Tent Camping Columbus, IN

Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Columbus? Find the best tent camping sites near Columbus. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Columbus, IN (15)

    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground

    1. Paynetown Campground

    29 Reviews
    99 Photos
    183 Saves
    Clear Creek, Indiana

    This recreation area is part of Monroe Lake

    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Market
    • Trash
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Charles C. Deam Wilderness
    Camper-submitted photo from Charles C. Deam Wilderness
    Camper-submitted photo from Charles C. Deam Wilderness
    Camper-submitted photo from Charles C. Deam Wilderness
    Camper-submitted photo from Charles C. Deam Wilderness
    Camper-submitted photo from Charles C. Deam Wilderness

    3. Charles C. Deam Wilderness

    9 Reviews
    33 Photos
    125 Saves
    Heltonville, Indiana

    The Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers 36 miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, and horse riding through scenic hardwood forest and varied terrain with views of nearby Monroe Lake. The area was designated a wilderness in 1982 and encompasses nearly 12,953 acres of the Hoosier National Forest. Wilderness designation places this area in a special legal status (subject to the 1964 Wilderness Act). It is managed to preserve a natural condition and provide opportunities for solitude. Since its designation as a wilderness, visitor use in the area increased to a point that significant damage was occurring. Special restrictions are in place to protect the wilderness character. Visitors to this special place are asked to follow these restrictions to lessen your impact and share responsibility in preserving this unique natural resource.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Equestrian
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest

    4. Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest

    7 Reviews
    29 Photos
    75 Saves
    Martinsville, Indiana
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)

    $25 - $55 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Ransburg Scout Reservation
    Camper-submitted photo from Ransburg Scout Reservation
    Camper-submitted photo from Ransburg Scout Reservation
    Camper-submitted photo from Ransburg Scout Reservation
    Camper-submitted photo from Ransburg Scout Reservation
    Camper-submitted photo from Ransburg Scout Reservation

    5. Ransburg Scout Reservation

    4 Reviews
    13 Photos
    8 Saves
    Harrodsburg, Indiana
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • No image available

      6. Hickory Ridge

      1 Review
      21 Saves
      Norman, Indiana
      • ADA Access
      • Tents
      • Group
      • Dispersed
      • Alcohol
      • No image available

        7. Pine Loop

        1 Review
        20 Saves
        Harrodsburg, Indiana

        This campground loop is a shady campground with 40 tent and trailer sites. About half of the sites are electric. This area includes a playground for children. There are eight walk-in sites on this campground loop. ACTIVITIES Camping: This is one of six shady campground loops in the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area. It includes 39 sites, about 3/4 of which are electric. Pine Loop is generally open in the summer months but is closed in winter months, though other loops will be open. A maximum of 2 vehicles and 8 people are allowed per site. Recreational Vehicles: This is one of six shady campground loops in the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area. It includes 31 sites appropriate for RVs, about 3/4 of which are electric. Pine Loop is generally open in the summer months but is closed in winter months, though other loops will be open. A maximum of 2 vehicles and 8 people are allowed per site. Wildlife Viewing: Each of the six shady campground loops in the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area provide ample opportunities to see wildlife. While staying in the campground you share the birds and animal's home and are likely to see them come right up to your campsite.

        • Tents
        • No image available

          8. Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest

          1 Review
          6 Saves
          Martinsville, Indiana

          Primitive camping is available for a fee; campers must register for camping at the forest office. Mason Ridge Campground, located behind the fire tower north of the forest office, has vault toilets and seasonal drinking water available. There is a picnic table and grill located on each of the campground's 19 sites. On busy weekends, overflow camping is available at Oak Ridge Campground. Oak Ridge has 10 sites and the same facilities as Mason Ridge.

          Scout Ridge Youth Tent Campground is available for scouts or other groups. The six sites in Scout Ridge Campground are larger than regular campground sites and there are several picnic tables and grills available. Scout Ridge Nature Preserve is located in this area.

          Backcountry camping is available. All campers must register with State Forest Office via person, email at morgansf@dnr.IN.gov, at the kiosk, or phone (765-792-4654). Please note the phone is not recommended because the office is closed in evenings and on Sundays. Users must indicate the general region of planned camping. During periods of high fire danger the area may be closed by the property manager. Camping groups are restricted to either family units or groups not exceeding six persons. No campsite may be established within ¼ mile of access points into the area. Use of the area is restricted to a maximum of three nights by any individual. Morgan-Monroe State Forest has a carry-in, carry-out trash policy, i.e., what you carry in you must carry out. Additionally, the backcountry area is restricted to only minimal-impact camping/hiking in order to preserve the natural state of Morgan-Monroe State Forest.

          Oak Ridge campground is closed Jan. 1 through March 31.
          Scout Ridge campground is closed Jan. 1 through March 31. Special requests can be made during this period through the forest office.
          Marson Ridge campground is open year-round.

          Water is shut off at all campgrounds and shelters Oct. 31 and turned on in March as weather permits. A year-round hydrant is located southeast of the main office.

          Small campfires are allowed while backcountry camping, but the DNR recommends using a portable backpacking stove for cooking instead of a campfire. A portable stove will cook your meal long before a fire is ready. Another advantage is that it helps prevent fire-blackened rocks in areas where people camp. If using a campfire, make sure a campfire is allowed during the time of your trip. Different properties may have different rules regarding campfires. Even properties that generally allow campfires may ban them on a temporary basis because of dry conditions. Use only small dead and downed wood where permitted. Do not break or cut tree limbs or trees, even dead ones. Dead trees provide habitat for many birds and animals. Do not stockpile wood. While this was once considered a friendly gesture in remote areas, today it is one more way of reducing the spirit of solitude and independence that people seek when backcountry camping. Any campfire in a backcountry area should be in a pit 12 inches or less in diameter, and a 3-foot diameter area should be cleared to mineral soil around the fire. Before leaving an area where a campfire was built, mix ashes with the soil (100% extinguished), fill the pit, and cover the cleared area with the humus layer that was originally removed.

          Draper Cabin

          Draper Cabin is a primitive, wooden-floored log cabin that takes visitors 100 years back in time to the days before electricity, vehicles and modern plumbing. Reservations for the cabin are accepted from the first weekend in April to the weekend before Thanksgiving. The cabin may be rented on a day by day basis, depending on weather conditions, during the winter. Click here for rental information and a picture of the cabin .

          Cherry Lake Lodge

          Nestled deep in Morgan-Monroe State Forest you’ll find the solitude you seek, while still having a comfortable bed in which to sleep, hot and cold running water, indoor restroom and shower, and full kitchen facilities. This recently renovated lodge is everything you’d expect in a woodland retreat at a very affordable rental rate. It’s a place where the whole family can explore the woods all day, and relax to a warm fire at night. Click here for rental information and rates.

          • Pets
          • Fires
          • Electric Hookups
          • Phone Service
          • ADA Access
          • Tents
          • No image available

            9. Maines Pond

            Be the first to review!
            7 Saves
            Freetown, Indiana

            Maines Pond is a watchable wildlife and a small pond where people fish and hunt. To download the watchable wildlife flier, click here.

            • Tents
            • No image available
            Showing results 1-10 of 15 campgrounds

            Recent Tent Reviews in Columbus

            478 Reviews of 15 Columbus Campgrounds


            • Amanda D.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
              Nov. 13, 2024

              Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

              Brown County State Park stay

              The site we stayed in was lovely. It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view. Driving through the campground it looks like there are some sites pretty close together but ours wasn’t too bad. 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. 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. Camp store was stocked nicely. Staff was friendly. The campground itself was very quiet and you could enjoy being out in nature. The site was walking distance from showers/bathroom. The park as a whole is beautiful and there’s a trailhead that’s walking distance from the campsite that leads down a beautiful trail to a lake.

            • Betsy W.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
              Nov. 1, 2024

              Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

              Large, open, and very clean

              Open areas with pit toilets and water available. Shade and sunny locations. Pick a spot and set up with hammock-large rvs spots. No fee, no reservations, no problems. Officers from federal, state, and local patrol. Cell service by various providers is 1-2 bars. Highly recommend.

            • Noah Y.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Charles C. Deam Wilderness
              Oct. 18, 2024

              Charles C. Deam Wilderness

              Great for casual/experienced camping and hiking

              A staple of our state here in Indiana. Unfortunately due to some storm damage, trails were rerouted or straight up inaccessible.

              Great places to find and set up camp. We even discovered a few extra hidden sites just by being forced off trails due to the damage.

              Every dispersed camper should add the hikes to the lake to their checklist.

            • patti J.
              Camper-submitted photo from Heartland Resort
              Sep. 7, 2024

              Heartland Resort

              Staff were helpful

              This would most likely be a last resort for us.  Went to our campsite only to find someone else using it.  Not what you need after driving 400-500 miles.  Had to go back to the office and ultimately took a different site after dirty looks from the poachers.

              Then the staff told us there was music that night after we told them we just wanted a peaceful nights sleep so we moved to another site further away from the jam session. Whew a lot of work to be here.  Cannot recall being impresses with the bathrooms/showers.

            • FThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Washington State Forest
              Jul. 21, 2024

              Jackson Washington State Forest

              Great primitive campground

              Spacious sites. Beautiful forest. Quiet, but only 5 minutes small town with gas stations, grocery, etc. Not many amenities. Only pit toilets and water spigots. Firewood was not available during our visit. No reservations. First come first serve, but even on a "busy" Saturday in July less than 1/3 of the sites were full. Two "loops" one in a pine forest below the small lake and one at the lake/up the hill. Multiple playgrounds. Great trails to hike. Cool CCC construction. Highly recommend.

            • Josie W.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
              Jul. 12, 2024

              Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

              Spacious Camping

              We really liked the set up of this campsite. The fire rings were spread apart amidst a green hill. There was some shade available around the edges. Plenty of room to spread out from your neighbors; it wasn’t too busy when we were there (a Thursday). Camp accesses two trailheads directly. There were two bathrooms, a place for garbage, and potable water. Screech owls and active birds made it an exciting evening.

            • J
              Camper-submitted photo from Camp Buckwood
              Jul. 8, 2024

              Camp Buckwood

              Very Nice and Freindly

              Stayed two nights, tent camping. It was a great time meeting new people and exploring the surrounding area.

            • SThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hills Camp Resort
              Jul. 8, 2024

              Hickory Hills Camp Resort

              Perfect RV Resort south of Indianapolis

              We were so fortunate to have found The Retreat at Hickory Hills and stay there for a month! There’s two pools, a pickle ball court, a basketball half court, farm animals, golf cart trails, kayak/canoe/row boats, exploring creeks, fishing, a dog park, several playgrounds, Gaga ball, tether ball, volleyball, frisbee golf and several weekend activities for everyone. Saturday mornings were our favorite where we could get biscuits and gravy, coffee and the kids had craft time. It’s definitely worth bringing mountain bikes or renting their golf carts to explore their golf cart trails! We went out on these several times and it never got old! Staff and campers were welcoming and friendly. We still haven’t stopped talking about how CLEAN they keep everything. The sites were large and they’re still expanding and adding more sites. There’s a seasonal campers area and an overnight or monthly area. We stayed in the overnight/monthly area. It was peaceful and relaxing throughout the week and lively during the weekend. It was a wonderful balance!! We’ll definitely be back.

            • AThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
              Jul. 3, 2024

              Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

              Secluded in the woods

              Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far. There was no traffic or other people in site. I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times. I have lived in Indiana for ever and have made many trips this way, but I never knew sites like this existed.

            • Cynthia K.
              Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
              Jun. 28, 2024

              Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

              Meh

               First off- Brown County is a lovely park. This review is only for the campground. 

              The only time we ever camped here was in 2003 when we had 3 kids & a popup. New to the park I thought the Racoon Ridge Loop looked good & picked site 121. Bad mistake! We stayed 3 nights & every night we had a weird thing happen. The worst was the bat that found it's way into the popup one night. None of it was in any way Brown County's fault, but we never went back. 

              We were staying at Paynetown recently & decided to visit Brown County & the campground. The mirror tag helped with this. We visited on a Saturday morning in late June. The whole campground was full & it was jumpin'!

               We skipped Buffalo Ridge. Raccoon Ridge is the smallest loop. Close sites. Our former site 121 has a pit toilet right next to it now. There's several sites along the main road, also very close to each other & right on the road.

               I thought that Taylor Ridge was the best loop based on my memories from 2003. It's really a long warren of close sites, some with terrible inclines.

               I was able to write down a few sites I thought would work- Sites with no one close by: 193/194/266. 

              265 was the only pull thru I saw, but there may be others. 

              End of loop: 317/318 

              Ridge view from your site: 310/311/312/313/314 

              Random sites that looked ok: 179/188/215/223/225/242/259/260/265/277/280/287/422- these sites are just what I eyeballed while the husband was cruising down the main road. 

              We decided we were never going to camp here again. The sites are too close together. There's too many people crammed in a small space. If you go be aware that summer weekends & leaf peeper season will be very busy. The middle of the week or shoulder season would probably be your best bet for a more relaxing experience.

            • Cynthia K.
              Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
              Jun. 27, 2024

              Yellowwood State Forest

              Just did a drive thru

               This is a State Forest campground near Nashville, Indiana. Primitive camping. Pit toilets only. This is by Yellowwood Lake, so boating & fishing opportunities. 

              All these sites are first come, first serve. No reservations. 

              There's a Forest Office with area information & a small display. 

              There's several trails of varying length. 

              Believe it or not- gold panning is a thing here! You need a permit.

              They rent boats at the Forest Office. Electric motor only.

               There's several camping loops. There's a horse camp also. 

              The boat ramp is near the horse camp loop.

               We didn't go down the Red Pine Loop, but did check out White Oak/Redbud& Black Gum.

               Hickory loop is right off the road & the sites are visible from the road. They looked nicely spaced.

              White oak loop had several nice sites. Redbud is close to a building they call a camp store. It may have been many years ago, but not open now.

               Several picnic spots by the lake. The best site in Redbud would be 39. Large site with some shade. I would also say 38, but site 37 is directly behind it. This is the camp host spot, so occupied. These sites are near the pit toilets.

              The best spot in Black Gum would be site 75. Large site at the end of the loop & right by the lake.

               If you go back to Hwy 46 where the road split on your way in, follow the sign to the dam. Just a large earthen dam, but there's trail heads here. There's the Scarce O' Fat Trail which has been mentioned on the Facebook Indiana Hiking page.

              $13 per night regular camping.$16 per night for horseman's.

            • Cynthia K.
              Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Ridge
              Jun. 25, 2024

              Hardin Ridge

              National Forest

               We did a drive through to check out the campground. It was $8 for day use, self pay.

              This is a beautiful campground. There's 4 loops with 30 & 50 amp. 2 loops with no electric.

               Well spaced all tucked into the trees on a ridge. Also some carry in sites.

               If we tented camped still I'd be in heaven! 

              You can reserve sites, or some are first come first served.

              Shower/restroom with pit toilets scattered around. 

              3 trails. A beach, picnic areas& a boat launch. 

              This seems less popular than Paynetown, but a lot quieter!!

            • Cynthia K.
              Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
              Jun. 25, 2024

              Paynetown Campground

              Crazy busy on a summer weekend

               This is a SRA on the shores of Lake Monroe by Bloomington Indiana. This is a boating/fishing park. We went on a hot weekend the 4rth weekend in June & it was completely full. 

              There's only 3 short trails. The longest is 1.25 miles. Not a hiking park. 

              There's a visitor center off State Road 446. This is NOT a nature center! Just a place to pick up some information. 

              The marina & boat launch get the most use. There's also a beach. 

              There's a large Class B campground closer to the marina. There's some pit toilets & one flush toilet building. No showers. No electricity.

               There's a large dump station. 

              The electric campground has 227 sites. 3 are handicap accessible. There's also 27 pull throughs. Many have lake access due to camper made trails to the lake.

              We had site 137 which was a good site due to the fact we had no one on the left. There was a woods view.

              Many of these sites have a bad incline & people were putting their rigs sideways on the site close to the road. Our site was no exception, but we were able to make it work. This site also had afternoon sun.

               Restrooms/showers were state park clean. I was impressed with the hard working staff trying their best to give us a clean bathroom!

               The best sites in the campground are 171/172& 153/154. These have a lot of sun, but a stellar view of the lake. 

              132-137 have a trail to the lake. Very bad inclines though. 

              120-124 have trails to the lake & are in the woods. 

              103 is a large site& fairly even with lots of shade. 

              The sites from 180-227 are asphalt with concrete pads. The rest of the campground is gravel. 

              There's 4 carry in campsites for tents that looked very nice. Campsites in the E area have access to a sandy peninsula that was very popular for swimmers. 

              This is known in Indiana as a party park. There's some truth to that. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend. If you like a quieter experience come Monday through Wed. or wait until the off season.

            • Matt M.
              Camper-submitted photo from Indiana State Fairgrounds Campground
              Jun. 25, 2024

              Indiana State Fairgrounds Campground

              Not what we were expecting!

              We traveled to Indianapolis for the Olympic Swimming Time Trials. Stayed here 2 nights with our 2 grand-daughters. The area we stayed was directly adjacent to a bike path. It was separated by a fence and there was a gate right next to our site. The gate was locked however the gates were far enough apart that someone could get between them. Our first night, someone actually did this and walked right behind our site.

              The shower house was in serious need of some improvements! Old, dark, leaky pipes. 

              The area was OVERLY well lit, to the point we were hanging sleeping bags over the windows to try and make it somewhat dark inside the camper! 

              Getting to the sites took some figuring out also. We entered at the main gate to the fairgrounds and there were no signs directing us to the sites. Had to use GPS with satellite view to figure our way there. 

              For comparison, we've stayed at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and this is a night and day difference. Iowa Fairgrounds sites are $20 less per night, very nice shower facilities and plenty of room between sites. 

              We would stay here again but we'd need to exhaust all other options first.

              BTW, the price listed is wrong. We paid $50/night.

            • Holdun R.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Camp Atterbury Campground
              Jun. 17, 2024

              Camp Atterbury Campground

              Great 1st experience

              This was my first time at a campsite, so I don't have other sites to compare to. Overall, my experience was great. Clean area with lots of amenities. They stack free firewood at your campsite to burn. I'm military, so the gunfire, canon fire, and helicopters didn't bother me at all. Those things don't happen all the time though.

            • rickie F.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
              Jun. 10, 2024

              Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest

              Beautiful as it should be.

              We stayed pretty much on our site. Generally, we aim to do a bit of exploring, but we used their camping as a rendezvous. I was slightly disappointed by the site selections being mostly on a slant, but we did find one on the overfill site that suited our needs and we ended up loving it. I do plan on returning specifically to update a better review on the available views.

            • Jonathan P.
              Camper-submitted photo from Woods Campground
              Jun. 8, 2024

              Woods Campground

              Horrible

              The owner came up hot headed and very upset. I don’t know if they were having a bad day. The place looks like trash and has a very poor layout

            • james W.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
              Jun. 6, 2024

              Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

              Real dispersed camping

              For those of you who don't understand disperse camping this is the perfect site for a tent to camp without anything but what you bring in and take out understand what dispersed camping is and then there won't be any complaints about can't get a camper in or whatever I always see the complaints this is dispersed camping at its best

            • Ima C.
              Camper-submitted photo from Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA
              May. 14, 2024

              Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA

              Repeat Visit

              This was a repeat visit. Just as perfect as the first time. Lake was beautiful and staff are always so helpful. They even have an on-site RV Tech that works for them who helped us fix our hot water heater. Very professional young man. We also enjoyed live music at the pavilion, and PIZZA from their new café, it was fabulous. They even have Boba tea.

            • Brett B.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
              Apr. 29, 2024

              Yellowwood State Forest

              Great Camping & Fishing Combo

              Lots of primitive campsites here. Many have short trails from them to the lake edge, making for some great night fishing with a cozy fire to return to.



            Frequently Asked Questions

            • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Columbus, IN?

              According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Columbus, IN is Paynetown Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.

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

              TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Columbus, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.