15 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Hardin Ridge Campground permits pets throughout its wooded camping areas near Lake Monroe, alongside several other pet-friendly options in the Hoosier National Forest. The campsites feature fire rings, picnic tables, and graveled tent pads with adequate space for families camping with dogs. Yogi Bears at Lake Monroe offers pet-friendly accommodations including cabins, RV sites, and tent camping with full hookups. Both locations maintain clean facilities with shower houses and toilets, though specific pet amenities like designated dog areas are limited. Sites at Hardin Ridge provide decent privacy with shaded, spacious layouts that accommodate both tents and pets comfortably.
Leashed pets are welcome on most trails throughout the area, including those at Charles C. Deam Wilderness and Peninsula Trail where free dispersed camping is available for more adventurous pet owners. The campground hosts at Hardin Ridge are known for being friendly and helpful with pet-related questions. Monroe Lake offers water access for dogs who enjoy swimming, though pets must remain on leash even at the beach areas. Raccoons are prevalent in the area, so campers should keep pet food secured at night. Yellowwood State Forest and Brown County State Park provide additional pet-friendly camping options within a reasonable drive, with Buffalo Ridge and Taylor Ridge campgrounds both accepting pets at their electric and non-electric sites. The wooded environment offers ample opportunities for pet exercise while maintaining distance from other campers.
"It's a bittersweet type of situation."
"This campground is busy as it's close to a college, but it has ample room to provide for everyone."
Available this weekend
from $23 - $52 / night
"This campground is nestled on a ridge above Indiana's Lake Monroe."
"Hardin Ridge is a fantastic place to camp, and is very close to lake Monroe. But it's also quite a ways away from any stores in case you forget anything."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $64 / night
"The ground is level and all grass with less bugs than sites directly off trail. We just have a simple backpacking tent set-up and we had a great campfire."
"Site is a wide open and well-groomed, with trails just a short walk (or ride) away. Toilets and covered picnic tables nearby."
"We have visited Nashville Indiana several times but this is our first time camping nearby. My wife loves to visit Nashville and all the little shops they offer."
"It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view. Driving through the campground it looks like there are some sites pretty close together but ours wasn’t too bad."
from $20 - $43 / night
"A staple of our state here in Indiana. Unfortunately due to some storm damage, trails were rerouted or straight up inaccessible. Great places to find and set up camp."
"Wonderful trails, dog friendly and nice places to camp off the trail. Can’t wait to go back! Heads up! Refill your water when you come across it; the lake is harder to get to than you think."
"Great location and clean camp ground."
"I had to nearly lower my tongue to the ground to get it level. The splash park was fun, even for the teen kids, but the pool was tiny and shallow and disappointing."
"This is a beautiful State Park situated in the rolling hills of southern Indiana."
"I make multiple visits here every year, mainly for the mountain bike trails. There are almost 30 miles of trails inside the park with new trails every year for the past 3+ years."
from $43 / night
"The Peninsula Trail and Grub Ridge trails both have marked campsites that are very far apart and totally private. These are dispersed/primitive sites with a fire ring only. "
"this was a wonderful scenic hike meant for the beauty of indiana"
"Located on Monroe lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing.
Lots of fun activities to do, and great hiking trails. Their mess hall is top notch.""Our Boy Scout troop enjoyed visiting this location. It was well maintained and the staff was helpful."
"Trails, plenty of dry wood, away from the roads, no running water or electricity, decent amount of spaces we came in at night and counted about 9 very far spread out camp sights."
"If you are into boondocking at all defiantly check out berry ridge it’s just south of brown county Indiana beautiful country mostly hills tons of camp spots sometimes half mile or more apart haven’t seen"
ScoutMark & Denise are great camp hosts they care about everyone and will help them if they need it. They do so much for the holidays and have some great times together around the campfires. Will miss them this winter but will be thinking of them during the Army Navy game. (A inside joke lol).
ScoutMilitary base campground
Guide⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our First RV Home Has Been Such a Blessing!
My husband and I absolutely loved our first few months here at Friends O' Mine Campgrounds & Cabins as first-time RV owners with our Class A RV.
We downsized from our 5-bedroom home in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. We sold our home and I followed my Husband back here to Indiana after he received a wonderful career opportunity. My Husband is a Veteran, 🇺🇸 and after moving to Nashville, Indiana, we had immediately fallen in love with this small town - where we respected and admired the way Nashville reminds us of where we had just moved from in Missouri.
We stayed at Grand Wood Suites for six months, after paying for a hotel, all while continuously paying for our two large storage units, as well as our mortgage payment and then rent for most of the beginning of this year; so, we decided to downsize to save money to buy land sooner, instead of continuing to rent. 🏕️ We already loved camping - we started with a pop-up camper on the 🔝 of our Jeep and camped dozens of times, then traded up to a pop-up camper. So we used what we had in savings, bought our Class A RV, donated our pop-up camper, and came to Friends O' Mine - and it was the best decision!
From day one, the other campers have been so friendly, as are the nice employees and amazing owners. They truly make you feel like family. They set up weekly entertainment that brings the whole campground together around the campfire - there is a huge fire in the middle with six porch swings attached to a massive gazebo and veranda surrounding it. It's incredibly cozy and just inviting you to join in.
We've enjoyed live musical singers entertaining us around the campfire all evening, and we were invited to watch a documentary about a local racecar driver in their indoor recreational room, right next to the indoor laundry facilities.
There is also a subterranean pool that my Husband and I enjoyed swimming in almost every day during our first month here - it was very relaxing and refreshing!
One of our favorite parts has been our peaceful, nighttime walks around the large, well-stocked catch-and-release pond. My Husband and I hold hands together and walk around it at sunset almost every evening. It's so serene and calming to hear the sounds of the water and feel the beautiful Autumn breeze.
This has been a very relaxing, enjoyable, and heartwarming experience for us. If you are looking for a clean, friendly, peaceful, and welcoming place to stay - whether for a weekend or for a season - we cannot recommend Friends O' Mine Campgrounds & Cabins enough. We are so grateful we found it!
GuideWe absolutely LOVED this park! It was hands down our favorite of this year. We camped at site 100 and it has a neighbor on one side and behind while the other side was a huge open space. It is in the center of a loop. It was mostly level. There was some minor doming to the site but not bad at all. It was a busy camp ground but not as crowded (sites not on top of each other) as some I’ve been in. The outsides of the loops did have more space between and privacy but could be smaller or more sloped, it just really depended. The bathrooms and showers were cleaner than some of the other state parks we have been to, so much so my 11 year old son mentioned it. The park itself is absolutely gorgeous. The hiking trails (which is what we usually go for) were nice but I believe that the biking trails were actually more scenic than the hiking trails and a lot more rugged. We liked trail 8 starting from the west lookout tower and stopping at Hesitation Point for lunch/break/bathroom. Trail 6 was also a pretty, rugged, shorter trail. The Nature Center was also nicer than a lot of the others we have been to in the state. We did choose to do horseback riding at the stables. We showed up about 5 minutes after opening and were able to pay and told to come back in an hour and 45 minutes. That didn’t bother us since we had the time but if you are on a tighter schedule, the earlier the better. We also went into Nashville and it was a very cute town to visit. Well decorated for Halloween, very walkable, and a little something for almost everyone. Prices were about what I would expect for a tourist town but not terrible. I also have T-Mobile and had pretty good service almost everywhere in the park.
ScoutLittle loop pull off with a stone fire pit in the middle. Walking trail goes down to a swampy pond.
ScoutClean paved sites, rigs under 35 feet will fit. Water and electricity 50/30 (water is in the ground.
LegendWe stayed for the weekend during a Campout event. Lots of fun seeing all of our camping buddies. I don’t think we would camp here otherwise as it isn’t really our type of camping. Sites are close together, so don’t expect privacy. Porta potties had not been serviced from their previous event… needless to say, it was foul. The country music museum was pretty cool. The guide was very knowledgeable!
GuideGreat place to stay. Full hook ups, about 90 percent level sites. 33 RV sites and 3 or 4 primitive camp sites. The main bathhouse is pretty clean, included laundry, and a great host and hostess (Mark and Denise). The only bad is the price hikes here. One would think MWR would throw money towards some things...like a dog park, some leveling, lights at the kids playground, and MWR sponsored and paid for holiday parties/outings for vets, retirees, and all the active here on base. But nope, just collecting revenue without any beanies. Anyway, the host keeps it grounded.
ScoutLove taking the kid to hardy lake. Smaller lake to fish on with a trolling motor canoe but big enough they allow gas motors. Have a few favorite sites for the camper.
Camping near Harrodsburg, Indiana centers around Lake Monroe, Indiana's largest reservoir with 10,750 acres of water surface and over 13,000 acres of surrounding public lands. The area features predominantly oak-hickory forest with limestone outcroppings that create diverse camping terrain. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-40°F while summer months average 70-85°F with moderate humidity, making May-October the prime camping season.
Fishing opportunities: The 133-acre Yellowwood Lake in Yellowwood State Forest attracts anglers year-round. "The lake is known for good fishing" and "they rent boats at the Forest Office. Electric motor only," reports Cynthia K., who noted various boating options are available through the park office.
Backpacking trails: Hikers seeking multi-day adventures access the Tecumseh Trail from several campgrounds. "The park has 5 hiking trails ranging from easy to rugged and access to the Tecumesh Trail (43 miles) originally proposed to span from Florida to Canada," explains Stephen & Theresa B. about their experience at Yellowwood State Forest.
Geode hunting: The streams in Charles C. Deam Wilderness contain abundant geodes. "I walked the creek for hours just looking at all the rocks on the sandbars. I have never encountered so many geodes in my life. Truly magnificent to encounter," shares Sarah R., who hammock camped along Patton Cave trail.
Gold panning: Yellowwood State Forest allows gold panning with a permit. "Believe it or not - gold panning is a thing here! You need a permit," explains Cynthia K., who explored multiple camping loops and amenities at the forest.
Secluded lake campsites: Peninsula Trail offers primitive sites with lake access. "On the peninsula trail, there are multiple campsites with fire rings but you may also camp anywhere if you are at least 100 ft from the water. Campsite #18 has a great view and is large enough for at least 4 tents if you have a big group," advises Aspen B.
Free camping options: Blackwell Campground provides cost-free camping with basic amenities. "It was an awesome backpacking journey for starters, little bit rough because of the horse riding track but awesome if you love to walk and see nature," writes Osiel M. about his experience at Blackwell.
Easy lake access: Paynetown Campground on Lake Monroe positions campers near swimming beaches. "This lake is huge and a lot of fun. There are beaches everywhere besides the designated one so it's easy to swim with your dogs or find private spots," writes Rebecca J., who appreciated the convenience despite the busy atmosphere.
Diverse campsite options: Hardin Ridge provides various camping experiences in one location. "I have tent camped in regular primitive, hike-in, and in electric with a camper. All the sites are large and well-shaded with tables and fire pits/grates," reports Deb T., who has camped at Hardin Ridge since the 1970s.
Reservation policies vary: Campgrounds operate with different reservation systems. "Electric and non-electric sites are both reservable and walk up. Almost half and half. The hike in sites are all walk up. As you look at their maps, if making a reservation, each site on the left of the road are NOT reservable. All sites on the right ARE reservable," explains Deb T. about Hardin Ridge.
Off-season access: Many campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced services. "We have only tent camped at Yellowwood, so I can't say what size travel trailers would fit in the sites. Yellowwood road changes over to gravel once you enter the state forest. It is well maintained," writes Daisy C., who found the campground nearly empty outside major holidays.
Boater traffic: Some lakeside campsites experience noise from boats. "Lakeside spots are great also if you hike farther, but as others have said, drunk boaters tend to stop along the shore even though they are not supposed to," warns Matt V. about Peninsula Trail campsites.
Insect preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent after rainfall. "The only negative was that we came after a lot of rain. So everything is permanently wet and mosquitos/ticks abounded," cautions Sarah R. about Charles C. Deam Wilderness.
Kid-friendly amenities: Yogi Bears at Lake Monroe focuses on children's activities. "We went around Halloween time so the kids participated in a costume contest, pumpkin decorating contest, and trick or treat. The water park was a huge hit with the kids as well, even though it was a little chilly out," shares Ryan G., who visited with friends in 2017.
Nature programming: Ranger-led activities engage children at several campgrounds. "My family and sister in laws family camp here every year. Our kids love it and we all have a great time. They always have something to do even if it's just going down to swim at the beach," writes Kathryn F. about Paynetown State Recreation Area.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites away from main roads for quieter family camping. "The campsite was small so if you have a large tent be prepared for it to take up most of your site. The area was beautiful and had ample trees. We would have been better off splitting into two camp sites due to the size (married couple and two friends)," advises Kenpocentaur K. about Hardin Ridge.
Weather preparation: Varied elevation causes temperature fluctuations, requiring layered clothing. "There were trees down throughout the park including our campsite. It took a couple hours for them to come clean it up," notes Michael S. about Taylor Ridge Campground, highlighting the importance of weather awareness.
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer varied electrical service. "There are 4 loops with 30 & 50 amp. 2 loops with no electric. Well spaced all tucked into the trees on a ridge," explains Cynthia K. about Hardin Ridge.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require leveling equipment. "I had a back in gravel site that was difficult to back into and sloped back. I had to nearly lower my tongue to the ground to get it level," shares Joe M. about Yogi Bears at Lake Monroe.
Campground navigation: Internal roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "The roads to get to the sites are tight (especially as it's filled up heading into the weekend)," notes Jennifer H. about Paynetown State Recreation Area, who appreciated the convenience despite this limitation.
Size restrictions: Buffalo Ridge Campground has varied site dimensions suitable for different RV sizes. "Variable site options for all sizes of vehicles and modes of camping. The north entrance is through a covered bridge with a 9 foot clearance and 3 ton limit! Otherwise, use the easily accessible west entrance, just a few miles 'around the corner,'" advises TMB about navigating to Buffalo Ridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Harrodsburg, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Harrodsburg, IN is Paynetown Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Harrodsburg, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 89 dog-friendly camping locations near Harrodsburg, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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