Hammock camping suggestions for Kentucky/Illinois area

[Hikenpaddleboy]

I am looking to find an overnight spot at the end of April to hammock camp in eastern Kentucky/southern Illinois area. If possible a state park, or someplace that is more or less car camping. It will be a 12 hour drive for me that day, so I don't want to put to much time in to getting to the campsite and set up.

Thanks for all your help!

[xMagnolia]

Sounds like the Shawnee National Forest would be right on your way. They would have dispersed camping. I looked at State Parks, etc., in Western Kentucky but didn't see anything that would work.
Good Luck and let us know what you find.

Charlotte

[ctiera]

For super specific spots in KY, we've fit 2 hammocks (one eno, one Dutch) into these two camping spots-

Grayson Lake State Park - Site 046
Eastern - Bruin, KY- about a 20 min drive off of I64, Grayson, KY exit
It's more of an RV park so it was a little noisy, but I think we just had bad neighbors that night and we stayed there for much of the same reason- breaking up a long drive.

Natural Bridge State Resort - Whittleton Loop, Site A016
Eastern - Slade, KY- not really close to a major interstate, but a main state route does run through the area. The campsite is creekside, and if you have time to burn, Red River Gorge area is phenomenal.
*If this is on or around the path you're taking, there is also a string of road side "back country" sites in the Geological Area along Tunnel Ridge Road, and each parking area has its own vault toilet.

Also, west outside of Indy...
Raccoon Lake State Park - Raccoon Primative, Site 3
About 45 mins south of Veedersburg, IN along I74
Iirc, his Dutch was a little long fine, but I ran the eno in a second spot and it was tight

Both states are ReserveAmerica, and in my experience they have decent photos that I've spent alot of time staring at, trying to size up distances between trees in case the location is right but the campsite is reserved lol I might have some others favorited if you need me to look into it for a best guess!

[Hikenpaddleboy]

ctiera,

Thanks for all the GREAT! information. I am looking forward to researching these spots and getting to know where to go. Natural Bridge State Resort - Whittleton Loop, Site A016 sounds fantastic!

HAPB