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Best Tent Camping near Buck Creek, IN

361 Reviews

Tent camping near Buck Creek, Indiana provides several established campgrounds within driving distance. Lake Waveland Park in Waveland offers extensive primitive tent camping sites that don't require reservations, with each site featuring a picnic table and some with fire rings. French Post Park in Delphi provides a dedicated tent camping section with convenient vehicle parking nearby. Clovis Creek, with its 20 tent sites, rounds out the local options for tent campers seeking places to pitch their tent in this region of central Indiana.

The primitive tent camping areas at Lake Waveland Park operate on a first-come, first-served basis, making early arrival advisable during peak season (May 15 to October 15). Sites are identifiable by picnic tables and occasional fire rings, though not all sites have permanent fire structures. Most tent campsites feature well-maintained grassy areas with varying levels of shade. French Post Park offers reservable tent sites with basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets. Both locations permit pets and fires where designated. Water availability varies by campground, with Lake Waveland providing drinking water access at central facilities.

Walk-in tent sites at Lake Waveland Park offer more seclusion than drive-in options. According to reviews, "The primitive sites are very secluded and quiet but get there fast because spots are first come first serve!" Campers noted that Lake Waveland's tent areas are "more spread out here compared to most state parks," providing greater privacy for backcountry tent camping experiences. The park's proximity to Sugar Creek and nearby Turkey Run and Shades State Parks makes it a strategic base camp for regional exploration. Bird watching opportunities abound in the primitive camping areas, with one visitor describing it as "a lovely space with lots of birds to observe." The well-maintained grounds and clean facilities enhance the overall tent camping experience, though some infrastructure may need updating.

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Best Tent Sites Near Buck Creek, Indiana (4)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Buck Creek, IN

1 Photos of 4 Buck Creek Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Buck Creek, IN

361 Reviews of 4 Buck Creek Campgrounds

  • T
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Shades State Park Campground

    Wooded Sandstone canyon with primitive camping.

    Located north of turkey run state park shades offers all the hiking and scenic terrain with less amenities and less crowds. Sugar creek cuts through the ancient sandstone floor creating canyon walls. The park is connected to a nature preserve that dose allow backpacking but has designated camping within the park separate from the car camping sites, so you can’t set up camp on the trail. The car camping sites, labeled as family camping, are primitive only with vault toilets. There is a shower located in the campsite with flushing toilets. Campsites are close but most have trees separating them for privacy. Avoid sites next to toilets or dumpsters their practically in your site. There’s no cellular signal in the park so heads up. Ice and wood are located for sale at the entrance. If you have little ones there are a few playgrounds located in the park including one in the campsite which is located a short hike in the woods. This park is quite, shaded, rugged at times and the canyon/creek can be breathtaking. Although I would go early or late in the season to avoid Indiana’s humid muggy summer heat.

  • Mike V.
    Jul. 23, 2016

    Lake Waveland Park

    Waveland Lake and Park, near Waveland, Indiana

    Nice clean park in west-central Indiana that has a lake and a large number of camping sites along with restrooms and showers. The primitive tent camping sites don't require reservations, and each have a picnic table. There are modern campsites that have water and electrical hook-ups, and there are some small cabins that can be rented. The bath house was clean, and the grounds crew does a great job keeping the grass cut. Camp sites seem more spread out here compared to most state parks. Location is fairly close to Sugar Creek and other parks such as Turkey Run and Shades State Park. The lake is popular for fishing.

  • Terri D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2017

    Turkey Run State Park Campground

    Nice Big Sites

    I have to say it is always nice to stay at a state park in the off season. There are a couple hundred sites in this park and we were one of about 12 occupants. Even if this park had been full, the sites offer nice space. Sites vary from full shade to wide open out in the sun. Bathrooms are clean, but they are pretty spread out. Most sites offer electricity, but no water or sewer hook-up for RV. Water spigots are pretty spread out too. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. I didn't see any camp hosts that sold firewood when office is closed. Park is located right across the street from the local high school, I thought this was sort of odd.

    We were just passing through for a nights stay, but it looked like there were some nice trails for hiking. The children playgrounds looked nice as well.

  • H
    Jun. 23, 2023

    Shades State Park Campground

    Awesome Backpack Camp!

    Took my son on his first backpacking trip this week and felt like Shades would be a perfect trial run for us together. I don’t think this camp gets enough love as it’s a relatively short hike for most seasoned backpackers. Great for trial runs and gear testing. The trail was (recently) well maintained in sections, but there are spots that are a little weedy. That’s to be expected I think with a park that doesn’t see as much traffic as another well known park in the area (that doesn’t offer a backpack camp). The camp itself was fantastic. It doesn’t boast great views or any scenic points, but it is fabulously maintained and well thought out. Several awesome sites to choose from and we had our pick as the only campers there. Every site had a fire ring and picnic table, with paths heading to the bathroom and water. The bathrooms were pretty much immaculate and the water was great. We didn’t hike in early enough to take the path to play at Sugar Creek, but I won’t make that mistake again. Next time, because there will be a next time, we’ll go earlier for more downtime around camp. So glad we’re close enough we can make this trip again soon! Park entry: $7 Camping fee: $12 With tax our total was $19.84. If you have an IN state park card you can avoid the entry fee.

  • 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

  • n
    Jun. 8, 2018

    Ross Camp

    Lafayette Parks and Rec

    Nice sites. Awesome shower house! close to Ross Park. A little chapel. This is a relax campground for those not into all the hiking if you just want to sit by your fire. A few primitive sites. No alcohol allowed. We rent a site here instead of hotels.

  • M
    Jul. 19, 2020

    Turkey Run State Park Campground

    Terrific campground and state park

    We stayed here this weekend and had a terrific time. The weather was very hot but there is a river to tube and canoe in to keep you cool. We stayed at site #35. It is in a very quiet, off the main road, in a circle, in full shade. It’s is very close to the restroom but a distance from the camp store and dumpster. The site was clean and well equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. The site is very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It’s was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end. The site was huge but given the unevenness it would be difficult for tents. The campground is family friendly and was quiet at night. There is a lot to do at this state park. We hiked the #3 and #5 trails and it took us about 2 hours. It was very busy but everyone was very polite. It was a great stay all around.

  • Staci W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2024

    Turkey Run State Park Campground

    Pros and Cons you Should Know beforehand

    Turkey Run is arguably the most popular campground (and state park) in Indiana and has its pros and cons.

    It is definitely designed to accommodate RVs, as the majority of the sites are situated in an open field. There are a few dozen sites that are in “loops” that are situated in shaded areas. Some camp sites have zero privacy while others have a little. Either way, if you’re here on a weekend, you’ll definitely have neighbors close by. You can see the entire campground via google maps street view, just FYI

    This is a very family friendly campground and you will see lots of kids on bicycles flying around. I’ve stayed here a few times, and no matter the day of the week or the time of year, there are always lots of kids.

    This campground has a raccoon “problem” due to campers having poor camp etiquette and feeding them. They come out of the woods towards dusk looking for food. They will come right up to you without hesitation, so don’t be alarmed if there’s one next to you while you cook s’mores over your fire (ask me how I know, hah). They will take any food that is left out. Do not turn your back to your dinner table at any time if there’s food out.

    On my last visit to turkey run (I’ve camped here 3 or 4 times) I arrived to my campsite and someone had left dog food out for the raccoons in little piles all over the place which was super disappointing. Additionally, my neighbors didn’t put their campfire out when they packed up and left.

    Perhaps I’m just used to camping in other areas where you have to worry about bears and burning the forests down…But campers here just aren’t as mindful or respectful of the campground.

    The restrooms and showers (at least the one I use at this campground) is modernized and cleaned daily but there’s no dish pit/wash room available if you cook. Just be prepared to clean up accordingly and put trash in trash receptacles. There are a few vault toilets in the campground as well.

    You can hike from the CG into the state park (highly recommend. It’s gorgeous!) just wear shoes that youre willing to get wet.

    Overall, it’s a beautiful state park with a conveniently located campground. It’s not the best campground ever but for Indiana standards, it’s great. Even with my complaints, I always return because I enjoy visiting and hiking through the state park.

  • 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.

Guide to Buck Creek

Tent camping near Buck Creek, Indiana offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature while having access to essential amenities. Whether you're a family with young kids or a solo adventurer, there are well-reviewed spots to pitch your tent.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $30

  • At Lake Waveland Park, you can find a mix of primitive and modern sites, with options for water and electric hookups.

Tent campers should check out French Post Park

  • French Post Park is a beginner-friendly spot perfect for families, featuring a playground and picnic tables for gatherings.

Enjoy fishing and boating activities

  • If fishing or boating is your thing, Lake Waveland Park provides ample opportunities with its spacious grounds and access to water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Buck Creek, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Buck Creek, IN is French Post Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Buck Creek, IN?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Buck Creek, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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