Ferdinand State Forest sits in southern Indiana's rolling hills at approximately 600 feet elevation. The forest's 7,500 acres contain numerous hiking trails through oak and hickory woodlands. Camping options near Ferdinand range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV campgrounds, with most facilities open from April through October when average temperatures range between 50-85°F.
What to do
Hiking through wooded terrain: Lincoln State Park offers well-maintained trails through scenic wooded areas. "Great campgound with nice wide spots... Awesome trails. Stop in at Jenk's Pizza in Dale for dinner. This park has the Lincoln boyhood memorial that is a must see," notes Keith M.
Fishing in quiet lakes: Indian-Celina Recreation Area provides good fishing opportunities in a peaceful setting. "Nice quiet and a Great Lake to go fishing," reports Tomas M. The recreation area features two lakes where you can fish for bass, bluegill and crappie.
Swimming at lake beaches: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas during summer months. "The beach is the main attraction to this area of Hoosier NF. A very nice set up on the shore of Tipsaw with sand to get in all those cracks and a play area for the kids," explains Shelly S. about Tipsaw Lake.
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Many campgrounds are peaceful during weekdays. "Camped Monday thru Friday, quite until Thursday. Filled up and noisy," shares Jerry R. about Patoka Lake Campground, noting the difference between weekday and weekend camping experiences.
Fall seasonal activities: Halloween-themed camping events are popular in the area. "We went to Lake Rudolph for their Halloweekends and it is a one of a kind experience. They have so many activities for the kids such as hayrides, a DJ, pumpkin carving, and so many other things throughout the day!" describes Ashley D.
Access to Holiday World: Some campers choose the area specifically for the theme park. "It's less than 10 miles away from Holiday World. I think a lot of theme park visitors camp here," explains Danielle M. about Lincoln State Park, making it a convenient base for day trips.
What you should know
Limited amenities at dispersed sites: Mitchell Creek Road dispersed camping areas offer minimal facilities. "Mitchell Creek Road in Hoosier National Forest, is just one small section of a road that runs along Mitchell Creek... The area was rather buggy, and to be honest a little sketchy," reports Tommy S., highlighting the primitive nature of these free camping options.
Varying toilet facilities: Bathroom quality differs between campgrounds. "The general use pit toilet was fragrant, old and in need of a good cleaning. There were newer facilities but seeing as it was right in the middle of the area you would think a little sprucing up would be in order," notes Shelly S. about Lincoln State Park.
Alcohol policies: Not all campgrounds allow alcohol consumption. Sycamore Springs Park has specific rules about this. "It's a very family oriented campground with more rules than many campgrounds, such as no alcohol. They want it to be kid friendly and not a party destination," explains Tonya C.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer extensive play areas for children. "Playgrounds everywhere. Nice big sites with full hookups in the newer section. We were able to go 'creeking' do trail walking, bike riding. Just a super neat little place. They even have a little village set up houses to play in!" shares Beth H. about Sycamore Springs Park.
Creek access for kids: Water features provide natural entertainment. "So much to do with the kids, from swimming in the creek, fishing, campfires, s'mores, fresh black topped roads, and such friendly staff. Clean bathrooms and showers, and beautiful places to visit also. Tons of playgrounds too spread throughout the campground," explains Cora P.
Pet-friendly water areas: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Ferdinand allow pets in designated water areas. "The dogs had fun here playing in the water along the ramp, not much shore to speak of," mentions Shelly S. about Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check campsite size details before booking. "The sites seemed short, but people were able to park very large rigs in them. Check the site dimensions before booking or call the office to make sure you'll fit," advises Cynthia K. about Lincoln State Park.
Dump station availability: Know where to find sanitation services. "4 dump stations at exit but still lines due to shear number of sites but things moved quickly," reports Kyle about Patoka Lake Campground, noting that despite multiple stations, waiting can still occur during busy periods.
Water fill locations: Some campgrounds have limited water access points. "Only waterfill location was at the camp store. Shower house was open and warm water was available," shares Kim C. about Patoka Lake, highlighting the importance of filling tanks before setting up at your site.
