Cabin lodging near Hanover, Indiana offers visitors easy access to the Ohio River Valley region, which sits at elevations between 400-800 feet. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often reaching 90°F and mild winters with occasional snowfall. Most cabin accommodations in the region remain open year-round, though some state recreation areas limit winter services.
What to do
Hiking trails: Charlestown State Park features several hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. One visitor noted, "We hiked 4 of the trails, 3 of which were pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge." The park's Rose Island trail showcases interesting historical sites.
Fishing opportunities: Delaney Creek Park offers excellent fishing access with boat rentals available. According to a camper, "Delaney Park is a great family place, nice cabins, good fishing and lots of boats to rent or bring your own."
Swimming: Versailles State Park maintains a pool with additional features for families. As one reviewer mentioned, "The pool is nice, and the kids love the slides and diving board. They also have a fenced in area for small children with a baby pool and sprinkler."
Boating: Starve Hollow State Recreation Area provides multiple water access points. "Starve-Hollow Lake has three boat ramps to choose from, one at the dam and two in the electric campground. Kayak, rowboat and canoe rental is available," reports one visitor who enjoyed the electric-motor-only lake.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Follow The River RV Resort offers well-spaced accommodations with natural screening. A camper observed, "There is a tree for shade at every lot, a picnic table at every lot and water access as well."
Clean facilities: Deam Lake State Recreation Area maintains high standards for its bathroom facilities. One visitor was particularly impressed: "Tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink."
Lake views: Many sites at Starve Hollow feature direct lakefront access. "They have about 20 sites that back up right to the lake allowing fishing from your campsite," according to a regular visitor who camps there multiple times yearly.
Historical features: General Butler State Resort Park includes historical attractions alongside camping options. "The Butler Mansion was well taken care of," noted one visitor who appreciated the cultural aspects of the park.
What you should know
Site grading: Many cabin and RV sites in the region require leveling equipment. At Delaney Creek Park, "Every lot slopes down towards the lake. If you have levelers, should not be a problem, but be sure to bring extra, because it's a good 3" to 5"."
Seasonal limitations: Most cabins operate with reduced services in winter. A Starve Hollow visitor noted, "Starve Hollow offers camping from full hookup, electric only (by the lake), tent camping, and cabins," but some amenities close seasonally.
Reservation planning: Charlestown State Park often fills quickly during peak seasons. "We got there and somebody was parked in our assigned spot," one camper reported, highlighting the importance of confirming reservations.
Basic accommodations: Most cabin rentals provide minimal furnishings. As one Delaney Creek Park visitor advised, "There is not a camp store, so make sure you have all the supplies you need or you'll have to make a trip to Salem, which is only about a 20 min drive."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: General Butler State Resort Park offers swimming benefits for campers. "The lodge lets campers use the pool 4-7 pm for free which is nice," reported a family who appreciated this amenity.
Playground options: Multiple playgrounds throughout the region provide recreation for children. At Camp Raintree Lake, "There is a sand volleyball net, gah gah ball, dog park, playground, mini golf (not ready for summer yet), and a new pool soon."
Halloween events: Versailles State Park hosts special seasonal activities. "We love the Halloween festivities! It is so fun to see all the costumes and the decorations all over the campground," noted a repeat visitor.
Trail difficulty: Consider age appropriateness when selecting hiking routes. At Delaney Creek Park, "the Delaney Loop takes about 6 hours (7.5 miles and 2000 ft elevation change), a good challenge for all ages."
Tips from RVers
Hookup accessibility: At Delaney Creek Park, utilities may require extensions. "The electric and water hookups are not in standard locations for RV hookups. Make sure you bring an extension for your electric hookup, otherwise you might not be able to reach the post."
Site selection research: Charlestown State Park offers various site configurations. "We spent 5 nights at Charlestown State Park in mid-September. Campground was nice with concrete pads and full hookups," reported an RVer who used the park as a base for regional exploration.
Pet accommodations: Swiss Haven RV Resort welcomes pets at their cabin and RV sites. Located right on the Ohio River, this family-owned operation offers "both full hook-up and electric, 30-50 amp with water sites on a daily, weekly or monthly rate."
