Best Equestrian Camping near Chandler, IN

Ranger Review: Primus at Harmonie State Park

I recently visited Harmonie State Park near New Harmony, In. https://indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IN&parkId=570048 Just a heads up when camping in Indiana there is a fee to visit the State Parks. I always carry cash for that , laundry and in some states bathroom use. So, the number one thing that stuck out to me about this campground was the shade. For the most part it’s level (floodplain...I saw no standing water) And all the sites are nicely shaded (we are talking full growth) and good size. The sites are electric only, no water, no sewer. There are centrally located water hydrants and a dump station on the way out of the campground. The campground wasn’t very full when we visited, but there is a plethora of activities to enjoy. An Olympic size pool which back in the day my kids woulda loved. Hiking paths (very wide), one right by the campground and a connector trail to the mountain bike trail area. There’s also a bike section on the paved roads. You could spend a comfortable week here and not be bored.

Product Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I get to occasionally try out outdoor products while camping and this trip I brought along some Primus “kitchen gear” https://primus.us/ . Primus is known for its camping stoves , the kitchen accessories are pretty sweet too. I have the Trailsporks , a long spoon , a spatula for grilling , campfire plates and a campfire knife. These are very sturdy made accessories and pack in my kit without taking up a lot of space. There are a lot of options on the site to fit your packing needs too, from family fireside to fastpacking . I’m building my fireside kitchen kit .

This is a small state park in an out of the way part of the state. 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. There's electricity, but water is shared. Some sites have 50 amp, so when you're looking to reserve, check that out. IMO, the best site is site 39. It's at the end of the row, with somewhat secluded. It's a walk to the bathroom, but worth it. Site 22 is also a good site at the end of a row & has a trail from the site to the small pond. 

Be sure to watch for the grade also. Some of the sites had a noticeable incline. 

Bathrooms are pretty dismal. They smelled bad too. They need to start replacing these old, worn out comfort stations with something from this century! The nature center is in the campground & is pretty small. We enjoyed it though.

The camp store is in the park office& is ridiculous. Bring everything you need, cause you won't find it there!

8 trails the longest is 2.5 miles, the shortest.25 miles. There's also mountain bike trails & a 4 mile horse trail.

Harmonie State Park is a nice campground. It has 200 sites, electric only, 5 bath houses and 2 pit toilets. There are also 11 cabins. They have a nature center in the middle of the campground that is open Thursday-Sunday in the summer. There are 3 playgrounds through out the campground. They have various events through the summer season with a big Halloween event in the fall. Most campsites are big and spacious, with several loops that allow campers to face one another. It is located back in the hills, far off the highway. Very little cell phone signal. Very relaxing and enjoyable. Olympic size pool open during summer-has water slide, diving boards, separate baby pool with shade awning, and concessions.

The state park is located on the Wabash River and has a boat ramp. They also have a youth tent area that is primitive, and day use horse trails.

Everything was well kept and clean. Multiple bath/shower houses on each loop. Push button showers. Takes about a minute to get water hot, but good after that. Dated, but clean and functional. The lights stay on 24/7 so bugs are in the shower house.

Multiple walking trails and bike trails. Nice shelter houses and picnic areas. Multiple playgrounds. Nature center in the campground. Many events scheduled for summer. New Harmony (town) is close by and a must stop. Nature walks, lots of unique history you will find nowhere else, quaint shopping, coffee shops, wine bar, dining, etc...

The pool has been filled in at the park. Very disappointing.

I was demolished by mosquitos and was covered in deet. Tried picaridin too. If you get the biters off you, the gnats were all over me too. Not sure if just time of year or maybe always this way (did rain multiple times).

Couldn't use mountain bike trails and most hike trails as it was too wet.

Suggest calling before making reservations because many of electric sites are not level, at all. Ask which would be best.

We had a great time here. Nice spaced out place. We stayed at site 192. It was at the back of the campground, but close to the bathrooms/showers and just across from the playground. It was close enough to walk to the Nature Center and grab ice cream. There’s even a hiking trail right behind. And not much through traffic since it’s in the back. Staff was extremely friendly. They had ice and firewood to purchase. Even the other campers were extremely friendly. We were only a few mins from downtown New Harmony. The coffee shop there was very good. Evansville was about 30 mins. We had to go get a new car battery there and DNR used a jump box to get us going. Very clean bathrooms and grounds. The only reason it didn’t get 5 stars were the showers. Older, took awhile to heat up, only had water for about 15 seconds at a time. Not easy to get a squirming toddler bathed. Better than nothing though. Great campground, highly recommend!

North Face Loop in Hoosier National Forest is my idea of camping. This is no loud party hub with people blowing by on their golf carts and playing music until 2 in the morning.

Moderately wooded, well spaced, basic sites that provide privacy and shade. There are walk in sites as well with picnic table and fire ring. There are pit toilets, water access points and a small showerhouse. The camp hosts were friendly and helpful, one actually “chased” me down when she realized she gave me inaccurate information. You need cash by the way, no card machines here. $5 and $1 bills will do you.

There are two lakes, Indian and Celina , in the immediate area, electric motors only, which just adds to my liking it;). Two Rivers Trail is a nice 15ish mile technical trail that goes around both lakes, with dispersed camping $5 a night, 300 ft off the trail and your good. The interpretive trail by Celina Lake is about 1 mile and has small signs with historical information. The Rickenbaugh's once lived on this secluded lake and their home still sits on the shore. There is a kiosk nearby with information about them and the area and their family cemetery is about 100 yards up the road.

We hiked extensively and though this is definitely not mountainous terrain it will give you a work out. A lot of cool rock formations and wild life to be seen, then there's the tick's. I thought LBL, Ky was bad, the tick's here seem like the Infantry, swarming the objective from all side's. Bring your bug stuff!

We spent time at the lake , though no kayaking this trip. The small fishing pier we visited is handicap accessible adjacent to the handicap parking spot. The pit toilet is nearby and also accessible. The picnic area is in the shade and there is a water fountain. The boat ramp area which is in front of the Rickenbaugh house, is well maintained and a little busy. A lot of fisherman, kayakers and canoers but even with all the loading and unloading it was still very peaceful and low key.

There is a Citgo and zip-line Eagles Wing south on IN 37. If you continue south you end up in Tell City were the local Ranger Station is as well as the usual amenities, ie: Wally World, fast food, ETC.

We stayed the weekend before Halloween. We missed reserving the weekend they have the campground trick or treating, which was the weekend before, but this was just as fun. Apparently that weekend has to be reserved the day reservations open for it. They had a trunk or treat in the pool parking lot and although there weren't a ton of vehicles, it was definitely enough for the kids to have fun trick or treating. Next time we'll be sure to park and hand out candy as well. There was also a hayride in the evening for a small fee and that included making smore's at the bonfire.

We camped with 3 other families and had adjacent sites that worked perfectly for us, plenty of space for the kids to play, although a little far from the playground.

Their hiking trails are nice, at least they were years ago when I camped here as a kid. The Wabash River has a great view, so be sure to check that out too. The little town of New Harmony is so quaint, you definitely have to stroll around town and visit the sites there! It's one of our favorites that is close to home

Jackpine Loop is the largest of the campground loops at Tipsaw Lake Recreation area Hoosier National Forest.

The entire Tipsaw area seems to be oriented toward family and group camping. Jackpine Loop facilitates this but with a little more privacy between sites. You have your fire ring, picnic table and room to get comfortable.

There is a newer showerhouse and helpful camp hosts to answer any questions.

Tipsaw features a nice beach facility(no dogs on beach) with small picnic pavilions on cement walkways. 

The Tipsaw Lake Trail is 5.9 miles of small hilled , technical single track trail that gives you a chance to enjoy the woods (and ticks). The trail is not marked very well around the boat ramp and beach area so it may take some searching to find it if your not familiar.

The boat ramp is adjacent the beach area, with parking atrea and dock, not much shoreline to speak of. 

We enjoyed the trail , skirted the beach and checked out some of the local wildlife. 

This camping area was a little more lively then the Celina Lake area but still a peaceful area to camp in.

This is a huge state park! There are lots and lots of campsites in this state park bordering the Wabash River. Sites are divided into smallish areas some for tents, some for RVs and some mixed. Lots of trees for shade. Bathhouses in each area with showers and toilets. Very clean & well maintained. Some areas with children playgrounds. The park has multiple picnic areas and shelters. There are a couple of ponds. There is a boat launch at the Wabash River. There is a good size swimming pool (though closed at my visit for the pandemic). Park sells firewood for individual fire pits at each site. Electric hookups at most tent sites. Water spigots near each bathhouse.