Best Campgrounds near Bloomington, IN

Bloomington, Indiana has several good camping options nearby. Paynetown Campground sits on Lake Monroe where you can boat and fish during your stay. The grounds have restrooms, showers, and a camp store for basic supplies. Brown County State Park's Buffalo Ridge Campground gives you a more back-to-basics camping experience with great views and hiking paths. You'll find vault toilets and drinking water but not much else. Campers with RVs might prefer Patoka Lake Campground with its electric hookups and larger sites. Many people come here to watch birds and wildlife that live around the lake. Weather-wise, camping is best in spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the trees show their colors. Summer gets hot, so bring plenty of water. Winter camping works too if you pack for cold nights. Getting to these campgrounds is usually easy on paved roads, though some spots might be tricky to reach if it's been raining. Make sure to check if reservations are needed and what rules apply before heading out.

Best Camping Sites Near Bloomington, Indiana (109)

    1. Paynetown Campground

    29 Reviews
    Clear Creek, IN
    8 miles
    Website

    "Paynetown SRA is right on Lake Monroe about 10 minutes from Bloomington, IN. Campsites have a gravel parking pad, picnic table, fire-ring, and electrical hookups."

    "It's a bittersweet type of situation."

    2. Hardin Ridge

    25 Reviews
    Heltonville, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 837-9453

    $21 - $55 / night

    "I grew up in nearby Bloomington, Indiana, and my family were actually the very first campers at Hardin Ridge in 1966."

    "This campground is nestled on a ridge above Indiana's Lake Monroe."

    3. Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    22 Reviews
    Heltonville, IN
    13 miles
    +1 (812) 275-5987

    "The camp is free and has a 14 day limit. the campground is loop with male and female outhouses and they are kept up nicely. there is also a dumpster at near the entrance of the camp. this is also a horse"

    "The ground is level and all grass with less bugs than sites directly off trail. We just have a simple backpacking tent set-up and we had a great campfire."

    4. Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    29 Reviews
    Nashville, IN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 988-6406

    $16 - $50 / night

    "We have visited Nashville Indiana several times but this is our first time camping nearby. My wife loves to visit Nashville and all the little shops they offer."

    "It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view. Driving through the campground it looks like there are some sites pretty close together but ours wasn’t too bad."

    5. Yellowwood State Forest

    15 Reviews
    Unionville, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 988-7945

    $225 / night

    "Peaceful little place but unfortunately it rained but we made the best of it, there’s some secluded spots where you can stay away from others or stay in the more general areas, nice lake to fish and we"

    "Drive up, select your site, and then go to the park office to pay using a self-pay envelope. Bring exact change(cash). Current prices are listed on the Indiana DNR website."

    6. Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    22 Reviews
    Nashville, IN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 988-6406

    $23 / night

    "This is a beautiful State Park situated in the rolling hills of southern Indiana."

    "I make multiple visits here every year, mainly for the mountain bike trails. There are almost 30 miles of trails inside the park with new trails every year for the past 3+ years."

    7. Peninsula Trail

    7 Reviews
    Clear Creek, IN
    11 miles
    Website

    "The Peninsula Trail and Grub Ridge trails both have marked campsites that are very far apart and totally private.  These are dispersed/primitive sites with a fire ring only. "

    "this was a wonderful scenic hike meant for the beauty of indiana"

    8. Charles C. Deam Wilderness

    9 Reviews
    Heltonville, IN
    13 miles

    "A staple of our state here in Indiana. Unfortunately due to some storm damage, trails were rerouted or straight up inaccessible.

    Great places to find and set up camp."

    "Tent camping only although there are both hike in and drive up sites in the wilderness area. Great place to get away from it all."

    9. Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest

    9 Reviews
    Martinsville, IN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 342-4026

    $25 - $55 / night

    "This is probably the best state forest in the state of Indiana. The property is well maintained. There is a new visitors center built a few years ago."

    "Site 13 has a little trail that goes down to a large flooded sinkhole behind the campsite. There were lots of tree frogs singing because of the proximity to water."

    10. Yogi Bears at Lake Monroe

    6 Reviews
    Harrodsburg, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 824-3322

    "Great location and clean camp ground."

    "I had to nearly lower my tongue to the ground to get it level.

    The splash park was fun, even for the teen kids, but the pool was tiny and shallow and disappointing."

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Recent Reviews near Bloomington, IN

571 Reviews of 109 Bloomington Campgrounds



Guide to Bloomington

Camping near Bloomington, Indiana, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Turkey Run State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Be prepared with hiking boots and sticks," as the trails can be challenging with lots of steps and stream crossings.
  • Fishing and Boating: At Patoka Lake Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A visitor shared, "The nature center is a delightful feature, offering a serene escape into the beauty of the surrounding area."
  • Wildlife Watching: Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area is great for spotting raccoons and other wildlife. One camper noted, "The raccoons definitely are active, so make sure you lock it all up at night."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the clean restrooms and showers at Hardin Ridge. A reviewer said, "Restrooms are clean. Well maintained facility."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the spacious sites at Starve Hollow State Rec Area. One visitor mentioned, "Full hook up sites that are well spread out so you are not on top of each other."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Terre Haute Campground is noted for being family-friendly. A reviewer stated, "Lots of free activities for kids. Friendly and helpful staff."

What you should know:

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds, like Turkey Run State Park Campground, have sites that are close together. One camper mentioned, "Many sites are in an open, level area without a lot of trees or bushes between them."
  • Limited Amenities: At Paynetown Campground, some facilities may not be as modern. A visitor noted, "The electric campground has 227 sites... Many have lake access due to camper made trails to the lake."
  • Busy on Weekends: Campgrounds like Buffalo Ridge Campground can get crowded. One reviewer said, "Traffic can be a distraction if you are looking for a peaceful night around the campfire."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for Activities: Choose a campground with plenty of activities, like Patoka Lake Campground, where one family enjoyed "exploring the local winery and brewery."
  • Bring Snacks: Campers at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area recommend keeping food secure. One camper humorously warned, "Do not turn your back to your dinner table at any time if there’s food out."
  • Check for Playground Facilities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like Terre Haute Campground, which has "lots of free activities for kids."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Accessibility: Before booking, check the site’s accessibility, especially at Paynetown Campground. One RVer mentioned, "Most sites are gravel... the sites are packed in fairly tight."
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: Many RVers recommend bringing leveling blocks, especially for sites with slopes, as noted by a camper at Buffalo Ridge Campground.
  • Use Online Reservations: For convenience, make reservations online, as suggested by a visitor at Hardin Ridge, who found it "super easy" to reserve a spot.

Camping near Bloomington, Indiana, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bloomington, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bloomington, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 109 campgrounds and RV parks near Bloomington, IN and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bloomington, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bloomington, IN is Paynetown Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bloomington, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Bloomington, IN.

What parks are near Bloomington, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Bloomington, IN that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.