Franklin, Indiana camping areas sit within the rolling terrain of Johnson County, where elevations range from 700 to 850 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s, creating ideal camping conditions from April through October. Most campgrounds in the area maintain level sites on former agricultural or military lands, with varying degrees of tree cover depending on the property.
What to do
Hiking trails in Brown County: Brown County State Park offers approximately 5 miles of hiking trails with significant elevation changes. "The park is in close proximity to the artist village of Nashville, shopping, good dining and groceries. Autumn is the heavy tourist season with the changing of the leaves...breathtaking vistas from the parks elevated vantage points," notes Stephen & Theresa B. about Buffalo Ridge Campground.
Water activities on Flat Rock River: Hidden Paradise Campground provides river access for kayaking and fishing. According to Allyson R., "Flat rock river runs by a lot of the camp sites. Makes for a beautiful scenery, good fishing and/or float on it in your kayak or on a raft. Fun for all ages!" Hidden Paradise Campground also features a quarry for swimming with "an aqua playground, with use of free life preservers," as Kimberly W. mentions.
Disc golf course: Johnson County Park includes an 18-hole disc golf course as part of its recreational offerings. The park's large size provides plenty of room for this activity, with Stephen & Theresa B. noting it's the "Largest County Park I've ever stayed at" with "Many Acres" of space for various activities.
What campers like
Easy access to Nashville shops: The proximity to Nashville's shopping district is frequently mentioned in reviews. Logan E. says about Taylor Ridge Campground, "This is by far my favorite campground. It is nestled back in the woods of Brown County and is absolutely gorgeous, especially in the fall."
Shaded camping areas: Many campers appreciate the tree cover at certain locations. Jerry D. describes Johnson County Park as a "Nice but bare bones former military campground," while Sheila B. notes "There are very few 50 amp spots, so we were in a 30 amp spot. The camp host was nice and helpful. The bathroom is adequate. There are no laundry facilities. There's lots of shade trees and the area is lush and green."
Convenient location for Indianapolis visits: Lake Haven Retreat serves as a base for exploring Indianapolis. Todd L. shares, "We attended a wedding at the Scottish Cathedral in the center of downtown Indy and from the campground, it was a nice drive into the city off the interstate that only took about 20 min."
What you should know
Military training sounds: Camp Atterbury Campground experiences noise from the adjacent military base. Jeff G. mentions, "If you don't mind fireing guns 24/7 it's a great little place," while another camper adds, "I'm military, so the gunfire, canon fire, and helicopters didn't bother me at all. Those things don't happen all the time though."
No tent camping at some locations: Several campgrounds have changed their policies regarding tent camping. Chris W. reports about Johnson County Park: "They used to have awesome tent camping sites, but they stopped allowing tent camping. RV/camper's are the only thing they allow now."
Communal fire rings: Some campgrounds use shared fire areas rather than individual site fire pits. Sammii D. notes about Lake Haven Retreat, "Campsites also don't have fire rings but there are a bunch of communal ones around the lake. Plus free communal firewood."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Indianapolis KOA offers water activities specifically designed for children. Megan T. shares, "The splash pad / water park was fun, but was not a pool. It only goes to 3 feet so if you want to swim this is not for you. The water was cold but my kiddos finally got in and had fun on the slides."
Playground options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Franklin provide playground equipment. Lisa S. mentions about Buffalo Ridge Campground, "This park is phenomenal! With 3 Campgrounds to choose from you can't go wrong! Amazing staff, great amenities, well kept and clean. There's a lodge, restaurant, playgrounds, store, pit toilets, bath houses, swimming pool (fee required)."
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences for children. Rachel W. recalls, "While were were there we rode on a trail ride at the saddle barn. The horses were well trained and willing to let people ride them. We also went to a Raptor show that was put on at the nature center where we got to look at some interesting raptors."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the Franklin area require leveling blocks. At Taylor Ridge Campground, Wendy T. notes, "The roads are not marked very well and it took a bit to find our site which needed level blocks and is just wide enough for the Rv. Nice to have water supply within 10 feet."
Utility placement challenges: RV sites at some locations have unusual utility configurations. MickandKarla W. reports about Johnson County Fairgrounds, "The CG has poor site and utility placement with multiple sites sharing water. The sites back up to each other and the utilities are down the middle. There isn't dedicated site utilities like the majority of CGs, you just pick the water and electric that happens to be open and is closest to you. Be sure to have plenty of water hose(we needed 50') to reach a spigot."
Pet-friendly options: Several campgrounds welcome dogs but have specific policies. Michael J. describes Lake Haven Retreat as "Family owned 20 years" with "Excellent WiFi and facilities," making it a reliable option for those traveling with pets near Indianapolis.
