Best Tent Camping near Anderson, IN

Tent camping options near Anderson, Indiana include several established campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort in Pendleton offers walk-in tent sites along a lakefront setting approximately 10 miles southwest of Anderson. Clovis Creek provides a more primitive tent camping experience with 20 designated sites and features like fire rings and picnic tables. Both locations accommodate tent campers specifically, with Pine Lake operating year-round for those seeking off-season backcountry tent camping opportunities.

Most tent campsites in the Anderson area feature natural surfaces with minimal site preparation. At Pine Lake, tent campers can access walk-in sites that provide more seclusion than the resort's other accommodation options. Clovis Creek offers reservable tent-only camping with amenities like firewood available for purchase, though campers should note it's not a free camping area. Access to these tent campgrounds varies, with both drive-in and walk-in options available. Campers noted that road conditions can be challenging at some locations, with one reviewer mentioning significant potholes that affected vehicle access.

According to reviews, Pine Lake provides a "pretty place and fun for a laid back place to stay" with its lakefront setting being particularly appealing to tent campers. The lake creates a scenic backdrop for primitive tent camping, though fishing success varies. Tent campers frequently use these locations as convenient bases for exploring the broader central Indiana region, with Pine Lake being noted as "really convenient and close to Indy" for those wanting to combine outdoor experiences with day trips to urban attractions. The campground's proximity to Indianapolis (about 30 miles) makes it popular for weekend tent camping trips when visitors seek natural surroundings without venturing far from the city. Summer and early fall offer the most comfortable conditions for tent camping in this region, with moderate temperatures and reduced humidity.

Best Tent Sites Near Anderson, Indiana (2)

Show More
Showing results 1-2 of 2 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Anderson, IN

262 Reviews of 2 Anderson Campgrounds


  • Michelle M.
    Nov. 16, 2020

    Mounds State Park Campground

    A nice park. Electric only.

    It’s a nice park for kids. Has a nice swimming pool. Easy trails. Nice playground. $5 firewood bundles. Mostly a weekender park. It is right next to a small craft airfield do it can get noisy at times and there is little wind protection.

  • j
    May. 24, 2023

    Timberline Family Campground

    Potato Creek State Patk

    Specious sites a bit on the awkward side regarding lay-out. The vehicle separated the tent from the picnic table and fire ring. Less than ideal. I’m told that they’ve planted additional trees. They are relatively non existent at this point. Hence, a lack of privacy . Combined with awkward site layout we seemed to be right on top of our neighbors. No place to hang hammocks, tree swings or clothesline. Just sort of a open Praire. We were visiting by staff shortly after getting settled and told to put my highly trained border-jack on a leash even though she was at the time laying on my bed inside the tent which was zipped closed. The restrooms are kept up twice per day and are extremely clean and well cared for. The fishing was great! Lots of areas to explore even just to fish off shore or bridge. Everything was a good distended away from the campground so unfortunately my grandson could not bike alone to the lake to fish.

  • A
    Jul. 20, 2021

    White River Campground

    Quick getaway

    Nice camp ground along the white river with several sites along the waterway. Clean, well maintained, knowledgeable and friendly staff. Paved road with level concrete sites, could be a little more spacious, but all n all laid out nicely with aluminum picnic tables, and fire ring, 50 and 30 amp hook ups along with H20, and several full hook ups. Tent camping also available. Well stocked camp store. The facilities up front by the office are very clean and have showers with hot water. They could use a bench in the shower stall for your clothing and a space To get dressed discreetly. The facility at the end of the campground dosent have showers and are adequate but not quite as nice. Campground is in a good location close to many amenities

  • J
    Jul. 20, 2024

    Glo Wood Campground

    Simple but good

    Definitely a little dated. Picnic tables cracked plastic. My site was missing fire ring but many had them. Most sites really wet but gravel pads were close to level, needed to raise one side 1”.

  • N
    Jul. 20, 2016

    Mississinewa Lake Campground

    Short but fun stay

    Campsites have a gravel parking pad, picnic table, fire-ring, electrical hookups, and thick health grass which is awesome if you're staying in a tent! The have public wifi that isn't really working that often. There was a truck delivering firewood making rounds through the campground which was very convenient. Stuff to do - disc golf, beach, beach volleyball, hiking & biking trails, boating/fishing. Unfortunately we didn't get to stay here for long, so we're planning on coming back soon.

  • Joshua E.
    Jun. 16, 2018

    Richmond KOA

    Amazing people, not real scenic

    This KOA was everything you expect with a KOA. Filled with happy travelers and workers who want to help you out in any way they can. The town Richmond is very under rated, offering up all kinds of shops, craft beer, and coffee shops. There is also a large amish store nearby that has all kinds of items. The actual campground has great facilities and lots of activities to do for kids all while keeping a safe distance to their sites.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2019

    Heritage Farm Alpaca Experience

    A truly wonderful experience!

    I learned of this place through the Dyrt (thank you!) and knew I wanted to stay here! There are several options available: tent camping (including a tree tent!), RV camping (two with electric hookups), and a 170-year-old log cabin. If you are RV camping, there are two very clean, private, and fully stocked "outhouses" (see photo below)

    We originally planned to camp in our van but with below-freezing temperatures and a forecasted snowstorm, we decided to take refuge in the log cabin. To call this a log cabin is a disservice; yes, it is made from logs(and is 170 years old) but I was expecting a tiny one-room cabin; instead it is a two-story cozy home that can sleep up to six people, all in one upstairs room (two full-size beds and two twin beds; would be great for families). It was cozy and warm, heated by a gas stove. The bathroom (with a shower) is accessed from just outside the back door but is heated. The kitchen is an outdoor grill and picnic table, but we did not use this. 

    Tim and Beth were very welcoming, as was Juno, their dog. We enjoyed helping to feed the Alpacas– they have over 50. The rooster crowed gustily at dawn (but dawn was after 7 am and we were already awake). Also on the farm is Stormy, the horse, chickens, and some barn cats. There is a shop that sells goods made from Alpaca wool and we made sure to visit before departing. 

    Staying here was truly special and we hope to return to camp in one of the RV spots or the tree tent in the future.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2019

    Indianapolis KOA

    Time to eat!

    Ranger Review: Grubstick at Holiday KOA Greenfield, Indiana. Campground Review: So, I’ve said it before, KOA’s are not my kind of camping. However I find myself once again with a KOA yearly membership. Why? Because several of the people whom I camp with enjoy the WiFi and other perks of staying at a KOA. I met my brother and his wife at the Holiday KOA https://koa.com/campgrounds/indianapolis/ right outside Indianapolis, Indiana for a very wet tent camp out. I towed my redneck “tent platform” and brought along plenty of tarpage. No kayak, the weather actually dipped into the high thirty’s and I am not a cold weather kayaker. Perks of this KOA are a very nice playground and wading pool area. So if you have younger children, ideal for you. There is a nice size dog park and you can get a nice walk in around the campground. They have delivery style pizza right on site and some planned activities on weekends. There is the aforementioned WiFi and the latrine is newer but lacking in hooks ( I’m a big hook person, where else am I supposed to hang my bathroom bag and clothes while showering or grooming at the sink?) The other issue with the latrine is there is only ONE for the entire campground. This is a nice size campground and it can be a good hike from the backside to the latrine, I know this because I had to make that hike more then once. The other issue with that is not everyone is willing to walk that far when they need to go, so where do you suppose they take care of their business? .... exactly! And then there’s my same old complaint of they fit a camper or tent into every square meter of this park, it can get very full and crowded. Excuse me while I look in your window or can over hear every word you say. Holiday was very well maintained to the point of mowing while I’m trying to set up my area and blowing grass all over everything, please don’t run over my dog...Otherwise we had fun looking for area happenings and shopping. I visited Fort Harrison State Park which was nearby. Product Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I get the opportunity on occasion to review outdoor oriented products. I had the chance to try out Grubstick https://grubstick.com/ and I can say I was excited! I am a campfire cooking kind of person and have tried out many contraptions, the Grubstick is a long time in coming. I say that because this ain’t your grandma’s wiener roasting stick or your moms wicked pointed metal fork that can put your eye out or trip you when it slides down the side of the chair leg. The most phenomenal part of the Grubstick is that the handle is.....RETRACTABLE!!! No more wedging the fork in the most inconvenient place or trying to fit it in your cooking box. The handle when not expanded can fit easily into your pocket, day pack, backpack, fannypack !!! To me that is AWESOME!! Revolutionary! Seems to be sturdier then ones I’ve seen in camp stores. Along with the handle comes two attachments and a easy open handle in a nice, durable carry bag, LOVE IT. Christmas gifts all around! And this was before I checked it out. I have two “sets” and unfortunately one of the sticks broke after only a few retractions and extensions. Perhaps I was too vigorous in my extension technique? So carefully extend your grubstick when using. Otherwise it worked like a dream! And the other stick had no issues, so maybe just a flaw in that one stick? I haven’t contacted the company yet, but I will see how they are about returns or replacements. I roasted some sausages and we toasted some marshmallows for s’mores. The pack up was easy too, nice carry bag to put it all in, I usually carry or reuse a freezer type bag for “dirty” silverware etc. I removed the fork head off the Grubstick and it went right in. No MESS! No Long Pointy Stick with goo at the end to wrap and store. Love it! I didn’t use the Grubstick basket while camping so I pulled it out at the house to add some footage and testing. If Grubstickadds a pie pan attachment, I’m one of the first in line to get it!! Happy Camp Cooking ;)

  • Matt M.
    Jun. 25, 2024

    Indiana State Fairgrounds Campground

    Not what we were expecting!

    We traveled to Indianapolis for the Olympic Swimming Time Trials. Stayed here 2 nights with our 2 grand-daughters. The area we stayed was directly adjacent to a bike path. It was separated by a fence and there was a gate right next to our site. The gate was locked however the gates were far enough apart that someone could get between them. Our first night, someone actually did this and walked right behind our site.

    The shower house was in serious need of some improvements! Old, dark, leaky pipes. 

    The area was OVERLY well lit, to the point we were hanging sleeping bags over the windows to try and make it somewhat dark inside the camper! 

    Getting to the sites took some figuring out also. We entered at the main gate to the fairgrounds and there were no signs directing us to the sites. Had to use GPS with satellite view to figure our way there. 

    For comparison, we've stayed at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and this is a night and day difference. Iowa Fairgrounds sites are $20 less per night, very nice shower facilities and plenty of room between sites. 

    We would stay here again but we'd need to exhaust all other options first.

    BTW, the price listed is wrong. We paid $50/night.


Guide to Anderson

Tent camping near Anderson, Indiana offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts, from serene lakeside spots to convenient locations close to the city.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort, visitors can enjoy a range of accommodations including tent sites, RV spots, and even cabins, making it a versatile choice for different camping styles.

Some prices for tent camping range from $30 to $50

Tent campers should check out the beautiful surroundings

  • The scenic views at Mt. Etna State Rec Area provide a peaceful backdrop for those looking to immerse themselves in nature, despite the lack of amenities like showers and picnic tables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Anderson, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Anderson, IN is Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.