Campgrounds Near Indianapolis, IN

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Indianapolis, IN is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Indianapolis and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Indianapolis, IN (92)

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Showing results 1-10 of 92 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Indianapolis

Recent Reviews in Indianapolis

459 Reviews of 92 Indianapolis Campgrounds


  • Amanda D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Nov. 13, 2024

    Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    Brown County State Park stay

    The site we stayed in was lovely. 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. I would say pay particular attention to the size of the site you’re booking as some were pretty small. Also, some sites were fairly sloped as well. This site was a slight slope and overall I would book it again. We have a full size truck with a small travel trailer that fit perfectly. Camp store was stocked nicely. Staff was friendly. The campground itself was very quiet and you could enjoy being out in nature. The site was walking distance from showers/bathroom. 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.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Johnson County Fairgrounds
    Oct. 20, 2024

    Johnson County Fairgrounds

    Not the Best

    We followed our RV GPS into the quaint city of Franklin and turned right off of Jefferson Street onto Fairgrounds Street that leads a short distance to the gate. Waze wanted us to continue on King Street coming in from I-65, but there is a sign that says no trucks and the street is not RV friendly. Our RV GPS had us going the right direction to get to Jefferson Street. As we had made reservations on the day of arrival we were texted by the fairgrounds camp host asking for an estimated arrival time. The camp host site is right at the entrance of the campground (CG) area. As they only take cash or check, we paid the host upon arrival and the host walked us over to show us the site they selected for us. Upon arriving at back-in site 34 with FHUs and 50 AMP, we asked if we could change to the adjacent 30 AMP area, so we could have some space and yard. The camp host said that due to the age of the wiring they do not allow 50 to 30 AMP adapters. However, a 5th wheel came in a day later and hooked into 30 AMP with an adapter. The CG has poor site and utility placement with multiple sites sharing water. The sites back up to each other and the utilities are down the middle. There isn't dedicated site utilities like the majority of CGs, you just pick the water and electric that happens to be open and is closest to you. There are no picnic tables nor fire pits. Be sure to have plenty of water hose(we needed 50’) to reach a spigot. Our area had full timers and short stayers. There was another site area across the field that was either long term or seasonal with decent spacing but we weren't offered any of the empty 50 AMP spots and no one else was put in that area. Wifi was very useable for checking mail, Facebook, and such. Water pressure was good. We got 3 bars on Verizon. With an unobstructed view of the northern sky we used our Starlink. There’s plenty of area to walk your dog inside the fenced fairground areas. The next time we are in the area, we’ll pass on this CG.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from White River Campground
    Sep. 8, 2024

    White River Campground

    Great spot for camping

    We are here for just one night as we are headed back to Georgia. I used the Dyrt search and in this area I looked at this place and boy am I glad I did. I wish it were closer to home. We are next to the river and we are loving it. Beautiful sites and family friendly. Staff are great too.

  • patti J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Heartland Resort
    Sep. 7, 2024

    Heartland Resort

    Staff were helpful

    This would most likely be a last resort for us.  Went to our campsite only to find someone else using it.  Not what you need after driving 400-500 miles.  Had to go back to the office and ultimately took a different site after dirty looks from the poachers.

    Then the staff told us there was music that night after we told them we just wanted a peaceful nights sleep so we moved to another site further away from the jam session. Whew a lot of work to be here.  Cannot recall being impresses with the bathrooms/showers.

  • Joel K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Shades State Park Campground
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Shades State Park Campground

    Nice campground, but not perfect

    Stayed here recently and overall the trip was a 10, but as for the campground itself there are somethings that could definitely be better.

    First, for all intents and purposes the sites are not marked.  At some point years ago they stencil painted the numbers both on the concrete parking block and on the ground near the entry pad for each site, but obviously over time most of these are worn away.  It's very difficult to find your actual site, even during the day when it's not busy.  At night, or with a campground full of people - not a chance.   Even more perplexing is why it's still like this when it's so easy to fix.

    Second, on the back loop, where we were, almost every car we saw was going the wrong way around the loop.  I've never seen this before and wasn't just one car.  There is a sign at the start of the loop indicating it's one direction, so not sure why this happens.

    Third, they have a camp store at the entry to the family campground, but it was never open in the time we were there, which was Friday / Saturday / Sunday, during the summer, so not sure what the situation was.

    Fourth, while the campground does have functional flush bathroom and shower, they only have one, and the rest are pit toilets, so depending on how far your site is from the building, it could be a very long walk, especially at night.

    The front gate to the park did have covered firewood, but the hours of the gate operation were not clear.  The sites themselves were fine, but not particularly deep, and some are basically completely exposed to all the foot and vehicle traffic going to the toilets, the dumpsters, or just driving around, so basically zero privacy.

    We did drive into Crawfordsville, which took about 20 minutes, and it was very nice with a local college (Wabash) and plenty of retail options to restock, grab a cold beverage, or refill the tank before driving home. 

    Would I stay here again, yes 100%, but be prepared and plan ahead.  Would I recommend this to others?  Meh.

  • James P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Crawfordsville KOA
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Crawfordsville KOA

    Nice KOA

    Shade, grass, and gravel sites. A lot better than most KOAs. They ask that you not put outdoor rugs on grass; no problem as grass is nice. Sites 1-10 are your best bet for Starlink if that’s what you have; best opening through tree canopy of the northern sky. Pet friendly; counted three cats and a dog in the office when I checked in. Was given the option of choosing my site out of the seven available for my reservation. A mix of long term residents and travelers; some of the long term resident sites were a little junky.

  • Jacole C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Summit Lake State Park Campground
    Jul. 30, 2024

    Summit Lake State Park Campground

    Feeling of harassment

    Very clean and quiet campground. There was not a lot to do, but we took Kayaks and had a good time. However, our son and his family joined us for the weekend and any time they pulled in the campground host would follow them down to our site and remind them that there is only 1 car allowed at the campsite(which we already knew). Friday, they came in and, within 40 seconds, got the 1st"reminder." He was just there unloading the car. Saturday morning, he went home to pick us up his wife and came back. Again, less than a minute later, the host came down to remind him of the rule. He unpacked the car of a scooter and bike and 1 more blanket. Both Friday and Saturday, his car was down at the site to unload a total of 3 minutes before he went to park it in overflow parking. We have camped there for 30 years and always obey the rules. We do not camp to get harassed each day we are there. Then you look around the campground and there are 2 to 3 cars parked at every 3rd campsite we came to. They need to give people 15 minutes before following them down to harass them and spend that time letting the people know the rules that were next to us with 2 cars parked at their site the entire weekend

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Glo Wood Campground
    Jul. 20, 2024

    Glo Wood Campground

    Simple but good

    Definitely a little dated. Picnic tables cracked plastic. My site was missing fire ring but many had them. Most sites really wet but gravel pads were close to level, needed to raise one side 1”.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Buckwood
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Camp Buckwood

    Very Nice and Freindly

    Stayed two nights, tent camping. It was a great time meeting new people and exploring the surrounding area.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hills Camp Resort
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Hickory Hills Camp Resort

    Perfect RV Resort south of Indianapolis

    We were so fortunate to have found The Retreat at Hickory Hills and stay there for a month! There’s two pools, a pickle ball court, a basketball half court, farm animals, golf cart trails, kayak/canoe/row boats, exploring creeks, fishing, a dog park, several playgrounds, Gaga ball, tether ball, volleyball, frisbee golf and several weekend activities for everyone. Saturday mornings were our favorite where we could get biscuits and gravy, coffee and the kids had craft time. It’s definitely worth bringing mountain bikes or renting their golf carts to explore their golf cart trails! We went out on these several times and it never got old! Staff and campers were welcoming and friendly. We still haven’t stopped talking about how CLEAN they keep everything. The sites were large and they’re still expanding and adding more sites. There’s a seasonal campers area and an overnight or monthly area. We stayed in the overnight/monthly area. It was peaceful and relaxing throughout the week and lively during the weekend. It was a wonderful balance!! We’ll definitely be back.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 3, 2024

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Secluded in the woods

    Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far. There was no traffic or other people in site. I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times. I have lived in Indiana for ever and have made many trips this way, but I never knew sites like this existed.

  • Cynthia K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Jun. 28, 2024

    Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    Meh

     First off- Brown County is a lovely park. This review is only for the campground. 

    The only time we ever camped here was in 2003 when we had 3 kids & a popup. New to the park I thought the Racoon Ridge Loop looked good & picked site 121. Bad mistake! We stayed 3 nights & every night we had a weird thing happen. The worst was the bat that found it's way into the popup one night. None of it was in any way Brown County's fault, but we never went back. 

    We were staying at Paynetown recently & decided to visit Brown County & the campground. The mirror tag helped with this. We visited on a Saturday morning in late June. The whole campground was full & it was jumpin'!

     We skipped Buffalo Ridge. Raccoon Ridge is the smallest loop. Close sites. Our former site 121 has a pit toilet right next to it now. There's several sites along the main road, also very close to each other & right on the road.

     I thought that Taylor Ridge was the best loop based on my memories from 2003. It's really a long warren of close sites, some with terrible inclines.

     I was able to write down a few sites I thought would work- Sites with no one close by: 193/194/266. 

    265 was the only pull thru I saw, but there may be others. 

    End of loop: 317/318 

    Ridge view from your site: 310/311/312/313/314 

    Random sites that looked ok: 179/188/215/223/225/242/259/260/265/277/280/287/422- these sites are just what I eyeballed while the husband was cruising down the main road. 

    We decided we were never going to camp here again. The sites are too close together. There's too many people crammed in a small space. If you go be aware that summer weekends & leaf peeper season will be very busy. The middle of the week or shoulder season would probably be your best bet for a more relaxing experience.

  • Cynthia K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
    Jun. 27, 2024

    Yellowwood State Forest

    Just did a drive thru

     This is a State Forest campground near Nashville, Indiana. Primitive camping. Pit toilets only. This is by Yellowwood Lake, so boating & fishing opportunities. 

    All these sites are first come, first serve. No reservations. 

    There's a Forest Office with area information & a small display. 

    There's several trails of varying length. 

    Believe it or not- gold panning is a thing here! You need a permit.

    They rent boats at the Forest Office. Electric motor only.

     There's several camping loops. There's a horse camp also. 

    The boat ramp is near the horse camp loop.

     We didn't go down the Red Pine Loop, but did check out White Oak/Redbud& Black Gum.

     Hickory loop is right off the road & the sites are visible from the road. They looked nicely spaced.

    White oak loop had several nice sites. Redbud is close to a building they call a camp store. It may have been many years ago, but not open now.

     Several picnic spots by the lake. The best site in Redbud would be 39. Large site with some shade. I would also say 38, but site 37 is directly behind it. This is the camp host spot, so occupied. These sites are near the pit toilets.

    The best spot in Black Gum would be site 75. Large site at the end of the loop & right by the lake.

     If you go back to Hwy 46 where the road split on your way in, follow the sign to the dam. Just a large earthen dam, but there's trail heads here. There's the Scarce O' Fat Trail which has been mentioned on the Facebook Indiana Hiking page.

    $13 per night regular camping.$16 per night for horseman's.

  • Matt M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Indiana State Fairgrounds Campground
    Jun. 25, 2024

    Indiana State Fairgrounds Campground

    Not what we were expecting!

    We traveled to Indianapolis for the Olympic Swimming Time Trials. Stayed here 2 nights with our 2 grand-daughters. The area we stayed was directly adjacent to a bike path. It was separated by a fence and there was a gate right next to our site. The gate was locked however the gates were far enough apart that someone could get between them. Our first night, someone actually did this and walked right behind our site.

    The shower house was in serious need of some improvements! Old, dark, leaky pipes. 

    The area was OVERLY well lit, to the point we were hanging sleeping bags over the windows to try and make it somewhat dark inside the camper! 

    Getting to the sites took some figuring out also. We entered at the main gate to the fairgrounds and there were no signs directing us to the sites. Had to use GPS with satellite view to figure our way there. 

    For comparison, we've stayed at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and this is a night and day difference. Iowa Fairgrounds sites are $20 less per night, very nice shower facilities and plenty of room between sites. 

    We would stay here again but we'd need to exhaust all other options first.

    BTW, the price listed is wrong. We paid $50/night.

  • Holdun R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Atterbury Campground
    Jun. 17, 2024

    Camp Atterbury Campground

    Great 1st experience

    This was my first time at a campsite, so I don't have other sites to compare to. Overall, my experience was great. Clean area with lots of amenities. They stack free firewood at your campsite to burn. I'm military, so the gunfire, canon fire, and helicopters didn't bother me at all. Those things don't happen all the time though.

  • rickie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest

    Beautiful as it should be.

    We stayed pretty much on our site. Generally, we aim to do a bit of exploring, but we used their camping as a rendezvous. I was slightly disappointed by the site selections being mostly on a slant, but we did find one on the overfill site that suited our needs and we ended up loving it. I do plan on returning specifically to update a better review on the available views.

  • Jonathan P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Woods Campground
    Jun. 8, 2024

    Woods Campground

    Horrible

    The owner came up hot headed and very upset. I don’t know if they were having a bad day. The place looks like trash and has a very poor layout

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Summit Lake State Park Campground
    Jun. 8, 2024

    Summit Lake State Park Campground

    Beautiful Location

    Summit Lake is our go to get away. Beautiful campground with several amenities. Several campsites offer full shade and most are level. There are a few pull through sites. There is a large (shallow) lake for fishing and kayaking. Idle speed only allowed using a motorized boat. There is also a beach area for swimming. Several picnic areas with beautiful views of the lake. This campground also offers several walking trails. All are easy walks with various distances. Campground is very well maintained and staff are very helpful and friendly.

  • james W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
    Jun. 6, 2024

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Real dispersed camping

    For those of you who don't understand disperse camping this is the perfect site for a tent to camp without anything but what you bring in and take out understand what dispersed camping is and then there won't be any complaints about can't get a camper in or whatever I always see the complaints this is dispersed camping at its best

  • Brett B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
    Apr. 29, 2024

    Yellowwood State Forest

    Great Camping & Fishing Combo

    Lots of primitive campsites here. Many have short trails from them to the lake edge, making for some great night fishing with a cozy fire to return to.

  • Kelsey R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cornerstone Campground
    Mar. 14, 2024

    Cornerstone Campground

    Nice for the area

    The owners are very nice, campgrounds are super clean, lots for my children to do. My only complaint is, it’s your typical campground where you’re right on top of your neighbor. If you don’t mind, it’s fine. We prefer to stick to state parks or places that offer more seclusion. Overall, would recommend!


Drive Time


Guide to Indianapolis

Camping near Indianapolis offers a great escape into nature, with plenty of campgrounds that cater to different preferences. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are options to suit everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Turkey Run State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Trail 7 leads unexpectedly to a small stream running past a recessed cave. It’s a peaceful spot."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy fishing and kayaking. One camper noted, "The water was breathtaking and very calm even with all of the boat activity."
  • Wildlife Watching: Hardin Ridge is a great place for spotting wildlife. A visitor shared, "Screech owls and active birds made it an exciting evening."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of restrooms and showers. A review for Paynetown Campground stated, "Restrooms/showers were state park clean. I was impressed with the hard-working staff."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds, like Buffalo Ridge Campground, offer roomy sites. One camper mentioned, "The woods surrounding the Buffalo Ridge campground is very peaceful."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Turkey Run State Park Campground is noted for being family-friendly. A reviewer said, "This is a very family-friendly campground, and you will see lots of kids on bicycles flying around."

What you should know:

  • Crowded on Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Paynetown Campground noted, "This is a SRA on the shores of Lake Monroe... it was completely full."
  • Limited Privacy: Some sites, like those at Turkey Run State Park Campground, may lack privacy. One camper mentioned, "Many sites are in an open, level area without a lot of trees or bushes between them."
  • Variable Amenities: Facilities can vary widely. A review for Shades State Park Campground pointed out, "The vault toilets were dirty, needed to be emptied, and the women’s stalls didn’t have doors."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area that have activities for kids. One camper said, "Great areas to walk your dog. We would definitely stop again but pick a different site."
  • Plan for Crowds: If you’re camping on a weekend, arrive early to secure a good spot. A visitor at Paynetown Campground mentioned, "This campground is known in Indiana as a party park."
  • Bring Entertainment: Keep kids engaged with games or outdoor activities. A reviewer at Turkey Run State Park Campground noted, "Best of all, from the back of the campground, you can access Trail 7."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Many sites have slopes, so be sure to check the levelness before booking. A camper at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area mentioned, "Described the pad as level when it was actually about a 30% grade."
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some campgrounds, like Paynetown Campground, have tight spaces. One reviewer said, "Campsites are crammed together and packed too hard for stakes."
  • Plan for Amenities: Make sure to check what amenities are available. A visitor at Turkey Run State Park Campground noted, "The restrooms and showers... are modernized and cleaned daily."

Camping around Indianapolis has something for everyone, whether you're in an RV or tent. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Indianapolis, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Indianapolis, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 92 campgrounds and RV parks near Indianapolis, IN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Indianapolis, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Indianapolis, IN is Indianapolis KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Indianapolis, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Indianapolis, IN.

  • What parks are near Indianapolis, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Indianapolis, IN that allow camping, notably Cecil M. Harden Lake and Monroe Lake.