Best Campgrounds near Brownstown, IN

Brownstown, Indiana serves as a gateway to several established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas in south-central Indiana. Jackson Washington State Forest offers primitive camping with 62 Class C sites featuring picnic tables and seasonal potable water. Nearby Starve Hollow State Recreation Area provides more developed options with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. The region encompasses a mix of state forests, recreation areas, and state parks within a 30-mile radius, creating diverse camping experiences from basic tent sites to full-service RV campgrounds.

Road conditions and campground accessibility vary throughout the area, with many sites requiring advance planning during peak seasons. A review mentioned that "Jackson-Washington State forest encompasses 16,500 plus acres in the rolling hills of south central Indiana and neighbors Starve Hollow State Recreation Area." The terrain features rolling hills rather than flat landscapes, which influences campsite layouts and trail difficulty. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though services may be reduced during winter months. Cell service can be spotty in more remote forest areas, particularly in the valleys between ridges. Campgrounds closer to Brownstown typically offer more amenities and better connectivity than dispersed sites deeper in the forests.

Campers report high satisfaction with the natural setting and relative seclusion of sites in the area. The region's mixed hardwood forests provide ample shade during summer months, while fall brings spectacular foliage displays. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "The property offers several stunning hiking trails and some are of the more challenging nature due to the elevation changes." Water access varies by location, with some campgrounds featuring lake frontage for fishing and boating opportunities. Weekends during summer and fall color season tend to be busiest, with many campgrounds reaching capacity. Visitors seeking quieter experiences should consider weekday stays or exploring the more primitive camping areas in Jackson Washington State Forest, where waterfront sites are available but offer fewer amenities than developed campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Brownstown, Indiana (126)

    1. Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground

    25 Reviews
    Vallonia, IN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 358-3464

    $23 - $52 / night

    "There are lakeside camping lots. Also there are larger full hookup lots away from the lake"

    "Starve Hollow State Recreation Area is 280 acres that are adjacent to Jackson-Washington State Forest (18,000 acres)."

    2. Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Freetown, IN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 275-5987

    "If you are into boondocking at all defiantly check out berry ridge it’s just south of brown county Indiana beautiful country mostly hills tons of camp spots sometimes half mile or more apart haven’t seen"

    "Trails, plenty of dry wood, away from the roads, no running water or electricity, decent amount of spaces we came in at night and counted about 9 very far spread out camp sights."

    3. Jackson Washington State Forest

    6 Reviews
    Brownstown, IN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 358-2160

    $13 / night

    "There are some awesome hiking trails here, they are very rugged for Indiana lots of hills. J-W offers some real pretty views."

    "The campsite was right near the lake which provided a perfect view. There was a picnic table and fire ring for only 13 dollars."

    4. Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    31 Reviews
    Nashville, IN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 988-6406

    $23 / 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. Delaney Creek Park

    7 Reviews
    Vallonia, IN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 883-5101

    "There is a dump station at the exit. The only negative comment about this park is, every lot slopes down towards the lake."

    "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. trail is well marked"

    6. Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

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

    "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."

    "Site is a wide open and well-groomed, with trails just a short walk (or ride) away.

    Toilets and covered picnic tables nearby."

    7. Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    22 Reviews
    Nashville, IN
    22 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."

    8. Hardin Ridge

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

    $21 - $55 / night

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

    "Hardin Ridge is a fantastic place to camp, and is very close to lake Monroe. But it's also quite a ways away from any stores in case you forget anything."

    9. Spring Mill State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Mitchell, IN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 849-3534

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Spring Mill State park is a little piece of history that is in the heart of southern Indiana. Here you will find a working frontier village."

    "Open space, close to facilities and water pump, Ground was mostly flat, slightly shady in the afternoon, and very peaceful."

    10. Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Deputy, IN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 794-3800

    $23 / night

    "This is a great State Park offering hiking, swimming, boating, skiing, camping, interpretive naturalist program and the only DNR property in the state of Indiana with a raptor rehabilitation program."

    "Boats are a big part of this lake. There are 4 boat launches on the lake! Lots of people were water skiing, tubing& playing in the water. There's also a beach, which looked clean."

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Recent Reviews near Brownstown, IN

743 Reviews of 126 Brownstown Campgrounds


  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground

    Festival Fun!

    We stayed here for the 1st Annual HikerFest and had a blast! 106 of our little Hikers took up the majority of the park. The full-timers that stay here for the season were very kind and cordial; freely giving of advice on local attractions to see and things to do during our stay. The museum was really interesting! They gave a great tour with lots of stories about country legends. The bath house was clean and tidy. The showers were ok. Porta-potties throughout the campground, not so much… Campsites are close together and without privacy, some more level than others. Try to grab a spot near the trees for a bit of shade. Great music. Awesome weekend!

  • Kyle H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA

    Great Campground

    Quick two night stay for us but although our first time here was short we will certainly be back. Campground is clean and very well maintained. Owners are very involved and run things very thoughtfully.

    They were able to accommodate our 44ft 5th wheel and navigating to the site was simple. Can’t wait to come back and visit.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping

    Camping area

    National forest area with 3ish campsites one of which can accommodate a vehicle. Wooded so no solar or starlink. Small lake nearby with what looks like some trails.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    Nice Trails & Big Campsites

    I had a great time camping here. The spots in Taylor ridge were mostly well-spaced and felt pretty private. The pit toilets were clean and the showers were nice. Busy campground but it was very quiet still. 262 was the biggest and most private site I saw when walking around. 260 is a pull through site.

  • Patrick T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Hones Pointe Campground

    Amazing camp site

    Wonderful campsite. They put a lot of time and thought into this property. It’s truly incredible.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Very clean and friendly state park. Quick stop over but would definitely stay again if in the area. Would like to do some of the trails there

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Quick stop over. Would definitely return if in the area. Would have like to have had more time to do some of the trails. Very clean, friendly. Be aware of an additional $9 feet at the gate besides the camp fee.

  • Desert B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Knobstone Trail

    not accessible

    Maybe Google Maps took me to the wrong place (probably not).  I drove back and forth on the road several times looking for this place  The only thing I found was what I believe was the entrance with a cable across it.  There was no place to park otherwise.

  • L
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Spring Mill State Park Campground

    Fun, sunny, clean.

    This was an amazing campground! There were amazing trails and a cave, as well as Pioneer Village which was so fascinating and well run. Our campsite wasn't far from the bathrooms and showers house which were pretty clean. We were near water as well. Our campsite was on a small hill so it was well distanced from all the other campers, which was nice and peaceful. 

         There was a sweet place where you could get ice cream down the road from Spring Mill called Dairy Bell. Spring Mill wasn't far from the town were there was a Walmart, Rural King, and several more stores. 

    Very pretty and nice campground!


Guide to Brownstown

Camping spots near Brownstown, Indiana range across rolling terrain with elevation changes between 400-900 feet. The region features a mix of limestone and sandstone formations that influence the landscape and camping experience. Most campgrounds experience moderate humidity year-round with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winters dropping to 25°F.

What to do

Cave exploration: 5 miles from Brownstown at Spring Mill State Park Campground offers unique underground experiences. "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!" notes Rachel W.

Archery practice: 10-minute drive from downtown at Jackson Washington State Forest. "The archery range is great. We have been going here for a few years and it's never disappointing," says mandi D. The range is open year-round and doesn't require reservations.

Kayaking on multiple waterways: Several lakes within 30 minutes of Brownstown provide calm paddling opportunities. "Kayaking was smooth. We enjoyed this camp," reports Rusty R. about Shale Bluff Campground. Boat rentals typically run $8-15 per hour at most locations.

Wildlife programs: Lake areas host educational opportunities with local wildlife. "The naturalists hosted a very good talk on raptors, with a guest star, a bald eagle," says Jacob A. Many programs run weekend mornings during summer months.

What campers like

Secluded forest camping sites: 20 minutes east of Brownstown offers private camping experiences. "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," according to Jeremy F. at Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping.

Waterfront options: Many campers appreciate lakeside camping opportunities. "This is a great place to camp and relax. The archery range is great," says mandi D. Sites with water views typically fill first during summer months.

Clean facilities: Regular maintenance keeps most campgrounds in good condition. "Spacious sites. Beautiful forest. Quiet, but only 5 minutes small town with gas stations, grocery, etc," reports Fern B. about Jackson Washington State Forest.

Family-friendly amenities: "The campground also has an amphitheater overlooking the lake that offers entertainment and naturalist programs," notes Stephen & Theresa B. Most educational programs run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

What you should know

Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly throughout the area. "Good reception," mentions Ax H., but service quality depends on your carrier and exact location within the forests.

Weather considerations: Heavy rains can impact camping conditions. "We unfortunately had poor weather during our stay and had to leave early because of the threat of thunderstorms and tornadoes/damaging winds," reports Jessie W. about Spring Mill State Park Campground.

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "The site we where at was heavily sloped, the only flat part was where they put the fire pit at," warns Thomas U. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most camping areas.

Reservations vs. first-come sites: "Reservation can NOT to made (first come first serve)," explains Ron H. about Jackson Washington State Forest. Check each campground's reservation policy before planning your trip.

Tips for camping with families

Multiple playgrounds: Within 30 minutes of Brownstown, several parks offer play areas. "There are at least one pair, some two, camphost pairs in each loop," notes Deb T. about Hardin Ridge, where regular supervision helps maintain safety.

Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. "There is even an amazing pioneer village to explore where an original corn mill stands and you can buy freshly ground corm mill!" says Rachel W.

Swimming options: "A large beach is available for swimming from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day," explains James L. about Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground. Most swimming areas lack lifeguards, so supervision is necessary.

Activity planning: "They offer activities on the weekends, especially for kids," says Tonya D. Check with park offices upon arrival for current program schedules.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Many forested sites have limitations. "Some sites were pretty small. Also, some sites were fairly sloped as well," advises Amanda D. about Taylor Ridge Campground.

Water and electric access: "The electric and water hookups are not in standard locations for RV hookups. Make sure you bring an extension for your electric hookup," warns Kelsie E.

Accessibility considerations: "Large rigs must access the park through the West entrance due to a low clearance covered bridge at the North entrance," notes Stephen & Theresa B. Always verify entrance routes before arrival with larger vehicles.

Seasonal flexibility: "The park offers year around camping with reduced services in the winter months (they do have a heated bath house in the off season)," explains Stephen & Theresa B. Winter camping is available but with fewer amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Brownstown, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Brownstown, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 126 campgrounds and RV parks near Brownstown, IN and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Brownstown, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Brownstown, IN is Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Brownstown, IN.

What parks are near Brownstown, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Brownstown, IN that allow camping, notably Hoosier National Forest and Monroe Lake.