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The Great Meadows Campground, located on Stearns District of the Daniel Boone National Forest, is developed on both sides of the road. Deer Loop is on the right; Raccoon Loop is on the left. Deer Loop is open year round; but the water is shut off during the winter season. Raccoon Loop is April 1 - November 15. Make this page look nicer by submitting photos of your visit to Great Meadows Campground. Learn more... View Great Meadows Guide and Map Rock Creek, a designated Kentucky Wild River, runs along the Raccoon Loop. Rock Creek is stocked with rainbow trout March - June and September - December.. Campsite availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Trails nearby: Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail - Section 37 and Section 38; Mark Branch Trail # 635 and Gobblers Arch Trail # 636.
In Stearns, KY, at intersection of State Rts. 1651 and 92, take Rt. 92 west 5.4 miles to State Rt. 1363 (and campground sign). Turn left onto Rt. 1363 and go 11 miles to a "T" intersection and campground sign. Turn right onto Forest Rt. 564 (dirt/gravel, single lane) and go 1.2 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear left onto Forest Rt. 137 (dirt/gravel, single lane) and go 4.2 miles to the campground's Deer Loop on right or continue 1.4 miles to Raccoon Loop on left.
Great primitive campground. Camped in a 28.5' Over all length camper. Tight turning in at the gate but, still manageable. Vault toilets onsite. Beautiful area, secluded, great place to unplug from technology, No Cell service in the area. Caught a few trout in the stream nearby. We will be back.
fantastic campground!(free is for me) just make sure you bring everything you might need . it is 25+ miles to the closest store. alot of awesome senerie near by.
We spent the weekend here. There were few people here considering it was a weekend in the fall. However there was one guy with a noisy generator in deer loop(don't be that guy). We moved to one of the (3) prime campsites by the river to ourselves. The area was rather dirty with numerous beer bottles behind the site and small pieces of trash around the area, (3 Walmart bags full.) We spent the weekend hiking Sheltowee trace and hiked through the woods. The night sky is perfect, revealing so many more stars than you see in town. The trails we went on were In good shape for the most part considering hiking with kids (5&3). What a great hidden gem, but that goes for the entire area nearby.
During the hot summer months, this is a nice place for a picnic, camping trip, nature visit, or a cool dip in the frigid waters of rock creek. The shelter house is situated on the creek with picnic tables, paved walking path, grills, and restrooms nearby. A short drive past the shelter house you will find 2 campgrounds. The first campground is called "Deer Loop". Here you will find gravel campsites with fire pits, picnic tables, lanter poles, and plenty of shade from the sun. The second campground is "Racoon Loop". Here you will find all of the amenities as Deer Loop with the added backdrop of rock creek flowing beside the campsites. Water and electricity is not provided at either campground. Besides the designated campgrounds, you also have a few options for some more private primitive camping. Just look for the gravel pulloffs. Be aware of the narrow gravel road leading to these areas and watch out for those crazy drivers.
Peaceful,
This area has some very beautiful adjacent hiking trails. If you love nature and getting away from the crowds of people then this is a good place to go. There is some easy to more advanced hiking available and multiple scenic overlooks on the road that leads into the area. I do recommend this sight.
