Tent camping near Avon, Indiana offers a mix of woodland and lakefront experiences across central Indiana's gently rolling terrain. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 600-900 feet above sea level, creating moderate temperatures that range from 50-85°F during the primary camping season of April through October. Winter camping remains available at select locations but temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Waveland Park provides fishing access with spacious shorelines. "The lake is popular for fishing," notes camper Mike V., who appreciates the clean park in west-central Indiana. The park includes restrooms, showers, and both primitive and modern camping options.
Hiking trails: Morgan-Monroe State Forest features multiple trail options, including two trails over 10 miles long. "This is probably the best state forest in the state of Indiana. There are a lot of trails to hike—two of them are over 10 miles (lower gap and three lakes)," reports Ron H. The Tecumseh trail (40 miles) starts in Morgan Monroe State Forest and passes through other forests.
Water activities: Ransburg Scout Reservation offers multiple water recreation options on Monroe Lake. As camper Margo B. explains, "Located on Monroe lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing." The reservation also features hiking trails and organized activities.
What campers like
Secluded spots: Primitive camping areas provide quieter experiences away from crowds. At Berry Ridge Road, campers enjoy significant privacy between sites. "Multiple campsites in the area, I've stayed at two both of which were away from others, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn," shares Jeremy F. This dispersed camping area offers free accommodations with a pack-in, pack-out policy.
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings around Avon create excellent opportunities for bird and wildlife observation. William David S. describes Lake Waveland Park's primitive camping area as "a lovely space with lots of birds to observe." Nighttime brings additional wildlife sounds at Berry Ridge Road, where camper Ax H. notes the peaceful sounds of "just trees knocking, bugs curling and frogs croaking."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. "Lake Waveland's grounds crew does a very good job keeping the property in order... and that's no small task, there is a TON of green space on this property," reports Randy A. The campground maintains well-shaded electric sites alongside numerous tent camping opportunities.
What you should know
Registration procedures: Each location has different check-in requirements. At Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort, campers can reserve lakefront sites convenient to Indianapolis. For Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Rob R. advises: "When you arrive set up at your site. Then you will need to go WITH EXACT CHANGE to the sign in at the main box. It's easy, there is a little box on the side of the firewood shed."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate on seasonal schedules. Lake Waveland Park runs from May 15 to October 15, while Morgan-Monroe remains open year-round. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February.
Site limitations: RV campers should check accessibility before arrival. At Morgan-Monroe, Don N. notes: "This park is not for large rigs, but we had no trouble fitting into our small camper." For Berry Ridge Road dispersed camping, sites accommodate smaller vehicles and tents but may be challenging after rain.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds include recreation areas for children. According to Ginger T. at Morgan-Monroe State Forest: "There's a playground at the entrance of Mason Ridge campground and a fire tower." These amenities provide additional activities for families with younger campers.
Organized activities: Ransburg Scout Reservation offers structured recreation options beyond typical campground amenities. "Lots of fun activities to do, and great hiking trails. Their mess hall is top notch," reports Margo B., who has experienced both cabin and tent camping at the reservation.
Safety considerations: Be aware of local wildlife, especially in more remote areas. One Berry Ridge Road camper noted seeing "a rattlesnake dead on the road," indicating these snakes are present in the area. Keeping food secured and maintaining awareness of surroundings helps ensure family safety.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds have limited spaces for larger recreational vehicles. At Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Ron H. explains: "We are RV campers and there are only about 5 sites we could get in to. Our camper is about 25' and it was tight getting in and out of the campground." Smaller RVs and pop-ups have more options.
Hookup availability: Electric service varies by location. Lake Waveland Park offers water and electric hookups at modern sites, while Morgan-Monroe provides no electric sites. Don N. shares his experience: "This is a great place to camp and hike, although there is no electric hookup we had a generator that we used sparingly."
Dump station concerns: Check dump station facilities before arrival. At Morgan-Monroe, camper Don N. reported: "The dump station hose did not have a connection to allow me to flush the blackwater holding tank," indicating possible maintenance issues that RV campers should prepare for.
