Tent camping around Floyds Knobs, Indiana offers access to the rolling hills of southern Indiana's unglaciated region. Located near the Ohio River, the area features limestone outcroppings, seasonal creeks, and forest terrain with elevations ranging from 400-900 feet. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall bring more moderate conditions with frequent rainfall.
What to do
Explore cave systems: Visit Marengo Cave near Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping, which one camper mentioned is "Close to Marengo Cave, the Indiana Shoe Tree and a bunch of Canoe trip companies." The cave maintains a constant 52°F temperature year-round and offers guided tours starting at $20 per person.
Kayak Blue River: The river provides a popular paddling route with several outfitters offering rental equipment and shuttle services. A camper noted that at Old Mill "a canoe/kayaking company actually ends one of their river trips there so during the day it could be a bit noisy when those groups come in."
Hiking trail networks: Venture through the forests on foot to discover rock formations and seasonal waterfalls. At Happy Hollow Homestead, one visitor shared their guided experience: "Kerry took us on a kubota for a tour of the property. We saw a beautiful creek with waterfall, bee hives and sinkholes."
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Many tent campers appreciate the privacy between sites at established campgrounds. As one Happy Hollow Homestead camper mentioned, "We were all impressed with the land and how spaced out the camp sites were."
Natural features: The region's creeks, rock formations, and forest cover create memorable camping experiences. A visitor to Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed noted, "The thick forest was beautiful. There are rock outcroppings along this road, which follows Mitchell Creek and lots to explore on foot."
Hammock camping options: The abundant tree cover makes hammock camping popular. A camper at Old Mill observed: "Nice size site with fire ring and picnic table. Lots of trees- so great tree canopy and plenty of hammock." Happy Hollow also offers dedicated hammock spots, with a visitor commenting, "The forest is beautiful and we had no problems with ticks or mosquitoes while sleeping in our hammocks."
What you should know
Limited amenities at dispersed sites: Most primitive camping areas require complete self-sufficiency. A Mitchell Creek camper explained, "This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities."
Access road challenges: Many tent camping locations have unpaved access roads. One Mitchell Creek visitor warned, "A few of the pull offs I didn't explore because they were muddy or washed out after several days of rain."
Cell service limitations: Expect connectivity issues throughout the area. At Happy Hollow Homestead, a camper noted, "One bar with cell booster" and mentioned "There is no cell service but it was so nice to 'unplug' and enjoy talking with each other and making new friends."
Seasonal considerations: Water levels in creeks fluctuate significantly throughout the year. A Springs Valley Rec Area visitor mentioned the lake is "beautiful for hiking, fishing, and my favorite, kayaking. Electric motors only, so nice and quiet."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly features: Look for campgrounds with recreational structures. At Happy Hollow Homestead, families report, "The kids loved the tire swing and tree web. We will definitely be coming back!" Another visitor explained, "The tree web is a giant net about 15 feet in the air. My boys loved climbing up and laying in the web."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area supports diverse wildlife, making for educational experiences. Mitchell Creek campers reported hearing "what was possibly a large band of coyotes in the distance" and seeing turtles on the road.
Bathroom availability: With children, know your bathroom options. A Newton-Stewart visitor noted the campground has "Primitive. 45 spots" with basic bathroom facilities, while Happy Hollow offers "The bathroom and shower was very nice and the composting toilet was clean."
Tips from RVers
Vehicle size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas cannot accommodate large rigs. A Mitchell Creek visitor warned, "I did not see any pull offs that would accommodate an RV of any size, and nothing large enough to turn a trailer around."
Van camping spots: Smaller campervans can access more remote areas. A Happy Hollow visitor with a "20' Ford Transit ModVan" described the camping as "Rustic in a level, spacious kind of way. We were nervous about bottoming in the dry creek bed on way to Walnut Grove area, but no problem."
Alternative options: When primitive sites seem unsuitable, have backup plans. One Mitchell Creek visitor shared, "After 5 min of driving on the very skinny gravel road y saw what it look like spots but Iam not sure really... Y just keep driving till I got back to 64 and found a Cracker Barrel 17 miles away."
