Best Tent Camping near Clermont, IN
Tent camping opportunities near Clermont, Indiana include secluded forest sites at Morgan-Monroe State Forest and lakeside options at Lake Waveland Park. Morgan-Monroe's Oak Ridge Camping Area offers primitive tent sites with vault toilets and access to multiple hiking trails, while Lake Waveland Park provides both primitive and modern tent sites with picnic tables near a fishing lake approximately 30 miles west of Clermont.
Most primitive tent sites in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest feature gravel parking pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Potable water is available at central pumps, but campers should bring containers to transport water back to their sites. The Oak Ridge area primarily accommodates tents, with many sites positioned on slight slopes and offering limited space for larger setups. Self-registration is required at the forest office with exact change. Campground access roads may be challenging for vehicles with low clearance, especially after rain when potholes can develop.
Walk-in tent sites at Lake Waveland Park provide more seclusion than the drive-up options, with spacious, reasonably well-mowed areas that aren't formally marked but are indicated by picnic tables and occasional fire rings. These primitive sites don't require reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Tent campers appreciate the bird watching opportunities and relative quiet compared to more developed campgrounds. The property features clean bathhouses, though some infrastructure needs updating. One visitor noted, "The primitive sites are very secluded and quiet but get there fast because spots are first come first serve." Morgan-Monroe similarly offers solitude, with a reviewer commenting that it has "traditional camping, backwoods camping, and plenty of room for tenting with most sites."
