Camping in southern Indiana near Henryville features a mix of state parks, recreation areas, and forest lands with varied accommodation options. Charlestown State Park and Deam Lake State Recreation Area offer developed camping with electric hookups and modern amenities, while the Knobstone Trail provides more primitive backcountry experiences. Several campgrounds in the region support tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals, with Deam Lake and Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA offering glamping options for those seeking additional comfort.
Trailhead access and campground roads vary significantly across the region, with some areas requiring navigation on gravel or forest roads. "The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail and creek beds," noted one visitor about the Knobstone Trail. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though water systems may be shut off during colder months. Reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends when lake access becomes a premium feature. Jackson Trailhead offers dispersed camping opportunities but requires some effort to locate suitable sites, while Clark State Forest provides more primitive camping experiences away from the more popular recreation areas.
The lake-based recreation areas receive consistent praise from visitors, with Deam Lake offering swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating opportunities. Campers particularly appreciate the no-wake zones, making these waters ideal for paddling. A recent review highlighted that "Nice lake with outboard motors allowed. We enjoyed the water without listening to the motors." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the area, with hikers commonly reporting deer sightings along trails. Campground amenities vary widely, with most state park facilities offering clean restrooms and some providing shower facilities. The Knobstone Trail, often called "The Little AT" by experienced hikers, represents one of Indiana's premier backpacking destinations, connecting multiple camping areas through challenging terrain that features significant elevation changes despite the state's generally flat reputation.
$40 - $50 / night
"We biked throughout the park and hiked 4 of the trails, 3 of which were pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge. "
"It's a fairly new park on the site that used to be the Indiana Ammunition Plant. Good-sized sites with a very helpful staff. I hiked trail 2 and found the waterfall and several other gorgeous views."
$40 - $69 / night
"I used this location as my FOB for a weekend of hiking in southern Indiana. The campground was nice."
"Great sites close to the lake"
$45 - $125 / night
"The lake is GORGEOUS. Sites have mature trees, variety of singing birds. Really nice stay here as we were passing through."
"A lot of things to do around the campground, and kids will absolutely love it."
$20 - $42 / night
"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."
"No sewer or water hookup as you would expect at most Indiana State Parks. The sites are extremely spacious and plenty of sites with shade."
$40 / night
"This is a great State Park offering hiking, swimming, boating, skiing, camping, interpretive naturalist program and the only DNR property in the state of Indiana with a raptor rehabilitation program."
"Boats are a big part of this lake. There are 4 boat launches on the lake! Lots of people were water skiing, tubing& playing in the water. There's also a beach, which looked clean."
"The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail snd creek beds."
"Most people, even Hoosiers don't realize the Knobstone Trail exists. It's often referred to The Little AT by those who know about it. It's no walk in the park."
"Close to shopping and restaurants. We will stay here again when back in the Louisville area."
"there’s parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. there are campsites along the trail just have to find them"
$40 - $57 / 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)."
ScoutWe happened across this place and couldn’t have found a more friendly place to camp. Owner introduce himself right away and told us all about the area and history of campground. Pool wasn’t open yet but nice safe place to camp.
TravelerThey are currently closed for renovation. We showed up needing some rest and the owner found us a place to park for the night. Will definitely come back when they reopen. It's a beautiful area.
GuideThe campground here has been very nice. Coming into the campground there are two areas of road that have been torn out and need repaired, but nothing you couldn't get over, just slow down. Otherwise, nice campsites, plenty of space, well maintained, water and showers already on at comfort station. Tons of kids with large play park. We liked that the park had small walk trails within the campground with direct routes to the comfort station, and lights at the start of the path to identify it. All around, great experience, will be back again.
ScoutAll sound carried on our loop. We heard everything from conversation to wood chopping a bit loudly. It was quiet until 8pm when people really started showing up for the weekend.
ScoutThe sites are well maintained. They offer a fire ring. A few also have tables. Its pretty quiet and all are very friendly!
ScoutCamp sites are very basic and somewhat run down. Very little tree coverage. Facilities, like pool, bathrooms and store are good.
ScoutIts our first time, in all. The Lady (owner) is really nice. They got all the basic needs and really clean.
GuideSpaced out and lots of space! Great for the dog to run and have plenty of room. Also nice having the lake so close. I will say there was a lot of trash at the campsite.
GuideDid not stay the night - wasn’t confident about its safety given my own personal circumstances so I’m leaving.
It’s on a forest trail that may or may not go to a residence. Theres a fire ring and some bit of a clearing but my car camping requires removing a specific necessary valuable from th car in order to lay down and I don’t feel safe doing so here.
Primitive camping opportunities abound within the forests and recreation areas near Henryville, Indiana. The region sits on the edge of the Knobs, a series of steep hills rising 300-600 feet above the surrounding terrain. Most campsites remain open year-round with varying access conditions depending on recent rainfall and seasonal maintenance schedules.
Swimming and water recreation: Starve Hollow State Recreation Area offers a large swimming beach open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "The 145-acre Starve Hollow Lake with a large swimming beach, and picnic area. The park offers boat, canoe, and kayak rental plus an Education Center, fishing, hiking and mountain bike trails," notes a visitor at Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground.
Hiking challenging terrain: The Knobs region provides significant elevation changes for hikers seeking varied terrain. According to one camper at Knobstone Trail, "The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail and creek beds."
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds provide access to historical sites. "Rose Island is very cool- Haunting but sublime. The paved trail to see Rose Island is about 1/2 mile long hill that is very steep in parts," reports a camper about Charlestown State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise. "The bathhouse was really, really nice. Very clean and spacious," notes a camper at Clifty Falls State Park. Another mentions, "Cardinal Cabin at Deam Lake has 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 access and no-wake zones: The calm waters at Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground make it perfect for beginners. "Perfect lake to kayak for a beginner bc no wake zone," says one visitor. Another camper adds, "The lake doesn't allow non electric motors so waters were calm. Caught some bluegills."
Natural wildlife viewing: Many campers report regular wildlife sightings at Starve Hollow State Recreation Area. "Starve Hollow Lake with geese nesting areas and great fishing opportunities. Calm waters for kayaking," mentions a review. Wildlife viewing opportunities extend throughout the camping areas with minimal light pollution for stargazing.
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have varied site conditions. "Some campsites flood easy," warns a camper at Starve Hollow. For Clifty Falls State Park Campground, a visitor cautions, "Site 22 was so sloped our red levelers barely made it work."
Additional fees: Several campgrounds charge entrance fees beyond reservation costs. "Be aware of an additional $9 fee at the gate besides the camp fee," advises a Charlestown State Park visitor. Clark State Forest campers note it can be "Nice, but expensive" compared to other primitive options.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly across the region. One camper reports "Zero cellular or wifi service" at Clifty Falls, while another notes, "No cell coverage at most sites" at Deam Lake. Visitors requiring connectivity should research coverage maps before arrival.
Kid-friendly water activities: Multiple campgrounds offer family-oriented water features. "The lake is a little small and so is the swim area," notes a Starve Hollow camper, but others appreciate the controlled environment. "The beach was fun to swim and water was clean. They have boats for rent which are fun and paddle around the lake," shares a visitor at Deam Lake.
Playground access: Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA provides numerous recreation options. "There is a sand volleyball net, gaga ball, dog park, playground, mini golf (not ready for summer yet), and a new pool soon," reports a camper. Multiple playgrounds are available at several campgrounds.
Trail difficulty considerations: Parents should assess trail challenges before hiking with children. A Starve Hollow visitor cautions, "The Lake View trail was a good and tough hike. If you take young ones, be sure they will be self reliant. It can be very steep in some areas."
Limited site options: RV campers often face challenges with site dimensions. At Deam Lake, one visitor notes, "Pads were so narrow that it was hard to park," while another mentions sites "can be short and a bit uneven, so be prepared."
Full hookup availability: Shale Bluff Campground at Hardy Lake offers diverse hookup options. "Very nice state park. Beautiful lake," reports one camper. Starve Hollow provides a range from "full hookup, electric only (by the lake), tent camping, and cabins," according to visitors.
Tight navigation: Larger RVs face access limitations at certain campgrounds. "Keep in mind that a lot of the electric only sites are very tight with a lot of trees in the area. I can probably only get my 36 ft 5th wheel into a third of the sites," advises an RVer at Starve Hollow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Henryville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Henryville, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 109 campgrounds and RV parks near Henryville, IN and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Henryville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Henryville, IN is Charlestown State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Henryville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Henryville, IN.
What parks are near Henryville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Henryville, IN that allow camping, notably Hoosier National Forest and Patoka Lake.
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