Campsite #1 at Houchin Ferry Campground, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY

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$20

Campsite #1

12 reviews
Walk-In 8 people
30 ft Back-in
2 fair
1
3/12
3/15
Campsite #1 Features: Walk-In access, Back-in parking, Tent Site, Pets Allowed

Campsite Reviews (12)

5.0 out of 5

5 star
42%
4 star
50%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
8%

@DoreenRAE138C3 · Camped on Jul 14, 2025 at Campsite #1
The porter potties were clean. We stayed on site 1 which was nice cause we had one side where no one good set up camp. The sites are very close. There was no view of the river because bushes and trees have grown. But it was nice and quiet and secluded.
Verizon
Good
@TylerS9906995 · Camped on Nov 5, 2024 at Campsite #1
Great site! Bathrooms were clean and area was peaceful
@TriciaLF02FAB2 · Camped on Nov 1, 2024 at Campsite #1
I've been camping at Houchin Ferry since I was a child and I've always loved it. The location is great, the actual campsites are wonderful, and they stay on the upkeep. My only complaint is the road to get there, it's narrow and winding with sharp inclines and declines. Otherwise I'm definitely a fan, I don't really camp anywhere else.
AT&T
Some Coverage
@WilliamW688008 · Camped on Aug 13, 2024 at Campsite #1
Everything was great except that ferry light. Come on, the ferry has been closed about 15 years.
@WilliamW688008 · Camped on Aug 30, 2023 at Campsite #1
Was there specifically for the super full blue moon. I was very excited when the moon rose and the light that was left over from the ferry running (8 or more years ago) had finally been extinguished. The experience was unforgettable.
@JohnP1604489 · Camped on Jun 9, 2023 at Campsite #1
Great campsite. About 25min from main area of park. Grocery store and gas station within 5 minutes is a plus though.
@RandiS646EEB4A · Camped on Mar 22, 2023 at Campsite #1
Was great! Weather was fair but overall can't complain. Cleanest port a potties I've ever used. Very clean overall
@WilliamW688008 · Camped on Oct 24, 2022 at Campsite #1
The problem encountered was not with the campground but with the necessary burn ban imposed, no fires or charcoal. We were there from 3 states and only get together on rare occasions so the trip itself was excellent and we managed to survive the cold temps without fires.
@DimanaME09C816 · Camped on Jun 2, 2021 at Campsite #1
The camp ground itself is wonderful- quiet and secluded. Very nice trees and next to the river. We were there mid week, and it was only us and another couple. No showers or real bathrooms, but the porta potties were very clean. The road that leads to the camp ground is from the Lord of the Rings, which was awesome! All this was the reason why I chose that campground. But then night came...I am sure it has to do with the fact that at the other end of the road that leads to the campground is a High school and there is a pubic boat ramp at the camp side- but starting 1am all kinds of giant pick up trucks that were not camping there were coming and going-loud, noisy, and quite honestly frightening since we were in a closed tent and had no idea who these people were or what they were doing. Now, i am sure they were just local kids who like to party by the river , but then I was freaking out. It didn't help that we were listening to Crime junkies pod casts on our entire road trip :) These people had no respect for the people camping and were slamming their car doors and yelling. Finally, at 2.30am they left, and we got some sleep, but the next morning we decided to move to the Main campground, which was great!
@WilliamW688008 · Camped on May 23, 2021 at Campsite #1
Had a great time. Did have one night when a group of 6 in 4 tents moved into site #2 right beside us when almost all sites were vacant.
@WilliamW688008 · Camped on Nov 14, 2020 at Campsite #1
Wish NPS would revert this campground to first come-first serve basis.
@AndrewN7047886 · Camped on Oct 24, 2020 at Campsite #1
We arrived around 3pm to find someone else's gear still set up in our spot. The Houchin Ferry Campgrounds were first come first serve until this year (2020) and there is no ranger station here to talk to. Luckily, we but we were able to call around and be relocated. Everyone at Recreation.gov and Mammoth Cave was very helpful and accommodating in finding us a spot at Mammoth Cave Camp Ground. The camp sites looked great just make sure you show up with enough time left in the day to fix any reservation issues.

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