Best Tent Camping near Cicero, IN

Central Indiana offers several tent camping options near Cicero, with established campgrounds providing varied experiences for tent campers. French Post Park in Delphi features dedicated tent camping sections with designated areas to park vehicles nearby. Clovis Creek maintains 20 tent-specific sites with walk-in access options, while Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort in Pendleton, about 30 minutes south of Cicero, accommodates tent campers year-round with both drive-in and walk-in tent sites.

Tent-only camping areas at these locations typically include basic amenities suited for primitive tent camping experiences. French Post Park provides fire rings, picnic tables, and toilet facilities, making it appropriate for families new to tent camping. Reservations are required and must be made by contacting the town office. Clovis Creek offers more rustic tent campsites with picnic tables and allows fires, but campers should note that firewood is not provided free of charge. Most tent campgrounds in the region maintain pet-friendly policies, though leash requirements vary by location.

According to reviews, French Post Park is particularly well-suited for beginner tent campers and families with young children. One visitor noted the park has "a tent camping section in one area with rooms to leave cars," making it convenient for those who prefer walk-in tent sites but don't want to carry gear long distances. Pine Lake offers a lakefront setting that campers describe as "convenient and close to Indy," providing a peaceful environment for short-term stays. The proximity to water features enhances the tent camping experience at several locations, with French Post Park offering boat-in access and Pine Lake providing lakeside recreation. Most tent campgrounds in the area remain relatively quiet even during peak season, offering a genuine outdoor experience without the noise and congestion found at larger facilities.

Best Tent Sites Near Cicero, Indiana (3)

    1. Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort

    2 Reviews
    Pendleton, IN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 778-2697

    "This was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children’s museum. The lake is fabulous, but there didn’t seem to be too many fish available for catching!!"

    2. Clovis Creek

    Be the first to review!
    Cicero, IN
    6 miles
    +1 (317) 385-0820

    $25 - $45 / night

    3. French Post Park

    1 Review
    Yeoman, IN
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (574) 652-3114

    "They have a tent camping section in one area with rooms to leave cars. A boat camp right into the water. A playground. A shelter with plenty of picnic tables to have a fairly large gathering."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Cicero, IN

330 Reviews of 3 Cicero Campgrounds


  • Michelle M.
    Nov. 16, 2020

    Mounds State Park Campground

    A nice park. Electric only.

    It’s a nice park for kids. Has a nice swimming pool. Easy trails. Nice playground. $5 firewood bundles. Mostly a weekender park. It is right next to a small craft airfield do it can get noisy at times and there is little wind protection.

  • j
    May. 24, 2023

    Timberline Family Campground

    Potato Creek State Patk

    Specious sites a bit on the awkward side regarding lay-out. The vehicle separated the tent from the picnic table and fire ring. Less than ideal. I’m told that they’ve planted additional trees. They are relatively non existent at this point. Hence, a lack of privacy . Combined with awkward site layout we seemed to be right on top of our neighbors. No place to hang hammocks, tree swings or clothesline. Just sort of a open Praire. We were visiting by staff shortly after getting settled and told to put my highly trained border-jack on a leash even though she was at the time laying on my bed inside the tent which was zipped closed. The restrooms are kept up twice per day and are extremely clean and well cared for. The fishing was great! Lots of areas to explore even just to fish off shore or bridge. Everything was a good distended away from the campground so unfortunately my grandson could not bike alone to the lake to fish.

  • 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

  • J
    Jul. 20, 2024

    Glo Wood Campground

    Simple but good

    Definitely a little dated. Picnic tables cracked plastic. My site was missing fire ring but many had them. Most sites really wet but gravel pads were close to level, needed to raise one side 1”.

  • 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.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2019

    Heritage Farm Alpaca Experience

    A truly wonderful experience!

    I learned of this place through the Dyrt (thank you!) and knew I wanted to stay here! There are several options available: tent camping (including a tree tent!), RV camping (two with electric hookups), and a 170-year-old log cabin. If you are RV camping, there are two very clean, private, and fully stocked "outhouses" (see photo below)

    We originally planned to camp in our van but with below-freezing temperatures and a forecasted snowstorm, we decided to take refuge in the log cabin. To call this a log cabin is a disservice; yes, it is made from logs(and is 170 years old) but I was expecting a tiny one-room cabin; instead it is a two-story cozy home that can sleep up to six people, all in one upstairs room (two full-size beds and two twin beds; would be great for families). It was cozy and warm, heated by a gas stove. The bathroom (with a shower) is accessed from just outside the back door but is heated. The kitchen is an outdoor grill and picnic table, but we did not use this. 

    Tim and Beth were very welcoming, as was Juno, their dog. We enjoyed helping to feed the Alpacas– they have over 50. The rooster crowed gustily at dawn (but dawn was after 7 am and we were already awake). Also on the farm is Stormy, the horse, chickens, and some barn cats. There is a shop that sells goods made from Alpaca wool and we made sure to visit before departing. 

    Staying here was truly special and we hope to return to camp in one of the RV spots or the tree tent in the future.

  • amber P.
    Jul. 9, 2021

    France Park

    No alcohol , unfriendly, staff, nice swimming area

    No alcohol, unfriendly, staff, nice swimming area

  • Sondra D.
    May. 11, 2019

    Prophetstown State Park Campground

    Prophetstown State Park

    Prophetstown State Park is located between Lafayette and Battleground, IN. It proved to be a lovely place to stay. We parked in Spruce Loop which had spacious sites and full hookups. I especially appreciated the fact that all the sites were, at the least, partially shaded and at a distance from neighboring sites. We were also within easy walking distance of a spacious and clean vault toilet. A little further walk brings you to a large restroom/shower facility. It also was very clean. The full hookup sites are in Spruce Loop. Electric only sites are in Savanna Loop. They are fairly new so not offering much shade as yet, although plenty of young trees are sprouting. They park offers much in the way of hiking, biking, playgrounds, basketball court, spacious shelters, a farm and nature center to visit, plus a large fun, water park. We plan to return with our bikes and also with a grandchild soon.

  • 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 ;)


Guide to Cicero

Tent camping near Cicero, Indiana offers opportunities for outdoor recreation within an hour's drive of Indianapolis. The area features a mix of glacial lakes, hardwood forests, and open grasslands with elevations ranging from 800-900 feet above sea level. Most local tent campgrounds remain open from April through October, with temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak summer months.

What to do

Fishing access: Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort provides lakefront camping with fishing opportunities, though one camper noted that "the lake is fabulous, but there didn't seem to be too many fish available for catching."

Playgrounds for children: French Post Park includes playground facilities near the tent camping area. According to a visitor, the park has "a playground. A shelter with plenty of picnic tables to have a fairly large gathering."

Water-based recreation: Clovis Creek offers boat-in access options for campers arriving by water. The 20 tent-specific sites accommodate various camping styles including walk-in options for those seeking more privacy.

What campers like

Convenience to urban attractions: Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort earns praise for its strategic location. One camper mentioned it was "really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum."

Beginner-friendly environment: French Post Park provides an accessible introduction to tent camping. A reviewer described it as "a beginner place to go camping. Easy for families with young kids."

Multiple site configurations: Campers appreciate the flexibility at French Post Park where they "have a tent camping section in one area with rooms to leave cars. A boat camp right into the water."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: French Post Park requires advance planning as "you need to call to make reservations from the town" rather than offering online booking.

Short-stay recommendations: For Pine Lake, one camper suggests limiting your stay duration: "Pretty place and fun for a laid back place to stay. I wouldn't recommend it for long term."

Site amenities: Clovis Creek provides picnic tables at its tent sites and allows fires, though campers should verify current fire restrictions before arrival.

Tips for camping with families

Proximity to vehicles: When tent camping with children at French Post Park, utilize the designated tent area that includes nearby parking. A visitor noted this setup is "quick and easy" and specifically "seems like a beginner place to go camping."

Day trip potential: Pine Lake's location makes it ideal for families planning museum visits or other attractions. One camper shared they stayed there while taking "the grandkids to the children's museum" in Indianapolis.

Group gathering spaces: For family reunions or larger gatherings, French Post Park offers "a shelter with plenty of picnic tables to have a fairly large gathering," allowing extended families to congregate while maintaining individual tent sites.

Tips from RVers

Mixed-use considerations: Though primarily known for tent camping, Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort accommodates both RVs and tent campers. The rating of 3 out of 5 suggests basic rather than premium facilities for RV users.

Seasonal flexibility: Unlike some tent-only facilities, Pine Lake remains open "all year" according to their listing, providing options for cold-weather camping when properly equipped.

Alternative accommodation options: Beyond traditional tent sites, Pine Lake offers cabin accommodations for those transitioning between tent and RV camping or seeking more weather protection during variable conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cicero, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cicero, IN is Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Cicero, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.