Best Camping Spots In Indiana

Chain Olakes Campground Chain Olakes State Park

As you can probably tell from the name, Chain OLakes State Park is studded with 15 lakes all interconnected by the Fox River. All this water makes it a super popular recreation area. Plus, its just an hours drive from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Rockford. Weekends here can be pretty busy.

The top draw for many is the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, a huge wetlands area primed for birdwatching, boating and fishing.

And where better to base yourself than in the park at Chain OLakes Campground? Youll get to see so much more of this awesome park than the daytrippers. Though the site is pretty minimal, its still some of the best camping in Indiana for its location alone.

Amenities: Campfires allowed, Toilet available, Potable water available, Picnic table available

Campsite fee: From $25 per campsite per night.

Have Fun Camping In Indiana At Starve Hollow State Recreation Area

Starve Hollow State Recreation Area is a small park.

It is a little over 280 acres and includes a 145-acre scenic lake.

Around the lake, there are actually frequent bald eagle sightings, which is a really cool perk that comes with this Indiana campsite.

Chances are typically pretty good that youll see one of the majestic birds!

Starve Hollow is known for having some of the best campsites for camping in Indiana.

There are 90 electric campsites, 55 full hook-up sites for RVs, and even cabins you can rent.

Many of the campsites are also situated around the beautiful lake.

Within the recreation area, there is plenty to do. From hiking, swimming, biking, boating, and more!

Hoosier National Forest English

The Hoosier National Forest has a little bit of everything that outdoor enthusiasts can love. This place has a staggering 266 miles of hiking trails that will take you through beautiful gorges and old stands of timber. Many of them are open to mountain biking and horseback too. Be sure to check out the Hemlock Cliffs Trail for some spectacular views or the Birdseye Trail for a 12-mile round trip challenge. If hiking is not your thing, no worries, Patoka Lake’s waters beckon anglers with big largemouth and walleye. In the fall months, the deer hunting is excellent. If you are looking for somewhere to camp for free, be sure to check out Hoosier’s dispersed and backcountry camping opportunities. For those who do not want to rough it that much, there are plenty of developed, pet-friendly campgrounds perfect for RV users.

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Enjoy Camping In Indiana At Pokagon State Park

You can find Pokagon State Park in northeastern Indiana.

The state park has a rich history, particularly Native American history.

Pokagon was named after the father and son who were some of the most notable leaders of the Potawatomi Nation.

There is an inn on the parks grounds called the Potawatomi Inn that also reflects this history.

Pokagon State Park has become known as the go-to DNR in Indiana for winter outdoor adventure.

This Indiana state park campground is massive, with 277 campsites and an Inn if youre not interested in camping in the winter.

You definitely want to try Indiana state park camping at Pokagon State Park.

Charlestown State Park Charlestown

This southern Indiana park is perfect for anyone looking to spend some time boating on the Ohio River or exploring just over the border into Louisville, Kentucky. I went tent camping here many years ago and had a great experience. It is quiet, shady, and has plenty of picnic tables. The park offers 132 electric sites and 60 sites with full hookups for RV camping. The birdwatching here is excellent, and the park offers many hiking trails. Be sure to check out the trail that leads down to the ruins of the Rose Island theme park. It is slowly being reclaimed by nature and there are some excellent photo opportunities to be found within.

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Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Knightstown Indiana

Located just outside of the quaint town of Knightstown, campers will get a chance to experience one of the most popular family attractions in the state while enjoying their stay at this park. The amenities here include an arcade and mini-golf course for campers to enjoy while the kids are entertained. For those who want to stay close to nature, there are also plenty of sites available for tent and RV camping.

Charles C Deam Wilderness Grubb Ridge Th

There are many campsites and hikes along the lake off the peninsula trail. The special trail is about 6 miles one way. These are of course hiking, not car camping. There is car camping in certain areas. Get some spots very close off the trail but you are not having much water source. Turtles walk around the place.

On 446 south of the Causeway that crosses Lake Monroe, enter the Deam wilderness area across the road to the east off 446. Then to the East. After passing the fire tower, you can turn South to the next road that turns to the Right.

Its a couple of miles off 446. Very close to the South, you can find a few campsites. They are suitable for tent camping. You cant have any facilities at these sites. Calm environment is ensured here. A few pounds around the area looks very nice. Go to those ponds with a cane pole, and a tent.

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What People Are Saying About Circle B Rv Park & Cabins

Awesome campground! Great Lake and lots of playgrounds for the kids. Friendly and helpful staff. Michelle, Google reviews

Location

Learn more on the locationswebsite!

Amenities

• Daily/Weekly/Monthly Rates: from $30/$150/$450 # of RV Sites: 110 Full Hookups: Yes 30/50 Amp: Both Back-In/Pull-Through Sites: Both Pool/Hot tub: Pool Showers: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes Cell Reception: Yes Wi-Fi: Yes Discounts: N/A

Where Can You Paddle A 12

One of the reasons that 12-foot-long kayaks are so popular is that you can paddle them almost anywhere. Sure, they are limited at the top end of some environments, and you would want a specialist kayak if you were pushing your white water or sea kayaking skills, but generally, a 12-foot kayak can be used on lakes, rivers, and in the ocean.

The all-around speed and balance of a 12-foot kayak make them popular with beginners, too. If youve never kayaked before, youll find that a 12-foot kayak will usually fit the bill to get you exploring feeling comfortable, and well-balanced.

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Go Camping At Clifty Falls State Park Year Round

Another great DNR in Indiana is Clifty Falls State Park.

This state park actually offers camping year-round, which is something, not every Indiana state park campground offers.

Its a great place to try camping in Indiana State Parks if you want to experience cold weather camping.

The campground has seven loops with a total of 167 campsites.

Most are electric, but they do have non-electric sites as well.

So its a great area for Indiana DNR camping if you are traveling and camping in an RV.

Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit, and in each loop, youll find a modern bathroom with toilets and showers.

This is a great location to experience fall in Indiana!

Find Camping Near Indianapolis At Shades State Park

About 47 miles northwest of Indianapolis you can find the beautiful Shades State Park.

This DNR in Indiana is a popular park because it is so peaceful and the landscape is stunning.

Its especially popular with hikers thanks to its great trail system.

I highly suggest taking some time to go camping in Indiana state parks like Shades State Park.

At the campground, there are five loops with a total of 109 campsites.

Most of the campsites are non-electric, and a few of them are specifically for youth camping trips.

However, keep in mind that Shades State Park only allows camping from April to October.

During that time, it is one of the best Indiana DNR campsites to explore.

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Elkhart County Middlebury Koa Middlebury In

Elkhart County, which borders Michigan, is a concentrated area of RV industry and Amish community. The Middlebury camp ground and RV park is centrally located between Middlebury and Shipshewana, offering more than just a night out in nature. Seasonally, the campground offers narrated tours through the Amish countryside as well as shuttle service to the Shipshewana Flea Market if your shopping itch needs to be scratched. As for the campground itself, RVs up to 80 feet with up to 50 amps are allowed, as well as your dog! There is a camping kitchen and Wi-Fi, propane and firewood at an additional cost, and a pool during summer.

Brown County Koa Nashville In

Formerly known as Last Resort RV Park and Camp, Brown County KOA is located in Nashville, Indiana, one of the most beloved places in the state. Most are familiar with shopping in Nashville during the day and hiking in the evening ending with a campfire at night, but Brown County KOA makes it possible to make a weekend out of it! RV spots face the woods, cabins have free Wi-Fi and cable television, and pets are welcome! Going off-grid for the weekend to reconnect with nature? You can walk the trails located at the campground itself or hop on over to the state park and take one of the hiking trails there. Afterwards, sit a spell in the lounge after buying a snack in the camp store, then pick up some firewood for your campfire.

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Why Youll Love Shipshewana North Park Amish Log Cabin Lodging & Campground

Shipshewana North Park has lots to offer, including full hookup RV sites, a barn meeting room, Florida room, and their famous ice cream and frozen custard stand. And of course, the surrounding areas have a to offer as well. You can head to Millers Buggy Line Tours for a tour of the Amish Country, the Mousetrap Puppet Theatre for a marionette show that both kids and adults will enjoy, or the Midwests largest flea market for a day of shopping!

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Of Bloomington Bloomington In

One of the most organized campgrounds you’ll see in Indiana is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park of Bloomington. The RV/camper section definitely geared more toward a resort rather than a camping site, since the spots are situated around a swimming pool with colorful slides and a pool house. The Bear’s Den is Yogi’s special cabin, and if you wait, he’ll come out to say hi! A little farther away in the wooded area are tent camping sites with electricity, and some primitive sites where you’ll need to bring everything including toilet paper unless you’re a fan of leaves. Also available are cabins of varying sizes and amenities, as long as you’re planning a stay that is two nights or longer.

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Clifty Falls State Park Campground Clifty Falls State Park

This campground is probably the best place to rock up if you want to explore the 1,400-plus acres of Clifty Falls State Park. And trust us: youre going to want to explore here. There are waterfalls , rugged trails that wind to the floors of canyons, and history to uncover, too.

Staying at the campground puts you in a good position to check out the waterfalls in particular. Its situated in a peaceful corner of the state park, away from busier sites and main thoroughfares. And if you want to learn more about the park, this all-purpose campground even has an onsite nature centre.

Amenities: Campfires allowed, Toilet available, Pets allowed, Potable water available, Picnic table available

Campsite fee: From $12 per campsite per night.

Tent Camping Near Me: White River Campground

Situated along the west bank of the White River, the picturesque White River Campground provides an ideal destination for a camping getaway weekend near Cicero, Indiana. Guests can explore twenty-six beautiful acres by river or by foot, go hiking or fishing, and view the various wildlife. The campground consists of more than one hundred campsites, including both primitive and modern sites, as well as quiet spots for relaxation, boating, and fishing. Open from mid-April through the end of October, the White River Campground also offers several amenities, such as a playground, picnic tables and shelters, laundry facilities, and restrooms.

11299 E 234th St, Cicero, IN 46034, Phone: 317-770-4430

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Pokagon State Park Angola

At 1,250 acres, this park is a little smaller than some of the others on this list. Pokagon has convenient access to several lakes that were carved by glaciers tens of thousands of years ago. It makes the park a popular spot to setup for fishermen. If you do not own a watercraft of your own, the park rents pontoon boats, paddleboats, and rowboats. The park is also home to several light to moderate hiking trails that will take you through rolling grassland fields and old stands of hardwoods. This park also has a historic inn for those who do not like to rough it. For the rest of us, there are 200 electric sites and 73 non-electric sites. Kids will love the toboggan slide and rentals.

Camping Packing List For Indiana

A ton of awesome spots to camp in Indiana? Check. Great glamping options? Also check. Now that youve got your rules and regs down, as well as location options, its time to consider the next step: Packing.

Packing is a joy for some people. For others, its a nightmare. Us? Were somewhere in between.

But wherever you are on the issue, it definitely pays to know what to pack for wherever youre going. That means tailoring your choices to pack not just the essentials, but some specific gear for your destination, too.

Indianas top camping spots are located in various landscapes. Its a mixed bag of wetlands, lakesides, dunes and forests, so youll want to prepare yourself for each. Your packing list will also depend on the season youre traveling in.

Not having the right kit, especially when youre in the middle of nowhere, is not fun at all. So to help you make sure that doesnt happen, weve crafted this packing list for you. It should help make your life much easier

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Brown County State Park Nashville

At a staggering 15,770 acres, Brown County State Park is Indiana’s largest. As a result, it is also one of the most popular recreation areas in the state too. Camping opportunities are plentiful as a result. There are over 500 electric campsites across the multiple campgrounds and more than 100 non-electric sites. This is a good option for fishermen since the park borders the 3,100-acre Lake Monroe. Bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye, and crappie are plentiful there. This park also offers swimming pools, plentiful hiking trails, and some of the best mountain biking trails in the state. This park is conveniently located just outside of Bloomington and less than an hour from Indianapolis.

The oldest state park in Indiana celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. The hiking trails are rugged, but beautiful, taking visitors through deep, creek-filled ravines and past beautiful waterfalls. This park is also host to a nature center, horseback riding opportunities, tennis courts, and plenty of nice places for a picnic. The park has a decent number of campsites too. There are 32 primitive sites and 189 electric sites just waiting for your visit.

Hardin Ridge Recreation Area Heltonville In

Hardin Ridge Campground is a site of 200 lots on the shores of Lake Monroe, Indiana’s largest lake. Hardin Ridge is so named because it is situated among the ridges of the southern part of the state which have the look and feel of a mountain ridge. Sites in the thick forest make your inner woodsman feel right at home, while sites near the lake’s beach give your inner beach bum a cozy rug of sand to sink your toes in. There are also a couple of cabins to rent if you’re just not in the mood for sleeping on the ground, but if you’re willing to rough it just a little, campsites with electricity hookup, some with water too, are available.

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The Indianapolis Koa Holiday Is One Of The Best Places To Go Camping In Indiana

If youre looking for a truly epic camping adventure then youll want to check out the Indianapolis KOA Holiday.

This KOA Indiana campground is full of unique and fun amenities for the whole family.

There is a playground, a water park, a dog park, wifi, and even patios you can hook up to your RV if you have one.

They offer campsites for RVs and tents.

This KOA in Indiana also has cabins you can rent.

So if you really want to go camping, but dont want to use a tent and dont have access to an RV, you can still camp here!

Because it is also close to Indianapolis, you can find plenty of fun things to do off the park too.