Mark T.
Scout
ScoutIrwin 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.
Camping near Martinsville, IN
115 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Martinsville, Indiana offers camping options within a 30-mile radius that range from primitive to full-service amenities. Morgan-Monroe State Forest, less than 10 miles from Martinsville, provides year-round tent camping at Oak Ridge Camping Area with basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Other notable campgrounds include Yellowwood State Forest, Lieber State Recreation Area, and Brown County State Park, which offer a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations depending on the location.
Seasonal availability varies across campgrounds, with most state forest and recreation areas open year-round while private campgrounds like Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground operate from May through November. Primitive camping areas often use a self-registration system where campers select a site first and then pay at a central location with exact change. Water access points are available at most established campgrounds, though electric hookups are limited to larger recreation areas and private facilities. As one camper noted about Morgan-Monroe State Forest, "This campground is decent if you get one of the few good spots. Many sites are small and can only accommodate a tent. Has water and vault toilets."
Campground reviews consistently highlight the seclusion and natural setting of state forest camping areas around Martinsville. Oak Ridge Camping Area receives praise for its quieter atmosphere compared to larger state parks, with visitors appreciating the lack of overcrowding. Several campers mentioned the hiking opportunities, particularly at Morgan-Monroe State Forest which connects to an extensive trail system. The region's campgrounds typically offer varying terrain, with some sites featuring level ground suitable for RVs while others are better suited for tent camping on slopes. One reviewer described Morgan-Monroe as "a very off the beaten trail clearing that's the very minimum of a campsite. But because of this, not many people are there so it's super quiet and not busy!"
Best Campgrounds near Martinsville (115)
1. Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest
"This is probably the best state forest in the state of Indiana. The property is well maintained. There is a new visitors center built a few years ago."
"Site 13 has a little trail that goes down to a large flooded sinkhole behind the campsite. There were lots of tree frogs singing because of the proximity to water."
from $25 - $55 / night
Check Availability2. Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
"We have visited Nashville Indiana several times but this is our first time camping nearby. My wife loves to visit Nashville and all the little shops they offer."
"It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view. Driving through the campground it looks like there are some sites pretty close together but ours wasn’t too bad."
from $20 - $43 / night
Check Availability3. Yellowwood State Forest
"Peaceful little place but unfortunately it rained but we made the best of it, there’s some secluded spots where you can stay away from others or stay in the more general areas, nice lake to fish and we"
"Drive up, select your site, and then go to the park office to pay using a self-pay envelope. Bring exact change(cash). Current prices are listed on the Indiana DNR website."
from $225 / night
Check Availability4. Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
"This is a beautiful State Park situated in the rolling hills of southern Indiana."
"I make multiple visits here every year, mainly for the mountain bike trails. There are almost 30 miles of trails inside the park with new trails every year for the past 3+ years."
from $43 / night
Check Availability5. Paynetown Campground
"It's a bittersweet type of situation."
"This is one of the largest campgrounds in all of Indiana. It includes hundreds of campsites. This includes RV hookups, standard campsites, and primitive campsites."
from $23 - $52 / night
Check Availability6. Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground
"Bathrooms very far walk from campsites. Showers are pay only. Difficult to navigate/find your camp without a map."
"This is the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Music Park & Campground near Nashville, IN. Very nice facility with nice stage for events."
from $12 - $38 / night
Check Availability7. 3-Point Lake Campgrounds
"There is a laundry room with a small library, bath house, and a nice short trail, with a game of horseshoes."
8. Sky Smith
"Cagles Mill Lake borders the southwestern side of the area. We arrived to a very quiet campground with few campers."
"Each campsite is spacious and has plenty of space away from your neighbors. There was plenty of shade even though our pad wasn't tucked back in the woods."
from $23 - $42 / night
Check Availability9. Brown County-Nashville KOA
"If coming from the north-west, try to arrive before dark as the road over the hills to this place is beautiful, but narrow and forested with some trees very close to the roadway."
"And the town of Nashville Indiana is about 10 minutes away with lots of neat shops and food. We had a great time."
10. Johnson County Park
"The park is 622 acres that include two campgrounds, approximately 5 miles of hiking trails, equestrian school, 18 hole disc golf course, shelter houses, amphitheater, lakes, fishing and more."
"We have camped here twice, we needed to be as close to Trafalgar Indiana as possible, not many camping options in the local area."
Drive Time
- 15 min from Bloomington, IN
- 33 min from Indianapolis, IN
- 50 min from Columbus, IN
- 1 hr 10 min from Terre Haute, IN
Recent Camping Photos near Martinsville, IN
202 Photos of 115 Martinsville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State ForestG
Vera's Vintage Campers - Temporarily CLOSED
Hoosiers On The Ridge
Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground
Yellowwood State ForestF
Mccormick's Creek State Park Campground
Brown County-Nashville KOA
Johnson County ParkJ
Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State ParkS
Friends O' Mine Campground & CabinsN
Raccoon Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
Recent Reviews near Martinsville, IN
660 Reviews of 115 Martinsville Campgrounds
Greta H.
TravelerTerre Haute Campground
Such a fun magical spot with kiddos
We were only here for one night as we are passing through, however we loved this little spot. They have so much fun and activities for the kiddos in addition to a little ice cream parlor and pizza shop. We loved it!
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.
LegendBill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground
Fun Event Location
We stayed for the weekend during a Campout event. Lots of fun seeing all of our camping buddies. I don’t think we would camp here otherwise as it isn’t really our type of camping. Sites are close together, so don’t expect privacy. Porta potties had not been serviced from their previous event… needless to say, it was foul. The country music museum was pretty cool. The guide was very knowledgeable!
- TTanner P.Traveler
Hawthorne Park campground
Nice camp
A bunch of shade and nice staff
- SkywaystoHighways.com Y.Legend
Shades State Park Campground
Nice, but….
Nice halfway point for our road trip to Door County. We stayed here the week after Labor Day. Not sure if park staff had enough time to clean the grounds after the busy holiday weekend… There was a disappointing amount of litter at our site. We had remove the various cans, plastic bottles and ice pack out of our fire ring and the surrounding wooded area was full of more of the same including a full trash bag of garbage. And speaking of full… the pit toilets…There’s a $15 out of state fee above the $25 p/night charge. There’s only one shower for the park so be prepared. The amount of gnats and mosquitoes had us running for cover. The staff we encountered here, we’re cordial and friendly.
- Jason
GuideCamp Atterbury Campground
Host is great, park is nice, MWR needs help
Great place to stay. Full hook ups, about 90 percent level sites. 33 RV sites and 3 or 4 primitive camp sites. The main bathhouse is pretty clean, included laundry, and a great host and hostess (Mark and Denise). The only bad is the price hikes here. One would think MWR would throw money towards some things...like a dog park, some leveling, lights at the kids playground, and MWR sponsored and paid for holiday parties/outings for vets, retirees, and all the active here on base. But nope, just collecting revenue without any beanies. Anyway, the host keeps it grounded.
- OOwen L.Scout
Hoosier Dispersed Camping
Ticks Ahoy !
This is not great camping . There are paved roads and private property all throughout the majority of the “National Forest” and “Wilderness”. People speed down these roads at 40mph in the middle of the night . The campsites are littered with glass and trash . As we were driving out , we passed a campfire that was not extinguished properly . It is clear that the local communities do not maintain or respect this land .
Also - there are ticks , beware
Dan L.TravelerCecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
Site 293, Raccoon Lake (Cecil M. Harden Lake), IN
50A service, no water or sewer at the site. Fill your fresh tank on the way in. There’s a dump station on the property, so emptying on the way out is easy.
Site is mostly level with partial shade. The approach is the one thing to watch: 293 isn’t angled off the road, so it’s a tighter back-in than most. We’re towing a 33’ Airstream Classic and made it first try with no issues, so bigger rigs can absolutely get in here. Just take it slow. Once parked, there’s plenty of room, and the spacing between sites is better than most state park campgrounds we’ve stayed in. Bathhouse is only a few sites down.
Cell signal ran about 2 bars. We’re on Starlink so it didn’t matter, but plan accordingly if you work from the road.
Park staff are the highlight. Stephanie checked us in and could not have been more accommodating. Friendly, quick, genuinely helpful.
Grace M.Scout3-Point Lake Campgrounds
Very nice campground.
The staff here is very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Each site has water hookups as well as a firepit, electric and sewage. There is a laundry room with a small library, bath house, and a nice short trail, with a game of horseshoes. Unfortunately no more swimming or kayaking in the lake but there are other parks in the area to do so. Very peaceful back in the woods, would definitely stay here again!
Guide to Martinsville
Camping options near Martinsville, Indiana extend beyond the immediate area into the rolling hills of south-central Indiana, where elevations range from 600 to 900 feet above sea level. Campers can access sites within the 23,326-acre Yellowwood State Forest or explore options in the Hoosier National Forest. Self-registration systems remain common at forest campgrounds with drop boxes requiring exact cash payment.
What to do
Swimming and beach access: Hardin Ridge on Lake Monroe provides dedicated beach areas where families can enjoy lake activities. "This campground is on the south side of Monroe lake and has beach access. I tent camped solo and everything went great!" reports Christine C.
Boat rentals and fishing: At Yellowwood State Forest, campers can rent rowboats to explore the 133-acre lake. "We have also had lots of fun renting a rowboat, and being out on the water," shares Margo B. The forest office offers boat and kayak rentals, with the lake known for good fishing opportunities.
Cycling opportunities: The terrain around Brown County-Nashville KOA offers excellent conditions for biking, particularly along paved roads connecting to trail systems. "Plenty of trails and awesome lookout points. The lakes aren't bad for fishing and kayaking too!" writes Desiree R., highlighting the multiple activities available within a short distance.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Many campers value the privacy found at less-developed sites. "Yellowwood State Forest campground does not accept reservations. It is first come, first served. Drive up, select your site, and then go to the park office to pay using a self-pay envelope," explains Daisy C. "The only time we have ever seen the campground busy is over big holiday weekends like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and 4th of July. Otherwise use is light."
Clean facilities: Lieber State Recreation Area maintains well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. "Stayed at Poplar Grove Electric campground. We were there for two nights. We were grateful StarLink worked well. Husband was able to take his gravel bike out for a nice ride after work and I got in a nice little walk," notes Shirley M.
Winter camping options: Unlike some seasonal sites, several forest campgrounds maintain year-round access. Deb T. comments about Hardin Ridge: "Late fall, winter, and early spring when the nights are a little chilly, you may have the whole place to yourself, unlike Brown County State Park, where there will likely still be some campers scattered about."
What you should know
Primitive conditions: Most state forest sites offer minimal amenities. "It costs $13 now. Well maintained though. Plenty of bathrooms and campsites," says Phil about Yellowwood State Forest. Vault toilets rather than flush toilets are standard at most forest campgrounds.
Site selection strategies: At Buffalo Ridge Campground, site locations vary significantly in terms of shade and access. "Negatives include no beaches or water sports for such a large park, no WIFI (unplug and enjoy!) and lack of shade on up front sites," notes Frank M. Many campgrounds have drive-through sites for easier access, but they tend to fill quickly.
Reservation requirements: Forest campgrounds typically operate first-come, first-served while state parks require advance booking. "You can reserve sites, or some are first come first served," explains Cynthia K. about Hardin Ridge. During peak season (May-October), arriving mid-week improves chances for walk-in availability.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Taylor Ridge Campground offers designated play areas for children near camping loops. "This is our go-to when we want a fun weekend, but don't want to go far. The campgrounds are gorgeous, with lots of shady spots, and some awesome trails, including two around the two lakes in the park," shares Chris W.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds feature nature centers with interpretive programming. "The nature center is really fun with animals and a bee hive that the children really enjoyed! There are a lot of diverse hiking trails for all," reports Jessie W. about Taylor Ridge.
Beach alternatives: Some families prefer pool facilities over natural swimming areas. "Skip the lake and enjoy the pool. Very flat and ideal for bike riding," suggests Amy C. about Lieber State Recreation Area, noting the recreation area's maintained swimming pool as an alternative to lake swimming.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites in the region require significant leveling for RVs. "We were in the full-hookup, back-in RV sites connected with the cabins. Pads are gravel and we did need to use several leveling blocks on our site, which made for a doosey of a bottom step into and out of our trailer," explains GP about Brown County-Nashville KOA.
Size limitations: Forest campgrounds typically accommodate smaller RVs only. "I would not recommend for larger units as most sites are small and unlevel and may challenge your maneuvering skills!" advises Stephen & Theresa B. about Yellowwood State Forest. RVs over 25 feet often have difficulty navigating the narrow forest roads.
Dump station access: Limited dump facilities mean planning ahead. "The dump station hose did not have a connection to allow me to flush the blackwater holding tank," notes Don N. about Oak Ridge Camping Area. Most state forest campgrounds offer only a basic dump station without fresh water flush connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available near Martinsville, Indiana?
What campgrounds are available near Martinsville, Indiana?
Several excellent campgrounds surround Martinsville, Indiana. Lieber State Recreation Area Campground offers peaceful sites with electric hookups and access to Cagles Mill Lake, located west of Martinsville. Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest provides a more rustic experience with water and toilets just north of town. Brown County State Park, approximately 30 minutes southeast, offers multiple campgrounds with hundreds of sites. For those seeking wilderness camping, both Yellowwood State Forest and Charles C. Deam Wilderness provide more primitive options within a reasonable drive.
Are there tent camping options close to Martinsville?
Are there tent camping options close to Martinsville?
Tent campers have several excellent options near Martinsville. Yellowwood State Forest offers 79 primitive campsites in a beautiful setting with rolling hills and fall foliage displays, located about 30 minutes southeast. Charles C. Deam Wilderness provides dispersed tent camping opportunities with several hidden sites perfect for those seeking solitude. For a more developed experience with amenities, Paynetown Campground at Lake Monroe offers tent sites with access to water recreation. Most of these areas are particularly beautiful during fall when southern Indiana's hills display vibrant colors.
Can I rent an RV in Martinsville, Indiana for camping trips?
Can I rent an RV in Martinsville, Indiana for camping trips?
While Martinsville itself has limited RV rental options, several RV rental services operate in the greater Indianapolis area, about 30-40 minutes north. These businesses typically offer various sizes of motorhomes and travel trailers that can be delivered to nearby campgrounds like Brown County State Park, which features over 250 sites with electric hookups and can accommodate larger RVs. Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground near Morgantown is another big-rig friendly option. For RV rentals, check Indianapolis-based companies or nationwide platforms that offer peer-to-peer RV rentals with delivery options.
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