Campgrounds near Bainbridge, Indiana are situated in an area characterized by gently rolling hills and ravines with elevations between 600-850 feet. The region features deciduous hardwood forests dominated by oak, maple, and hickory trees, with multiple watersheds feeding into Raccoon Creek and Sugar Creek. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons often see overnight temperatures dropping into the 40s.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Rockville Lake County Park offers an 18-hole course that winds through wooded terrain. "The disc golf course is awesome, in the woods, up and down ravine. 18 holes plus practice basket. Hole 1 starts by primitive sites closer to beach. Ask for a disc golf map at gatehouse," notes a visitor to Rockville Lake County Park.
Canoeing and kayaking: Sugar Creek provides excellent paddling opportunities with rental services available at several campgrounds. "We rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground. It was great and once we saw the crowds at the beach area of the park on Saturday afternoon, we were super glad we had been canoeing all day instead of fighting crowds at the park," shares a visitor to Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Hiking challenging terrain: The area offers some of Indiana's most rugged hiking trails with unique geological features. "This is a hikers park & it has some of the most rugged trails in Indiana. The Pine Hills Nature Preserve is maintained by the park. The Devils Backbone is a popular trail, but definitely on the rugged side," explains a camper at Shades State Park Campground.
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: Sites along Sugar Creek provide scenic views and direct water access. "We stayed in site 41 which is a double site. I'd highly recommend this site. It backs up to Sugar Creek which is just gorgeous in the spring. We saw all kinds of birds, turtles, frogs and even a couple snakes," shares a visitor at Sugar Creek Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the area maintain high standards for restrooms and showers. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," notes a camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked ponds and creek access provide varied fishing experiences. "The camp has a great pond for fishing, and there are lots of fish to catch! The creek is loaded with small mouth bass, some large mouth, gar, bluegill, and carp," reports a visitor to Sugar Creek Campground.
Shaded sites: Mature trees throughout the area provide ample shade at most campgrounds. "Canopied by the big beautiful Indiana trees. Close to some good hiking trails," describes a visitor to Shades State Park Campground.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be spotty throughout the region. "No cell service but who needs it!" mentions a camper at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area.
Wildlife awareness: Take precautions with food storage to prevent unwanted visitors. "Be prepared for the Raccoons and tons of fun! Beautiful lake with several nearby places to rent boats!" advises a camper at Cecil M Harden Lake.
Site selection matters: Campgrounds vary widely in site layout and privacy. "Get a wooded site on the outsides that back up to woods. The majority of those have a decent number of trees separating you from the site next to you," recommends a Turkey Run visitor.
Uneven terrain: Many sites require leveling equipment. "Sites range from very uneven to moderately uneven in this section. The full hookup site section is flat but with less tree cover. The sites in modern electric water only can be awkward to back into with no room to pull forward due to a ditch in some areas," explains a Rockville Lake County Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Bainbridge offer designated play areas for children. "There are three playgrounds for kids. We enjoyed that not every site was packed and we had some privacy. My boys enjoyed the playground and my wife enjoyed the modern showers," shares a visitor to Shades State Park Campground.
Swimming options: Beaches and pools provide alternatives to creek activities. "We love camping here! Lots to do. Love the archery range," notes a camper at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area.
Plan for crowds: Weekends can get busy, especially at popular parks. "During the week they'll deliver wood to your site. We got a huge pile for $30. Weekends they have it available for you to buy at the check-in building. I would say a weekday stay is going to be a wonderful experience, and a weekend stay will be a bit crowded," advises a Sugar Creek Campground visitor.
Book early for pet-friendly options: The most desirable sites at dog-accommodating campgrounds fill quickly. "This place is so beautiful! We stayed in the hideaway loop and it was perfect. Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right," mentions a visitor to Lieber State Recreation Area Campground.
Tips from RVers
Extension cords needed: Some hookup layouts require additional equipment. "Sharing of water and electric between two sites, so come prepared with extensions for water and electric," advises a Rockville Lake County Park visitor.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at certain campgrounds. "The site was clean and well equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. The site is very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," shares a camper at Crawfordsville KOA.
Dump station access: Plan your arrival and departure around facility locations. "There is a dump station. There is trail access if you don't want to drive," notes a Shades State Park Campground visitor.
Full hookup availability: Options vary between parks for dog-friendly RV camping near Bainbridge. "Great place to camp, can be flooded at times, some of the sites have huge inclines or declines, allot of sites reserved way in advanced. There is a few pull throughs, no water hook ups at site," explains a visitor to Cecil M Harden Lake.
