Best Dog-Friendly Camping near English, IN

Sycamore Springs Park accommodates pets across its diverse camping options including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and cabins. The well-maintained grounds feature multiple walking paths where leashed dogs can explore alongside their owners while enjoying the park's numerous recreational areas. All pets must remain leashed when outside camping units, with designated pet waste stations throughout the grounds. Marengo Cave Campgrounds permits small pets and even allows them inside the cave tours if carried in pet backpacks. Happy Hollow Homestead offers spacious, level sites where pets can enjoy the wide-open forest setting without concerns about ticks or mosquitoes. Most campgrounds limit pets to 2-3 animals per site with proper vaccination records required. The bathrooms remain consistently clean across most pet-friendly locations, though facilities at some campgrounds may occasionally have maintenance issues.

Multiple creek access points provide opportunities for dogs to cool off during summer camping trips. Little Blue Creek at Sycamore Springs offers shallow areas where pets can wade safely while their owners fish or relax nearby. Several hiking trails accommodate leashed pets throughout the forested areas, with varying difficulty levels suitable for different dog abilities and energy levels. The tree-shaded campsites help keep pets comfortable during hot weather, with many sites positioned to catch cooling breezes. Owners should pack extra water containers specifically for pets, as summer temperatures can reach the high 80s. Wildlife encounters are possible, so keeping pets secure during quiet evening hours is essential. The rural setting means limited cell service at most campgrounds, making it advisable to locate the nearest veterinary services in advance—the closest full-service animal hospital is approximately 20 minutes away in Paoli.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near English, Indiana (93)

    1. Patoka Lake Campground

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

    $14 - $45 / night

    "Only waterfill location was at the camp store. Shower house was open and warm water was available. Big DNR presence and staff was friendly and helpful. Quiet campground wasn’t many occupants."

    "Patoka has always had a hype about it for years; big lake, tons of boats, and fishing. This was our first trip here. We stayed in the Fishermans Primitive Campground."

    2. Sycamore Springs Park

    17 Reviews
    English, IN
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 338-3846

    "We were right at the lake edge. The campsite had electric but no water, but the water was just across the road at a shelter."

    "There is a fishing lake and a small river to fish in or wade and swim in. There is a miniature village for the kids along with 20 playgrounds in the campground."

    3. Indian-Celina Recreation Area

    20 Reviews
    Saint Croix, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 843-4880

    $24 - $52 / night

    "This was a very quiet campsite in southern Indiana. We had a hard time finding dispered camping in the national Forest so we settled for this site."

    "Indian Lake is co-located with Celina Lake and two campground. Once you turn off of IN37 you just keep straight to get to Indian Lake."

    4. O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Leavenworth, IN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 738-8232

    $23 - $496 / night

    "There is also no sewer hookup at the site which I assumed was wrong, because I have never been to an Indiana state park with sewer hookup on site."

    "The campground is near the trail to the old abandoned bridge which is well worth the hike. The fire tower has a commanding view."

    5. Marengo Cave Campgrounds

    8 Reviews
    English, IN
    7 miles
    Website

    $27 / night

    "The spots are just near and walking distance from the caves and other attractions."

    "Camp store, cave tours, gift shop, and other pay activities are within steps of camping, but only open until 5:00. No security or staff at all after hours."

    6. Happy Hollow Homestead

    5 Reviews
    English, IN
    7 miles
    Website

    $40 - $65 / night

    "The drive to this property is very easy and we had no trouble finding it. However, there is not a sign for the campground, so just follow your gps."

    7. Youngs Creek Horse Camp

    8 Reviews
    Paoli, IN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 547-7051

    "We camp here every time we come to Indiana. 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."

    "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."

    8. Buzzard Roost Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    12 Reviews
    Leopold, IN
    15 miles
    +1 (812) 547-7051

    "It used to have a sweet little walk in spot down the bouldering trail that looked over the river. Now it is overgrown and you can't get back there."

    "There actually wasn’t any camp grounds open when we got there but we were so exhausted from the drive and it was 4am so we parking at the trail head and got a 3 hour nap in."

    9. Tipsaw Lake

    10 Reviews
    Leopold, IN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 843-4891

    $24 - $80 / night

    "This was my first time camping in Indiana and it did not let me down!"

    "Located in the beautiful rolling hills of southern Indiana not far from I-64 (exit 79)."

    10. Newton Stewart State Rec Area - Patoka Lake

    4 Reviews
    Birdseye, IN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 685-2464

    "This SRA is right on Patoka Lake, so there's plenty to do on the water - boating, fishing, floating cabins, beaches. There's also a disc golf course, archery range, and plenty of paved & dirt trails."

    "Beautiful campground and lake. Quiet and very well maintained facilities."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 93 campgrounds

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near English, IN

662 Reviews of 93 English Campgrounds


  • C
    Jul. 9, 2019

    Louisville South KOA

    Nice

    There was lots to do at this KOA. There was corn hole, ladder ball, pool, walking trails, access to the river, cat fish pond, small dog park, and washers & dryers. You could bring your RV, travel trailer, tent camp, or rent a cabin. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. The spots were close together. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The park was clean and well maintained.

  • L
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Tipsaw Lake

    Great Camp Spot for Families

    Besides picking the only weekend where the camp had plumbing issues… my 4 year old daughter and I loved this place. This was my first time camping in Indiana and it did not let me down! The rangers were very nice and was pleased to answer any of my questions, the lake and bathrooms were clean and the place was nice and quiet. I’ll be back again.

  • L
    Jul. 11, 2021

    Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph

    Fun family campground

    This is a great location near the lake, dog park and community center and has excellent internet access.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2024

    Louisville South KOA

    Great place to stay

    The staff are super helpful. The site we had was for a 38’ RV. Full hookups, dog park, lots of places to walk, even trails. We had a great stay here and will most likely come back next time we’re near Louisville.

  • Kelsie E.
    Oct. 16, 2021

    Buffalo Trace Park

    Great lake view

    The sites are well-spaced and there’s a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc. Disc golf is the big activity at this park. Awesome walking path and a petting zoo. The park is exceptionally clean. Sites on the lake view side are noisy due to traffic on the highway.

  • s
    Aug. 20, 2022

    Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA

    Still developing

    Owners are fantastic. They will get to a 5 as they continue their hard work making it an awesome place. New owners took over 4 months ago. They have many activities (was yogi bear till it was sold) put put, bowling, chess, volleyball, fishing. Dog park, Play ground was nicely done. Lake has lots of algae. Pool is brand new. It is by highway however, that did not bother us personally. I will visit again and would consider seasonal. Service id rate them a 5. Wonderful people and the place as much potential.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 1, 2026

    Bourbon Springs RV Resort

    New Campground with a Lot of Promise

    We received an information email the day before prior to arrival with general info and wifi password plus how to pre check in. The morning of arrival, we received another email with specific instructions to not trust GPS and follow their instructions. Our Trip Wizard and Waze GPS instructions actually brought us right to the campground  (CG). Since we had pre checked in, we were instructed in the directions email to go directly to deluxe pull-through site 78, where our welcome package would be in the electrical box. The site was plenty long enough for our 40’ toy hauler and F450. Not sure why this is a deluxe site as its gravel with a picnic table and portable fire pit? The utilities were more towards the front of the pad with no issues reaching the connections. It was a nice touch to see a small cement circle pad on the sewer connection. This is a new CG, so amenities like the laundry and gift shop were not opened yet. Water pressure was good. We got 4 bars on Verizon and 3 bars 5G on T-Mobile. We used our T-Mobile Internet versus Starlink. It would not have been an issue to use satellite as there are no mature trees in the campground. They have one large(about 1/4 acre) fenced dog area. The dog park slopes down a hill and connects with a fence that goes around the property. Do not throw small balls down the hill as they can go through the fence and there’s no way to recover the ball due to no openings/gates near by to get to the back of the dog park. There’s also a smaller fenced dog area near the front of the CG. Great customer service before and during our stay.

  • J
    May. 14, 2022

    Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA

    New Name “Camp Raintree Lake”

    Gorgeous property with such kind and friendly owners. New owners that are making improvements to the property but it is so nice already.

    The lake is GORGEOUS. Sites have mature trees, variety of singing birds. Really nice stay here as we were passing through. There is a sand volleyball net, gah gah ball, dog park, playground, mini golf (not ready for summer yet), and a new pool soon (concrete poured the other day).

    Campground is a few miles from interstate and right off the highway so some highway noise but still a great picturesque place.

    We will definitely stay here again if we are in the area .

  • j
    Oct. 4, 2024

    Love's RV Hookup-Leavenworth IN 839

    Last minute

    Rest stops leading up to this RV spot were under construction. This was a last minute decision. It was late and I didn’t want to drive in the dark anymore. The price is HIGH. With discounts for goodsam and loves connect it was $50/night for 30 amp. The dog park at this loves is very nice and the spaces are okay. But it’s loud all night because it’s a truck stop. I like the idea of this for loves but the price needs to reflect it. $25/night. No one is staying longer than that and it’s a better deal.


Guide to English

Pet friendly camping options near English, Indiana include multiple sites where dogs can enjoy the outdoors alongside their owners. The surrounding Hoosier National Forest region sits at elevations between 400-800 feet with rolling hills and limestone formations creating diverse terrain. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions and fewer insects.

What to do

Trail exploration with pets: At O'Bannon Woods State Park, leashed dogs can join on several hiking trails offering varying difficulty levels. As reviewer Kyle notes, "The hiking trails were amazing, the scenery was breathtaking," while adding there are "several hiking trails with various difficulties."

Cave tours with small pets: Marengo Cave Campgrounds allows small pets on their cave tours when carried in special backpacks. Sofia A. reports, "You can bring small pets inside the cave if you carry them all time. I have a small zuchon and carry her in a doggy backpack 🎒 she loved it!"

Creek wading for dogs: Little Blue Creek provides shallow areas where dogs can safely wade. "We went for creeking, trail walking, bike riding. Just a super neat little place," explains Beth H. about her experience at Sycamore Springs, mentioning the free firewood that makes evening campfires with pets convenient.

What campers like

Clean shower facilities: Happy Hollow Homestead maintains well-kept bathroom and shower facilities that campers consistently praise. Aspen B. reports, "The forest is beautiful and we had no problems with ticks or mosquitoes while sleeping in our hammocks," noting the property feels "safe and perfect for relaxation in the woods."

Multiple playgrounds for families with pets: Families appreciate the numerous play areas that accommodate both children and pets. "Tons of playgrounds too spread throughout the campground," mentions Cora P. about Sycamore Springs Park, adding that there are "so much to do with the kids, from swimming in the creek, fishing, campfires, s'mores."

Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer generously sized sites where dogs have room to relax without crowding. John R. describes Sycamore Springs as having "beautiful wide open property! Kids can ride bikes all day long, splash in the creeks, and play on the multitude of playground equipment," while noting the "very clean restrooms, sites, and trash cans provided throughout grounds."

What you should know

Pet restrictions vary: While most campgrounds welcome pets, specific rules differ between locations. At Sycamore Springs, pets must remain leashed in common areas, while Marengo Cave permits small animals on tours if properly contained.

Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal changes affecting pet comfort. Barry B. from Sycamore Springs Park reports, "We tent camped and it was fantastic. We were right at the lake edge," mentioning his Golden Retriever "loved the camp and the lake."

Limited cellular service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception, which can impact emergency veterinary access. Kyle reports at Patoka Lake, "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)," making it advisable to research nearby veterinary options beforehand.

Tips for camping with families

Multiple recreation options: Families appreciate campgrounds with diverse activities for all ages. Sarah J. noted at Marengo Cave that "They have a small cafe that sells the usual hot dogs, chips, soda and the sort. They also have a larger open air pavilion that they provide yard games like, cornhole, horseshoes, and other games."

Safety considerations: Some locations require extra vigilance with pets and children. According to amanda V. at Patoka Lake, "It's important to exercise caution due to the high volume of boats in and out of the campground. Parents with small children should be especially vigilant, as vehicles towing trailers with boats are constantly coming and going."

Budget-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer complimentary features that enhance family camping. Tonya C. mentions that Young's Creek Horse Camp has "gravel platform for pitching a tent" and "clean bathrooms with flush toilets and sinks which were nice," making it comfortable for families on a budget.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for privacy: RV campers recommend specific loops or areas for more secluded experiences with pets. At Patoka Lake, Kyle advises, "Tons of sites and all different types (secluded, group, field, lake access, lake view, etc.) Sites were clean and in working order with 30A service."

Dump station logistics: RVers with pets should plan for dump station wait times at busy periods. Kyle notes at Patoka Lake, "4 dump stations at exit but still lines due to shear number of sites but things moved quickly," suggesting mid-week departures when possible.

Water hookup variations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups, requiring advance planning. Derek J. from O'Bannon Woods notes, "There was no water at the site though. Throughout the campground are potable water spigots that you can hook up to and add water to your tank," important information for RVers traveling with pets who need consistent water access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near English, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near English, IN is Patoka Lake Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 37 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near English, IN?

TheDyrt.com has all 93 dog-friendly camping locations near English, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.