Camping near Hanover, Indiana centers around the Ohio River valley region where elevations range between 400-800 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of limestone formations, hardwood forests, and river access points with most campgrounds situated within a 30-mile radius of Hanover. Summer temperatures typically reach the upper 80s while spring and fall bring cooler camping conditions with occasional rain showers.
What to do
Kayaking on Hardy Lake: At Wooster Campground in Hardy Lake State Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy paddling on the calm waters. "It's a great place to canoe, fish, and relax," notes camper Rebecca J., who mentions the relaxed atmosphere of the primitive area where "campers can moor their boats overnight."
Hiking to historic sites: The Rose Island trail at Charlestown State Park Campground offers historical exploration opportunities. "Enjoyed Rose Island trail lots of cool history to learn. Also enjoyed trail 6 with the waterfalls," shares Bryana D., highlighting the educational component of the park's trails.
Wildlife observation: Hardy Lake State Recreation Area provides opportunities to view local wildlife including birds and water species. Campers note that the park "features a raptor rehabilitation program" which is unique among Indiana state properties, and morning programs allow visitors to observe these birds up close.
What campers like
Riverside camping views: Madison City Park offers direct access to the Ohio River. "This spot is perfect for immersing yourself in the local culture of the historic river town of Madison, Indiana," writes Stephen & Theresa B., adding that "the campground offers 34 class A sites" with riverfront positioning that makes it worth the close quarters.
Quiet wooded sites: The non-electric loop at Clifty Falls State Park Campground receives praise for its natural setting. Jeff W. describes site 122: "This site was very well shaded but did not have a lot of grassy areas... Sites are sectioned off by a strip of non-mowed tall grass for privacy."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent positive mentions. At Madison City Park, a reviewer notes: "The bathrooms are very clean and your sites are too," while another mentions the camp hosts who "are friendly and would help you with anything."
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Clifty Falls State Park, site differences can significantly impact your experience. "Site 22 was so sloped our red levelers barely made it work," reports Beverly J., also noting that "lots of locals grouped together in the inner circle sites that were very loud, hooting and hollering until 1:30 in the morning."
Out-of-state fees: Indiana state parks charge additional entrance fees for out-of-state visitors. "If you live outside of Indiana you have to pay a $9 entrance fee on top of the campground reservation fee, which makes for a pricey weekend trip for those on a budget," explains Jessica O. about her experience at Clifty Falls.
Variable cellular coverage: Connectivity varies significantly between dog friendly campgrounds near Hanover. Kyle's review of Clifty Falls notes "Zero cellular or wifi service so that could be good or bad," while Two Rivers Campground in nearby Carrollton, Kentucky offers free WiFi according to reviewers.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA offers multiple child-friendly amenities. "They have many activities," notes shauna, who lists "put put, bowling, chess, volleyball, fishing. Dog park, Play ground was nicely done."
Pool options: Several campgrounds feature swimming facilities for summer visits. At Versailles State Park, a camper describes the pool as "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."
Nature programs: Look for scheduled educational activities at pet-friendly campgrounds. At Hardy Lake, Aleta C. suggests: "don't forget to ask at the main gate if breakfast with the raptors will be happening if you are going to be there on a Saturday morning."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: At General Butler State Resort Park, Rebecca F. warns: "At site 11 and a few others, they had no backstops at the back of the blacktop pad. If the site was level, it wouldn't have been as bad. Upon setting up our 16' camper, it began to slip backwards down toward the woods."
Dump station lines: Plan for potential delays when departing Versailles State Park on busy weekends. A reviewer notes: "There is only one dump station for the three campgrounds so there can be quite the line when trying to get out of there on a Sunday afternoon."
Water heater reliability: Bathroom facilities sometimes experience maintenance issues. At Clifty Falls State Park, a camper reports: "The bathhouse was really, really nice. Very clean and spacious. However, there was no hot water. I think this was just a fluke, the camp host said they had just had issues with the hot water heater."
