Camping near Cicero, Indiana centers primarily on the White River watershed with elevations ranging from 800-900 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of open prairie settings and wooded campgrounds across Hamilton and Madison counties. Most campgrounds in this region maintain spring-to-fall operating seasons with full facilities closing between late October and early April.
What to do
Hiking at Mounds State Park: Access 6 miles of trails exploring prehistoric Native American earthworks just 30 minutes from Cicero. "There is a gorgeous swimming pool. The bath house is clean, but not the best," notes Mike C. Mounds State Park Campground combines historical and natural attractions with camping.
Fishing opportunities: Cast your line at several stocked ponds in the area for catch-and-release fishing. "Great spots up against the river and very clean park," says Shane H. about the waterfront sites at White River Campground, which offers direct river access for anglers.
Visit nearby attractions: Explore Koteewi Park activities within a short drive from camp. "Close by is koteewi, which has horseback riding, ziplines, an archery range, along with other activities," explains Caitlin W. at White River Campground.
Swimming and water recreation: Cool off at campgrounds with water features during summer months. "The splash pad/water park was fun, but was not a pool. It only goes to 3 feet so if you want to swim this is not for you," writes Megan T. about S and H Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained bathhouses and grounds. "Their bathrooms and showers are the cleanest I've came across," reports Caitlin W. White River Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance standards.
Spacious camping areas: Campers value adequate room between sites. "The sites are spacious, the water, sewer, and electric are good. All sites are paved, grounds are great to walk, campground people are nice," explains Kristen S.
Peaceful atmosphere: Smaller campgrounds offer tranquil settings away from urban noise. "White river campground is not a huge place, but it is always clean and very friendly staff. It's a great place to just go and relax and enjoy nature," shares Anthony C.
Lake activities: Mystic Waters Campground provides lake recreation during summer months. "Lake at the campground is great to float around in on a hot summer day," notes Christopher N., highlighting the refreshing water features unavailable at other area campgrounds.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Fills up fast, so make your reservation. It's small but one of my favorites," advises Caitlin W. about planning ahead.
Site levelness varies: Some campgrounds have terrain challenges requiring adjustments for RVs. At Glo Wood Campground, "Overall a pretty nice camp ground, I got spot b11 it's pretty unlevel besides that no issues," reports Justin T.
Weather considerations: Central Indiana experiences humid conditions from June through August with frequent rain showers. Drainage can be an issue at some locations. "Hancock County had 2" of rain on Friday. The campground (lower) sits at a low elevation. Our site was 70% flooded," explains Garrick H. about S and H Campground during Memorial Day weekend.
Campground sections: White River Campground has distinct camping areas with different amenities. "Campground is divided up into A-B-C sections. A is accessible. B is full hookup with sewer and C is water/elec only and tent camping," explains Jeremiah G.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select campgrounds with play areas for children. At S and H Campground, "Very nice campground. They have a little section full of carnival like rides. Several playgrounds! Campground big and spacious," reports Nick W.
Swimming options: Indianapolis KOA offers water recreation for children. "Love the pool if you have kids this would be a place to stay for a few days," suggests Mary T., highlighting the family-friendly facilities.
Free activities: Some campgrounds include complimentary recreation. "Miniature golf was free, pool was a little green (but we had a lot of rain). Stocked pond. Good bands throughout the weekend," notes Garrick H. about weekend entertainment options.
Safety considerations: Parents appreciate secure camping environments. "I love this campground. They will deliver firewood for $5, there's a ramp into the river right there, trails, clean. I love this place and feel completely safe," comments Glenda S. about White River Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: Full-service sites are available but vary in quality across campgrounds. "We had 50 amp/water and sewer. Sites are gravel and fairly level with a firepit and picnic table," shares Craig J. about Glo Wood Campground.
Site selection: Choose locations based on your needs and rig size. "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," explains Marci R. about accommodating larger setups.
Power considerations: Electrical reliability can fluctuate during peak usage. "When everyone started turning on their AC, my surge protector kept kicking due to voltage swings," cautions Garrick H., suggesting potential electrical limitations during hot weather.
Monthly stay options: Some campgrounds accommodate longer-term visitors. "Long term campers don't bother us. So we would definitely stay again," notes Marci R. about Glo Wood Campground, which hosts both weekend and extended-stay campers.
