Camping spots near Floyds Knobs, Indiana sit at the edge of the Knobstone Escarpment, where the terrain rises dramatically from the Ohio River floodplain to heights of 400-600 feet. The region experiences humid summer temperatures averaging in the high 80s, while winter camping typically sees lows in the 20s. Road access varies significantly between established campgrounds and the more remote backcountry sites.
What to do
Hiking the rugged trails: Knobstone Trail offers challenging terrain with significant elevation changes. One hiker noted, "The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail and creek beds."
Historical exploration: Charlestown State Park Campground features the Rose Island Trail with remnants of a 1920s amusement park. A visitor remarked, "Enjoyed rose island trail lots of cool history to learn. Also enjoyed trail 6 with the waterfalls."
Disc golf courses: Buffalo Trace Park provides a popular course that attracts players from across the region. As one camper observed, "Disc golf is the big activity at this park. Awesome walking path and a petting zoo."
What campers like
Accessible water recreation: Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground offers a no-wake lake ideal for beginners. A camper shared, "Perfect lake to kayak for a beginner bc no wake zone also the cabins are cool and cozy just bring a mattress."
Well-maintained bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds prioritize clean facilities. At Deam Lake, a visitor noted, "The Cardinal Cabin. Tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink."
Spacious sites with privacy: Jefferson County Memorial Forest offers secluded camping despite its proximity to Louisville. A camper observed, "The camp sites are all wooded and primitive, preserving the peaceful serenity of such a beautiful and heavily forested area."
What you should know
Elevation challenges: Many sites require preparation for uneven terrain. At Buffalo Trace Park, one camper advised, "Make sure you have plenty of leveling blocks. We used all of ours and was not level."
Seasonal closures and water access: Facilities change seasonally at most campgrounds. A visitor at Deam Lake reported, "Being the first weekend in April, the water wasn't turned on so there were no modern restrooms/shower houses available."
Urban noise factors: Louisville North Campground sits near railway lines that operate throughout the night. A camper warned, "The trains. All night, every night. I'm a heavy sleeper and it sounded like the trains were going to crash into our RV and we were across the row from them."
Tick prevalence: The humid climate creates favorable conditions for ticks, particularly in spring and summer. At O'Bannon Woods State Park, a visitor cautioned, "Ticks were REALLY bad. Maybe the season, maybe the area, not sure."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife encounters: The region offers educational opportunities through nature centers. At O'Bannon Woods, a visitor commented, "Nature Center was basic but well prepared with critters and educational items. Everything except the nature center was reachable via bikes."
Swimming options: Look for dedicated beach areas with designated swim zones. A camper at Buffalo Trace Park mentioned, "The campground is made for smaller sizes but we were able to negotiate the main ring road with our 37' travel trailer. The lake was beautiful and the park was well maintained."
Playground locations: Add-More Campground offers limited recreational facilities for children. One camper noted, "Great camp hosts but it is more of a stop on your way to a campground."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer interpretive programs during peak season. At Jefferson Memorial Forest, a visitor shared, "You are literally ten minutes from anything you want or need. Once you get to the top of the hill you are far removed from the noise, hustle and bustle of city/suburb living."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and limitations: RVs require careful consideration of site specifications. At Louisville North, a camper with a large rig reported, "We have a 41' Class A towing and I don't think we would fit of any bigger. Someone else said that you have to be skilled to drive here..and they were right!!"
Hookup variations: Electric, water and sewer connections differ significantly between campgrounds. At O'Bannon Woods State Park, a visitor clarified, "The sites have an asphalt pad that are mostly level. 50,30,20 amp service in one box. There was no water at the site though. Throughout the campground are potable water spigots."
Leveling requirements: Many sites require substantial leveling equipment. At Buffalo Trace, a camper advised, "Wished the beach, paddle boats, and petting zoo was open... Still had a great time. We will surely come back next year when everything is open!! Had 30 and 50 amp service with water hookups and a dump station at the exit."
