Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Carmel, IN

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

White River Campground's concrete pads and full hookup sites provide level, spacious areas for camping with pets. This Hamilton County park accepts dogs at all campsites, requiring pets to remain leashed throughout the campground area. Indianapolis KOA and S&H Campground also accommodate pets across their tent sites, RV spots, and cabins. White River Campground maintains clean facilities and well-kept grounds, making it comfortable for both humans and animals. The campground enforces a strict 11:30 pm quiet time policy which helps maintain a peaceful environment but may affect evening activities with pets.

Nearby trails and the White River offer recreational opportunities for exercising dogs. A historic bridge connects the campground to additional walking and biking paths suitable for leashed pets. Most pet-friendly sites in the Carmel area provide water hookups and trash disposal facilities important for pet waste management. Acacia Farms stands out for its cabin accommodations that accept pets in a more private setting. Before visiting, contact the specific campground about any weight or breed restrictions, as policies vary by location. The area experiences seasonal weather changes, with summer temperatures sometimes reaching uncomfortable levels for pets, particularly those left in RVs or tents during midday hours. Pack extra water and portable shade options when camping with dogs during warmer months.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Carmel, Indiana (59)

    1. White River Campground

    22 Reviews
    Cicero, IN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 770-4430

    $16 - $37 / night

    "First of all it's very clean which is surprising for Indiana. Back up to the river. Great views. Free hot showers! Quiet. Feels secluded though close to town. Good price too."

    "White River Campground is a county owned park within 15 minutes small town Indiana (Cicero) complete with a small town grocery and dollar general. Within 20 minutes or Walmart and Grocery stores."

    2. Indianapolis KOA

    21 Reviews
    Lawrence, IN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 894-1397

    $60 - $80 / night

    "The pup loved the dog park."

    "Not really an adult's pool, but that's ok by me) They loved petting and feeding the horses. Campsites were large. We even had an ice cream and watched a movie in the activities hall."

    3. S and H Campground

    12 Reviews
    Greenfield, IN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 326-3208

    "Nobody cleans up after their dogs. All in all very grateful for a place to call home for a couple of months."

    "Perfect distance from speedway."

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    4. Glo Wood Campground

    6 Reviews
    Pendleton, IN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 485-5239

    $28 / night

    "Our spot, like all around us was very long and nice, wide space between campers. We camped with a 38 foot travel trailer and a 20 foot Ford F250, and still had room(about the size of a golf cart)."

    "It's just far enough off the beaten path, but close enough to everything."

    5. Indiana State Fairgrounds Campground

    4 Reviews
    Indianapolis, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 927-7503

    $40 / night

    6. Mystic Waters Campground

    4 Reviews
    Pendleton, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 221-1078

    "She helped with the reservation, she greeted us when we arrived, she even called to make sure we were doing ok driving it the first day."

    "Lake at the campground is great to float around in on a hot summer day. We enjoyed the bus ride both days to see Dave Matthews Band."

    7. Mounds State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Anderson, IN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 642-6627

    $16 - $20 / night

    "Nice state park in Indiana. Only offering electric hook up. Water locations could block traffic if camper does not park accurately. Store at Check in offered necessities. Hiking trails were nice."

    "This is a nice state park outside of Anderson In. It has nice walking trails and is on the White river. There is a gorgeous swimming pool. The bath house is clean, but not the best."

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    8. Lake Haven Retreat

    7 Reviews
    Beech Grove, IN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 783-5267

    $60 / night

    "Campsites also don't have fire rings but there are a bunch of communal ones around the lake. Plus free communal firewood. The laundry and bathhouse is really stellar too. Clean and open 24/7."

    "Lots of full timers with little dogs that bark non stop. We have large dogs that would get riled up by the small dogs barking. Clearly no one cared about barking though."

    9. Acacia Farms

    1 Review
    Brownsburg, IN
    17 miles
    +1 (260) 445-8000

    $58 / night

    "Acacia Farms is an awesome spot to slow down in the country and enjoy being around some small farm animals.  Check them out and share some pics of your stay!"

    10. Heartland Resort

    2 Reviews
    Greenfield, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 326-3181
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Carmel, IN

320 Reviews of 59 Carmel Campgrounds


  • James P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Crawfordsville KOA

    Nice KOA

    Shade, grass, and gravel sites. A lot better than most KOAs. They ask that you not put outdoor rugs on grass; no problem as grass is nice. Sites 1-10 are your best bet for Starlink if that’s what you have; best opening through tree canopy of the northern sky. Pet friendly; counted three cats and a dog in the office when I checked in. Was given the option of choosing my site out of the seven available for my reservation. A mix of long term residents and travelers; some of the long term resident sites were a little junky.

  • Lesley E.
    Nov. 20, 2021

    Indianapolis KOA

    Great campground

    We stayed here on our way to Maine and loved the campground so much we chose to stay again on our way back. Everything was clean and well maintained, staff was very friendly and helpful. The pup loved the dog park.

  • Sammii D.
    Jul. 27, 2019

    Lake Haven Retreat

    Mighty fine campground for a city

    This place is pretty awesome. It's doesn't have any of the typical summer amenities like a pool but the ones it does have are in tip top shape. Campsites also don't have fire rings but there are a bunch of communal ones around the lake. Plus free communal firewood. The laundry and bathhouse is really stellar too. Clean and open 24/7. Plenty of washers and dryers. There are easy back-ins and pull-thrus. Think some of the pull-thrus are for group camping too the way it's set up. Dog park, free cable (like 60 channels!) and internet (haven't tested strength yet)! I dig it!

  • Michael L.
    Jun. 21, 2021

    Muncie RV Resort

    Solid choice -- Near Mounds state park, city of Anderson, and I-69

    I stayed with full hookups, but no cable (don't need it, so don't know if it's available) and we weren't close enough to connect to the WIFI (only close enough to occasionally see 1 bar pop up).

    Friendly folks, catch and release fishing pond, and a pond with beach for swimming. Good size playground, jump pad, and off-leash"dog park" available as well.

    On AT&T, I typically had 2 bars and no problem streaming music or browsing Facebook. My fellow travelers, on Sprint, said they had poor reception. I'm guessing 1 bar.

    Worth noting that my wife said the water pressure in the shower house was fairly low. (I shower in the camper, so can't comment.) Water pressure was fine at our site, though. Also worth noting that many of the back-in sites can be pull-through if you get there when it's not busy.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2019

    Indianapolis KOA

    Time to eat!

    Ranger Review: Grubstick at Holiday KOA Greenfield, Indiana. Campground Review: So, I’ve said it before, KOA’s are not my kind of camping. However I find myself once again with a KOA yearly membership. Why? Because several of the people whom I camp with enjoy the WiFi and other perks of staying at a KOA. I met my brother and his wife at the Holiday KOA https://koa.com/campgrounds/indianapolis/ right outside Indianapolis, Indiana for a very wet tent camp out. I towed my redneck “tent platform” and brought along plenty of tarpage. No kayak, the weather actually dipped into the high thirty’s and I am not a cold weather kayaker. Perks of this KOA are a very nice playground and wading pool area. So if you have younger children, ideal for you. There is a nice size dog park and you can get a nice walk in around the campground. They have delivery style pizza right on site and some planned activities on weekends. There is the aforementioned WiFi and the latrine is newer but lacking in hooks ( I’m a big hook person, where else am I supposed to hang my bathroom bag and clothes while showering or grooming at the sink?) The other issue with the latrine is there is only ONE for the entire campground. This is a nice size campground and it can be a good hike from the backside to the latrine, I know this because I had to make that hike more then once. The other issue with that is not everyone is willing to walk that far when they need to go, so where do you suppose they take care of their business? .... exactly! And then there’s my same old complaint of they fit a camper or tent into every square meter of this park, it can get very full and crowded. Excuse me while I look in your window or can over hear every word you say. Holiday was very well maintained to the point of mowing while I’m trying to set up my area and blowing grass all over everything, please don’t run over my dog...Otherwise we had fun looking for area happenings and shopping. I visited Fort Harrison State Park which was nearby. Product Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I get the opportunity on occasion to review outdoor oriented products. I had the chance to try out Grubstick https://grubstick.com/ and I can say I was excited! I am a campfire cooking kind of person and have tried out many contraptions, the Grubstick is a long time in coming. I say that because this ain’t your grandma’s wiener roasting stick or your moms wicked pointed metal fork that can put your eye out or trip you when it slides down the side of the chair leg. The most phenomenal part of the Grubstick is that the handle is.....RETRACTABLE!!! No more wedging the fork in the most inconvenient place or trying to fit it in your cooking box. The handle when not expanded can fit easily into your pocket, day pack, backpack, fannypack !!! To me that is AWESOME!! Revolutionary! Seems to be sturdier then ones I’ve seen in camp stores. Along with the handle comes two attachments and a easy open handle in a nice, durable carry bag, LOVE IT. Christmas gifts all around! And this was before I checked it out. I have two “sets” and unfortunately one of the sticks broke after only a few retractions and extensions. Perhaps I was too vigorous in my extension technique? So carefully extend your grubstick when using. Otherwise it worked like a dream! And the other stick had no issues, so maybe just a flaw in that one stick? I haven’t contacted the company yet, but I will see how they are about returns or replacements. I roasted some sausages and we toasted some marshmallows for s’mores. The pack up was easy too, nice carry bag to put it all in, I usually carry or reuse a freezer type bag for “dirty” silverware etc. I removed the fork head off the Grubstick and it went right in. No MESS! No Long Pointy Stick with goo at the end to wrap and store. Love it! I didn’t use the Grubstick basket while camping so I pulled it out at the house to add some footage and testing. If Grubstickadds a pie pan attachment, I’m one of the first in line to get it!! Happy Camp Cooking ;)

  • Rich K.
    Apr. 15, 2018

    Summit Lake State Park Campground

    Great State Park

    We camped here several time last year(2017). We had great experiences each time. Beautiful lake for kayaking! If you don’t owe a kayak or canoe, they offer rentals.

    All sites are gravel with mature trees if you want shade or full sun. Pet friendly. Nice playgrounds for the kids or grandkids. Very nice beach area. Wonderful hiking trails and offer a variety of programs/activities.

  • D
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Bachelor Runn Campground

    Run down

    We camped here for a little over a year and the place has gone downhill fast. Property is hardly kept up, owner allows trashy campers yo be abandoned on the property, most of the people camping here don’t pay, loose dogs and cats run around the campground. Price is $700 for four weeks with electric only. Bath house is disgusting. The area and space is nice but that’s about it

  • A
    Aug. 26, 2021

    Indianapolis KOA

    Very nice campground. Friendly staff and lots of activities

    Styed here with the grandkids and we all had a great time. Nice playgrounds and a pool with lots of water features for the kids. (Not really an adult's pool, but that's ok by me) They loved petting and feeding the horses. Campsites were large. We even had an ice cream and watched a movie in the activities hall. Really enjoyed our time there.

  • ProfG999
    Apr. 26, 2021

    White River Campground

    Best campground ever!

    I've traveled across the US and this is the best campground I've stayed in. First of all it's very clean which is surprising for Indiana. Back up to the river. Great views. Free hot showers! Quiet. Feels secluded though close to town. Good price too. Free wifi that worked so well we could both work online and stream TV! It does not get any better. Dog friendly. Nice playground for the kids. Fire circles and clean picnic tables at each site. If I lived here, I'd come here often. Great place. Walking and biking trails. Canoeing and kayaking. Historic bridge.


Guide to Carmel

White River Campground offers campers several outdoor recreation options within 15 minutes of Cicero, Indiana. Located about 30 minutes from Carmel, the campground is situated on the banks of the White River with 450 designated sites across sections A, B, and C. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F, making water activities particularly popular during peak season from May through September.

What to do

Hiking and biking trails: White River Campground connects to additional trails via a historic bridge spanning the river. "There is a canoe launch spot on the river, and hiking trails," notes camper Caitlin W. "Also close by is koteewi, which has horseback riding, ziplines, an archery range, along with other activities."

Water activities: The river provides opportunities for canoeing and fishing, with a dedicated boat launch area at White River Campground. "Great spots up against the river and very clean park," shares Shane H. about the riverfront sites.

City excursions: For urban experiences, campers can use Indianapolis KOA as a base. Located in Greenfield, it's approximately 20 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. "Used this campground as a home base to visit downtown Indy. 20 minutes to downtown attractions," shares Tom O.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance of bathrooms and shower facilities receives frequent positive mentions. "Their bathrooms and showers are the cleanest I've came across," says Caitlin W. about White River Campground.

Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area feature well-designed sites with adequate room between neighbors. "The sites are spacious, the water, sewer, and electric are good. All sites are paved, grounds are great to walk, campground people are nice," reports Kristen S.

Rural tranquility: For those seeking a more secluded experience away from larger campgrounds, Acacia Farms offers cabin accommodations on a small family farm. "Acacia Farms is an awesome spot to slow down in the country and enjoy being around some small farm animals," notes Jake C.

What you should know

Seasonal water features: Some campgrounds offer swimming areas that operate seasonally. S and H Campground has a pool and additional water attractions. "This campground was wonderful... There is a pool which looked clean and well maintained," reports Jessica D.

Bathroom conditions vary: Quality and cleanliness of facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. "The shower house left a lot to be desired: clogged drain, broken tiles, no hot water, tiny bathroom stalls," notes Corey E. about S and H Campground.

Noise considerations: Several campgrounds in the area experience noise from nearby transportation routes. "There is a railroad track nearby, but the noise is not bothersome," shares Jacob A. about Mounds State Park. Other campgrounds may experience similar ambient sounds from roads or small aircraft.

Tips for camping with families

Children's activities: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated recreational facilities for kids. "Very nice campground. They have a little section full of carnival like rides. Several playgrounds! Campground big and spacious," writes Nick W. about S and H Campground.

Swimming options: During summer months, swimming provides welcome relief from heat. "Love playing in the river," shares Erin S. about Mounds State Park, which also features a swimming pool according to another reviewer who noted it's "a nice park for kids. Has a nice swimming pool."

Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning experiences into your trip. "The hikes around the mounds and park are well laid out and the boardwalk is very interesting," mentions Shelly S. regarding the Native American earthworks at Mounds State Park.

Tips from RVers

Site surfaces: Most RV sites in the Carmel area feature gravel or paved pads. "Sites are gravel and fairly level with a firepit and picnic table," notes Craig J. about Glo Wood Campground, adding that it's "a great option for concert goers. It was literally 10 minutes from the venue/Noblesville."

Weather considerations: During rainy periods, drainage can become an issue at some campgrounds. "Keep in mind it was Memorial Day weekend. Hancock County had 2" of rain on Friday. The campground (lower) sits at a low elevation. Our site was 70% flooded," reports Garrick H. about a stay at S and H Campground.

Hookup reliability: Power supply quality varies between campgrounds. One camper at Lake Haven Retreat noted, "We had 50amp service and measured 119vac with both a/c units running," indicating stable electrical service important for operating multiple RV systems simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Carmel, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Carmel, IN is White River Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 22 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Carmel, IN?

TheDyrt.com has all 59 dog-friendly camping locations near Carmel, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.