Camping options near Heltonville, Indiana include developed campgrounds in the Hoosier National Forest and surrounding state parks. Hardin Ridge and Blackwell Campground in the Hoosier National Forest provide both tent and RV accommodations, while Berry Ridge Road offers free dispersed camping opportunities. Several campgrounds in the region include cabin options, such as Hardin Ridge and Spring Mill State Park, which provide alternatives to traditional tent or RV camping. The Charles C. Deam Wilderness and Peninsula Trail areas create additional backcountry experiences within a short drive.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with many sites in the Hoosier National Forest operating from mid-May through late December. Roads to dispersed camping areas like Blackwell Campground typically consist of maintained gravel surfaces suitable for most vehicles, though some remote areas may require high-clearance in wet conditions. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets, while dispersed sites generally offer more primitive conditions with vault toilets and no hookups. Many primitive sites have 14-day stay limits. A camper noted, "Although intended for horse trailers we did not see a single one there in our 7 days. Plenty of flat land making leveling easy."
The campgrounds near Heltonville receive consistently positive reviews for their spaciousness and natural setting. Blackwell Campground, despite being designated as a horse camp, welcomes all campers and features an open field layout with vault toilets and trash collection. Several visitors mentioned the quiet atmosphere and well-maintained facilities, even at free camping locations. According to one review, "It's a big field not allot of shade. It's very quiet even with the 5-6 others camping. The toilets are very clean shocking for an outhouse." Hikers particularly appreciate the direct trail access from campsites, with multiple trailheads connecting to the broader Hoosier National Forest trail system. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide electric hookups and picnic tables, while the dispersed options appeal to those seeking more solitude and a primitive camping experience.
$24 - $64 / 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."
"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."
$16 - $38 / night
"It's a bittersweet type of situation."
"This is one of the largest campgrounds in all of Indiana. It includes hundreds of campsites. This includes RV hookups, standard campsites, and primitive campsites."
$20 - $43 / 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."
"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."
"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"
"I have lived in Indiana for ever and have made many trips this way, but I never knew sites like this existed."
"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."
"Tent camping only although there are both hike in and drive up sites in the wilderness area. Great place to get away from it all."
$26 - $52 / night
"There are lakeside camping lots. Also there are larger full hookup lots away from the lake"
"Starve Hollow State Recreation Area is 280 acres that are adjacent to Jackson-Washington State Forest (18,000 acres)."
$43 / night
"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."
"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"
ScoutStayed for the weekend as a first trip for the season to ensure we were setup for the season.
Self check-in was quick and easy. Vault toilets were open, and clean. Someone was even nice enough to have Mr. Buddy heaters in there along with fresh propane (very kind and thoughtful). Entering the park there was a sign for winter water spigot (brought my own so didn't check).
TravelerNice park with electric sites, primitive sites and cabins. There’s a beach in the summer in a very clean lake. Trolling motors only on boats. Kayaking permitted. Also for hikers, there’s a loop trail, also it connects to the 58 mile knobstone trail. Check website for park rules and rates.
ScoutFree 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.
TravelerGreat 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.
RangerWe stayed here for the 1st Annual HikerFest and had a blast! 106 of our little Hikers took up the majority of the park. The full-timers that stay here for the season were very kind and cordial; freely giving of advice on local attractions to see and things to do during our stay. The museum was really interesting! They gave a great tour with lots of stories about country legends. The bath house was clean and tidy. The showers were ok. Porta-potties throughout the campground, not so much… Campsites are close together and without privacy, some more level than others. Try to grab a spot near the trees for a bit of shade. Great music. Awesome weekend!
ScoutQuick 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.
TravelerNational 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.
TravelerThis 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
GuideI 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.
Camping opportunities near Heltonville, Indiana include dispersed and developed options in the Hoosier National Forest. The region sits in south-central Indiana at elevations ranging from 600-800 feet, with a humid continental climate that features warm summers and mild winters. Sites in this area typically operate within a 14-day stay limit, with gravel access roads that become challenging during heavy rain periods.
Hiking access from campsites: Peninsula Trail offers direct trail connections to multiple campsites. A reviewer notes, "Campsites I've great fire pits. Only downside is the drunk boat people that show up in the summer." The trail provides easy access to Lake Monroe with designated camping areas.
Water activities beyond swimming: Taylor Ridge Campground connects to lake activities through nearby trails. "The park as a whole is beautiful and there's a trailhead that's walking distance from the campsite that leads down a beautiful trail to a lake," mentions a camper who stayed there recently.
Geocaching opportunities: Some campgrounds feature geocache activities for families. As one visitor to Paynetown mentioned, "There is always something to do. The beach, the trails, the geocaches on the trails, kayak and boat rentals, the activity center."
Quiet atmosphere: Blackwell Campground receives praise for its peaceful setting. A reviewer shared, "Open areas with pit toilets and water available. Shade and sunny locations. Pick a spot and set up with hammock-large rvs spots. No fee, no reservations, no problems."
Primitive camping privacy: Dispersed sites on Berry Ridge Road offer secluded options. "There are a couple walking trails around, as well each site is fairly far apart. It's really quite only seen a handful of cars drive by and I've stayed here for 2 nights," wrote one camper.
Varied camping terrain: Different campgrounds provide distinct experiences from open fields to wooded sites. At Buffalo Ridge, a visitor mentioned, "With 3 Campgrounds to choose from you can't go wrong! Amazing staff, great amenities, well kept and clean."
Operating seasons vary: Most campgrounds have seasonal limitations. For Paynetown Campground, "We live a couple of hours away from the lake but find it's worth the drive for a day of boating. This is our first time at the campground. I love the convenience for boating and camping."
Bathroom facilities differ: Vault toilets are common at primitive sites, while developed campgrounds offer more facilities. At Blackwell, "I found this place a few years ago and it has become my local go to. It is free camping and first come first serve. There are vault toilets."
Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires caution on gravel roads. "I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times," notes a Berry Ridge Road camper.
Educational programs: Spring Mill State Park offers nature programs for children. A visitor mentioned, "They had a Smokey the Bear program for the kids and some really fun activities at the nature center while we were there."
Multiple playgrounds available: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. One Spring Mill visitor noted, "This was an amazing campground! There were amazing trails and a cave, as well as Pioneer Village which was so fascinating and well run."
Beach accessibility: Many campgrounds have direct or nearby access to beaches. According to a Hardin Ridge camper, "This campground is on the south side of Monroe lake and has beach access. I tent camped solo and everything went great!"
Site leveling concerns: Some sites require leveling equipment for RVs. A visitor to Hardin Ridge advised, "The fire pits are sinked into the ground which is not my favorite," indicating consideration for outdoor cooking setups.
Dump station accessibility: Multiple campgrounds feature dump stations for RVs. One camper at Starve Hollow noted, "The campground also offers electric only sites. They have about 20 sites that back up right to the lake allowing fishing from your campsite."
Size restrictions on some roads: RV access can be limited at certain campgrounds. "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," warns a Buffalo Ridge visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Heltonville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Heltonville, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 126 campgrounds and RV parks near Heltonville, IN and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Heltonville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Heltonville, IN is Hardin Ridge with a 4.5-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Heltonville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Heltonville, IN.
What parks are near Heltonville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Heltonville, IN that allow camping, notably Monroe Lake and Hoosier National Forest.
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