Tucked in the mountains near the Red River Gorge, Firefly Hills isn’t your typical RV Park. It’s a magical spot where whimsical and practical come together – whether you’re an RVer or a visitor to Eastern Kentucky looking for an experience outside of the ordinary.
For Tonja and Troy Lesmeister, creating this place wasn’t just about giving people a gravel lot to base out of for a few days. It was about creating a haven in the woods that has everything travelers miss when they are on the road: things like raising a garden and animals, short-term work and community service experiences for kids or adults, or simply having access to tools and space to work on their RV.
Designed by RVers for RVers
The Lesmeisters know RV living inside and out having traveled full-time for four years, and they also know the homeschooling community. They raised their children – and foster children – via a concept called “world schooling,” a type of home school where you travel and learn from cultures around the world. Tonja also runs a nonprofit called Traveling With A Purpose, which offers global service trips that guide participants on ethical travel and volunteering. Their unique life experiences make them well-suited to create a place like Firefly Hills, which first opened in 2024.
“We wanted to give back to the RVing and homeschooling community by building a place that feels like coming home,” Tonja said, “and a place that is a beacon of light and love for all people.”
They described how full-time RVing can sometimes be isolating to families, where they don’t have a set community to volunteer in, or a place where family and friends can visit.
Firefly Hills regularly hosts community-building activities, including service-oriented projects like creating ‘blessing bags’ for families to give to people in need while they are on the road, or river and road clean-ups. People also miss having challenging and different responsibilities for their kids to learn from, so they can sign up for jobs around the property while they are visiting. Adults can also sign up for ‘work-camp’ jobs where they work in exchange for a RV site, laundry, fresh eggs and any produce that is grown on-site and in season.
Here, because people can rent out rooms in the farmhouse, or one of two RVs they have on-site, people can also comfortably host family and friends who want to spend time with them, or have a place to stay while their rig is worked on locally.
The Snowden House – Accommodations with History & Mystery
Overlooking the property is the Snowden House, the property’s striking three-story white farmhouse built in 1924. Likely built as a Sears & Roebuck “kit house,” it was the first home in Lee County to have electricity and neighbors would once drive out to the property at night just to see the lights glowing– or maybe to catch a glimpse of ghosts that are said to occupy the home.
Tonja told us that both herself, Firefly Hills guests, and past residents alike have reported ‘encounters’ like hearing voices, seeing a woman brushing her hair in an upstairs window, and even having the bathtub fill itself. They’ve hosted many paranormal enthusiasts from podcasters to interested locals, and they will soon be featured on Haunted Discoveries, a YouTube series in its 5th season.
Friendly ghosts aside, the house also offers gorgeously designed guest rooms and community spaces, complete with unique vintage decor Tonja sourced from all over Eastern Kentucky.
Experiences for the Young at Heart
When it came time to build out the park’s play areas, the Lesmeisters asked kids themselves, who came up with three pages of ideas they are incorporating bit by bit. So far, they have the Whimsical Woods, a space full of imagination and adventure. Children can whip up creations in the mud kitchen, climb across a ninja course, or play pretend in log-built cars or a sailboat. There’s even a surf swing, a tree web for bouncing (or laying), and an ADA accessible Gaga ball pit.
For quieter moments, kids and adults can visit the “Thinking Spot,” where a simple table and a jar of prompts give them conversation starters on topics like nature, inclusion, and travel. Adults too can relax in the hammock circle, or take a walk on the trails that span their property and their neighbors.
“We wanted this to be a place where people can use their imagination and just be in nature,” Tonja said.
So far, it has been a success. The number one reason people extend their stay with them is because their kids don’t want to leave.
Site Details & Upcoming Event Spaces
Of course, Firefly Hills hasn’t forgotten the basics. RVers will find full hookups, 70-foot sites, and top-notch bathhouses – including one that is ADA accessible. Two fishing ponds and shared community spaces make it easy to relax or make new friends (though they can also offer a more private experience if that’s what you’re looking for). RVers can also take advantage of their membership program which gives people access to the Snowden house, tool bays, and more.
Their property is also designed around sustainability, a core value of Tonja and Troy’s. They collect compost from the guests each day, using it in their gardens (which guests can pick freely from), and they offer local products in their store. With support from the Mountain Association’s Energy and Lending teams, the campground has completed major energy efficiency upgrades and is now working toward adding solar. They also have battery packs to provide some resiliency in the case of power outages.
The solar panels will offset the energy use of an additional event space they are adding to their offerings. Soon, people will also be able to reserve the house and the adjacent event space for weddings, retreats and other events for up to 75 people. When they are not having events, the space will function as a rec room for visitors for activities like ping-pong or rainy day hang-out space.
Local Economic Impact
When their guests are ready to explore, Tonja and Troy stand by to make recommendations for must-visits in the town of Beattyville and the Red River Gorge with its world-class hiking, climbing, and array of restaurant and activity options.
The Red River Gorge has grown extensively in recent years and draws tourists from all over the world, but many people just come for a few days at a time. At Firefly Hills, they are often staying for weeks. Tonja said they are thrilled to help bring in outside sources of money to an area that has a struggling economy.
“Weekend RVers usually come with their coolers packed for a self-sufficient weekend, but full-time RVers are buying groceries locally, taking their animals to the veterinarian, getting their vehicles worked on, you name it.”
Plan Your Stay
There are many fall and spooky season activities coming up at Firefly Hills – from a ticketed event to learn about paranormal detection equipment for everyday visitors, to their Dia De Los Muertos two-week experience for RVers.
For more information, visit fireflyhillskentucky.com or follow @fireflyhillskentucky on social media.
