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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
