Cabin camping near Henryville, Indiana offers lodging options within easy reach of the Knobstone Trail, the longest footpath in Indiana at over 50 miles. The region sits at elevations between 400-900 feet, creating varied terrain with notable hills and valleys throughout Washington and Clark counties. Winter cabin rentals in this region maintain temperatures averaging 25-40°F, while summer cabins typically experience 75-90°F days.
What to do
Boat on no-wake lakes: Deam Lake State Recreation Area features a calm lake perfect for beginning kayakers. According to Brandy A., "Perfect lake to kayak for a beginner bc no wake zone," making it ideal for those learning water sports near Henryville cabin sites.
Explore historic sites: Spring Mill State Park Campground offers history beyond your cabin door. Donald T. explains, "Also has a pioneer village for touring along with a visitor center honoring astronaut Virgil Gus Grissom." The park includes cave boat tours through underground passages.
Hike challenging trails: The Knobstone Trail starts at Delaney Creek Park, providing serious hiking from cabin bases. James M. notes, "Its at the start to a Fifty mile trail (Knobstone Trail) or you can do the Delaney Loop in about 6 hours (7.5 miles and 2000 ft elevation change) a good challenge for all ages."
Fish at multiple locations: Buffalo Trace Park provides fishing opportunities just steps from cabins. Curtis J. mentions, "The lake was beautiful and the park was well maintained," though notes some fishing spots can be challenging due to shoreline vegetation.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms near cabin areas. Brandy A. (at Deam Lake) observed, "the restrooms are definitely the cleanest and well taken care of anywhere I've ever been."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer wildlife watching opportunities from cabin porches. Aleta C. recommends, "wake early to see the sun rise over the lake" at Starve Hollow, where waterfowl and deer are common morning visitors.
Variety of cabin styles: Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA has upgraded their cabin inventory recently. Ima C. notes, "Since the new owners took over they have made wonderful improvements. Added a new saltwater pool, deluxe cabins, deluxe camping sites."
Lake proximity: Many cabins feature direct lake access or views. At Buffalo Trace Park, Tessa C. appreciated the "Beautiful lake views. Staggered sites so everyone has space and views. The walk around the lake is lovely."
What you should know
Cabin mattress situation: Most basic cabins have firm sleeping surfaces. John G. at Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground explains, "Neat cabins all wood with Portable AC," but advises bringing additional bedding: "Friends stayed in the chickadee cabin... just bring a mattress."
Reservation timing: Holiday weekends require advance booking 3-6 months out, especially for lakefront cabins. Summer weekends fill 1-2 months ahead at most parks.
Accessibility considerations: Several parks offer designated accessible cabins. James L. notes that at Starve Hollow, "sites 222, 232, and 234 are wheelchair accessible" and "Wheelchair ramps allow access to beach and concession area."
Additional fees: Charlestown State Park Campground and most state recreation areas charge entrance fees beyond cabin rental costs. Donna T. warns, "Be aware of an additional $9 feet at the gate besides the camp fee."
Tips for camping with families
Beach options: Several parks offer designated swimming areas for children. Tom J. observed at Deam Lake, "The lake looked very nice and is electric motor only. It will be nice to head back with the kayaks."
Kid-friendly spaces: Look for cabins with loft areas for children. The Cardinal Cabin at Deam Lake earned praise from Angela F.: "Tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug... The beach was fun to swim and water was clean."
Playground proximity: Sites near play equipment reduce travel with small children. Lauren M. shared that Deam Lake "is very family-friendly and fun. There are horse trails, a beach, and great water for swimming/kayaking/canoeing."
Off-season activities: Family programming continues beyond summer. Jessie W. noted at Spring Mill, "They had a Smokey the Bear program for the kids and some really fun activities at the nature center while we were there."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many cabins sit on similar terrain as RV sites, which often require adjustment. At Delaney Creek Park, Lora H. cautions, "every lot slopes down towards the lake. If you have levelers, should not be a problem, but be sure to bring extra, because it's a good 3" to 5"."
Utility locations: Some cabin and RV hookups require extensions. Kelsie E. warns, "The electric and water hookups are not in standard locations for RV hookups. Make sure you bring an extension for your electric hookup."
Internet connectivity: Wi-Fi quality varies significantly between parks. Ima C. specifically recommends Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA, noting it "offers high-speed Wi-Fi that actually works! The new owners upgraded last year and it's fabulous!"
Road conditions: Access roads to some parks can be challenging. Lora H. mentions about Delaney Creek Park, "the decent into this park is steep and the road is narrow. I think there is one section that is close to 8%, however it's short."
