Camping areas near Cloverdale, Indiana spread across rolling terrain between 600-850 feet elevation, offering diverse options within the western Indiana countryside. The region experiences four distinct seasons with typically warm summers and cold winters, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year. Many campsites are positioned among mature hardwood forests that provide natural shade during summer months.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Brown County State Park offers extensive mountain biking opportunities with purpose-built trails for all skill levels. A camper at Buffalo Ridge Campground notes, "I make multiple visits here every year, mainly for the mountain bike trails. There are almost 30 miles of trails inside the park with new trails every year for the past 3+ years. Connectivity to Yellowwood and Hoosier National Forest is also available for those adventurous individuals."
Fishing access: Happy Campers Campground provides lakeside camping with stocked fishing opportunities. According to a visitor at Happy Campers Campground, "Great place to stop overnight or for a few days. Plenty of room for kids or pets to roam and play. Very clean and safe." The campground maintains five full hookup sites and access to a fishing lake.
Scenic overlooks: The elevated terrain around Cloverdale creates opportunities for panoramic views, particularly at Brown County State Park. A visitor at Taylor Ridge Campground shared, "The park is gigantic! It takes a long time to get from the entrance of the park to the actual campground, but the drive is beautiful. There are a lot of diverse hiking trails for all."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many rv campgrounds near Cloverdale maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. A review of Taylor Ridge Campground states, "Very clean bathrooms and shower houses." Another camper noted, "The picnic tables in the park are a bit odd (very short) but was plenty of space for my husband and I."
Wildlife viewing: The wooded camping areas provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. A visitor to Raccoon Ridge Campground mentioned, "We saw a black bear at dusk digging through a garbage can at one of the picnic areas along the parks interior roads - black bears are reported as not being present in the park. I've witnessed countless black bears in the wilderness and this wasn't a case of mistaken identity."
Seasonal attractions: Fall foliage draws significant visitors to campgrounds in the region. One camper at Raccoon Ridge Campground shared, "Went for fall break & their Halloween week! So much fun." Autumn activities often include special events at many campgrounds within 30 miles of Cloverdale.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Campsites vary significantly in size, slope, and access. A visitor to Taylor Ridge noted, "I would say pay particular attention to the size of the site you're booking as some were pretty small. Also, some sites were fairly sloped as well." Another mentioned, "The roads are not marked very well and it took a bit to find our site which needed level blocks."
Entrance restrictions: Some parks have vehicle limitations. A camper at Buffalo Ridge Campground advised, "The north entrance is through a covered bridge with a 9 foot clearance and 3 ton limit! Otherwise, use the easily accessible west entrance, just a few miles 'around the corner.'" This is crucial information for RVers with larger rigs.
Off-season amenities: Services vary seasonally at many campgrounds. A visitor noted, "The park offers year around camping with reduced services in the winter months (they do have a heated bath house in the off season)." Winter campers should confirm which facilities remain operational before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Nature programs: Several parks offer educational activities. A visitor at Horsemen's Campground reported, "The park that is set in massive hills and valleys has lots of different trails, a nature center, a pool, a lodge with a pool/park, daily activities throughout the park, a horse stables, amphithéâtres, a restaurant, a gift store, and much more."
Swimming options: Pool facilities are available at certain parks during summer months. A Horsemen's Campground visitor mentioned, "The park also features an Olympic size pool (capacity 2,000). You cannot walk there from the campground unless you are very hardy and very determined." Most pool facilities operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Kid-friendly exploration: Interactive nature exhibits appeal to younger campers. A review notes, "The nature center is really fun with animals and a bee hive that the children really enjoyed! There are a lot of diverse hiking trails for all."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many sites require additional equipment for proper setup. A camper at Cloverdale RV Park shared, "This easy-access-from-the-highway RV park is really nice. The spots are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING (no...seriously), the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific."
Loop selection: Different camping loops offer varying experiences for RVers. A visitor advised, "There are 3 separate campgrounds in the park Buffalo Ridge, Raccoon, and Taylor Ridge. We stayed in Taylor which was dubbed 'wooded' and the one I would most suggest. The others were pretty cleared out and too close together."
Accessibility considerations: Site access varies significantly between campgrounds. A camper mentioned, "The Campground is on top of the Ridgeline. We drove through Taylor ridge loop, and it's your best choice for getting away from it all."
