Camping options near Franklin, Indiana span from basic to premium with several sites located within 30-40 miles of town. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 600 to 900 feet above sea level and a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F while spring and fall offer more moderate camping conditions with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Brown County State Park sits directly across from Brown County-Nashville KOA, offering extensive trail networks. "Very close to Brown County State Park and Nashville, IN. Lots of mature trees," notes a visitor. The state park contains over 20 miles of hiking paths ranging from easy to rugged.
Fishing opportunities: Hidden Paradise Campground provides river and pond fishing access. "Our son fished and we watched random people float down river. It was perfect for overnight stay passing through," reports one camper. The campground sits along Flat Rock River with multiple access points for anglers.
Water recreation: Many sites offer swimming and boating options. At Hidden Paradise, "the quarry lake with inflatables & paddle boats" provides alternative water activities. Sites typically charge $10-15 per person daily for quarry swimming access, separate from camping fees.
What campers like
Military connection: Camp Atterbury Campground offers a unique camping experience on a military installation. "They stack free firewood at your campsite to burn. 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," explains a recent visitor who rated the experience positively.
Pool facilities: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools for guests. At Indianapolis KOA, "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."
Camping variety: Visitors appreciate diverse accommodation options. "We have 3 sites that back up to Yellowwood State Forest and can accommodate tents, vans, and trailers under 12ft," notes a host at Hoosiers On The Ridge, highlighting the range of choices beyond traditional glamping near Franklin.
What you should know
Noise factors: Several campgrounds have specific noise considerations. At Camp Atterbury, a visitor mentioned, "If you don't mind fireing guns 24/7 it's a great little place." Others noted, "If you don't mind gunfire 24/7 this is the best place ever." The military installation regularly conducts training exercises.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds near Franklin fill quickly during peak season. For Indianapolis KOA, visitors report that calling "less than two weeks in advance" often results in limited site availability, particularly for holiday weekends and summer months.
Site variations: eXplore Brown County features significant differences between sites. "Some camps sites were nice and spacious others had no privacy. Most of the campground is shaded though," notes a visitor. The campground has approximately 40 sites with varying levels of privacy and amenities.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: When glamping near Franklin with children, choose locations with built-in activities. At eXplore Brown County, "Playground for the kiddos was a plus for us. Nice bathroom and shower facilities," notes one family. The site also offers ziplines and paintball facilities for older children.
Kid-friendly water features: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's water areas. One Indianapolis KOA visitor highlighted that "the big plus was the pool" during hot weather, mentioning the "nice playground and wading pool area. So if you have younger children, ideal for you."
Consider noise levels: Select sites based on anticipated noise. At eXplore Brown County, a camper warned about "early rising children riding bikes and talking loudly" and suggested choosing sites farther from the main facilities if quiet mornings are a priority.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Morgan-Monroe State Forest has limited large RV options. "Our camper is about 25' and it was tight get in and out of the campground. If you have a small camper (15' or smaller) there would more sites," advises an RV camper. The campground primarily accommodates tent camping with only about 5 sites suitable for larger rigs.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. At Brown County-Nashville KOA, "Pads are gravel and we did need to use several leveling blocks on our site, which made for a doosey of a bottom step into and out of our trailer." RVers recommend bringing extra leveling equipment to accommodate hillside positioning.
Hookup availability: Verify hookup types before booking. As one Indianapolis KOA visitor noted, the campground offers "clean, easy in-and-out, all the amenities. Wi-fi worked, cable didn't (but they did try to help us out - we had the wrong cable)." Most KOA sites provide full hookups, while state forest campgrounds typically have no electric options.
