Best Campgrounds near Corydon, IN

Southern Indiana's rolling hills near Corydon provide diverse camping experiences across multiple land management areas. O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground, located 30 minutes southwest of Corydon, serves as a central hub with established campsites featuring electric hookups and shower facilities. The surrounding Hoosier National Forest offers both developed campgrounds and dispersed sites like those along Mitchell Creek Road. Accommodation options range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV pads, with several facilities such as Buffalo Trace Park and Sycamore Springs Park also offering cabin rentals for those seeking enhanced comfort.

Road conditions and seasonal impacts significantly influence the camping experience around Corydon. Most state park campgrounds maintain paved access roads, while forest service areas may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rainfall. Summer represents peak visitation with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F, while spring camping often contends with significant rainfall. Cell service varies widely throughout the region, with state parks generally providing better coverage than remote forest sites. Ticks become particularly problematic during warmer months, as one camper observed: "Ticks were REALLY bad. Maybe the season, maybe the area, not sure."

Campers consistently highlight water access as a defining feature of the region's top camping destinations. Lakes including Tipsaw and Deam provide opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and swimming, with several campgrounds offering direct waterfront sites. While state parks typically provide more amenities including showers and electric hookups, they tend to fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. The region's mix of recreational opportunities extends beyond camping, with several reviewers noting the proximity to attractions like Holiday World in Santa Claus and the extensive Hoosier National Forest trail system. One reviewer appreciated that "the lake and bathrooms were clean and the place was nice and quiet," reflecting the generally positive experiences most campers report from the area's developed campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Corydon, Indiana (97)

    1. O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Leavenworth, IN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 738-8232

    $22 - $496 / night

    "Park is located a good bit away from Corydon but not too bad of a drive for supplies. Campground roads and campsite were well labeled, clean and electric was in working order."

    "Several trails in walking, horse or bike riding distance. Some direct access from the campground. You can set up here and have plenty to do without ever leaving the park."

    2. Buffalo Trace Park

    7 Reviews
    New Pekin, IN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 738-8236

    $12 - $60 / night

    "The sites are well-spaced and there’s a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc. Disc golf is the big activity at this park. Awesome walking path and a petting zoo."

    "Beautiful lake views. Staggered sites so everyone has space and views. The walk around the lake is lovely. No WiFi but they said the are having it installed. T-Mobile had good service."

    3. Sycamore Springs Park

    17 Reviews
    English, IN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 338-3846

    "There is a fishing lake and a small river to fish in or wade and swim in. There is a miniature village for the kids along with 20 playgrounds in the campground."

    "We were right at the lake edge. The campsite had electric but no water, but the water was just across the road at a shelter."

    4. Marengo Cave Campgrounds

    8 Reviews
    English, IN
    16 miles
    Website

    $27 / night

    "Camp store, cave tours, gift shop, and other pay activities are within steps of camping, but only open until 5:00. No security or staff at all after hours."

    "I was really surprised that in my 30 years of living in Indiana, I had never been to Marengo Cave. It's both great for kids and adults."

    5. Horine Reservation Camping at Jefferson County Memorial Forest

    18 Reviews
    Fairdale, KY
    22 miles
    Website

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Tent sites have so many trees surrounding them. If you're looking for more privacy anything off of the loop will do just fine."

    "Just a guess, but I would say around 1.5 acres. About 2/3 of this site is open, grassy field. The other 1/3 is shaded."

    6. Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground

    18 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 246-5421

    $30 - $69 / night

    "I used this location as my FOB for a weekend of hiking in southern Indiana. The campground was nice."

    "Great sites close to the lake"

    7. South Harrison Co Park

    2 Reviews
    Laconia, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 969-2908

    "This park has a great walking trail that is wheelchair accessible and camping in spring to fall."

    8. Buzzard Roost Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    11 Reviews
    Leopold, IN
    20 miles
    +1 (812) 547-7051

    "It used to have a sweet little walk in spot down the bouldering trail that looked over the river. Now it is overgrown and you can't get back there."

    "There actually wasn’t any camp grounds open when we got there but we were so exhausted from the drive and it was 4am so we parking at the trail head and got a 3 hour nap in."

    9. Horseshoe Bend RV Campground

    2 Reviews
    Leavenworth, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 267-3031

    10. Otter Creek Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Garrett, KY
    19 miles
    Website

    $12 - $22 / night

    "Beautiful trails for hiking, great creek for swimming, close to Louisville."

    "Very popular campsite for the surrounding area. Otter Creek runs through the Outdoor recreation area. Lots of hiking, biking and horse trails. Great opportunities for fishing also abound."

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Recent Reviews near Corydon, IN

612 Reviews of 97 Corydon Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Hoosier National Forest Goldenrod Loop Campground

    Nice, small, remote campground

    Beautiful, heavily wooded, quiet campground. We are in a big rig but most people here are tent camping. Lake is small. Very peaceful, helpful attendant at gate checked in on us first day. We have electricity and water but no sewer hookups. Dump station available. If you just want to to get away and relax for a few days this is nice. But if you’re looking for lots of recreation opportunities you want to find a larger lake. There are a few trails but they are short.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Little Patch of Heaven Campground

    Adequate

    Most are pull through sites, many have a shared water faucet. Clean and conveniente to town. Sandy the manager is a peach.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Glendale Campground

    Simply serene

    Great overnight stop on our drive from Tennessee to Indiana. The hosts Valette and Greg were absolutely wonderful. The campground was well tended with a playground for the little ones. We don’t have little ones, but I couldn’t resist a ride on the merry-go-round! The facilities were pristine with piping hot showers that had great water pressure. Perfect TMobile signal and ***free WiFi *** which allowed us to get some work done. Conveniently located near 65 without too much traffic noise. Would definitely return here. Pick site 14 for the best view beside the lake.

  • Kyle H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA

    Great Campground

    Quick two night stay for us but although our first time here was short we will certainly be back. Campground is clean and very well maintained. Owners are very involved and run things very thoughtfully.

    They were able to accommodate our 44ft 5th wheel and navigating to the site was simple. Can’t wait to come back and visit.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Small pull off on the side of a gravel road.

    This is a bare bones location. There was evidence of a homemade fire pit and a small cleared area. No cell service at the site but there was a bar or two on the road just a few feet away. With a weboost there was att and tmobile service. Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there. 38.515995, -85.870726, 871 ft

  • Patrick T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Hones Pointe Campground

    Amazing camp site

    Wonderful campsite. They put a lot of time and thought into this property. It’s truly incredible.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Very clean and friendly state park. Quick stop over but would definitely stay again if in the area. Would like to do some of the trails there

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Quick stop over. Would definitely return if in the area. Would have like to have had more time to do some of the trails. Very clean, friendly. Be aware of an additional $9 feet at the gate besides the camp fee.

  • Desert B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Knobstone Trail

    not accessible

    Maybe Google Maps took me to the wrong place (probably not).  I drove back and forth on the road several times looking for this place  The only thing I found was what I believe was the entrance with a cable across it.  There was no place to park otherwise.


Guide to Corydon

Camping near Corydon, Indiana typically runs from April through October, with summer humidity reaching 70-80% and overnight temperatures ranging from 50°F in spring and fall to 68°F in midsummer. The area sits on karst topography with limestone caves, sinkholes, and natural springs throughout the surrounding forest lands. Local campgrounds feature a mix of dedicated recreation areas with shower facilities and more remote forest service sites requiring high-clearance vehicles during wet conditions.

What to do

Creek exploration: Sycamore Springs Park provides multiple water play opportunities along its creek. "So much to do with the kids, from swimming in the creek, fishing, campfires, s'mores, fresh black topped roads, and such friendly staff," reports Cora P.

Caving adventures: Marengo Cave Campgrounds offers on-site access to a national landmark cave system with guided tours. "It's both great for kids and adults. The people are super friendly and there are two different parts to explore. The dripslide caverns and the crystal palace cavern," says Tiffany T.

Hiking trails: Jefferson Memorial Forest maintains multiple trail difficulties from 1.5 to 13 miles. "Lots of trails ranging from 1.5 to 13.0 miles through gorgeous mixed forest of old and new growth deciduous and coniferous hardwoods," notes Robert P., mentioning the diverse forest ecology.

What campers like

Lake views: Buffalo Trace Park offers waterfront sites with direct lake access. "The sites are well-spaced and there's a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc. Disc golf is the big activity at this park," explains Kelsie E.

Family playgrounds: Parents appreciate the multiple play areas at Sycamore Springs Park. "Playgrounds everywhere. Nice big sites with full hookups in the newer section... We were able to go 'creeking' do trail walking, bike riding. Just a super neat little place. They even have a little village set up houses to play in," notes Beth H.

Nature center: O'Bannon Woods State Park provides educational opportunities through its on-site facilities. "Great nature center with ranger tours. Several hiking trails with various difficulties... lots of caving activity in area," Donald S. mentions in his review.

What you should know

Seasonal pests: Insect activity increases significantly during summer months. "Ticks were REALLY bad. Maybe the season, maybe the area, not sure," reports Kyle at O'Bannon Woods State Park.

Noise factors: Otter Creek Park experiences sound challenges from nearby attractions. "My only complaint is it's very close to Field of Screams, the haunted park and it gets noisy at night," warns Amber S.

Site spacing: Campgrounds vary widely in how close sites are placed. "The campground roads and campsite were well labeled, clean and electric was in working order. Bath houses were 2.5/5 and could use some maintenance," notes Kyle at O'Bannon Woods.

Water levels: During dry periods, lakes may have restricted use. "The lake was so shallow that it was hard to use my boat. The first day we camp the water did not work at our side. Although they fixed it the next morning," reports Charles R. at Buffalo Trace Park.

Tips for camping with families

Pool amenities: O'Bannon Woods State Park offers a swimming pool with additional features. "Pool was very nice with a splash pad and two water slides (42" height requirement) and a small concession stand. Have to pay entry to the pool whether you're swimming or not," Kyle notes.

Kid-friendly activities: Structured programs keep children engaged at many parks. "The kids enjoy the nature center, pioneer village, and one of the easy trails," Kelsey R. mentions about O'Bannon Woods State Park.

Site selection: Deam Lake State Recreation Area offers family-friendly camping with water activities. "This campground is very family-friendly and fun. There are horse trails, a beach, and great water for swimming/kayaking/canoeing," reports Lauren M.

Tips from RVers

Hookup details: Electric service varies by campground. "50,30,20 amp service in one box. There was no water at the site though. Throughout the campground are potable water spigots that you can hook up to and add water to your tank," Derek J. explains about O'Bannon Woods State Park.

Site dimensions: Many campsites have specific physical limitations. "Not all pads are level or very wide. Some of the tent sites are a challenge to get to and use," cautions Shelly S. about O'Bannon Woods.

Weather impacts: Seasonal conditions affect campground access. "They have electric and water (frost-free) still on, and the (heated) shower/restroom are open year round. Bring your own wood, the town didn't have any, and off season the check-in host is closed," Jim K. notes about Buffalo Trace Park's winter availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities do campgrounds in Corydon offer compared to local hotels?

While hotels provide indoor comfort and consistent amenities, campgrounds near Corydon offer unique outdoor experiences with varying levels of facilities. Lake Lincoln Campground — Lincoln State Park provides electric hookups (30/50 amp), water connections, clean shower houses, dump stations, and recreational amenities like swimming, fishing, boat rentals, and hiking trails. Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area offers additional outdoor activities including boating, skiing, interpretive naturalist programs, and a unique raptor rehabilitation program. Unlike hotels, these campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and direct access to nature, though they lack room service, daily housekeeping, and indoor climate control that hotels typically offer.

Where are the best camping spots near Corydon, Indiana?

The top camping destinations near Corydon include O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground, which offers well-labeled sites with electric hookups and multiple hiking trails in a wooded setting. Another excellent option is Tipsaw Lake, located in the beautiful rolling hills of southern Indiana not far from I-64 (exit 79), featuring paved roads with water/electric hookups and a small lake perfect for kayaking and fishing. For those seeking dispersed camping, Mitchell Creek Road offers quiet, secluded spots for small self-contained vehicles. Other noteworthy options include Marengo Cave Campgrounds, Buffalo Trace Park, and Horseshoe Bend RV Campground near Leavenworth.

What camping is available near Corydon, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Corydon, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 97 campgrounds and RV parks near Corydon, IN and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Corydon, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Corydon, IN is O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Corydon, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Corydon, IN.

What parks are near Corydon, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Corydon, IN that allow camping, notably Patoka Lake and Hoosier National Forest.