Best Tent Camping near Jasonville, IN

Tent camping opportunities near Jasonville, Indiana include options in several state forests and wilderness areas within driving distance. Charles C. Deam Wilderness provides primitive tent camping sites with access to trails and Monroe Lake, while Morgan-Monroe State Forest offers two campground areas with designated tent sites approximately 40 miles east of Jasonville.

Most tent campsites in the region are primitive with minimal amenities. Morgan-Monroe State Forest provides vault toilets and outdoor washing stations with drinking water available. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables on mostly level ground. Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers more rugged dispersed camping with self-contained waste disposal required. Campers should bring water filtration systems when backpacking to remote sites. Many areas require campers to self-register and pay fees at forest headquarters with exact change. Firewood gathering policies vary, with downed wood collection permitted in some areas but prohibited in others.

The tent camping areas provide access to extensive trail networks and natural features. In the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, trails lead to secluded lake access points and creeks. One camper noted, "Being close to the college there was evidence that less than mature campers may frequent the area, but once on trail I didn't see another soul past a couple hundred feet of the trail head." Morgan-Monroe State Forest offers over 10 miles of hiking trails connecting to the 40-mile Tecumseh Trail. Sites in the Oak Ridge area provide more seclusion than the main campground. Reviews indicate most tent campgrounds remain relatively quiet even during peak seasons, with abundant shade from the forest canopy. Hickory Ridge provides primitive dispersed tent sites for those seeking minimal development and maximum privacy.

Best Tent Sites Near Jasonville, Indiana (12)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Jasonville, IN

474 Reviews of 12 Jasonville Campgrounds


  • Jim L.
    Aug. 31, 2017

    Hardin Ridge

    Hospitable Woods Experience

    This campground is nestled on a ridge above Indiana's Lake Monroe. The wooded sites include a fire-ring, a pole for your lantern and generous flat graveled areas to pitch your tent, as well as a couple of picnic tables per site. There are pleanty of RV sites with electric hookup available as well. Each area of the campground has a knowlegeable courteous full time host, and ice is available at the main gate. Foraging for wood is allowed which is a definite bonus in this era of emerald ash-borer awareness and wood import restrictions. The plentiful raccoons seem almost tame, yet keep a safe distance from campers if you allow them to. There is a small beach to beat the summer heat, and nearby showerhouses (even in the non-electric sites) are kept clean with adequately warm water. There is a small interpretive hike with approximately 300 feet of elevation change situated near the ampitheater that can be completed in a couple of hours.

  • 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.

  • Jennifer T.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Fowler County Park

    Wonderful Family Campgrounds

    Shaded campground sites at lake's edge on east side of park, 53 electrical hookups including 1 pull-thru, 14 primitive/tent sites. Fire ring and picnic table at each site. Water hydrants nearby. Modern shower houses with rest rooms. Handicapped accessible. Dump station. Pets are welcome but must be kept on leash. Must provide own firewood. Firewood must be purchased from within state. Fishing from campsite. In park, swimming beach (Memorial Day-weekend before school opens in fall), boat ramp, trails, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, pioneer village.

    Campground open May 1 - October 15. Park open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. No reservations. Must check-in between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Night guard on duty. Electrical sites - $20 a night, weekly rate - $120, 2 weeks rate - $200. Primitive sites - $12 a night, weekly rate - $60, 2 weeks rate - $100. Price includes Indiana Sales Tax.

    From I-70, go south on U.S. 41 for 7.2 miles. Turn left onto Oregon Church Road and go .8 mile east to park entrance on left. After entering park, turn right to go to campground.

    Personal Thoughts and Experience: We had a wonderful time. We absolutely loved the pioneer village. it is a must go especially when they are having pioneer days in the fall. There is a mountain bike park close to the campground that is a premier facility. Beginner to advance trails with a practice course. Amazing! My husband competes in the Dyno series and loves to train at the facility then camp at Fowler Park!

  • D
    Jul. 17, 2019

    Charles C. Deam Wilderness

    A couple nights on the sycamore trail

    Wonderful place. Excellent trail following a nice little stream along the one side. Being in a national forest dispersed camping is allowed if you follow leave no trace principals, but I stayed in a couple of the official sites. The official sites all had rock fire rings and bushcraft furniture.

    The one negative was I did have to pack out previous campers trash along with my own. Being close to the college there was evidence that less than mature campers may frequent the area. That being said once on trail I didn’t see another soul past a couple hundred feet of the trail head and only heard a pair of hikers on the trail pass my camp site as I ate my breakfast the one morning.

    A wonderful backpacking area!

  • Randy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2023

    Happy Campers Campground

    Off the beaten path by a lake

    See all 3

    Approx $35 / day

    Happy Campers Campground

    5.0 (1 reviews)

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    Roam with care

    Remember to enjoy these campgrounds in a sustainable, respectful way. Clean up after yourself, be friendly with others, and don't overstay your welcome :)

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    Got it

    Details

    Call 812-239-6263 for reservation. Plan to arrive before dark.

    5 full hook-up sites, 1 primitive site, and one primitive cabin. On a lake stocked with fish. Port-a-potty and shower house available.

    Location

    Contact

    39.4931, -87.0188

    https://happycamperscampgroundinc.com

    Cell signal

    Verizon LTE

    AT&T LTE

    T-Mobile LTE

    Sprint LTE

    Weather

    Averages

    Forecast

    Jan

    2.57"

    34.6°

    16.8°

    Feb

    2.48"

    39.6°

    20°

    Mar

    3.39"

    50.5°

    28.6°

    Apr

    3.99"

    62.9°

    39.4°

    May

    5.41"

    72.4°

    49.3°

    Jun

    4.67"

    81.1°

    58.7°

    Jul

    5.19"

    84.2°

    61.7°

    Aug

    3.37"

    83.2°

    60.2°

    Sep

    3.73"

    77.3°

    52.3°

    Oct

    3.49"

    65°

    41.2°

    Nov

    3.98"

    52°

    31.8°

    Dec

    3.26"

    38.3°

    20.7°

    Seasonal scales

    Spring

    Summer

    Fall

    Winter

    Crowdedness

    Others between 10 and 50 feet away

    Fullness

    Almost full

    Noise

    Occasional man-made noise (trains, cars, etc...)

    Shade

    Mostly shaded, but still some spots with sunlight

    Cleanliness

    Pristine, no trash at all

    Safety

    Very safe

    Road difficulty

    No problems with any vehicle

    Features and amenities

    Water hookup

    Sewer hookup

    50A Electric

    Showers

    Picnic tables

    Toilets

    Pets allowed

    Wifi

    Fire pits

    randyorsusan

    Great place to stop overnight or for a few days. Can hear the highway; but it's not very loud or intrusive. Camp host/owner is very friendly. Plenty of room for kids or pets to roam and play. Very clean and safe.

  • 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.

  • 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.


Guide to Jasonville

Dispersed camping options near Jasonville, Indiana offer primitive tent sites in dense forest settings with few amenities. The Hoosier National Forest provides several wilderness areas within a 60-75 minute drive southeast of Jasonville, while closer options exist in Owen-Putnam State Forest about 35 minutes southwest. Most primitive sites require self-contained waste disposal, campfire management according to forest regulations, and preparation for limited cell service throughout these areas.

What to do

Geode hunting along creeks: At Charles C. Deam Wilderness, creek beds offer surprising geological discoveries. "I walked the creek for hours just looking at all the rocks on the sandbars. I have never encountered so many geodes in my life. Truly magnificent to encounter," reports Sarah R., who hammock camped along Patton Cave Trail.

Extended backpacking trails: Connect to multiple trail systems for longer adventures. "A wonderful backpacking area!" says Darren L. about the Sycamore Trail in Charles C. Deam Wilderness. The trail follows "a nice little stream along the one side" with established campsites featuring "rock fire rings and bushcraft furniture."

Lake access exploration: Several primitive camping areas provide access points to Monroe Lake. At Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites, campers can combine overnight stays with daytime exploration of the lake. "Hiking is fantastic!" notes Jimmy H., who found the area accessible even "in a sedan in the winter."

What campers like

Solitude and privacy: Morgan-Monroe State Forest offers quiet camping experiences away from crowds. "My favorite forest with traditional camping, backwoods camping, and a wonderful secret pioneer cabin for rent," shares Sars C., who recommends trying "the backwoods camping area for the Low Gap Trail" for solitary sites.

Natural surroundings: Primitive tent camping areas provide immersion in undisturbed forest settings. "This place is the gift that keeps on giving being so close to the city. Beautiful sites on the lake, and dozens of other spots scattered throughout the forest as well," writes Steven D. about the Charles C. Deam Wilderness.

Skill development opportunities: The minimal amenities encourage self-sufficiency and outdoor skills practice. "Good spot to get some quiet time to learn/hone skills or for some good quality time with the family while being plugged into nature and unplugged from their electronics," notes Jase G. about Hickory Ridge.

What you should know

Self-registration systems: Most forest camping areas use self-registration. "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," explains Rob R. about Morgan-Monroe State Forest. "Make sure you take your tag to mark your site, it is in the box attached to the payment envelope."

Seasonal considerations: Wet periods create challenging conditions. "The only negative was that we came after a lot of rain. So everything is permanently wet and mosquitos/ticks abounded," reports Sarah R. from Charles C. Deam Wilderness. Spring and fall typically offer better conditions with fewer insects.

Limited parking: Many primitive areas have restricted parking. At Hickory Ridge, access roads can be challenging but passable with careful driving. "I pulled in at midnight in a sedan in the winter and I was able to safely find my way," notes Jimmy H., though daytime arrival is recommended for first-time visitors.

Tips for camping with families

Scout camps for organized experiences: Ransburg Scout Reservation offers more structured camping with amenities suitable for families. "Located on Monroe Lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing," writes Margo B., who notes they have both "cabin and tent camping" options with a "top notch" mess hall.

Consider site terrain: Many primitive sites have uneven ground. "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," shares Rickie F. about Morgan-Monroe State Forest.

Water access planning: Water sources are limited at primitive sites. "Refill your water when you come across it; the lake is harder to get to than you think," advises Jessica T. from Charles C. Deam Wilderness, recommending water filtration equipment for backcountry camping.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most primitive camping areas limit RV size. At Owen-Putnam State Forest Rattlesnake campground, sites accommodate only small campers or tent setups. "Primitive only no drinking water at campgrounds," notes Nicole B., emphasizing the basic nature of these sites.

Morgan-Monroe considerations: The forest offers limited RV-friendly sites. "We are RV campers and there are only about 5 sites we could get in to. Our camper is about 25' and it was tight getting in and out of the campground," explains Ron H., adding that smaller campers under 15 feet would have more options. "There is a dump station, but I barely got in to dump. So not real RV friendly."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jasonville, IN is Rattlesnake with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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