Indian Creek Campground In Frenchburg, Kentucky – Tips for Off-Grid Camping

by John Rodgers / Sunday, June 29, 2025 / Published in Paid or Permit Camping, Kentucky Paid

Indian Creek Campground
In Frenchburg, Kentucky
Tips for Off-Grid Camping

ADDRESS
Indian Creek Road Frenchburg, Kentucky GPS: 37.87242, -83.6576 Elevation: 719′
MANAGEMENT
Public – Forest Service (Official) PERMIT: $3/night. They have 3 day permits & an annual permit.

Previous Reviews:

Indian Creek Campground: The road in is Gravel and 4-5 miles from a paved road. Indian Creek Daniel Boone National Forest is open All Year. There are 30 or more campsites at this location. You may stay 14 days at Indian Creek Daniel Boone National Forest.

In Daniel Boone National Forest, Red River Gorge Geological Area, there is only one place for truck camping in this district that is not in a campground. It is free to camp anywhere along Indian creek but you need a pass in order to be in the park between 10 PM and 6 AM. A one-day pass only costs $3 but 3-day passes and annual passes are available. We camped just off the road at the GPS coordinates above.

About This Location

If you’re hunting for a no-fuss, free place to camp near Frenchburg, Kentucky, Indian Creek boondocking just might be your ticket. Boondocking here means you get to unplug in a quiet, woodsy patch of Daniel Boone National Forest.

You can hang around for up to 14 days if you’ve got the right permit. The whole setup is about simplicity—no hookups, no crowds, just you and the trees.

Finding the area is straightforward thanks to GPS coordinates that are easy to spot online. Once you’re there, expect basic camping—nothing fancy, but the forest views are worth it.

If you’re into peaceful, low-key camping and don’t mind giving up a few comforts, this is probably your kind of place. It’s not for everyone, but isn’t that sort of the point?

Indian Creek Campground In Frenchburg, Kentucky

Camping is free at Indian Creek campground, tucked away in Daniel Boone National Forest near Frenchburg. There are more than 30 sites scattered along a gravel road, about 4 or 5 miles from the nearest pavement.

Staying overnight means grabbing a permit, which is just $3 a day. If you’re a regular, you can pick up a longer pass or even an annual one.

The road in is gravelly and a bit rough, so you’ll want to take it slow. Directions bring you through KY 77 and the Nada Tunnel, then onto KY 613, and finally down Indian Creek Road 9A.

Important details:

Maximum stay: 14 days
Location: Indian Creek Road off KY 613
Elevation: around 719 feet
Managed by the U.S. Forest Service

Don’t expect amenities—bring your own water and whatever else you’ll need. Firewood rules are in place, so stick to heat-treated wood to keep the bugs at bay.

You’re right in the thick of nature out here. The forest is open year-round, so you can roll up in any season—though honestly, spring and fall are tough to beat.

Sites can fill up fast, especially on weekends or holidays. If you want a good spot, arriving early is your best bet.

Directions

To get to Indian Creek Campground near Frenchburg, start by heading down KY 77. You’ll cruise through the Nada Tunnel, which is a bit of a local landmark.

After the tunnel, keep following KY 77 until you cross a bridge and hit the intersection with KY 613. Hang a left onto KY 613 and keep going for about a mile and a half.

Once you’ve gone 1.5 miles, turn right onto Forest Service Road 9—also called Indian Creek Road. The road’s gravel and narrow in spots, but usually kept in decent shape.

At the fork, go left onto Indian Creek Road 9A. The camping area pops up on your left not long after that.

Remember, the last stretch is gravel for about 4 or 5 miles, so don’t be in a rush. It’s not a road you want to speed down.

Here’s a quick summary if you’re the checklist type:

Step	Details
Start	KY 77 through Nada Tunnel
Turn left	At KY 613 after bridge
Drive	1.5 miles on KY 613
Turn right	Onto Forest Service Road 9 (Indian Creek Rd)
Turn left	At fork onto Indian Creek Road 9A
Arrive	Camping area on left

Indian Creek campground is open all year, so you can plan a trip whenever the mood strikes. Still, it’s smart to check the weather and road conditions before you head out—no one likes surprises when they’re camping.

Vehicle Access And Pricing

You’ll get to Indian Creek campground by taking a gravel road that’s about 4 or 5 miles from the nearest paved stretch. Honestly, road conditions can be all over the place, so it’s smart to check in with the local district office before heading out—just to make sure your car can handle it.

There are more than 30 campsites scattered along Indian Creek campground. You can pull in and camp pretty much any time of year, which is awesome, but don’t forget you’ll need a permit if you want to stay overnight.

The permit will run you $3 per day. If you’re thinking about hanging around longer, there are multi-day options like a three-day pass or even an annual pass—kind of a no-brainer if you plan to come back a lot.

You don’t usually need a reservation for most sites, but if you’re the plan-ahead type or it’s the off-season, there’s an online system and a phone number you can use to book in advance. Just a heads up: if you book and then bail, they’re still going to charge you for that first night.

Indian Creek campground falls under Forest Service management, so all the rules and fees come from them. It’s worth following their guidelines—keeps the place nice for the next folks, and you don’t want any trouble.