Best Tent Camping near Highland, IN

Tent camping options near Highland, Indiana are limited within the immediate vicinity, but several established campgrounds can be found within driving distance. Lake Mauzy East in Kentucky and Camp Cadiz Campground in Illinois offer tent-friendly sites with basic amenities for campers willing to travel. Both locations provide primitive tent camping experiences with varying levels of facilities and natural surroundings.

Tent sites at Lake Mauzy East feature lakeside locations with fire rings and picnic tables at each campsite. The campground provides vault toilets but no drinking water, electricity, or shower facilities. Campers should bring all necessary water supplies and prepare for self-sufficient camping. Camp Cadiz Campground offers more rustic tent camping with large, open sites situated along a gravel forest road. The campground includes potable water from a spigot, vault toilets, and fire pits with cooking grates. Both locations are accessible via drive-in routes, though Camp Cadiz requires navigation down gravel roads.

The tent camping experience at these locations offers natural settings with varying levels of seclusion. Lake Mauzy East provides waterfront tent sites with lake views and a peaceful atmosphere. One visitor described it as "very quiet" with good opportunities for boondocking. Camp Cadiz Campground serves as an access point to hiking trails, including the River to River trail, making it suitable for backpackers and hikers. The campground's limited number of sites contributes to its remote feel. According to one camper, "It's super quiet despite the gravel road nearby. It has easy access to the River to River trail, and I love the CCC stonework." Both locations offer alternatives to more crowded campgrounds in their respective regions, with Camp Cadiz specifically noted as a quieter alternative to the busier Garden of the Gods campground.

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Best Tent Sites Near Highland, Indiana (2)

    1. Lake Mauzy East

    3 Reviews
    Morganfield, KY
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 389-3580

    "The tent pads are right by the water, offering stunning lake views. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and access to toilets—everything you need for a comfortable stay."

    "Lake mauzy is very quiet. No hookups but if you want to boondocks this is a great place."

    2. Camp Cadiz Campground

    6 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    49 miles
    Website

    "There was potable water from a spigot and lots of kindling around to get fires going. No showers. Over all a nice site. I would stay there again."

    "On a gravel road, in the back country like most everything else on this side of Illinois , fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill. "

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Highland, IN

4 Photos of 2 Highland Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Highland, IN

250 Reviews of 2 Highland Campgrounds


  • Sam H.
    Apr. 2, 2023

    Saddle Lake Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    Average National Forest campground

    13 total sites, 2 of which are tent/primitive only and set 50ft or so back into the trees. No electric or water. A single vault toilet of average cleanliness, but was stocked with 6 partial rolls of tp. Tent pads are all flat and level, but parking pads are definitely not. It's all gravel roads including the "Saddle Lake Road" entrance all the way from Old State Road 37. There is a parking lot and boat ramp further down the hill at the lake, but state law does not permit swimming from the shore without a designated beach. $5/night fee paid by honor system drop box near camp entrance.

  • Richy R.
    Apr. 2, 2025

    Lake Mauzy East

    Harris-Dickerson WMA (Free) – A Hidden Gem on the Lake!

    This is an amazing spot for free camping! The tent pads are right by the water, offering stunning lake views. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and access to toilets—everything you need for a comfortable stay. Despite its remote feel, Walmart is just a 12-minute drive away for any last-minute supplies. We would have loved to stay longer, but incoming storms cut our trip short. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a peaceful and scenic getaway! No electricity or showers!

  • Tim E.
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph

    Not for Little Kids

    We chose this campground due to its proximity to Holiday World and its family friendly atmosphere.

    The Bad: We took our 5 and 3 year old daughters for their first camp out with the plan to do Holiday World the next day. This place has golf carts zipping all over all hours of the day and night. Apparently it is the thing to do to decorate golf carts with bright lights, blairing music, and megaphones. They even has a golf cart parade that went from 8:30-10:40pm and included thrown candy that ran about 30 feet from our tent! There was no privacy between sites, constant noise, and trash all over the ground! As an advocate for leave no trace camping, I was completely disgusted with the amount of trash on the ground at our camp site.

    The Good (there was some): The shuttle to Holiday World was great, the staff were friendly, they have a great mini golf course that the girls loved, a top notch playground, and scheduled kuds activities (many are free). they also have a pool and water slides, but i cant comment on those as we did not try them.

    At the end of the day, we had a great trip. but if i were to stay here again it would have to be a more secluded camp site without the constant buzz of golf carts. And I sure hope the amount of trash we saw was a fluke.

  • Sarah R.
    Jan. 20, 2021

    Saddle Lake Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    Primitive Paradise

    This is a centrally located primitive campground that my siblings and I use often for weekend expeditions. The long winding gravel road takes you away from the highway and deposits you in a serene location that is perfect no matter which season you visit. Each site offers ample space for multiple vehicles and occupants; each site also has a picnic table, double lantern hook, and a nice iron fire ring with a swiveling grate. We have spent many weekends here and have never had any issues with any of the other patrons. Each site is $5 a night, they use the honor system, and they have a pit vault bathroom that is usually in pretty clean condition.

  • V
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Saddle Lake Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    Straightforward little campsite

    There are 8-10 spots available, all but one of which are drive-in. I think a smaller RV or third-wheel could get into the first and last spots, otherwise, all the spots looked suitable for tent or hammock camping. 

    We had enough Verizon coverage to get emails and make calls but not enough to have worked on for a longer stay. The campsite is near Saddle Lake and it is walkable at a stretch but there is no swimming allowed there. Based on the other visitors, fishing is the main draw here. The sites were somewhat divided by trees and undergrowth but you will see or hear other campers and the occasional truck flying up the nearby gravel road at 2 am. Site #11 is more private and not visible from the drive in, it is on the right as you pull in going toward the lake.

    Collecting firewood is not permitted here. Bring whatever you need out, I did not see anywhere to get ice or firewood between the campsite and I-64.

    The vault toilet was adequately clean. 

    Dry camping (no water). 

    All drive-in sites had a fire pit and picnic table. 

    We had a hook for trash and whatnot. Be advised that bears are only very rarely seen in Indiana but the racoons are ruthless and highly organized.

    I wrote about my visit here: Saddle Lake camping un-fails

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2019

    Harmonie State Park Campground

    Lotsa trees

    Ranger Review: Primus at Harmonie State Park

    I recently visited Harmonie State Park near New Harmony, In. https://indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IN&parkId=570048 Just a heads up when camping in Indiana there is a fee to visit the State Parks. I always carry cash for that , laundry and in some states bathroom use. So, the number one thing that stuck out to me about this campground was the shade. For the most part it’s level (floodplain...I saw no standing water) And all the sites are nicely shaded (we are talking full growth) and good size. The sites are electric only, no water, no sewer. There are centrally located water hydrants and a dump station on the way out of the campground. The campground wasn’t very full when we visited, but there is a plethora of activities to enjoy. An Olympic size pool which back in the day my kids woulda loved. Hiking paths (very wide), one right by the campground and a connector trail to the mountain bike trail area. There’s also a bike section on the paved roads. You could spend a comfortable week here and not be bored.

    Product Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I get to occasionally try out outdoor products while camping and this trip I brought along some Primus “kitchen gear” https://primus.us/ . Primus is known for its camping stoves , the kitchen accessories are pretty sweet too. I have the Trailsporks , a long spoon , a spatula for grilling , campfire plates and a campfire knife. These are very sturdy made accessories and pack in my kit without taking up a lot of space. There are a lot of options on the site to fit your packing needs too, from family fireside to fastpacking . I’m building my fireside kitchen kit .

  • M E.
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Pine Ridge

    Beautiful Area with large sites!

    This campground area is beautiful! We stayed here 3 nights. We arrived on a Thursday and there were plenty of open spots. Friday they open some of the other loops up for more people to stay and it did fill up for the weekend. 

    You can get some cell service but only in choice areas (at the front by the water spigot and some of the roads leading down to the lake. We were not able to get any cell service (Verizon, AT&T, or T Mobile) in the electric loop. 

    This area is a primitive area and is not really set up for RVs. Don't get me wrong... RVs can definitely fit in most of the camping spots but only 1 loop has electricity, there is no sanitary dump station, and the water spigot does not have a way to hook up a hose to fill your tank. If you dump your tanks and fill with fresh water before coming you should be good. 

    It does have vault toilets... no showers. The toilets were very clean for vault toilets. 

    The lake area is beautiful with a swimming area, fishing pier, and pavilion to eat or sit under for shade. It looks like they really keep the area cleaned up!

    Another little note that we learned is that the park rangers can help you move sites... or even campgrounds if your site is not working for you so you don't loose out on money like we did. This only applies to other Shawnee campgrounds of course but there are quite a few to choose from!

  • Ashley D.
    Feb. 24, 2020

    Pike State Forest

    Very primitive

    The park is very primitive with no electricity. There is running water but you have to walk quite a ways to get to it if you arent camping by it. There are no shower houses and the bathrooms are just a glorified porta potty. Aside from lacking amenities it is a very quiet and pretty place to camp.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2018

    Saddle Lake Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    Dark

    Saddle Lake Recreation Area and Campground is located of IN37 right outside Tell City, IN in Hoosier National Forest

    I thought I had already found my favorite campground in Hoosier NF when I stayed at Celina Lake but then we visited Saddle Lake. To me this campground of 13 sites down a gravel road in the woods is the model for good basic camping. Only thing missing is being able to put in to the lake directly from your campsite. At Saddle you have to continue down the road to the boat ramp. 

    Otherwise the sites are a little open to each other but it depends on which one you pick. There are two walk ins that are secluded ;) there is a pit toilet and each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Very dark at night and quiet, nice! 

    The Ranger Station is in Tell City , not open on the weekends. The sites are pay on the honor system and there is a host. 

    There is a parking area at the boatramp, electric motors only.

    The Saddle Lake Trail Trailhead is at the boat ramp , it is a 2.2 mile hike around the lake. If you want a longer trail the Mogan Trailhead is north on IN37. Mogan is about 24 miles of intersecting trails shared with horse riders. 

    We enjoyed the hikes and the dogs played along the boat ramp, next visit we are bringing the kayak ;)


Guide to Highland

Tent camping near Highland, Indiana offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying various outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed options nearby, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and unwind.

Local Activities to Enjoy

Tent Camping Prices

  • Tent camping prices typically range from $0 to $20, making it an affordable getaway at locations like Lake Mauzy East.

Features for Campers

  • Enjoy a peaceful atmosphere with no electric hookups or generators allowed at Camp Cadiz Campground, perfect for those seeking a rustic experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Highland, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Highland, IN is Lake Mauzy East with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.