Best Campgrounds near French Lick, IN

Several good camping options can be found around French Lick, Indiana. Patoka Lake Campground draws many campers who want to fish or take boats out on the water. Spring Mill State Park Campground puts you close to the old Pioneer Village and has hiking trails throughout the park. If you're planning to visit Holiday World, Lake Rudolph Campground runs shuttles to the park and has facilities that work well for families. Most people camp here during spring and fall when temperatures are comfortable for being outside. The summer gets pretty hot, though many campsites have trees for shade. Winter camping is limited, with some areas closing completely, so call ahead if planning a cold-weather trip. Roads to these campgrounds are in good condition, but at some places you might need to carry your gear a short distance from where you park. French Lick's camping areas range from quiet spots to places with lots to do, depending on what you're looking for.

Best Camping Sites Near French Lick, Indiana (126)

    1. Patoka Lake Campground

    36 Reviews
    Birdseye, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 338-5589

    $12 - $25 / night

    "My Aunt loves their trips to Patoka Lake & I can relate as to why after this weekend. We went for a wedding at the marina & ended by a lovely cove."

    "Pick a site that has water near and you won’t have to unhook to fill your tanks. So many sites are in the shade all day and peaceful. Showers are spotless but fun on the push button system."

    2. Spring Mill State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Mitchell, IN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 849-3534

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Spring Mill State park is a little piece of history that is in the heart of southern Indiana. Here you will find a working frontier village."

    "Open space, close to facilities and water pump, Ground was mostly flat, slightly shady in the afternoon, and very peaceful."

    3. Youngs Creek Horse Camp

    8 Reviews
    Paoli, IN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 547-7051

    "We camp here every time we come to Indiana. We have camped there in a truck camper, and now we tent camp with our Jeep. The sites are large, and there are fire rings available."

    "Site accommodates both horse, drive in and walk-in camping. There’s a privy and water on site. Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables."

    4. Sycamore Springs Park

    17 Reviews
    English, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 338-3846

    "There is a fishing lake and a small river to fish in or wade and swim in. There is a miniature village for the kids along with 20 playgrounds in the campground."

    "We were right at the lake edge. The campsite had electric but no water, but the water was just across the road at a shelter."

    5. Newton Stewart State Rec Area - Patoka Lake

    4 Reviews
    Birdseye, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 685-2464

    "This SRA is right on Patoka Lake, so there's plenty to do on the water - boating, fishing, floating cabins, beaches. There's also a disc golf course, archery range, and plenty of paved & dirt trails."

    "Beautiful campground and lake. Quiet and very well maintained facilities."

    6. Sleeping Bear Retreat

    2 Reviews
    French Lick, IN
    2 miles
    Website

    $20 - $55 / night

    7. Shirley Creek Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    3 Reviews
    West Baden Springs, IN
    7 miles
    +1 (812) 275-5987

    "There is also a nice loop trail if you feel like hiking. Be aware that it’s a pretty long drive in with lots of hill and some areas that are strictly gravel."

    "Great trails that our kids (ages 2-9) loved. Only reason for 4 stars is no drinking water or fire pit."

    8. Martin State Forest

    4 Reviews
    Shoals, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 247-3491

    $13 / night

    "Generator okay but recommend use away from other campers."

    "This state forest is beautiful, filled with pines and a clear lake. It is a primative campground but is very nice. Has nice hiking trails and 7 miles of mountain bike trails."

    9. Indian-Celina Recreation Area

    20 Reviews
    Saint Croix, IN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 843-4880

    $21 - $44 / night

    "This was a very quiet campsite in southern Indiana. We had a hard time finding dispered camping in the national Forest so we settled for this site."

    "Indian Lake is co-located with Celina Lake and two campground. Once you turn off of IN37 you just keep straight to get to Indian Lake."

    10. Springs Valley Rec Area

    1 Review
    French Lick, IN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 547-7051

    "the campground is closed for overnight camping, but this is still a beautiful lake for hiking, fishing, and my favorite, kayaking. electric motors only, so nice and quiet."

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Recent Reviews near French Lick, IN

672 Reviews of 126 French Lick Campgrounds


  • J
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping

    Disbursed camping at its Indiana best

    Free disbursed camping at its best in Indiana. Not another soul camped within earshot. Clean site. Gravel pad for vehicle. Green grass for tent. 14 day limit. No reservations needed or available. Just show up and camp if a site is open. This site was very well marked.

  • Jon R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Nighthawk Forest

    Nighthawk Forrest Sept 2024

    Great little campground with accessible trails and small pond. I had a primitive site with pad. Nestled in the trees gave off nice shade. They have showers and ice available (but didn’t know about the ice until I was checking out). About 15 minutes from Patoka Lake. I would recommend this campground if in the area.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Hoosier National Forest Goldenrod Loop Campground

    Nice, small, remote campground

    Beautiful, heavily wooded, quiet campground. We are in a big rig but most people here are tent camping. Lake is small. Very peaceful, helpful attendant at gate checked in on us first day. We have electricity and water but no sewer hookups. Dump station available. If you just want to to get away and relax for a few days this is nice. But if you’re looking for lots of recreation opportunities you want to find a larger lake. There are a few trails but they are short.

  • Kyle H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA

    Great Campground

    Quick two night stay for us but although our first time here was short we will certainly be back. Campground is clean and very well maintained. Owners are very involved and run things very thoughtfully.

    They were able to accommodate our 44ft 5th wheel and navigating to the site was simple. Can’t wait to come back and visit.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping

    Camping area

    National forest area with 3ish campsites one of which can accommodate a vehicle. Wooded so no solar or starlink. Small lake nearby with what looks like some trails.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Small pull off on the side of a gravel road.

    This is a bare bones location. There was evidence of a homemade fire pit and a small cleared area. No cell service at the site but there was a bar or two on the road just a few feet away. With a weboost there was att and tmobile service. Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there. 38.515995, -85.870726, 871 ft

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    Nice Trails & Big Campsites

    I had a great time camping here. The spots in Taylor ridge were mostly well-spaced and felt pretty private. The pit toilets were clean and the showers were nice. Busy campground but it was very quiet still. 262 was the biggest and most private site I saw when walking around. 260 is a pull through site.

  • Desert B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Knobstone Trail

    not accessible

    Maybe Google Maps took me to the wrong place (probably not).  I drove back and forth on the road several times looking for this place  The only thing I found was what I believe was the entrance with a cable across it.  There was no place to park otherwise.


Guide to French Lick

Campsite options near French Lick, Indiana include primitive tent sites and full-hookup RV sites across the Hoosier National Forest and state parks. French Lick sits at approximately 500 feet elevation within the Crawford Upland section of southern Indiana, characterized by forested hills and valleys. Campers often note the terrain can be challenging with some campground roads requiring careful navigation during rainy conditions.

What to do

Paddling and fishing: Patoka Lake offers boat-in camping options and excellent fishing conditions. "We rented two of the floating cabins and it was a blast. Plenty of space for sleeping with a kitchen and modern facilities. The boating and fishing are pretty good as well," notes one Patoka Lake Campground visitor.

Hiking options: The Hoosier National Forest trail system offers various difficulty levels. At Indian-Celina Recreation Area, campers report "The trails were long, but not too difficult, but slightly overgrown. They had very pretty views of the lake." This recreation area provides quieter alternatives to the busier state parks.

Cave exploration: Spring Mill State Park features cave tours and historical attractions. "There is a cave tour also on offer in which you ride thru the cave system in a boat. Yes there are even lifevests for customer to wear!" confirms a visitor about the unique underground boat tours.

What campers like

Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites. At Spring Mill State Park Campground, sites vary in levelness - "We weren't fond of the other trails we where on, they didn't have many view but trees (which would of been better if it wasn't so hot at the time)." Consider site selection carefully during reservation.

Quiet weekday stays: Multiple campgrounds report significant differences between weekday and weekend crowds. One camper at Youngs Creek Horse Camp noted, "Great quit place to rest up for a few nights. The site has a toilet and water. If you head into the town of Paoli be sure to hit up the farmers co-op for supplies."

Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies dramatically by campground and carrier. At Patoka Lake, a reviewer reported "Cell service was poor. (T-Mobile 0-1 bar LTE, AT&T 1-2 bars LTE, but NO internet service when things get busy Thursday to Sunday afternoon...weird)."

What you should know

Primitive options: Free camping is available but limited. "Shirley Creek Horse Camp is a underutilized camp well suited for a day or two of horse rides and camping. Generous campspots throughout perfectly suited for horses and humans alike. Most spots have picnic tables and fire rings, though some are missing," reports one visitor to Shirley Creek Campground.

Bathroom facilities: Quality varies widely between campgrounds. Some offer modern facilities while others provide only vault toilets. A recent visitor to Sycamore Springs Park noted, "The showers were the best I've seen, clean and strong pressure. It is also pet friendly."

Road conditions: Some forest service roads require careful navigation. One camper observed about Shirley Creek: "Be aware that it's a pretty long drive in with lots of hill and some areas that are strictly gravel. Shouldn't need 4WD unless it's wet, at which point I wouldn't go as it's in a lower level area and prone to flooding."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds offer extensive play areas. "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," reports a visitor to Sycamore Springs Park.

Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds feature nature centers and educational programming. At Martin State Forest, campers find "Level sites, gravel and paved. Water available but not at each site. Pit toilets. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Nice clean and maintained campground."

Swimming options: Creek access provides natural swimming opportunities at some locations. A Sycamore Springs visitor notes, "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."

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Electric service varies between 30-amp and 50-amp. At Patoka Lake, a camper reported "Sites were clean and in working order with 30A service. Facilities were in working order but didn't appear to be cleaned daily. Seemed to have a high ratio of campsites to showers so things get crowded with all the lake people wanting to shower frequently."

Dump station timing: Plan for possible lines at popular campgrounds. "4 dump stations at exit but still lines due to shear number of sites but things moved quickly," notes a Patoka Lake camper about the weekend rush.

Site levelness: Many campgrounds have sloped sites requiring leveling blocks. "The site we where at was heavily sloped, the only flat part was where they put the fire pit at. When we looked at the other site most of the shaded sites that had some privacy where also heavily sloped," warns a Spring Mill State Park visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state parks can I visit near French Lick for camping?

Several state parks near French Lick offer excellent camping options. Brown County State Park is a beautiful destination with year-round camping in the rolling hills of southern Indiana. The park features heated bathhouses in winter, hiking trails, mountain biking, and an outdoor pool. Another option is Spring Mill State Park Campground near Mitchell, offering drive-in sites with water and toilets. Lincoln State Park is also within driving distance, featuring well-laid-out campsites and access to Lake Lincoln for water activities. These parks are typically within 30-45 minutes of French Lick.

What campgrounds are available near French Lick, Indiana?

The French Lick area offers diverse camping options in the picturesque southern Indiana landscape. Youngs Creek Horse Camp provides a quiet, peaceful forest setting about 30 minutes from French Lick, with occasional horses on weekend trails. Tipsaw Lake is another excellent choice, located in the beautiful rolling hills of southern Indiana near I-64. It features paved roads with sloped, hard-packed sites offering water and electric hookups. The small lake allows electric motors only, making it perfect for kayaking. Additional options include Patoka Lake Campground and Hoosier National Forest dispersed sites for those seeking more primitive experiences.

What hiking trails are accessible from French Lick campgrounds?

The French Lick region offers excellent hiking opportunities across various difficulty levels. At Charles C. Deam Wilderness, you'll find numerous trails with dispersed camping options, though be aware that storm damage occasionally causes trail rerouting. Yellowwood State Forest, located near the artist community of Nashville, features 23,326 acres of rolling hills with gorgeous vistas, particularly stunning during fall color displays. The forest offers 79 primitive campsites with access to hiking trails of varying difficulties. Brown County State Park also provides extensive trail systems, including nearly 30 miles of trails with connectivity to Yellowwood and Hoosier National Forest for more adventurous hikers.

Are there RV parks in French Lick with full hookups?

While full hookup RV sites directly in French Lick are limited, nearby options provide good alternatives. Patoka Lake Campground offers big-rig friendly sites with water and electric hookups. The campground is well-maintained and spacious enough for larger rigs. Newton Stewart State Rec Area at Patoka Lake provides drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. Though many nearby campgrounds offer only electric hookups with water fill stations and dump facilities, their proximity to French Lick makes them convenient bases for exploring the area. Always check reservation requirements as these popular RV sites tend to fill quickly, especially during peak seasons.