Dugger, Indiana offers diverse camping experiences within a region punctuated by reclaimed mining lands and nearly 9,000 acres of woodlands. The area sits at approximately 550 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s. Winter camping remains available at several locations near Dugger, though amenities like shower facilities and nature centers operate seasonally.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Narrow Lake Campground at Greene Sullivan State Forest provides access to approximately 120 lakes formed from former mining operations. "This is a really interesting State Forest property evolving from a reclamation project of donated land from various coal companies," notes one visitor. Most lakes support multiple fish species and have boat ramps suitable for small watercraft.
Hiking trails: The region offers varying difficulty levels for hikers. "There's 7 hiking trails. All are nice walks in the woods. All were muddy in sections. There's an old coal mine on Trail 2. Blocked off for safety," reports a visitor to Shakamak State Park Campground. Trails range from easy forest walks to more challenging terrain.
Disc golf: Rockville Lake County Park features an 18-hole disc golf course through wooded ravines. "Disc golf course is awesome, in the woods, up and down ravine. 18 holes plus practice basket. Hole 1 starts by primitive sites closer to beach. Ask for a disc golf map at gatehouse," advises a camper.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds near Dugger provide peaceful settings away from urban noise. "Most of the spaces that had both water and electric were mostly in the sun. But all the other spaces had plenty of shade and trees around them. Our space was spot on level and nice area around each space to where you didn't feel like you were camped on top of other people," notes a camper at Shakamak State Park.
Clean facilities: Rockville Lake County Park receives praise for its maintenance. "Easy to get to, however some of the worst roads I have been on," mentions one visitor who still rated the experience highly. Another camper called it "the cleanest campground we have been to in our neighborhood!"
Lake access: Water activities rank high on visitor priorities. "Three small lakes are on the property for fishing and kayaking," notes a visitor to Morgan-Monroe State Forest. Many campgrounds feature direct lake access from campsites or dedicated fishing piers for campers.
What you should know
Site selection challenges: Campgrounds vary significantly in their layout and accessibility. "When tent camping and want something quiet and a place with great trails, this is a good place to go. Even though it's hot outside today, there's lots of shade and a breeze," reports a Morgan-Monroe State Forest visitor. However, the same reviewer notes: "I was slightly disappointed by the site selections being mostly on a slant."
Seasonal considerations: Facilities availability changes throughout the year. "The Nature Center was inexplicably closed 'for the season'. Disappointing!" notes one visitor to Shakamak. Similarly, aquatic facilities have limited schedules: "The pool was only opened on the weekends in August which was disappointing."
Connectivity concerns: Cell service varies across the region. "One downside was we had Verizon as a cell phone carrier and only had one bar," mentions a visitor to Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area. This becomes important for those needing to stay connected during their glamping in Dugger, Indiana experience.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds provide play structures for children. "There's a playground located in middle of loop and accessible/visible from any of sites on loop area," notes a Rockville Lake visitor. At Shakamak, "there are many playgrounds, a camp store, and nice bathroom/shower houses."
Swimming facilities: Cagles Mill Lake offers water recreation beyond just fishing. "It is a DNR state operated and has some pretty cool fishing. It was family-approved by my kin. There are rapids by a huge ridge near the lake," shares a visitor. Families should note that swimming areas often have scheduled hours that vary by season.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences when open. "We've camped here before, but many years ago. It was time to go back... There's an old coal mine on Trail 2. Blocked off for safety," notes a Shakamak visitor. Look for scheduled programs at nature centers, particularly during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Some campgrounds have awkward utility connections. "Bring an extension cord if you're in a pull through. If you want your door facing the fire pit- the electric box is in an awkward place," advises a Shakamak camper. Preparation with extension cords for water and electric becomes essential.
Leveling needs: Sites at several campgrounds require significant leveling. "The sites in modern electric water only can be awkward to back into with no room to pull forward due to a ditch in some areas," explains a visitor to Rockville Lake. RVers should bring adequate leveling equipment, especially for luxury glamping in Dugger area campgrounds.
Dump station access: Waste management facilities can present challenges. "The only drawbacks were that the vault toilets are in pretty bad condition and the dump station hose did not have a connection to allow me to flush the blackwater holding tank," reports a Morgan-Monroe visitor. Larger RVs may find limited options at some of the more rustic campgrounds.
