Dispersed camping options near Borden, Indiana cover terrain from heavily wooded forests to lakefront sites across southern Indiana. The area combines valley camping with access to the higher elevations of the Knobstone region, where terrain rises up to 400 feet above surrounding areas. Fall camping temperatures range from 40-70°F, while summer nights typically stay above 60°F with daytime highs in the mid-80s.
What to do
Fishing at local lakes: Delaney Creek Park offers electric-only boating on its lake with multiple fishing spots. According to one camper, "The lake looked very nice and is electric motor only. It will be nice to head back with the kayaks. You may need a permit for all boats, so check before you go."
Hiking challenging trails: The Knobstone Trail starts at Delaney Creek Park and provides significant elevation changes. A reviewer notes, "Its at the start to a Fifty mile trail (Knobstone Trail) or you can do the Delaney Loop in about 6 hours. (7.5 miles and 2000 ft elevation change) a good challenge for all ages."
Kayaking on calm waters: First-time kayakers find Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground ideal for water activities. "Perfect lake to kayak for a beginner bc no wake zone," mentions one visitor who adds, "the cabins are cool and cozy just bring a mattress."
Wildlife observation: Early risers at Buffalo Trace Park can spot nesting geese and other wildlife. Many campsites feature staggered layouts with lake views. One camper shared, "Beautiful lake views. Staggered sites so everyone has space and views. The walk around the lake is lovely."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Charlestown State Park Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. A visitor noted, "Great campground. Clean facilities. Lots of sites to choose from," while another mentioned "the campground is very large and very well kept."
Historical features: Rose Island at Charlestown State Park provides glimpses into local history. One reviewer described it as "very cool - Haunting but sublime. The paved trail to see Rose Island is about 1/2 mile long hill that is very steep in parts."
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites, particularly for tent campers. At Buffalo Trace Park, "The sites are well-spaced and there's a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc."
Lake access: Multiple campgrounds provide direct lakefront camping. According to a Deam Lake visitor: "We stayed last night in the Cardinal Cabin. Tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink."
What you should know
Seasonal facility limitations: Early spring camping may mean limited services. One Deam Lake camper reported, "Being the first weekend in April, the water wasn't turned on so there were no modern restrooms/shower houses available."
Terrain challenges: Most of the best places to camp near Borden feature sloped terrain, particularly at lakefront sites. A Jackson Trailhead visitor advised, "there's parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. There are campsites along the trail just have to find them."
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise despite natural settings. At Buffalo Trace Park, "Sites on the lake view side are noisy due to traffic on the highway."
Varying campground maintenance: Quality varies significantly between state and county parks. One Add-More Campground visitor shared, "The park needs a lot of upkeep good showers the staff is really good but a little noisy a lot of junk sitting around that people's site fights are really small and tight okay."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground offers numerous play areas across the property. A regular visitor mentioned, "Great getaway for the family. We love this place and camp here 5+ times a year. It's clean and so much to do with kids."
Beach activities: Families appreciate designated swimming areas at several parks. One camper at Delaney Creek Park noted, "The place was pretty full of campers, both tents and campers. The grounds were very well kept, with a nice but crowded swimming area."
Pet-friendly options: Most campgrounds welcome pets. A Delaney Park camper observed, "Every one was very friendly and I think almost every camper had a dog with them."
Recreation variety: Family-oriented parks offer multiple activity options. At Starve Hollow, "The lake has a swimming area (wheelchair accessible), playgrounds, and bathhouse. The lake allows boats with electric trolling motor only."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Concrete pads often need additional adjustment. A Delaney Park reviewer warned, "Sites for rvs are concrete and you will need to level some on all of them. They have electric and water."
Hookup extension needs: Non-standard utility placement might require extra equipment. As one Delaney Park camper advised, "The electric and water hookups are not in standard locations for RV hookups. Make sure you bring an extension for your electric hookup, otherwise you might not be able to reach the post."
Tight access roads: Many of the best camping areas near Borden have challenging approaches. As one camper at Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA observed, "We found it easy to maneuver our 36' Class A towing a dolly and Honda Civic. If you rig is more than 60' including Toad ask owner about available spaces."
