Columbus, Indiana sits at the edge of the rolling hills of southern Indiana, between flat farmland to the north and the beginning of the hilly terrain that stretches south toward the Ohio River. Most campgrounds near Columbus, Indiana are within a 30-minute drive of the city, with elevations that vary from 630 feet in Columbus itself to about 950 feet in the higher areas of nearby Brown County. The camping season typically runs April through October, with some sites offering year-round accommodations.
What to do
Mountain biking in Brown County: Brown County State Park offers extensive mountain bike trails for riders of all skill levels. "The mountain biking is excellent, with purpose built trails for beginner to expert (flow, berms, rollers, jumps...)," according to a reviewer at Buffalo Ridge Campground. The park has nearly 30 miles of dedicated bike trails.
Water activities at multiple sites: Columbus area campgrounds offer various water recreation options. At Hidden Paradise Campground, "A quarry full to swim with an aqua playground, with use of free life preservers, a creek to kayak or float and a clean campground!" makes for excellent water-based recreation. The campground includes inflatable water features and paddle boats.
Explore local towns: The nearby town of Nashville provides shopping and dining options just minutes from several campgrounds. "Nashville is only a 5 minute drive from the campgrounds, and it's a blast going to all of the different shops and restaurants located in town," notes a camper from Taylor Ridge Campground.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting of campgrounds in the region. At CERA Sports Corporation, campers enjoy "beautiful peaceful lake, our grandkids love the pool with the slide and rock wall, the mini golf, the paddle boats and the amazing playground." The mature trees at many campgrounds provide needed shade during summer months.
Free dispersed camping options: Budget-conscious campers can find free camping areas. At Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping, "Multiple campsites in the area, I've stayed at two both of which were away from others, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn. Some sites, at least one, could fit a pretty good sized camper."
Well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds in the area receive high marks for cleanliness. "Cleanest campground bathrooms I have ever seen. Friendly staff," writes one camper about Brown County-Nashville KOA. Similarly, another notes, "The campground itself was decent" with "lots to do here though and would be a great place to bring groups of kids and teens."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Late spring and early fall offer the most comfortable camping conditions. A visitor to Taylor Ridge Campground noted: "The site we stayed in was lovely. It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view... Also, some sites were fairly sloped as well." Pay attention to site details when booking.
Cost variations: Prices vary significantly between campgrounds. Hidden Paradise Campground charges "$48 per night. More expensive than any other campground we have been to in more than 12 states. On top of the camping prices you had to pay to swim in the quarry. $10-$15 per day per person."
Campground layouts: Some campgrounds have sites that may be too close together. At Columbus Woods-N-Waters, a camper observed "It appears as if most of the sites were filled with seasonal and permanent residents. I did not ask but I think they keep some sites just for transients."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and pools: Family-friendly campgrounds with dedicated children's areas are common. "Our family loves this place. Close to a bigger town, lots of food places and shopping close by," writes a camper at CERALAND, which includes a "pool area is super nice with a waterslide, diving boards and a unique rock climbing wall in the deep end."
Educational opportunities: Take advantage of nature centers and ranger programs. A visitor to eXplore Brown County mentioned that "Covered with trees with great spots near the creek. Great prices on cabins and campers. Playground for the kiddos was a plus for us."
Multiple activity options: Choose campgrounds with diverse recreation. One reviewer stated: "We spent a week there and the kids never got bored. Everyone had a blast. Will be going back soon!" Many campgrounds offer a combination of water activities, trails, and planned events.
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access routes. At Columbus Woods-N-Waters, an RVer noted: "We turned off CR 58 on S 300 W with our Class A and found a narrow road that was wide enough for our Class A and another small car. The berm is non-existant to the west. We drove slow and met one vehicle and we squeezed by."
Leveling requirements: Many sites in the hilly terrain require leveling equipment. At Taylor Ridge Campground, a reviewer mentioned: "Also, some sites were fairly sloped as well. This site was a slight slope and overall I would book it again. We have a full size truck with a small travel trailer that fit perfectly."
Year-round options: Several camping areas near Columbus remain open through winter. One camper noted Buffalo Ridge Campground offers "year around camping with reduced services in the winter months (they do have a heated bath house in the off season)," making it suitable for off-season RV camping.
