Youngs Creek Horse Camp offers primitive camping in the Hoosier National Forest with sites approximately 5 miles from Paoli, Indiana. The area consists of forested terrain at around 700 feet elevation with a typical Midwestern climate of warm summers and cool winters. Several campgrounds in the region allow camping with pets, making southern Indiana a practical destination for outdoor enthusiasts with animals.
What to do
Creek exploration: Sycamore Springs Park provides multiple stream access points for water activities. "So much to do with the kids, from swimming in the creek, fishing, campfires, s'mores, fresh black topped roads, and such friendly staff," notes Cora P.
Fishing opportunities: Patoka Lake Campground offers various fishing spots throughout the 8,800-acre reservoir. "Patoka has always had a hype about it for years; big lake, tons of boats, and fishing. This was our first trip here," shares Chelsea M., who also advises, "Fish cleaning stations is right off the parking lot for the boat ramp so very convenient."
Hiking with dogs: The Indian-Celina Recreation Area features several trails through the Hoosier National Forest. "We enjoyed hiking the trail between the North and South loops," mentions Nancy R., while another camper notes, "The trails were long, but not too difficult, but slightly overgrown. They had very pretty views of the lake."
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Martin State Forest campsites provide a peaceful environment. "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," states Michael.
Wildlife viewing: Local raccoons frequently visit campsites throughout the region. At Patoka Lake, Chelsea M. cautions, "MAKE SURE TO PUT AWAY ALL OF YOUR FOOD!!! Even scraps and Yes even DOG FOOD. We had raccoon visitors both nights."
Accessibility to town: Spring Mill State Park Campground is located near shopping options. "Spring Mill wasn't far from the town were there was a Walmart, Rural King, and several more stores," notes Lauren E., providing conveniences for campers needing supplies.
What you should know
Water availability: Many campgrounds have central water sources rather than individual site hookups. At Patoka Lake Campground, Kim C. reports, "Only waterfill location was at the camp store. Shower house was open and warm water was available."
Cell service limitations: Reception can be spotty throughout the region. One reviewer at Patoka Lake notes, "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)."
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on your needs. "Each site was spacious and not jammed up against other sites. It is very family oriented with plenty of friendly campers," writes Nancy R. about Indian-Celina Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sycamore Springs Park features multiple play areas throughout the grounds. "Playgrounds everywhere. Nice big sites with full hookups in the newer section," says Beth H., adding that "They even have a little village set up houses to play in!"
Educational opportunities: Spring Mill State Park offers nature programs. Jessie W. shares, "They had a Smokey the Bear program for the kids and some really fun activities at the nature center while we were there."
Pet-friendly trails: Many campgrounds offer hiking paths suitable for dogs of all sizes. David M. notes about Youngs Creek, "There is a trail that loops back to the site for easy hiking access," providing convenient exercise options for families with pets.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds feature gravel pads of varying quality. At West Boggs Park, one camper observes, "There are plenty of campsites with gravel pads. I haven't seen any of the pads that are terribly unlevel."
Hookup limitations: Electrical options vary widely between campgrounds in the region. At Spring Mill State Park, one reviewer cautions, "The site we where at was heavily sloped, the only flat part was where they put the fire pit at," suggesting careful site selection for larger vehicles.
Shower facilities: When available, shower quality varies significantly between pet friendly camping near French Lick. At Patoka Lake, a camper mentions, "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."
