Southern Indiana's camping options near English follow the natural contours of the Hoosier National Forest, with elevations ranging from 400 to 900 feet across the region. The area transitions between northern mixed hardwood and southern oak-hickory forests, creating diverse habitats for wildlife. Many campsites near English, Indiana remain accessible from early spring through late fall, with variable rainfall averaging 45 inches annually across the region.
What to do
Creek exploration: Sycamore Springs Park offers multiple creek access points where families can enjoy shallow water play. "So much to do with the kids, from swimming in the creek, fishing, campfires, s'mores, fresh black topped roads, and such friendly staff," notes camper Cora P. about this Sycamore Springs Park campsite near English.
Trail hiking: Tipsaw Lake features a 5.9-mile technical trail with rolling hills and complete tree coverage. "The trail is not difficult, it's hilly and technical, but an enjoyable excursion," reports Shelly S. The Tipsaw Lake trail winds around the lake and through forested areas, offering views of rock formations and small streams.
Cave exploration: Marengo Cave provides underground tours just a short drive from many camping areas. "I was really surprised that in my 30 years of living in Indiana, I had never been to Marengo Cave. It's both great for kids and adults," writes Tiffany T. about this nearby attraction. The cave maintains a constant 52°F temperature year-round, providing a cool retreat during summer camping trips.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer more secluded camping experiences than others. At Indian-Celina Recreation Area, Debra W. found that "Most of the sites are rather private from each other. The bathrooms were very clean, even the vault toilets, and had the best TP in them." This makes Indian-Celina a good option for campers seeking more separation from neighbors.
Multiple playgrounds: Families appreciate the abundance of child-friendly areas at some campgrounds. Beth H. says about Sycamore Springs Park, "Playgrounds everywhere. Nice big sites with full hookups in the newer section. Price is very nominal for the amenities in my opinion." The campground features several playground structures distributed throughout the property.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and shower facilities receive consistent mentions across reviews. At O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground, a recent visitor noted the campground has "clean restrooms. great nature center w ranger tours. several hiking trails w various difficulties." Most established campgrounds in the area maintain regular cleaning schedules for facilities.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many camping areas near English have spotty or non-existent cell coverage. At Marengo Cave Campgrounds, Lisa D. reports "No cell service," while at Patoka Lake Campground Kyle notes, "Cell service was poor. (T-Mobile 0-1 bar LTE, AT&T 1-2 bars LTE, but NO internet service when things get busy Thursday to Sunday afternoon)."
Water access varies: Not all sites offer water hookups or convenient water sources. At Patoka Lake Campground, amanda V. advises, "It's worth noting that there are no water hookups, so remember to fill your tank before arriving at your site." Similarly, at Tipsaw Lake, campsites have "electric but no water, but the water was just across the road at a shelter."
Reservation needs: Popular sites fill quickly during peak seasons. Kim C. stayed at Patoka Lake "the first full week of April. Only waterfill location was at the camp store. Shower house was open and warm water was available." Weekdays typically offer more availability than weekends throughout the camping season.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly play areas: Beyond playgrounds, some campgrounds offer unique recreational features. Tonya C. says Happy Hollow Homestead has "a village of playhouses for the kids, an awesome stairway and walkway on a cliff," making it especially appealing for families with young children. The tree web at Happy Hollow provides a distinctive play experience 15 feet above ground.
Swimming options: Lakes and creeks provide natural swimming areas with varying amenities. Kyle reports Patoka Lake has "a beach of sorts with rocky sand but good enough for a dip. Showers at the beach are … ok. Gang showers (men and women) so more for just rinsing off." Water levels can fluctuate based on rainfall and time of year.
Alcohol restrictions: Some family-oriented campgrounds prohibit alcohol. Tonya C. explains that Sycamore Springs Park has "more rules than many campgrounds, such as no alcohol. They want it to be kid friendly and not a party destination." Check individual campground policies before packing coolers.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Many campgrounds have limitations on RV size. At Youngs Creek Horse Camp, Susan A. reports, "We have camped there in a truck camper, and now we tent camp with our Jeep. The sites are large, and there are fire rings available." RVers should check site specifications before booking, particularly for larger rigs.
Hookup availability: Electric service varies across campgrounds. Bran P. found that Tipsaw Lake has "Paved roads with sloped, hard packed sites having W/E (50A)," which provides reliable power for RV appliances. However, many forest service campgrounds offer only basic or no hookups.
Dump station locations: RVers need to plan for waste disposal. Kyle notes that Patoka Lake has "4 dump stations at exit but still lines due to shear number of sites but things moved quickly." Some smaller campgrounds may require driving to nearby facilities for dumping tanks.
