k
kurt S.
Traveler
TravelerBuzzard Roost Campground — Hoosier National Forest
Beautiful setting
Great view of the Ohio River. Only around five sites. Very clean. Super clean (pit) toilet. Great out of the way place. I was only one there.
Best Campgrounds in Indiana
Indiana offers a range of developed campgrounds across both state and national parks, with notable options like Turkey Run State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. Most established campgrounds provide amenities for both tent and RV camping, while several locations like Chain O' Lakes and Pokagon State Park also feature cabin accommodations. Many campgrounds maintain year-round operations, particularly those within the state park system where electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities are standard.
Reservations are strongly recommended for developed campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites often reach capacity. "Big spots for almost any type of camper," noted one visitor to Hoosier National Forest, though primitive camping areas typically have more limited facilities. Seasonal considerations affect water availability at some locations, with freezing temperatures potentially limiting services during winter months. Campers should verify which amenities remain operational during off-peak seasons, as shower facilities and water hookups may be winterized at certain campgrounds from November through March.
State parks consistently receive high ratings for their maintained facilities and natural surroundings. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground earned particularly strong reviews for its location near Lake Michigan, while more secluded options like dispersed sites in Hoosier National Forest appeal to those seeking quieter experiences. A review from The Dyrt described one primitive site as "more secluded than I was expecting," highlighting the availability of remote camping options even in a state not typically known for wilderness. Campground amenities vary significantly, with most state parks providing electric hookups, showers, and dump stations for RVs, while primitive sites typically offer more basic facilities with vault toilets and limited services. Travelers should note that alcohol policies differ between parks, with some locations prohibiting consumption and others allowing it within designated camping areas.
Best Camping Sites in Indiana (439)
1. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park
125 ReviewsBeverly Shores, INWebsite+1 (219) 395-1882$25 / night
"There’s tons of trails to do along the lakeshore and none are really far from one another. I grew up in NWI so I didn’t camp in Indiana often but I did here and loved it!"
"General: Dunewood campground is located within Indiana Dunes National Park, established in 2019 (The national seashore was established in the 1960s)."
2. Turkey Run State Park Campground
72 ReviewsMarshall, INWebsite+1 (765) 597-2635$20 - $45 / night
"Turkey Run is arguably the most popular campground (and state park) in Indiana and has its pros and cons."
"Much enjoyed hiking some of the trails at Turkey Run State Park near Marshall, Indiana. This is Indiana's 2nd oldest state park, now 100 years old (1916-2016)."
3. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground
54 ReviewsAlbion, INWebsite+1 (260) 636-2654$14 - $80 / night
"Met up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by."
"Chain is perfect for kayaking and canoeing with 9 connected lakes and 11 total. A couple lakes are perfect for boat fishing as long as you have an electric motor only."
4. Pokagon State Park Campground
49 ReviewsAngola, INWebsite+1 (260) 833-2012$16 - $480 / night
"Pokagon (po KAY gun) has everything from a toboggan run to a lodge to lakes all around...you cannot be bored here. Open year round (limited campgrounds and services in winter)."
"There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!"
5. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
48 ReviewsIndiana Dunes National Lakeshore, INWebsite+1 (219) 926-1952$43 / night
"The most beautiful state park in Indiana IMO."
"The campground although nearly full was relatively calm and quiet. Unlike the craziness of other Indiana state parks I have visited."
6. Potato Creek State Park Campground
48 ReviewsNorth Liberty, INWebsite+1 (574) 656-8186$20 - $90 / night
"I feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean."
"Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust. Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."
7. Clifty Falls State Park Campground
46 ReviewsMadison, INWebsite+1 (812) 273-8885$20 - $35 / night
"If you live outside of Indiana you have to pay a $9 entrance fee on top of the campground reservation fee, which makes for a pricey weekend trip for those on a budget."
"No sewer or water hookup as you would expect at most Indiana State Parks. The sites are extremely spacious and plenty of sites with shade."
8. Charlestown State Park Campground
37 ReviewsCharlestown, INWebsite+1 (812) 256-5600$26 - $33 / night
"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."
9. Patoka Lake Campground
36 ReviewsBirdseye, INWebsite+1 (812) 338-5589$14 - $45 / night
"My Aunt loves their trips to Patoka Lake & I can relate as to why after this weekend. We went for a wedding at the marina & ended by a lovely cove."
"Pick a site that has water near and you won’t have to unhook to fill your tanks. So many sites are in the shade all day and peaceful. Showers are spotless but fun on the push button system."
10. Harmonie State Park Campground
34 ReviewsNew Harmony, INWebsite+1 (812) 682-4821$20 - $26 / night
"Ranger Review: Primus at Harmonie State Park I recently visited Harmonie State Park near New Harmony, In. https://indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?"
"Located in Southwest Indiana, about 40 miles from Evansville. This is a typical Indiana State Park. Some sites are pretty close together, some are spacious."
Recent Camping Photos in Indiana
633 Photos of 439 Indiana Campgrounds
Jack M.
Crane MWR Campground
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Pioneer Family Campground
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Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping
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Rockville Lake County Park
Ken W.
Indian Lakes Campground
Jorge R.
Oakridge Campground
Jennifer H.
Norway Campground
Nicole P.
Friends O' Mine Campground & Cabins
Nick T.
Lynnville Park
Laura W.
Wabash & Erie Canal Park
Sean H.
Hickey Homestead
Tim S.
The Firefly Nest
Recent Reviews in Indiana
2499 Reviews of 439 Indiana Campgrounds
Tyler M.
ScoutDeam Lake State Recreation Area Campground
Nice weekend get away
Stayed for the weekend as a first trip for the season to ensure we were setup for the season.
Self check-in was quick and easy. Vault toilets were open, and clean. Someone was even nice enough to have Mr. Buddy heaters in there along with fresh propane (very kind and thoughtful). Entering the park there was a sign for winter water spigot (brought my own so didn't check).
Sajade H.ScoutLake Haven Retreat
Lake Haven Retreat
Well maintained and quiet campground. There is no tent camping but it has large pull through sites and they can accommodate large RVs
MickandKarla W.
LegendIndianapolis KOA
Super Deluxe Sites are Worth It
The Indianapolis KOA was easy to find just off I-70. We had heard that check-in involved a tight turn near the office, but we had no issues navigating the turn with our 40’ fifth wheel and F450. Check-in was quick and easy, and we proceeded to deluxe Paw Pen Site D55, a pull-through with full hookups. We’ve stayed at KOAs with Paw Pens before, but this location had the largest fenced dog area we’ve seen to date, which was a nice surprise. Cell coverage was solid with 3 bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. The campground has a lot of mature trees, so satellite service could be challenging depending on site location. For this overnight stay, we used our T-Mobile Home Internet and saw 35.4 Mbps download speeds instead of deploying Starlink. Campground Wi-Fi was available but slow at 3.89 Mbps download. The laundry room was clean and well maintained, with large washers and dryers. There was signage noting that the well water may stain white clothing, but we washed some white items without any issues. Take a few minutes to read the campground rules—they’re surprisingly hilarious and worth the laugh. Overall, this was a great overnight stop and one of the better KOA stays we’ve had.
- MickandKarla W.Legend
Elkhart County Fairgrounds
Better Stay than the Last
We followed our RV Trip Wizard GPS directions straight to the fairgrounds, and since we had stayed here before, we knew to use the second entrance. Because it was a Sunday, our welcome packet was waiting outside the 4-H office where check-in normally takes place. After entering through the gate, we took a right and then another right at the end of the road to reach the Northwest campground (CG), where we backed into recommended site 450 with full hookups. The campground can also be accessed by turning right on the gravel road just before the 4-H office. We tested the fairgrounds’ Wi-Fi, which is unsecured with no password, and at 11.9 Mbps download the connection was usable for basic email and web browsing. We instead used our T-Mobile Home Internet and saw download speeds around 180 Mbps. The Northwest campground area is wide open, so satellite internet would not be an issue. In front of the restroom and shower building there is a fenced horseshoe area along with a basketball court. Train tracks run near the fairgrounds, and trains operate day and night, though the noise level was tolerable for us. Take a short drive to Shipshewana and stop at Yoder’s Meat& Cheese Co., then wander next door to Yoder’s Red Barn Shoppes. Head upstairs to the Red Bud Gift Shop& Coffee Tea Cafe, home of the Super Pretzel Sandwich. The sandwich is pressed inside a warm, soft pretzel and loaded with ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. One sandwich is easily enough for two people and worth the stop. Customer service with reservations and cleanliness were big improvements. We’ve stayed in Elkhart and Goshen many times, and this campground is one of the better options in the area.
Gerard E.
GuidePokagon State Park Campground
One of the Best
10-2-24 thru 10-7-24 Site 370 C
Cellular, TMOBILE 5G, 3 bars. 21’ Apex Nano w truck. Gravel pad, fire pit and grass is about 12” lower than pad. Keep in mind if expecting rain.
Showers are old, warm with 2 hooks, 2 toilets and 2 urnials.
Fire pit needs to be reset in the ground, it sit too high. Awesome trails to hike. Maintenance was awesome changing out a breaker on the box.
8-27-22, update on site 348 and 350. These are pull through sites on the edge of the road. 350 is longer and had a 5th Wheel on it. We put our 19’ Nano on 348. Full sun during the day, 348 is uneven once you walk off of the pad. This site could use some TLC and more gravel for parking.
10-1-16, nice state park with hiking trails. Lot 322 was partially sun and shade. Restroom and shower(open stall, no privacy) was outdated but functional. 2-5-22 hiked 4 miles on the snow packed trails. Cold and awesome powder conditions.
Terry F.TravelerStag Run Club
Camper
I had a great experience it's for gay people who loves the outdoors and keep it safe for all
- Terry F.Traveler
Bullocktown Hideaway
It's a nice little place to camp at and it's very private
I had fun being by myself and a few times I got freaked out by a couple of sounds
MikeScoutChain O' Lakes State Park Campground
Sites are not level.
Been camping here for years. The sites have not changed. They make a fortune every week and dont invest in the leveling of the sites. We are looking elsewhere. By the way, the rates are going up...👎
Guide to Indiana
Camping in Indiana offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there's something for everyone in the Hoosier State.
What to do
- Hiking and Trails: Many campgrounds, like Turkey Run State Park Campground, have great hiking trails. One reviewer mentioned, “Be prepared with hiking boots and sticks” for the moderate trails that can be challenging.
- Fishing and Boating: At Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A camper noted, “The water was breathtaking and very calm even with all of the boat activity.”
- Exploring Nature: Shades State Park Campground offers beautiful scenery. One visitor said, “The park is quite, shaded, rugged at times and the canyon/creek can be breathtaking.”
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Cecil M Harden Lake stated, “Bathhouse clean, plenty of showers, flush toilets.”
- Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds have roomy sites. One camper at Turkey Run State Park mentioned, “Large campground with spacious sites.”
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Prophetstown State Park are great for families. A reviewer said, “This park has it all. Multiple playgrounds for the kids, great hiking/biking trails.”
What you should know
- Crowded on Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. One visitor at Paynetown Campground noted, “This is known in Indiana as a party park. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend.”
- Limited Privacy: Some sites are close together, which can affect privacy. A camper at Turkey Run State Park mentioned, “Many sites are in an open, level area without a lot of trees or bushes between them.”
- Variable Amenities: Not all campgrounds have the same facilities. A review for Shades State Park pointed out, “The vault toilets were dirty, needed to be emptied.”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Prophetstown State Park has multiple playgrounds and a water park, making it ideal for kids.
- Plan for Crowds: If you want a quieter experience, try to camp during the week. A reviewer at Paynetown Campground suggested, “If you like a quieter experience come Monday through Wed.”
- Pack for Activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for added fun. One family at Summit Lake State Park enjoyed, “We took Kayaks and had a good time.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Levels: Some sites may have slopes that make parking tricky. A camper at Buffalo Ridge Campground warned, “Pay attention to your campsite for slope and camper accessibility.”
- Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. A reviewer at Prophetstown State Park said, “Book early, as these sites go fast!”
- Be Mindful of Rules: Some campgrounds have strict rules about vehicle limits. A camper at Summit Lake State Park expressed frustration with the host's reminders about car limits.
Camping in Indiana has its quirks, but with the right preparation, you can have a great time exploring the outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Indiana for families?
What are the best campgrounds in Indiana for families?
Indiana offers excellent family-friendly camping options with activities for all ages. Burdette Park on the outskirts of Evansville provides both primitive tent sites and RV sites with electric and water hookups. Families appreciate the numerous nearby attractions and activities, with options for weekend stays or extended visits up to three months. Brown County State Park delivers a beautiful setting in southern Indiana's rolling hills with year-round camping (reduced winter services), hiking trails, mountain biking, and a seasonal outdoor pool. The park also features Abe Martin Lodge with additional amenities. Most family-friendly campgrounds in Indiana offer playgrounds, accessible trails, and ranger-led programs during peak season.
What are the most scenic camping sites in Indiana?
What are the most scenic camping sites in Indiana?
Charles C. Deam Wilderness represents one of Indiana's most beautiful natural settings with dispersed camping opportunities. Despite occasional storm damage affecting trail access, campers discover hidden sites while exploring this scenic wilderness area. Every dispersed camper should experience its natural beauty. Harmonie State Park Campground near New Harmony provides another picturesque camping destination with natural surroundings and scenic views. For dramatic landscapes, southern Indiana offers the most scenic camping with rolling hills, forests, and limestone features. Northern Indiana provides beautiful lake views and dunes landscapes. The most scenic campgrounds fill quickly during peak fall color season (mid-October), so reservations are highly recommended.
Where can I find lakeside camping in Indiana?
Where can I find lakeside camping in Indiana?
Indiana offers excellent lakeside camping options throughout the state. Tipsaw Lake provides a clean, well-maintained campground with helpful rangers and lake access perfect for water activities. First-time Indiana campers particularly enjoy this location. Paynetown Campground offers lakeside camping that provides an escape from city life while enjoying nature, though it can become crowded during peak seasons. Other notable lakeside options include Patoka Lake near Birdseye and Potato Creek State Park near North Liberty. Most lakeside campgrounds in Indiana provide boat ramps, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill months in advance.
Are there any private campgrounds in Indiana with full amenities?
Are there any private campgrounds in Indiana with full amenities?
Indiana offers several private campgrounds with comprehensive amenities. Michigan City Campground stands out with premium 90-foot pull-through sites featuring 50-amp service, water, sewer, cement patios, and exceptional WiFi. The gated facility provides excellent security and easy access to Michigan City attractions. Camp Timber Lake near Fort Wayne delivers full-service camping with immaculately maintained facilities and pet-friendly policies. Many private campgrounds in Indiana offer amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds, camp stores, and laundry facilities. Rates typically range from $35-75 per night depending on hookups and season, with most accepting reservations online or by phone several months in advance.
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