Lake Monroe, the largest lake in Indiana at 10,750 acres, anchors the camping region near Bedford. Situated in the hills of south-central Indiana, most campgrounds rest at elevations between 500-800 feet, creating varied terrain with limestone outcroppings. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F during peak camping season, with nighttime lows averaging 65-70°F.
What to do
**Boat cave tours: Available at Spring Mill State Park Campground where visitors can experience underground waterways. "There is a cave tour also on offer in which you ride thru the cave system in a boat. Yes there are even lifevests for customer to wear," explains Rachel W.
Trail hiking for all skill levels: The Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers multiple well-maintained routes. "The trails are well paved and marked, not too strenuous. So many beautiful trees and plants to see, plus lots of creeks to walk through," notes Hannah F., who recommends the 6-mile Sycamore Loop.
Geode hunting along creek beds: Several areas within the wilderness provide opportunities for rock collectors. "I walked the creek for hours just looking at all the rocks on the sandbars. I have never encountered so many geodes in my life," reports Sarah R., who explored Patton Cave Trail.
Mountain biking: Trails throughout the region accommodate various skill levels, with some technical sections for experienced riders. "The mountain bike trails are fantastic," according to Michael S., who visited Taylor Ridge Campground.
What campers like
Private, secluded sites: Hardin Ridge campground offers well-spaced sites. "The sites are large and well-shaded with tables and fire pits/grates. The grounds are kept very clean, as well as the shower rooms, bathrooms, and vault toilets," reports Deb T. who appreciates the spacious layout.
Pioneer village exploration: A popular historical attraction provides educational opportunities. "There is even an amazing pioneer village to explore where an original corn mill stands and you can buy freshly ground corm mill," shares Rachel W. about Spring Mill State Park.
Free camping options: For those seeking no-cost accommodations, Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping provides primitive 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," notes Jeremy F. about the dispersed sites.
Swimming in designated areas: Multiple locations allow water activities. "This campground is on the south side of Monroe lake and has beach access," Christine C. mentions about Hardin Ridge, providing water recreation options during hot weather.
What you should know
Seasonal road conditions: Access to some dispersed camping areas can be challenging. "The road was gravel and steep at times," reports Amber R., who visited Berry Ridge Road in a Promaster conversion van.
Site reservation timing: For popular campgrounds, planning ahead is essential. "If you want to reserve a site, I highly suggest you do it very early in the season, especially if you are including a weekend," advises Deb T. about Paynetown Campground.
Varied terrain for RV parking: Many campgrounds feature uneven sites. "Some campsites flood easy," warns Aleta C. about Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, highlighting the importance of site selection.
Wildlife awareness: Local fauna includes various species requiring vigilance. "I did see a rattlesnake dead on the road," reports Ax H. who stayed at Berry Ridge Road dispersed camping.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds and activities: Brown County State Park provides extensive recreation options. "The nature center is really fun with animals and a bee hive that the children really enjoyed! There are a lot of diverse hiking trails for all," shares Jessie W.
Scheduled ranger programs: Educational opportunities available seasonally. "They had a Smokey the Bear program for the kids and some really fun activities at the nature center while we were there," explains Jessie W. about Spring Mill State Park.
Water recreation options: Facilities for cooling off during summer months. "We were able to rent a paddle boat for $8/hr and saw tons of turtles," reports Jessie W., highlighting affordable activities at Spring Mill.
Multiple camping loops with different amenities: Choose sites based on family needs. "There are 4 loops with 30 & 50 amp. 2 loops with no electric," explains Cynthia K. about Hardin Ridge, allowing families to select appropriate accommodations.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness considerations: Blackwell Campground provides flat terrain for larger vehicles. "Plenty of flat land making leveling easy. Wide open so solar charging was easy," notes The Wandering Shores, mentioning the ample space.
Camp store convenience: Several campgrounds maintain on-site supplies. "There is a little camp store with decent prices and lots for the kids to do," mentions Laura O. about Spring Mill State Park Campground.
Dump station availability: Facilities for waste management vary by location. "Easy and fast dump station," reports Margo B. about Paynetown Campground, noting the efficient services.
Site width limitations: Some areas restrict larger RVs. "The roads were narrow," Susan C. notes about Spring Mill, highlighting potential access challenges for bigger rigs.
