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Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground accommodates pets throughout its year-round facilities, offering tent sites, RV spots, and cabins where dogs can stay with their owners. Buffalo Trace Park provides well-spaced campsites with lake access where pets can swim in designated areas away from the main beach. Leashed pets are welcome at most campgrounds near Borden, with Charlestown State Park Campground and Knobstone Trail also maintaining pet-friendly policies. Campground hosts at these locations typically enforce standard leash requirements, though specific pet rules vary by location. The Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA includes a small dog park among its amenities, giving pets a dedicated space to exercise off-leash. Most campgrounds provide water access, picnic tables, and fire rings at sites where pets are permitted.
Hiking with dogs proves especially rewarding on the Knobstone Trail, where pets can join their owners on wilderness adventures through the forested terrain. Several campgrounds feature lakefront sites allowing dogs to cool off during summer months, with Buffalo Trace Park's lake being particularly popular for pet swimming. Campers report that raccoons can be problematic at some locations, requiring secure food storage to protect pets and provisions. The dog park at Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA, while not large, provides a convenient enclosed area for dogs to play safely off-leash. During fall camping, Deam Lake's trails offer beautiful scenery for dog walking with good spacing between campsites ensuring pets don't disturb neighboring campers. Winter camping with pets requires additional preparation, though several campgrounds including Deam Lake remain open year-round with appropriate facilities.
"There are horse trails, a beach, and great water for swimming/kayaking/canoeing. It is pet friendly as well. The bath house in our area was older but fairly clean."
"I used this location as my FOB for a weekend of hiking in southern Indiana. The campground was nice."
from $33 - $64 / night
Check Availability"We biked throughout the park and hiked 4 of the trails, 3 of which were pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge. "
"It's a fairly new park on the site that used to be the Indiana Ammunition Plant. Good-sized sites with a very helpful staff. I hiked trail 2 and found the waterfall and several other gorgeous views."
from $33 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The sites are well-spaced and there’s a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc. Disc golf is the big activity at this park. Awesome walking path and a petting zoo."
"The lake was beautiful and the park was well maintained. Wished the beach, paddle boats, and petting zoo was open... Still had a great time. "
from $12 - $60 / night
Check Availability"The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail snd creek beds."
"Most people, even Hoosiers don't realize the Knobstone Trail exists. It's often referred to The Little AT by those who know about it. It's no walk in the park."
"The lake is GORGEOUS. Sites have mature trees, variety of singing birds. Really nice stay here as we were passing through."
"A lot of things to do around the campground, and kids will absolutely love it."
from $45 - $125 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
Check Availability"Close to shopping and restaurants. We will stay here again when back in the Louisville area."
"there’s parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. there are campsites along the trail just have to find them"
"My husband and I had a nice visit to Starve Hollow recently...we stayed 4 nights in our camper with our 3 dogs. We hiked 10 miles throughout the park, which was clean and pretty."
"There are lakeside camping lots. Also there are larger full hookup lots away from the lake"
from $33 - $52 / night
Check Availability"Every one was very friendly and I think almost every camper had a dog with them. I would come back and stay."
"There is a dump station at the exit. The only negative comment about this park is, every lot slopes down towards the lake."
GuideThere was lots to do at this KOA. There was corn hole, ladder ball, pool, walking trails, access to the river, cat fish pond, small dog park, and washers & dryers. You could bring your RV, travel trailer, tent camp, or rent a cabin. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. The spots were close together. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The park was clean and well maintained.
GuideWith COVID, it seems that everyone...and then more people are going camping. It's a bittersweet type of situation. Nevertheless, it's been very hard to find decent camping in Indiana that isn't packed in like sardines, while also trying to escape the city and get into nature - not around more people.
Luckily, a friend and I came here last October and this place was great. We got a non electric site and were in the middle of the sites. We had a great lake view and were very happy with our setup. It was a pull-through site, although not all are like that. We were able to set up in no time.
We had lots of space, away from our neighbors. The campstore had wood and random items that you might need should you forget. We were just steps away from the lake and enjoyed walking down there every morning. There aren't the best hiking trails around, so you'll need to drive to the nearby Brown County or National Forest to hike on trails that are actually worth the time.
I will add that the setup is a bit odd for non-electric. You basically had to pull up to the gatehouse, get your reservation info, then do a U-turn and go back out past the campstore in order to get to your campground. Very odd setup to say the least.
ScoutBesides picking the only weekend where the camp had plumbing issues… my 4 year old daughter and I loved this place. This was my first time camping in Indiana and it did not let me down! The rangers were very nice and was pleased to answer any of my questions, the lake and bathrooms were clean and the place was nice and quiet. I’ll be back again.
GuideOut of all places I've camped in Indiana, this is, by far, the worst. Please note that this is for the non-electric sites. Reasons for the low rating:
We were lucky enough to find a campsite (#118) very far away from the playground which was surrounded by grasses that separated the campsites surrounding you which was very nice. Again, the raccoons were horrible though.
GuideThe staff are super helpful. The site we had was for a 38’ RV. Full hookups, dog park, lots of places to walk, even trails. We had a great stay here and will most likely come back next time we’re near Louisville.
GuideThe sites are well-spaced and there’s a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc. Disc golf is the big activity at this park. Awesome walking path and a petting zoo. The park is exceptionally clean. Sites on the lake view side are noisy due to traffic on the highway.
ScoutOwners are fantastic. They will get to a 5 as they continue their hard work making it an awesome place. New owners took over 4 months ago. They have many activities (was yogi bear till it was sold) put put, bowling, chess, volleyball, fishing. Dog park, Play ground was nicely done. Lake has lots of algae. Pool is brand new. It is by highway however, that did not bother us personally. I will visit again and would consider seasonal. Service id rate them a 5. Wonderful people and the place as much potential.
GuideGorgeous property with such kind and friendly owners. New owners that are making improvements to the property but it is so nice already.
The lake is GORGEOUS. Sites have mature trees, variety of singing birds. Really nice stay here as we were passing through. There is a sand volleyball net, gah gah ball, dog park, playground, mini golf (not ready for summer yet), and a new pool soon (concrete poured the other day).
Campground is a few miles from interstate and right off the highway so some highway noise but still a great picturesque place.
We will definitely stay here again if we are in the area .
LegendWe received an information email the day before prior to arrival with general info and wifi password plus how to pre check in. The morning of arrival, we received another email with specific instructions to not trust GPS and follow their instructions. Our Trip Wizard and Waze GPS instructions actually brought us right to the campground (CG). Since we had pre checked in, we were instructed in the directions email to go directly to deluxe pull-through site 78, where our welcome package would be in the electrical box. The site was plenty long enough for our 40’ toy hauler and F450. Not sure why this is a deluxe site as its gravel with a picnic table and portable fire pit? The utilities were more towards the front of the pad with no issues reaching the connections. It was a nice touch to see a small cement circle pad on the sewer connection. This is a new CG, so amenities like the laundry and gift shop were not opened yet. Water pressure was good. We got 4 bars on Verizon and 3 bars 5G on T-Mobile. We used our T-Mobile Internet versus Starlink. It would not have been an issue to use satellite as there are no mature trees in the campground. They have one large(about 1/4 acre) fenced dog area. The dog park slopes down a hill and connects with a fence that goes around the property. Do not throw small balls down the hill as they can go through the fence and there’s no way to recover the ball due to no openings/gates near by to get to the back of the dog park. There’s also a smaller fenced dog area near the front of the CG. Great customer service before and during our stay.
Cabin camping options near Borden, Indiana provide rustic accommodations year-round with varying amenities and access points. The region sits within the Knobstone Escarpment, featuring rugged terrain with elevation changes up to 2,000 feet across short distances. Winter temperatures in the area often drop below freezing, requiring proper preparation for cold-weather cabin stays.
Hiking the Knobstone Trail: This 50-mile trail offers challenging terrain with significant elevation changes. A reviewer notes, "You can do the Delaney Loop in about 6 hours (7.5 miles and 2000 ft elevation change), a good challenge for all ages. The trail is well marked and maps at gate." Hikers at Delaney Creek Park can access the northern trailhead directly from the campground.
Paddle sports on calm waters: The 145-acre lake at Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground restricts motorized boats, creating ideal conditions for beginners. One visitor shared, "Perfect lake to kayak for a beginner bc no wake zone," while another mentioned "We brought our canoe and a kayak, and enjoyed fishing the lake for small mouth bass, crappie, and cat fish."
Fossil hunting near campgrounds: The limestone formations throughout the area contain numerous marine fossils. A hiker at Knobstone Trail observed, "Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail and creek beds."
Clean bathhouse facilities: Multiple campers praise the well-maintained facilities at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground described the Cardinal Cabin bathrooms as "the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink."
Spacious waterfront sites: Campers appreciate sites with direct lake access. One reviewer at Buffalo Trace Park noted, "The sites are well-spaced and there's a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc." Another at Starve Hollow mentioned they have "about 20 sites that back up right to the lake allowing fishing from your campsite."
Rental options for water recreation: For those without their own equipment, several parks offer boat rentals. A visitor at Deam Lake mentioned, "They have boats for rent which are fun and paddle around the lake," while Starve Hollow provides "kayak, rowboat and canoe rental... available from mid-April through October."
Campsite leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. A visitor to Delaney Creek Park warned, "Every lot slopes down towards the lake. If you have levelers, should not be a problem, but be sure to bring extra, because it's a good 3″ to 5″... I think there is one section that is close to 8%, however it's short."
Seasonal facility limitations: Facilities may be restricted during off-season visits. A spring camper at Deam Lake reported, "Being the first weekend in April, the water wasn't turned on so there were no modern restrooms/shower houses available."
Utility connection placements: Standard hookup locations vary between campgrounds. One RVer cautioned, "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."
Cabin options for mixed-comfort camping: Families can enjoy the outdoors without tent setup. At Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground, "Cabins look cute... Double bed with bunks in room. There's a loft for kids. A/C and heat but not bathroom. Bring a mattress or sleeping bags or you will sleep on wood."
Beach access for swimming: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas during warmer months. One visitor noted, "The beach looks like a good size" at Starve Hollow, while another mentioned a "nice but crowded swimming area" at Delaney Creek Park.
Multiple recreational facilities: Family-friendly campgrounds provide various activity options. A camper at Starve Hollow mentioned, "A wheelchair accessible playground, basketball goals, softball fields, horseshoe pits and a sand volleyball court are located on or near the swimming beach."
Site selection for larger rigs: Many campgrounds have size limitations. An RVer at Charlestown State Park Campground found "Huge state park with long roadway to various trails and shelters. The campground is very large and very well kept. All the sites are pretty much the same with good spacing between them. Most are electric only but we got one of the handful of full hookup sites."
Tight navigation in wooded areas: Tree density can restrict access for larger vehicles. A reviewer at Starve Hollow cautioned, "Keep in mind that a lot of the electric only sites are very tight with a lot of trees in the area. I can probably only get my 36 ft 5th wheel into a third of the sites."
Extended stay considerations: For longer visits, some dog friendly campgrounds near Borden offer better amenities. A couple who spent five nights at Charlestown State Park reported, "Campground was nice with concrete pads and full hookups... We biked throughout the park and hiked 4 of the trails, 3 of which were pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Borden, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Borden, IN is Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground with a 4-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Borden, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 97 dog-friendly camping locations near Borden, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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