State Parks near Bowling Green, KY

When thinking of a motorhome camping trip, consider a drive through south-central Kentucky to the gorgeous Barren River Lake State Resort Park! Located amid the famous Kentucky Cave region, and just 36 miles from Mammoth Cave National Park, Barren River Lake State Resort Park is an ideal camping destination. Renting an RV is a preferred way of moving around the area, and you’ll find loads of affordable RV rentals in Barren County. The state park also extends into the neighboring Allen County and Monroe County, and you could include a visit to these areas too. 

Covering over 1000-acres, Barren River Lake State Resort Park is popular with visitors who travel here to partake in the park’s myriad recreational …

Beall Woods State Park, near Mount Carmel, is a government-owned nature preserve that was established in 1966. The area had been owned by the Beall family since the mid-1800s, but only half of it had been farmed while the remaining area was left undisturbed. Following the death of the last family member, the land was purchased by a man who intended to harvest the forest. However, the property was purchased by the state of Illinois after numerous local citizens and groups protested, resulting in a civil lawsuit.

The land is a prairie woodland, a type of ecosystem that was once common across the state; its vegetation includes a variety of grasses, cottonweed, prickly pear cactus, and much more. The …

This park is located in the north-central portion of the state, only about 20 miles south of the Kentucky state line. It lies near the town of Gallatin, with the nearest large city being Nashville, located around 40 miles to the southwest. The park sits on the banks of the Bates Branch of the Cumberland River, which offers opportunities to enjoy recreational activities nearby.

Due to the nearby river, water sports, including paddle sports and fishing, are enjoyed at this park. It also features wetland areas where birdwatching is a common activity. This area is rather forested. Hiking, camping, picnicking and viewing local wildlife are other activities found at this site.

Burgess Falls State Park is a day-use park located northeast of the center of Tennessee. This state park is one of many in the region, and when you book an RV in Putnam County, you’ll be able to explore this park and more. The park is located along Falling Water River, which is known for its numerous waterfalls and gorges. Burgess Falls State Park is built on land that was once used as hunting grounds until the late 19th century, in an area originally populated by Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw tribes.

In the late 19th century, a gristmill and sawmill were built to harness the powers of the river, and folks who camp in an RV near Burgess Falls State …

Set amid limestone glades and lush evergreen forests, Cedars of Lebanon State Park immerses you in the natural beauty of Middle Tennessee. The park occupies more than 900 acres and is crisscrossed with scenic hiking trails and shady picnic spots. It takes its name from the abundance of magnificent eastern red cedar trees in the area, which reminded colonial settlers of the storied Mount Lebanon forests used to build the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. In 1955, the area was designated as a state park for all to enjoy.

At just 30 miles from Downtown Nashville, Cedars of Lebanon State Park is popular with day trippers and weekend warriors from Music City, as well as travelers from further afield. Planning a …

Charlestown State Park is located in southern Indiana on the Ohio River and Indiana - Kentucky border. The state park lies near the towns and cities of Louisville, KY, Cincinnati, OH, and Lexington, KY. Charlestown State Park began life as part of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant and was donated in separate parcels since 1993. Today the park consists of over five thousand acres, making it one the largest national parks in all of Indiana. The park consists of the ‘Fourteen Mile Creek,’ a tributary of the Ohio River, miles of hiking trails, and access to the Ohio River itself. All of these things, and much more, make Charlestown State Park the ideal place to take an …

Home to one of the largest waterfalls in the eastern United States is Kentucky's Cumberland Falls State Park. Covering around 1,700 acres, it is the perfect balance of natural landscape and manmade amenities. Surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest, there are stunning views in all directions, while inside the park, you’ll find a maze of meadows, canyons, and streams.

There are countless opportunities for outdoor fun in the park, from walking to white water rafting, all the while taking in the fresh mountain air. The park is easily accessible from towns such as London, Corbin, and Williamsburg, so it is no wonder that so many people choose to rent an RV in Whitley County.

Set on the shores of Byrd Lake, Cumberland Mountain State Park lures outdoor lovers with scenic hiking trails, splash-happy water sports, and picturesque picnic sites. Once a recreational area for local homestead families relocated as part of the New Deal program, today, the 1,700-acre park welcomes visitors from across the country and beyond. There's a dash of history thrown in for good measure, with sites like the Stone Arch Bridge and Homestead House Museum recalling the park's fascinating past.

Venture further afield and you can explore nearby state parks like Fall Creek Falls and Rock Island, as well as other attractions on the Cumberland Plateau, from tumbling waterfalls to legendary smokehouses. While state park RV camping at Cumberland Mountain, you're …

Despite being only 282 acres, Cummins Falls State Park has a lot to offer those that book an RV in Jackson County, TN. This scenic spot has been used for recreation for more than 100 years, with the beautiful waterfall being the main attraction. The park sits within the rolling hills along the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River in the Codell Hull Watershed and offers some spectacular scenery. Head to one of the nearby towns, such as Baxter, Cookeville, and Livingston, while on your outdoor adventure, to see even more of the incredible state of Tennessee.

Native Americans used to use the area as a hunting ground for great buffalo and other animals, and then in 1845, …

Dale Hollow Lake State Park sits on the northern shoreline of the vast Dale Hollow Reservoir. This man-made lake stretches for 27,000 acres across southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee, attracting travelers from either state. Located on the Frogue Peninsula, those camping at Dale Hollow Lake State Park should head along Highway 61 until Burkesville, where a minor road leads you to this recreational hotspot.

Though the lake remains the mainstay of the park, these 3,400 acres are about more than just water sports. Days can be spent hiking, biking, or horseback riding through the spectacular forested hills or exploring the park’s hidden caves. What’s more, being less than a two-hour drive from Bowling Green and less than three hours …

Daniel Boone National Forest sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Southeastern Kentucky. Its 700,000 acres of rocky gorges, sandstone cliffs, and diverse wildlife have been attracting visitors since 1937. Back then, the forest was known as Cumberland National Forest, before it was renamed in 1966 in honor of Daniel Boone, a well-known explorer in the area.

Anyone traveling from either northern Tennessee or Central Kentucky can access the forest via Interstate Route 75. Stretching between the larger cities of Knoxville, TN and Lexington, KY, you’ll find many city folks on their vacation here during the weekends and public holidays. The beauty of this forest lies in its diversity. It doesn’t matter when you decide to rent …

Located in Pope County, some ten miles west from the town of Golconda, Dixon Springs State Park is one of the top RV camping destinations in the state of Illinois. Golconda campers come here to enjoy the 800-acre recreation area, have a picnic with their families, hike through nature, or swim. The landscape is characterized by craggy terrain, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests home to groundhog, rabbit, deer, squirrel, and fox.

The park is named after William Dixon, who acquired the land back in 1848, which then led to the development of a small community. By the end of the 19th century, Dixon Springs had become a health spa, attracting hundreds of people who wanted to try out the …

Dunbar Cave State Park is one of Tennessee's most popular parks, which is no surprise considering that the cave complex is approximately the 280th largest in the entire known world. When you book an RV in Montgomery County, it is easy to explore this state park, and motorhome camping nearby will make multiple visits a breeze. Dunbar Cave State Park has an extensive prehistoric history and has been used for thousands of years by various peoples living in the area.

In more modern times, Dunbar Cave State Park can trace its history to Mississippian people living along the Red River during the 14th century, who treated the cave as a sacred place. Many cave drawings can be seen within …

Located some 60 miles east of Nashville and neatly situated along Tennessee's Eastern Highland Rim, Edgar Evins State Park impresses and dazzles with its breathtaking vistas, abundant animal and plant life, and a wide range of events and outdoor attractions. Named after James Edgar Evins, a Smithville business figurehead and state senator, this 6,000-acre park is revered as one the most popular tourist attractions in the state of Tennessee.

This comes as no surprise, since camping at Edgar Evins State Park provides the visitors with a bevy of enjoyable and exciting outdoor activities. There's a little bit of everything for everyone. From observing the local wildlife, which includes bald eagles and hawks, to enjoying the local flora species such as …

A charming state park that protects around 26,000 acres, Fall Creek Falls State Park is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting outdoor recreation areas in the entire country. Home to mesmerizing streams, waterfalls, and gorges, this park is an outdoor oasis for all those who relish being in nature and exploring its secrets. Due to its close proximity to Doyle (25 miles) and Pikeville (12 miles), the park is a convenient place to go camping with an RV.

Aside from its dazzling vistas, Fall Creek Falls State Park also impresses with its variety of recreational activities suitable for adventurers of all ages. You can do a little bit of everything here, including hiking, swimming, playing golf, educational programs, …

History buffs and war reenactors will want to rent an RV in Massac County and camp at Fort Massac State Park to experience one of its infamous Revolutionary War-era encampments. Fort Massac, in Metropolis, Illinois, was Illinois’ first state park, founded in 1908 due to its historical significance. The site has been historically significant since Spanish explorers first settled the area in the 16th century, and it saw heavy military action in every conflict from the French and Indian War through the War of 1812. It served as a training camp during the Civil War, and it soon came under civilian care and entered the state parks system.

Fort Massac State Park is on the southern end of Illinois, …

General Burnside State Park is located in southern Kentucky, just south of the towns and cities of Somerset, Stanford, and Lexington. The state park encompasses an island in the heart of Lake Cumberland, making it Kentucky’s only island park. Taking its name from the Civil War Union General Ambrose Burnside, the park is located on the site General Burnside stationed his troops during the war. Surrounded by the vast Lake Cumberland, General Burnside State Park is the perfect cocktail of history and lakeside recreation. This combination makes it the ideal place to take an RV rental. Accessing the park with a rental RV is easier than it first may seem, a bridge connects the island park to …