Clermont sits on flat terrain in central Indiana, just west of Indianapolis. Located 825 feet above sea level with cold winters and humid summers, the area offers year-round camping options within 20-30 miles of town. Most campsites remain open April through October, though select campgrounds operate through winter months with reduced services.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access 11 hiking trails at Turkey Run State Park Campground, ranging from easy walks to challenging terrain with ladders and stream crossings. "We hiked Trail 3, which has the ladders, and parts of trail 10, 4, and 2. Trail 10 was nothing special but was relatively flat," notes Kaley A., who found the park "just other-worldly" despite crowds.
Watercraft activities: Rent canoes or tubes near Turkey Run State Park during summer months when Sugar Creek flows adequately. "Sugar Creek runs through the park for fishing and canoeing. The suspension footbridge across Sugar Creek is cool. Sugar Creek is also great for floating with inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks," explains Joel R.
Adventure activities: Try ziplines or archery near White River Campground, which provides convenient access to Koteewi Park's outdoor adventures. "Close by is koteewi, which has horseback riding, ziplines, an archery range, along with other activities," mentions Caitlin W., highlighting the diverse recreation options just minutes from camp.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathhouses at White River Campground receive high marks from visitors. "Their bathrooms and showers are the cleanest I've came across," writes Caitlin W., reinforcing the campground's reputation for excellent sanitation standards even during busy periods.
Family-friendly activities: Kid-focused amenities at S and H Campground include multiple playgrounds and seasonal entertainment. "They have a little section full of carnival like rides. Several playgrounds! Campground big and spacious," reports Nick W., while another camper mentions "live music and cornhole tournaments" among weekend activities.
Fishing opportunities: Stocked ponds provide accessible fishing at multiple campgrounds near Clermont. "We were on the creek side," notes Garrick H. at S and H Campground, while another reviewer mentions the "stocked pond" as an amenity. These fishing spots offer alternatives to the White River and other local waterways.
What you should know
Summer crowds: Popular trails fill quickly during peak season, particularly at Turkey Run State Park. "It was pretty crowded but people were respectful," reports Kaley A., suggesting weekday visits might offer more solitude.
Site selection matters: Choose wooded sites for better privacy at several campgrounds. "We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped," notes Samantha S. at Turkey Run, advising "try to get a wooded site on the outsides that back up to woods."
Year-round availability: Winter camping options exist at Lake Haven Retreat with full hookups. "Excellent WiFi and facilities. Family owned 20 years," reports Michael J., while another camper notes it's "minutes away from Luca Oil Stadium in Indianapolis" making it convenient for winter events.
Weather considerations: Spring flooding affects low-lying campgrounds after heavy rainfall. "Hancock County had 2 inches of rain on Friday. The campground (lower) sits at a low elevation. Our site was 70% flooded," warns Garrick H. about a Memorial Day weekend at S and H Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad access: Water features for children at Indianapolis KOA provide welcome summer relief. "Love the pool if you have kids this would be a place to stay for a few days," suggests Mary T., while another camper praises "the fountains and big pouring bucket" that entertain younger children.
Wildlife awareness: Raccoon encounters are common at Turkey Run State Park, requiring proper food storage. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns Samantha S., suggesting campers secure food items even during daytime hours.
Pet-friendly activities: Multiple dog exercise areas are available throughout campgrounds near Clermont. At Lake Haven Retreat, one camper notes "lots of full timers with little dogs" while mentioning "we have large dogs that would get riled up by the small dogs barking," indicating the need to manage pets in shared spaces.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Uneven terrain at several campgrounds requires leveling equipment. "The site was very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," reports Michelle M. about site #35 at Turkey Run State Park.
Power management: Voltage fluctuations occur during peak usage times, especially in summer. "When everyone started turning on their AC, my surge protector kept kicking due to voltage swings," reports Garrick H., suggesting a surge protector is essential equipment for Raceview Family Campground and other facilities during hot weather.
Easy-access sites: Pull-through options are available at multiple campgrounds for larger rigs. "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," notes Sammii D. at Lake Haven Retreat, which accommodates various RV sizes.
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