Martin State Forest, managed by the Indiana DNR Forestry Division, encompasses pine-covered terrain near Mitchell and gives campers a low-key base for exploring the forest's hiking trails and 7 miles of mountain bike routes. Sites are gravel and paved, level, and well-maintained. The campground is open year-round at $13 per night, with water hookups available and reservations accepted.
Site quality is consistently noted across reviews. "Campground is very basic with clean level sites," observes Phillip D., and that assessment holds up across multiple visits by different reviewers. Water is available on-site but not piped to individual campsites, so bringing a container to fill at central access points is worth planning for. Pit toilets serve the campground. Quiet hours run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., and generators are permitted with the expectation that they're positioned away from neighboring campers.
A small, clear lake sits within the forest, and a playground with newer equipment adds a practical draw for families. Cell service is listed as available. Smaller RVs under 30 feet can navigate the campground reasonably well, though the setup is fundamentally oriented toward tent, car, and van campers. Pets are allowed, and alcohol is permitted on-site. Campers looking to extend a trip into the broader region can find campsites near Martin State Forest or nearby options such as Shirley Creek Campground — Hoosier National Forest to the southeast.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMartin State Forest is located in Indiana near Shoals
Directions
Located 20 miles southwest of Bedford, Indiana, or 4 miles east of Shoals, Indiana on U.S. Highway 50.
Address
14040 Williams Rd.
Mitchell, IN 47446
Coordinates
38.6970005 N
86.72200082 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome Coverage- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/7/26
AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/7/26
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 42 min from Bloomington, IN
- 1 hr 18 min from Evansville, IN
- 1 hr 27 min from Columbus, IN
- 1 hr 46 min from Terre Haute, IN
