Camping sites near Covington, Indiana range from primitive to full-service options within a 30-mile radius. The area features gently rolling terrain with elevations between 500-700 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Trail hiking: Turkey Run State Park Campground offers challenging terrain with distinct geological features. "We hiked Trail 3 with our dog, but we cut off early before the ladders using Trail 10. Our dog did pretty well in the section of Trail 3 before the ladders, and be prepared to get wet," notes one visitor who recommends early weekday arrivals to avoid crowds.
Water recreation: Forest Glen County Preserve provides backcountry camping with river access. A camper explains: "The rangers told us the water from the Vermilion River was safe to drink with filtration but note that you do have to walk down to the river and up to the campsites." The preserve requires advance permits for its 11-mile backpacking loop.
Fishing spots: Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area offers multiple fishing locations around a large lake. "Great place to camp, can be flooded at times, some of the sites have huge inclines or declines," notes one camper, highlighting the importance of site selection near the water.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many campers appreciate secluded sites at Shades State Park Campground. "Great sites that offer decent privacy with brush & trees as a barrier between sites. Paved parking pad, steel fire-ring with steel grid to cook on," one reviewer notes. The park operates seasonally from April to October.
Modern facilities: At Turkey Run, the bathroom facilities earn positive mentions. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," writes a camper who stayed in the wooded section, mentioning that site 167 and adjacent spots offer good options.
Multiple lakes: Kickapoo State Recreation Area contains several water features for diverse activities. "There are camp sites that are walk to for some more distance from others, a lot of close drive to spots, RV, and a lot of close boat camping sites," explains a camper. The park maintains both primitive and electric sites.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Site levelness varies significantly throughout the region. At Turkey Run Canoe & Camping, "The sites are difficult to get into and although they allow one car on the site there is barely room for that one car. The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem."
Wildlife presence: Raccoons are particularly bold at Turkey Run State Park. Several campers specifically mention this issue: "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything." Food storage precautions are essential at most area campgrounds.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area fill quickly during peak season. For backcountry camping at Forest Glen County Preserve, "you will need to get a permit from the Ranger in advance. The backcountry sites have trash cans and pit toilets for convenience."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Crawfordsville KOA offers family-friendly amenities. "This campground is gorgeous. The sites are gravel and grassy. Great shade all over and landscaping is beautiful. There is an awesome playground for families with kids," notes a camper.
Swimming options: Cecil M Harden Lake features a clean beach area for kids. "I loved this camp ground, there was a beach which was nice and a building to get food. They have a basketball court, and a few trails. We stayed Thurs thru Sunday and had a very nice time," shares a visitor.
Weekday camping: For families wanting to experience the popular trails, timing matters. As one Turkey Run camper advises: "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning/early afternoon."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Turkey Run State Park, not all sites work well for larger rigs. "Sites tried from all concrete to a dusty dirt and rock tent area, and all had old wood picnic tables. While the hiking was incredible, the maps of the trails were poor and not up to date," reports an RVer who managed to charge their electric vehicle at the site.
Hook-up configuration: At Off The Trail Campground, "buddy sites" provide ample space for RVers traveling together. "We stayed in buddy sites 81 and 82. Buddy sites are large, have full hookup, fire pits, and picnic tables," notes a camper who paid about $50 per night per site.
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven sites. At Turkey Run, a camper in site #35 shares: "The site was clean and well equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. The site is very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end."
