paradise cater specifically to ATV and side-by-side riders using the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, with RV sites and direct trail access.
Things to do near McDowell
Water recreation anchors most trips. Carr Creek State Park features the longest sand beach in the Kentucky State Parks system, and the 750-acre lake offers miles of shoreline with good bass, crappie and walleye fishing. Paintsville Lake hosts bass fishing tournaments all year long, and trout is frequently stocked by Fish and Wildlife.
Hikers head to Breaks Interstate Park, where the Breaks Canyon is one of the deepest gorges east of the Mississippi River. Numerous hiking trails accommodate experience levels from beginner to advanced. Pedal boats, kayaks, and canoes are available seasonally for rental on Laurel Lake, and the Russell Fork drainage supports seasonal whitewater rafting.
Off-road riders come for the trail network. Hatfield's Hideout and Trails 2 Paradise sit near the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System, a network spanning several hundred miles across the West Virginia-Kentucky border, with trail-access sites and hookups for RVs.
Camping spots and RV parks near McDowell, KY
Seasonal patterns near McDowell
- spring
March - May
66° / 45°F 110 mmWet; Russell Fork whitewater season peaks
- summer
June - August
84° / 63°F 110 mmWarm and humid; lake sites fill weeks out
- fall
September - November
66° / 46°F 90 mmPeak foliage in October; prime hiking weather
- winter
December - February
45° / 27°F 85 mmCold; freezing risk; park water systems may be off
Kentucky state parks near McDowell operate year-round, but services taper in winter. Kentucky State Parks cannot guarantee the availability of water or other resources at campgrounds during inclement weather months when freezing temperatures are possible, so travelers should contact the park directly for available resources when traveling during months conducive to freezing temperatures. Carr Creek and Paintsville Lake remain open through winter with reduced amenities.
Breaks Interstate Park runs a defined camping season. The 138 camp sites range from a great place to pitch a tent to full RV hook-ups, and campgrounds A, B and C are available seasonally from spring until fall, while Campground D and the Yurt are available year round.
Spring and fall shoulder seasons deliver the best weather for hiking the canyon rim and the ATV trails. Summer brings peak lake use and full campground occupancy, especially on holiday weekends. Late fall brings foliage color across the Cumberland Plateau before water systems are winterized.
How to book campgrounds near McDowell
Kentucky state park sites use a single reservation platform. Reservations must be made one day ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 months in advance. Bookings run through the Kentucky State Parks system on ReserveAmerica, covering both Carr Creek State Park and Paintsville Lake State Park.
Kentucky parks prohibit the importation of firewood by campers from any state outside of Kentucky, in an effort to help prevent the introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer. Firewood is available for purchase within the state park campgrounds.
Breaks Interstate Park uses its own reservation platform separate from the Virginia State Parks system, bookable through the park's website or by calling the front desk. Private campgrounds like Hatfield's Hideout and Trails 2 Paradise book directly through their own websites or listing platforms.
What to expect on the ground
Terrain is mountainous. Roads into McDowell and the surrounding hollows are narrow and winding, and access to Breaks Interstate Park involves sharp turns and steep grades, so oversized rigs should scout routes in advance.
Hookups and rig size vary by campground. Carr Creek State Park offers 39 spacious campsites for RVs and trailers, with maximum vehicle lengths from 30 to 60 feet, back-in only, each site equipped with water and electric hookups, a picnic table and fire ring, plus nearby bathrooms with showers, a playground, horseshoe pits, and a dump station. At Breaks Interstate Park, sites range from primitive to full hookup options with electric, water, and sewer connections available for RVs.
Cell service is inconsistent across the ridges. Bring downloaded maps, and note that Breaks Interstate Park operates on Eastern time on both the Virginia and Kentucky sides.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near McDowell, KY
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near McDowell, KY?
Campsite prices near McDowell, KY depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near McDowell, KY?
Free camping near McDowell, KY depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near McDowell, KY?
Camping near McDowell, KY works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from McDowell, KY?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of McDowell, KY. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near McDowell, KY?
Dump stations near McDowell, KY are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in McDowell, KY?
Renting a RV in McDowell, KY works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in McDowell, KY?
RV rentals in McDowell, KY peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in McDowell, KY?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near McDowell, KY?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near McDowell, KY at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
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