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Best Tent Camping near Indianapolis, IN

450 Reviews

Tent campsites near Indianapolis, Indiana range from established campgrounds to more remote dispersed options, with the most popular locations clustered in state forests south of the city. Morgan-Monroe State Forest offers primitive tent camping at its Oak Ridge Camping Area, about an hour's drive from Indianapolis, while Berry Ridge Road provides free dispersed camping in a more secluded setting approximately 75 miles south of the city.

Most tent camping areas around Indianapolis feature basic amenities, with variations in services and accessibility. The Oak Ridge Camping Area provides vault toilets, drinking water stations with outdoor sinks, and picnic tables at each site, though the terrain can be challenging for setting up tents. As one camper noted, "This campground is decent if you get one of the few good spots. Many sites are small and can only accommodate a tent." Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with firewood available for purchase at some locations during limited office hours. Dispersed camping areas like Berry Ridge Road operate on a pack-in, pack-out basis with no amenities or facilities.

Tent campers at Morgan-Monroe State Forest benefit from access to extensive hiking trail networks, including routes over 10 miles long. The forest setting provides ample shade and moderate seclusion, particularly at the Oak Ridge sites which feel more remote than the main campground. A review on The Dyrt described it as "secluded" and "the best camping within an hour of Indianapolis." Berry Ridge dispersed camping offers greater privacy, with sites spaced up to half a mile apart along gravel roads. These primitive areas attract campers seeking solitude, with multiple sites tucked away from the main road. The terrain is typically hilly with thick woods providing natural barriers between campsites and roads, creating a true backcountry camping experience without the need for backpacking.

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Best Tent Sites Near Indianapolis, Indiana (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Indianapolis, IN

9 Photos of 7 Indianapolis Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Indianapolis, IN

450 Reviews of 7 Indianapolis Campgrounds

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2017

    Lieber State Recreation Area Campground

    In the woods

    Lieber State Recreation Area, Cloverdale, IN is west down I70 from Indianapolis, 2 miles down RT243. Cagles Mill Lake borders the southwestern side of the area.

    We arrived to a very quiet campground with few campers. Our site was next to the showerhouse, in the trees and had an attached grass trail out the back. All of the campsites boasted two picnic tables and some were very spacious. The sites were electric only and there were water sites positioned strategically throughout the campground.

    The showerhouse was older but maintained. There were also pit toilets throughout the campground( not much to say about typical pit toilets....)

    There were primitive sites in the adjacent campground that did not have much tree cover but appeared to be good size sites to set up in.

  • E
    Jul. 14, 2022

    Lieber State Recreation Area Campground

    Great pool; rough sites and campers

    Pros: Very nice large-size pool with slide, attached playground, green space, and sand-filled soccer pitch all included on the pool grounds. These amenities are great as the pool takes a 15 minute clear-out break about once per hour. There is a concession stand with limited selection, but the benefit is that it takes credit card (and cash). 

    The camp store is not the best we've visited. Very limited supply, but they did keep a stock of bacon in their refrigerator and that made my wife happy. 

    Cons: Typical Indiana State campground. We visited for a weekend and landed in a terrible spot. The grade was severe and despite using all the travel trailer tricks to level my site, I could not get level. We dealt with it, but I noticed 4 or 5 quality spots that sat vacant through the weekend, however, were allegedly reserved. I had terrible anxiety for the entire weekend that we would roll backward into a ravine. 

    We were on an electric side of the park, and the pull-through site across from us was occupied by a tent with a minivan. No judgment here, but they were watching highly taboo movies on a wide screen projector with loud speakers around midnight, well after quiet hours had expired. 

    Verizon and AT&T cell phone service were nil, even with a booster and WiFi pack. Our site was littered with cellophane wrappers and cigarette butts. Clearly the previous campers did not adhere to the "leave no trace" doctrine. 

    DNR was very, very present at the campground, but at many sightings it seemed like they were watching for rule infractions as opposed to upholding the integrity of the park. I know that seems conflicting, but if you visit this park you will understand. 

    Bathrooms were mostly clean. Vault toilets were disgusting, but that's expected for concrete topped port-a-potties.

  • T
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Shades State Park Campground

    Wooded Sandstone canyon with primitive camping.

    Located north of turkey run state park shades offers all the hiking and scenic terrain with less amenities and less crowds. Sugar creek cuts through the ancient sandstone floor creating canyon walls. The park is connected to a nature preserve that dose allow backpacking but has designated camping within the park separate from the car camping sites, so you can’t set up camp on the trail. The car camping sites, labeled as family camping, are primitive only with vault toilets. There is a shower located in the campsite with flushing toilets. Campsites are close but most have trees separating them for privacy. Avoid sites next to toilets or dumpsters their practically in your site. There’s no cellular signal in the park so heads up. Ice and wood are located for sale at the entrance. If you have little ones there are a few playgrounds located in the park including one in the campsite which is located a short hike in the woods. This park is quite, shaded, rugged at times and the canyon/creek can be breathtaking. Although I would go early or late in the season to avoid Indiana’s humid muggy summer heat.

  • Mary S.
    Sep. 8, 2018

    Mccormick's Creek State Park Campground

    Beautiful state park but sites are too close/visible to each other

    There is just one thing that keeps me from rating this a 5 star campground. It's the sites!  So....4 stars...but read on for my thoughts on the sites.

    What's up with these sites?

    • If you want to be be able to see what your neighbors are eating and hear their conversations, you'll love the electric sites (1 through 189).

    • If you like to feel like you're alone in the woods, you won't like most of the electric sites. 

    • There is a partial solution. Sites 190-202 have no electricity, but most are fairly private/secluded. Sites 203-222 are additional primitive sites on a loop but they are not at all private; you can see lots of neighboring sites. There's a lot of shade, but you could probably set up solar panels if you require electricity.

    • If you want privacy in the electric section (1-189), I don't have a great recommendation other than you should stay on the outside of the loops. Then you'll only have people beside you rather than beside and across from you.

    Good luck! Stay one night when there aren't many people and scope out sites for your next stay. If you're from the area, this could be a park worth returning to over and over if you are able to stay on a site you enjoy.

    I've included a map of sites 1-189 and photos that show some sites I like and sites I don't like. In my opinion, a site is not one for me if I can see 3 other picnic tables while sitting at the table at my site. If you camp with other families, this would be good because you can make your own 'group' site.

    Something you need to know: Indiana state parks have a $7 entry fee but you'll only pay it once (unlike some states that make you pay every day). It's supposed to be $9 for non-residents, but we were only charged $7. The hang tag for your vehicle will get you in the main entrance for the rest of your stay.

    If you come without a reservation: The registration attendant assigned a site to us but maybe you can choose one. Since it was the day after Labor Day and the park was sparsely populated, there was no one near us. Privacy was not an issue for our stay, but we wouldn't have enjoyed our site on a busy weekend...although there were many sites we would have liked even less.

    The basics: picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, potable water, flush toilets and sinks in the bathrooms, separate shower facility. There are vault toilets closer to sites 190-222. Sites 1-189 have electricity.

    Activities: Nearby swimming pool and playground. There are almost 11 miles of hiking trails. The longest one is 2 miles, but you can combine some trails and wander in the woods for quite a while. You can also wade in McCormick's Creek; the water was low in early September. You can stay busy in this park for quite a while. And if you want to go to Bloomington, it's only about 25 minutes away

  • Daisy C.
    Jun. 5, 2020

    Yellowwood State Forest

    Quiet, Peaceful, and Primitive

    Yellowwood state forest campground does not accept reservations. It is first come, first served. Drive up, select your site, and then go to the park office to pay using a self-pay envelope. Bring exact change(cash). Current prices are listed on the Indiana DNR website. The park office does have firewood for sale, but only during open hours, which are limited. There is no camp store, no playgrounds, and no pool. Swimming is not allowed in Yellowwood lake. Each site has a fire ring with grill grate and picnic table. There are four campground loops and a horseman’s campground. Campgrounds have vault toilets and drinking water access. I do not know if water is turned on year-round. There are no modern restrooms. Sites are wooded and fairly level. All sites are primitive. We have only tent camped at Yellowwood, so I can’t say what size travel trailers would fit in the sites. Yellowwood road changes over to gravel once you enter the state forest. It is well maintained. You can also access the forest by Jackson Creek road, but you’re on gravel for longer, and I seem to remember it being a bit rougher. We have camped at Yellowwood several times between 2011-2018. The only time we have ever seen the campground busy is over big holiday weekends like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and 4th of July. Otherwise use is light. We have several times been one of two or three campers in the loop. Several trails are nearby in the state forest, including the Tecumseh Trail. Horse trails are also available. Yellowwood lake is adjacent to the campground and there is a boat ramp, but there are limitations on boating(motor size). Check with the DNR website. Camp here if you like quiet, peaceful camping. You won’t run into a bunch of loud partiers.

  • G
    Jun. 28, 2019

    Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest

    Quiet, just right!

    I’ve camped here several times and have always enjoyed it. When tent camping and want something quiet and a place with great trails, this is a good place to go. Even though it’s hot outside today, there’s lots of shade and a breeze. At this campground, there are two areas of pit toilets, and a big outdoor sink. Fire wood and maps can be obtained just up the road at the new Morgan Monroe headquarters. A self pay station is set up there. You select your site, set up, then go pay. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and plenty of room for tenting with most sites big enough for a trailer. There’s a playground at the entrance of Mason Ridge campground and a fire tower.

  • Daisy C.
    Jun. 8, 2020

    Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest

    Off the Beaten Path

    We stayed at site 13 at Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Mason Ridge Campground in June 2020. Site 13 has a little trail that goes down to a large flooded sinkhole behind the campsite. There were lots of tree frogs singing because of the proximity to water. Mason Ridge Campground has vault toilets and drinking water available. There are outdoor sinks at the drinking water stations. There is a dumpster in the campground for trash. Mason Ridge Campground is first come, first served, self-register and pay at the park office. Bring exact change. Firewood is available to purchase, but only when the park office is open, and hours are limited. It is also allowed for campers to gather downed wood throughout the forest for campfires. Chainsaws are not allowed, so bring a handsaw and spitting axe if you want to do this. Campsites are mostly good for tents, but several of the sites would be fine for small to medium sized travel trailers and RVs. Sites are primitive, with gravel parking pads. Campfire ring, grill grate, and picnic table are at all sites. There is a dump station. There are no electric sites. Oak Ridge Campground is a second campground loop in MMSF. It only has a handful of sites but feels very secluded. Most of these sites are suited for tents only, or little teardrop campers. Oak Ridge is only open as an“overflow” campground, so only bet on it being open during summer. There is also a group campground for scout troupes and other groups. When we camped here, there was a rowdy group of car campers that came to have a bonfire and drink all night two sites down from us. They would loud and obnoxious. I do not know if this type of thing is common occurrence at this property, or if we“lucked out” that night. The rest of the folks camping there were quiet. There were no hordes of flashlight children running amuck through the campground like you get at the state parks. There is a playground and fire tower right next to the Mason Ridge campground, but both were closed due to coronavirus. There are many trails in MMSF. Good hiking. 

    Pros: sinks, feeling of seclusion, quiet(other than the one group), usually availability unless you arrive really late, long hiking trails

    Cons: limited office hours for firewood purchase, obnoxious car campers

    In summary, this campground is for those who like to“rough it” a little bit.

  • Michelle M.
    Nov. 16, 2020

    Mounds State Park Campground

    A nice park. Electric only.

    It’s a nice park for kids. Has a nice swimming pool. Easy trails. Nice playground. $5 firewood bundles. Mostly a weekender park. It is right next to a small craft airfield do it can get noisy at times and there is little wind protection.

  • j
    May. 24, 2023

    Timberline Family Campground

    Potato Creek State Patk

    Specious sites a bit on the awkward side regarding lay-out. The vehicle separated the tent from the picnic table and fire ring. Less than ideal. I’m told that they’ve planted additional trees. They are relatively non existent at this point. Hence, a lack of privacy . Combined with awkward site layout we seemed to be right on top of our neighbors. No place to hang hammocks, tree swings or clothesline. Just sort of a open Praire. We were visiting by staff shortly after getting settled and told to put my highly trained border-jack on a leash even though she was at the time laying on my bed inside the tent which was zipped closed. The restrooms are kept up twice per day and are extremely clean and well cared for. The fishing was great! Lots of areas to explore even just to fish off shore or bridge. Everything was a good distended away from the campground so unfortunately my grandson could not bike alone to the lake to fish.

Guide to Indianapolis

Tent camping near Indianapolis, Indiana often requires navigating gravel roads to access more secluded sites, particularly at locations north and east of the city. Primitive camping options range from established campgrounds with basic amenities to completely undeveloped forest clearings. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with high humidity making tent ventilation crucial.

What to do

Hiking trail networks: At Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort, campers can explore surrounding trails while keeping a basecamp established. One visitor noted, "This was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum."

Fishing opportunities: Riddle Point Park on Lake Lemon provides access to a 1,650-acre lake for fishing. Though facilities are minimal, the water access makes this a worthwhile destination for anglers staying in tents.

Forest exploration: When camping at Rattlesnake in Owen-Putnam State Forest, visitors can explore multiple unmarked trails. As one camper described it simply, "primitive only no drinking water at campgrounds," highlighting the undeveloped nature of this area.

What campers like

Natural barriers between sites: The dispersed sites at Berry Ridge Road offer exceptional privacy. A camper observed, "Multiple campsites in the area, I've stayed at two both of which were away from others, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn."

Nighttime quiet: Many campers appreciate the lack of noise at more remote sites. One Berry Ridge visitor shared, "It's really quite only seen a handful of cars drive by and I've stayed here for 2 nights, would highly recommend."

Self-registration simplicity: The straightforward camping process at Oak Ridge appeals to experienced campers. A visitor explained, "When you arrive set up at your site. Then you will need to go WITH EXACT CHANGE to the sign in at the main building. It's easy, there is a little box on the side of the firewood shed."

What you should know

Site selection challenges: Many tent sites around Indianapolis require careful selection. At Oak Ridge Camping Area, "This campground is decent if you get one of the few good spots. Many sites are small and can only accommodate a tent."

Seasonal availability: Some camping areas operate seasonally or as overflow options. One Oak Ridge camper noted, "Oak Ridge is only open as an 'overflow' campground, so only bet on it being open during summer."

Road conditions: Access roads to dispersed sites can be challenging. A camper at Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping reported, "I wouldn't be trying to pull a travel trailer back into here unless it was very small."

Tips for camping with families

Playground availability: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Oak Ridge, a visitor mentioned, "There is a playground and fire tower right next to the Mason Ridge campground," though facilities may sometimes be closed for maintenance.

Museum proximity: When planning activities, consider Indianapolis attractions. A Pine Lake camper shared their experience: "This was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum."

Wildlife awareness: Parents should be aware of potential wildlife encounters. At Berry Ridge Road, one camper reported, "Did see a rattlesnake dead on the road," indicating the need for appropriate caution with children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping sites near Indianapolis?

For tent camping near Indianapolis, Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest is a popular option about an hour south of the city. This campground offers shaded sites perfect for tents, vault toilets, and water access. Many sites are specifically designed for tent camping with great hiking trails nearby. Another option is Riddle Point Park on Lake Lemon near Unionville, which provides a scenic lakeside camping experience within driving distance of Indianapolis. Remember to check availability as some campgrounds require reservations, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration.

What are the best tent camping grounds in Indianapolis for beginners?

Beginners will find Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort ideal for first-time tent campers near Indianapolis, with well-maintained grounds and basic amenities that make the experience less intimidating. For a more natural setting, Rattlesnake in Owen-Putnam State Forest offers beginner-friendly sites with adequate space for setting up tents. Both locations provide relatively flat terrain for easy tent setup and basic facilities like toilets. These campgrounds are good starting points for novice campers wanting to test their outdoor skills without venturing too far into the wilderness.

Are there any free or low-cost tent camping options around Indianapolis?

Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping offers completely free tent camping about an hour south of Indianapolis. This dispersed camping area features multiple secluded sites spread far apart along the road, providing privacy and a true wilderness experience. There are no facilities (no running water, electricity, or toilets), so come prepared for primitive camping. Another budget option is Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping, which offers low-cost camping opportunities. Bring exact change for self-registration where fees are required, and always follow Leave No Trace principles when enjoying these affordable camping options.

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