Several campgrounds around Anderson, Indiana offer family-friendly sites with water recreation within a 30-mile radius of the city. The terrain features gently rolling hills and wooded areas alongside rivers and lakes. Summer temperatures range from 75-90°F, while spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler 50-70°F conditions with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: White River Campground features trails along the river and connects to nearby Koteewi Park. "This is a great campsite attached to a wonderful park with great trails," notes David R., who particularly enjoyed the biking options.
Lake activities: Spend time floating or swimming at Wildwood Outdoor Escape where campers can cool off in the fishing ponds. "There's a basketball net, volleyball court, small playground and fishing ponds," reports Sammii D., who enjoyed the recreational facilities during her stay.
Creek tubing and kayaking: Riverside sites offer direct water access for floating and paddling. "We take our own rafts and kayaks, although both are available for rent/purchase at the camp store. Our boys & friends spend most of their time in the river," shares Angela H. about her family's annual tradition at Hidden Paradise Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms at Hidden Paradise Campground. "Clean bathrooms! Great sites! Lots of water things to do," writes Shannon C. The quarry swimming area also receives positive reviews.
Spacious sites: The campgrounds near Anderson offer ample room between sites. "The sites are spacious, the water, sewer, and electric are good. All sites are paved, grounds are great to walk, campground people are nice," explains Kristen S. about White River Campground.
Family activities: Kamp Modoc provides numerous recreational options for families. "We went here Memorial Day weekend and had a great time even though it was chilly and rainy. The pond was great with the inflatables and water toys available for use," reports Amy H.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Fills up fast, so make your reservation. It's small but one of my favorites," advises Caitlin W. about White River Campground, which offers a canoe launch and hiking trails.
Highway noise considerations: Some sites experience traffic noise that might affect tent campers. "This is a great campground for RVs and cabins, but unfortunately not for tents as the highway 69 is too noisy," shares David C. about his experience at Mystic Waters Campground.
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds operate from April through October. "Our site had full hookup, flat ground so easy setup," notes Douglas T. about Hidden Paradise Campground, adding that "signs could be better marked, especially for nighttime arrivals."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Select campgrounds with swimming options for hot summer days. "The pond was great with the inflatables and water toys available for use. The camp store is large and offers food. There were many activities put on by the campground," reports Amy H. about her experience at Kamp Modoc.
Playground access: Cornerstone Campground offers several play areas for children. "Beautiful campground. Great for all kinds of camping from primitive to full hook up. Tons of stuff for kids to do. Everyone was friendly," writes Trevor N., highlighting the family-friendly atmosphere.
Nearby activities: Plan day trips to Indianapolis attractions. "Used this campground as a home base to visit downtown Indy. 20 minutes to downtown attractions," shares Tom O. about his stay at Indianapolis KOA, making it convenient for families wanting glamping close to Anderson, Indiana with city access.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: RVers appreciate the well-maintained, level spaces at many campgrounds. "Very large KOA. They have all different types of sites. Pull through back in. Super deluxe, deluxe, full hook ups etc," notes Mary T. about her stay at Indianapolis KOA.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete utility connections. "RV sites are full hookup and very level. Lake at the campground is great to float around in on a hot summer day," shares Christopher N. about his weekend at Mystic Waters Campground, a popular glamping option near Anderson.
Navigational challenges: Some campgrounds have tight turns or confusing layouts. "This little road is quite narrow, has some pretty tight turns with trees on both sides and in the night it's hard to tell where the rear end of your camper is," cautions Douglas T., recommending daytime arrival at Hidden Paradise for larger rigs.
