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Best Campgrounds in Indiana

2,633 Reviews

Indiana offers a range of developed campgrounds across both state and national parks, with notable options like Turkey Run State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. Most established campgrounds provide amenities for both tent and RV camping, while several locations like Chain O' Lakes and Pokagon State Park also feature cabin accommodations. Many campgrounds maintain year-round operations, particularly those within the state park system where electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities are standard.

Reservations are strongly recommended for developed campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites often reach capacity. "Big spots for almost any type of camper," noted one visitor to Hoosier National Forest, though primitive camping areas typically have more limited facilities. Seasonal considerations affect water availability at some locations, with freezing temperatures potentially limiting services during winter months. Campers should verify which amenities remain operational during off-peak seasons, as shower facilities and water hookups may be winterized at certain campgrounds from November through March.

State parks consistently receive high ratings for their maintained facilities and natural surroundings. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground earned particularly strong reviews for its location near Lake Michigan, while more secluded options like dispersed sites in Hoosier National Forest appeal to those seeking quieter experiences. A review from The Dyrt described one primitive site as "more secluded than I was expecting," highlighting the availability of remote camping options even in a state not typically known for wilderness. Campground amenities vary significantly, with most state parks providing electric hookups, showers, and dump stations for RVs, while primitive sites typically offer more basic facilities with vault toilets and limited services. Travelers should note that alcohol policies differ between parks, with some locations prohibiting consumption and others allowing it within designated camping areas.

Best Camping Sites in Indiana (460)

    1. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    131 Reviews
    Beverly Shores, IN
    Website
    +1 (219) 395-1882

    $25 / night

    "There’s tons of trails to do along the lakeshore and none are really far from one another. I grew up in NWI so I didn’t camp in Indiana often but I did here and loved it!"

    "General: Dunewood campground is located within Indiana Dunes National Park, established in 2019 (The national seashore was established in the 1960s)."

    2. Turkey Run State Park Campground

    73 Reviews
    Marshall, IN
    Website
    +1 (765) 597-2635

    $20 - $52 / night

    "Turkey Run is arguably the most popular campground (and state park) in Indiana and has its pros and cons."

    "Much enjoyed hiking some of the trails at Turkey Run State Park near Marshall, Indiana. This is Indiana's 2nd oldest state park, now 100 years old (1916-2016)."

    3. Pokagon State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Angola, IN
    Website
    +1 (260) 833-2012

    $20 - $480 / night

    "Pokagon (po KAY gun) has everything from a toboggan run to a lodge to lakes all around...you cannot be bored here. Open year round (limited campgrounds and services in winter)."

    "There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!"

    4. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN
    Website
    +1 (219) 926-1952

    $50 / night

    "The most beautiful state park in Indiana IMO."

    "The campground although nearly full was relatively calm and quiet. Unlike the craziness of other Indiana state parks I have visited."

    5. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Albion, IN
    Website
    +1 (260) 636-2654

    $14 - $90 / night

    "Met up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by."

    "Chain O Lakes State Park, Albion Indiana. Northwest of Fort Wayne.  416 electric, nonelectric & primitive campsites. Water is available & 3 dumps.

     This was our 3rd time camping here."

    6. Potato Creek State Park Campground

    51 Reviews
    North Liberty, IN
    Website
    +1 (574) 656-8186

    $20 - $100 / night

    "I feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean."

    "Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust. Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."

    7. Clifty Falls State Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Madison, IN
    Website
    +1 (812) 273-8885

    $20 - $42 / night

    "If you live outside of Indiana you have to pay a $9 entrance fee on top of the campground reservation fee, which makes for a pricey weekend trip for those on a budget."

    "No sewer or water hookup as you would expect at most Indiana State Parks. The sites are extremely spacious and plenty of sites with shade."

    8. Charlestown State Park Campground

    38 Reviews
    Charlestown, IN
    Website
    +1 (812) 256-5600

    $40 - $50 / night

    "We biked throughout the park and hiked 4 of the trails, 3 of which were pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge. "

    "It's a fairly new park on the site that used to be the Indiana Ammunition Plant. Good-sized sites with a very helpful staff. I hiked trail 2 and found the waterfall and several other gorgeous views."

    9. Patoka Lake Campground

    37 Reviews
    Birdseye, IN
    Website
    +1 (812) 338-5589

    $14 - $52 / night

    "My Aunt loves their trips to Patoka Lake & I can relate as to why after this weekend. We went for a wedding at the marina & ended by a lovely cove."

    "Pick a site that has water near and you won’t have to unhook to fill your tanks. So many sites are in the shade all day and peaceful. Showers are spotless but fun on the push button system."

    10. Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area

    34 Reviews
    Rockville, IN
    Website
    +1 (765) 344-1412

    $14 - $62 / night

    "Raccoon State Recreation Area | Cecil M Harden Lake is located in the heart of historic covered bridge country just 50 miles West of Indianapolis."

    "There are multiple boat ramps for easy access to the water. I met a friend there who is a resident of Indianapolis and we had a great time on the water."

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Recent Reviews in Indiana

2633 Reviews of 460 Indiana Campgrounds

  • Kaley A.
    Oct. 17, 2026

    Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    We absolutely LOVED this park! It was hands down our favorite of this year. We camped at site 100 and it has a neighbor on one side and behind while the other side was a huge open space. It is in the center of a loop. It was mostly level. There was some minor doming to the site but not bad at all. It was a busy camp ground but not as crowded (sites not on top of each other) as some I’ve been in. The outsides of the loops did have more space between and privacy but could be smaller or more sloped, it just really depended. The bathrooms and showers were cleaner than some of the other state parks we have been to, so much so my 11 year old son mentioned it. The park itself is absolutely gorgeous. The hiking trails (which is what we usually go for) were nice but I believe that the biking trails were actually more scenic than the hiking trails and a lot more rugged. We liked trail 8 starting from the west lookout tower and stopping at Hesitation Point for lunch/break/bathroom. Trail 6 was also a pretty, rugged, shorter trail. The Nature Center was also nicer than a lot of the others we have been to in the state. We did choose to do horseback riding at the stables. We showed up about 5 minutes after opening and were able to pay and told to come back in an hour and 45 minutes. That didn’t bother us since we had the time but if you are on a tighter schedule, the earlier the better. We also went into Nashville and it was a very cute town to visit. Well decorated for Halloween, very walkable, and a little something for almost everyone. Prices were about what I would expect for a tourist town but not terrible. I also have T-Mobile and had pretty good service almost everywhere in the park.

  • JThe Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 15, 2026

    Ogala Horse Camp

    Little loop pull off with a stone fire pit in the middle. Walking trail goes down to a swampy pond.

  • Kevin M.
    Oct. 12, 2026

    Off The Trail Campground

    Great place for Jeeping

    Spent the weekend at a campground that’s a little different from the places we typically stay, and it was a fun change of pace!

    Off the Trail Campground in Attica, Indiana, is located on the same property as Badlands Off Road Park, home to a Jeep Badge of Honor trail. The park offers trails for Jeeps, dirt bikes, ATVs, and side-by-sides, with a huge variety of terrain to explore. From a rock quarry and river trails to tight, technical wooded trails and sand dunes, there’s something for just about every off-road enthusiast.

    For our stay, we booked a buddy site, which provides a large shared grassy area with a fire pit and multiple picnic tables. Each site has full hookups with 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer. The campground also has a nice office store and a very clean bathhouse with showers.

    One thing to keep in mind is that this campground is part of an active off-road park. There’s quite a bit of traffic, and you’ll hear loud vehicles throughout the day and into the evening. If you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful camping getaway, this might not be the best fit.

    However, if you’re a Jeep or 4x4 enthusiast, you’ll probably love it! It’s a lot of fun watching all the different rigs come and go, and the access to so much off-road terrain makes this campground a unique place to stay.

    Overall, it was a different kind of camping experience for us, but one that’s definitely worth considering if you enjoy off-roading!

  • RThe Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 12, 2026

    Burdette Park

    Not accommodating

    The site would not let us book a reservation. I called and spoke to someone in the main office. She said Tent sites were available and since the site was not working to check in with security when we got there. I asked how late they would be there, she said all night. We got there at 5 pm. No one was camping office. Plenty of tent sites available. We called explained the call from earlier. The lady transferred us to the security line. I then reexplained everything. The security officer told us to come back tomorrow when the office opened there was nothing we could do tonight. He told us we couldn’t stay the night even though we were told earlier we could. Very disappointed by the management of this place.

  • Heather T.The Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 11, 2026

    KOA Campground Middlebury

    Friendly (with a Broken Toilet)

    This was our first time camping in our 1991 Coachman Catalina RV with our two small dogs. We had site 50, which was close to a trail and not far from the bathrooms. The campers around us were very friendly. Our dogs were attempting to get used to not barking when they saw other dogs, but everyone was very understanding that it was our/their first time. The site was quiet and offers a few mini golf holes, gaga ball, some photo ops, and a pier. One of the toilets in the women’s restroom wasn’t refilling with water, so every time I went in there, I would fix it. The flusher handle was clearly broken, too. Otherwise, the bathroom accommodations were fine.

  • Nikolai P.
    Oct. 9, 2026

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Beautiful forest campground

    It was nice camping here. There is an asphalted road leading right to the campsites. The hot, adjustable showers are perfect. The sites are made of gravel paved with sand, which makes them perfectly flat. I liked that.

  • Mark T.The Dyrt Pro User
    Oct. 8, 2026

    Irwin City Park

    Nice little city park/campgound

    Clean paved sites, rigs under 35 feet will fit. Water and electricity 50/30 (water is in the ground.

  • Frank B.
    Sep. 30, 2026

    Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground

    Relaxing September Evening at Chain O' Lakes State Park

    I stayed one evening last Wednesday here, a first time for me.  Just tent camping / sleeping in the car.  There were other campers around enjoying the pleasant evening, mainly in RVs.  Everyone was very quiet and respectful.  The shower buildings are old fashioned with a common area to place clothes and a towel, and only a shower curtain for each individual shower.  However, I was the only one showering at the time anyway.  The shower area was state park clean, I guess.  Before leaving, I viewed the one room schoolhouse on the grounds, just from the windows as it wasn't open at the time.  Quaint and old school.  Overall, I recommend camping at the park if you can live with the shower building or have an RV for added convenience.

  • Ada R.The Dyrt Pro User
    Sep. 28, 2026

    Dunewood Campground

    Wooded NP campground

    Clean lighted bathrooms and hot showers. Very shady campground but not much privacy between sites. About a mile walk to the lakeshore.

Guide to Indiana

Camping in Indiana offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there's something for everyone in the Hoosier State.

What to do

  • Hiking and Trails: Many campgrounds, like Turkey Run State Park Campground, have great hiking trails. One reviewer mentioned, “Be prepared with hiking boots and sticks” for the moderate trails that can be challenging.
  • Fishing and Boating: At Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A camper noted, “The water was breathtaking and very calm even with all of the boat activity.”
  • Exploring Nature: Shades State Park Campground offers beautiful scenery. One visitor said, “The park is quite, shaded, rugged at times and the canyon/creek can be breathtaking.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Cecil M Harden Lake stated, “Bathhouse clean, plenty of showers, flush toilets.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds have roomy sites. One camper at Turkey Run State Park mentioned, “Large campground with spacious sites.”
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Prophetstown State Park are great for families. A reviewer said, “This park has it all. Multiple playgrounds for the kids, great hiking/biking trails.”

What you should know

  • Crowded on Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. One visitor at Paynetown Campground noted, “This is known in Indiana as a party park. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend.”
  • Limited Privacy: Some sites are close together, which can affect privacy. A camper at Turkey Run State Park mentioned, “Many sites are in an open, level area without a lot of trees or bushes between them.”
  • Variable Amenities: Not all campgrounds have the same facilities. A review for Shades State Park pointed out, “The vault toilets were dirty, needed to be emptied.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Prophetstown State Park has multiple playgrounds and a water park, making it ideal for kids.
  • Plan for Crowds: If you want a quieter experience, try to camp during the week. A reviewer at Paynetown Campground suggested, “If you like a quieter experience come Monday through Wed.”
  • Pack for Activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for added fun. One family at Summit Lake State Park enjoyed, “We took Kayaks and had a good time.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Some sites may have slopes that make parking tricky. A camper at Buffalo Ridge Campground warned, “Pay attention to your campsite for slope and camper accessibility.”
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. A reviewer at Prophetstown State Park said, “Book early, as these sites go fast!”
  • Be Mindful of Rules: Some campgrounds have strict rules about vehicle limits. A camper at Summit Lake State Park expressed frustration with the host's reminders about car limits.

Camping in Indiana has its quirks, but with the right preparation, you can have a great time exploring the outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Indiana for families?

Indiana offers excellent family-friendly camping options with activities for all ages. Burdette Park on the outskirts of Evansville provides both primitive tent sites and RV sites with electric and water hookups. Families appreciate the numerous nearby attractions and activities, with options for weekend stays or extended visits up to three months. Brown County State Park delivers a beautiful setting in southern Indiana's rolling hills with year-round camping (reduced winter services), hiking trails, mountain biking, and a seasonal outdoor pool. The park also features Abe Martin Lodge with additional amenities. Most family-friendly campgrounds in Indiana offer playgrounds, accessible trails, and ranger-led programs during peak season.

What are the most scenic camping sites in Indiana?

Charles C. Deam Wilderness represents one of Indiana's most beautiful natural settings with dispersed camping opportunities. Despite occasional storm damage affecting trail access, campers discover hidden sites while exploring this scenic wilderness area. Every dispersed camper should experience its natural beauty. Harmonie State Park Campground near New Harmony provides another picturesque camping destination with natural surroundings and scenic views. For dramatic landscapes, southern Indiana offers the most scenic camping with rolling hills, forests, and limestone features. Northern Indiana provides beautiful lake views and dunes landscapes. The most scenic campgrounds fill quickly during peak fall color season (mid-October), so reservations are highly recommended.

Where can I find lakeside camping in Indiana?

Indiana offers excellent lakeside camping options throughout the state. Tipsaw Lake provides a clean, well-maintained campground with helpful rangers and lake access perfect for water activities. First-time Indiana campers particularly enjoy this location. Paynetown Campground offers lakeside camping that provides an escape from city life while enjoying nature, though it can become crowded during peak seasons. Other notable lakeside options include Patoka Lake near Birdseye and Potato Creek State Park near North Liberty. Most lakeside campgrounds in Indiana provide boat ramps, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill months in advance.

Are there any private campgrounds in Indiana with full amenities?

Indiana offers several private campgrounds with comprehensive amenities. Michigan City Campground stands out with premium 90-foot pull-through sites featuring 50-amp service, water, sewer, cement patios, and exceptional WiFi. The gated facility provides excellent security and easy access to Michigan City attractions. Camp Timber Lake near Fort Wayne delivers full-service camping with immaculately maintained facilities and pet-friendly policies. Many private campgrounds in Indiana offer amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds, camp stores, and laundry facilities. Rates typically range from $35-75 per night depending on hookups and season, with most accepting reservations online or by phone several months in advance.

Keep Exploring

  5. View all Indiana cities for camping