Derby is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Derby is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Derby, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$19 - $496 / night
"Horse people love it also. The campground is near the trail to the old abandoned bridge which is well worth the hike. The fire tower has a commanding view."
"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."
"Jackpine Loop is the largest of the campground loops at Tipsaw Lake Recreation area Hoosier National Forest.
The entire Tipsaw area seems to be oriented toward family and group camping."
"Wildlife is everywhere, as it is not unusual to have a Momma deer and her little one walk through the woods by your campsite or down by the boat launc, often followed by a turkey or two."
"There are two lakes, Indian and Celina , in the immediate area, electric motors only, which just adds to my liking it;)."
"My husband and I have been to Lake Celina for a day hike before, so when planning where to go for a weekend of car camping choosing this place was a no brainer."
$12 - $22 / night
"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."
"Beautiful trails for hiking, great creek for swimming, close to Louisville."
"YC horse camp is well laid out and fairly spacious, apparently only for the random hikers and hunters. I stayed at here for a couple of days, planning on a longer visit, and wasn't dissatisfied."
"Site accommodates both horse, drive in and walk-in camping. There’s a privy and water on site. Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables."
$20 - $30 / night
"Spring Mill State park is a little piece of history that is in the heart of southern Indiana. Here you will find a working frontier village."
"Open space, close to facilities and water pump, Ground was mostly flat, slightly shady in the afternoon, and very peaceful."
$23 - $64 / night
"There are horse trails, a beach, and great water for swimming/kayaking/canoeing. It is pet friendly as well. The bath house in our area was older but fairly clean."
"Horse camping so was cool to see the horses. A beach location and a few fishing spots.
The lake doesn’t allow non electric motors so waters were calm. Caught some bluegills."
$20 / night
$20 - $50 / night
"Beautiful country farm setting old dairy farm located near Cecilia. There are several mowed areas one is near a fishing pond. Firewood purchasable from the host!"
TravelerI had been planning a trip to Youngs Creek for over a month and was happy to finally get there. YC horse camp is well laid out and fairly spacious, apparently only for the random hikers and hunters. I stayed at here for a couple of days, planning on a longer visit, and wasn't dissatisfied. It sports a good-sized pavilion and well-maintained his and hers vault toilets. The camp sites were generous in size with gravel parking, fairly level pads, picnic tables, and a fire ring. The only downside, besides the lack of horses, was an access road to adjacent to the camping area that is well used through the evening.
I'll be making a return in the spring to watch for the return of the equestrians.
TravelerThe park is well kept and organized. There are a ton of sites to visit and see. If you like hiking or mountain biking this is for you! Horse people love it also. The campground is near the trail to the old abandoned bridge which is well worth the hike. The fire tower has a commanding view. If you are not enjoying this park, not much else in Indiana will make you happy. Extra points: experienced cavers will enjoy the number of caves. These are by permit only however and novice non cavers should take a proper class and go with experts. There are multiple show caves in the area you can get a basic tour of also.
GuideSite accommodates both horse, drive in and walk-in camping. There’s a privy and water on site. Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables. There is a trail that loops back to the site for easy hiking access.
LegendNice campground, needs some structural updates. Mostly shaded spots. Not all pads are level or very wide. Some of the tent sites are a challenge to get to and use. Minus a star due to no hot water, I would have been happy with warm but no luck.
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.
Corydon is within half an hour, Louisville about an hour.
RangerVery clean campground near the Ohio River. Offers hiking horse back riding nearby fishing in the Ohio River. Or just kicking back and relaxing.
GuideMy husband and I camped here in the May to escape Derby in Louisville. It's close enough to the city that it makes for an easy get-away. Even if you're not camping the hiking is pretty incredible and none of the trails are really to strenuous for an experienced hiker compared to other trails in the region.
This isn't the most quite campground you're going to find. There is an RV area and a loop for tent camping, the sites are fairly close together with some only having as little as a few saplings or briars between sites. The loop itself is a bulky gravel road that is VERY NOISY when campers drive on it, or in our case... a child drives their Barbie Power Wheels up and down the road until 10pm in the dark.
That being said.... it's close to the city. It's inexpensive and the firewood bundles are sizable. Our site didn't have a picnic bench, just a fire ring but the ground was mostly grassy and very level. It was a comfortable site and the majority of them looked pretty similar so it's hard to say there's a "best site" for privacy on the loop. Our site was on the road leading up to the loop and those sites seem best since a few don't have campers across from them and they are spaced out slightly more than the sites on the actual loop... although you're further from water.
*This campground does allow you to make reservations
RangerThis campground is very family-friendly and fun. There are horse trails, a beach, and great water for swimming/kayaking/canoeing. It is pet friendly as well. The bath house in our area was older but fairly clean. We felt like there was good spacing between the sites, and we weren’t too close to our neighbors. Beautiful in the Fall!
ScoutStayed in D04. Had 30 amp plus 20 amp hookups. Picnic table. 15 pieces of firewood for 5 plus tax. Friends stayed in the chickadee cabin and d03. Neat cabins all wood with Portable AC.
A few hikes. Horse camping so was cool to see the horses. A beach location and a few fishing spots.
The lake doesn’t allow non electric motors so waters were calm. Caught some bluegills.
Public restrooms and showers.
Ice in the area cheapest at the truck stops and gas stations 2 10lbs for 5 bucks.
Would stop again if in the area.
TravelerVery 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.
It is an older campsite with the facilities in need of an upgrade, but serviceable. Used to be owned by the city of Louisville Parks and Recreation, then set dormant and unused for several years before the State of Kentucky took over.
Horse camping in Indiana offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it an ideal destination for horse lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Derby, IN is O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Derby, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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