Best Campgrounds near Jasper, IN

Southern Indiana's rolling hills surrounding Jasper feature diverse camping options within a 30-mile radius. Patoka Lake Campground, located in Birdseye, offers year-round access with full hookups for RVs and tent sites along its shoreline. Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City provides 150 electric sites with water hookups, primitive camping areas, and cabin rentals near its namesake lake. The Hoosier National Forest contains several recreation areas including Indian-Celina and Tipsaw Lake, where campers find more secluded options with varying amenities. Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph in Santa Claus caters to families visiting Holiday World with its 256 sites including glamping options and cabins, operating seasonally from May through October.

Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. The camping season peaks from April through October, though several parks remain open year-round. Weekday visits typically offer better site availability and quieter experiences. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with Verizon generally providing the most reliable coverage in rural areas. As one camper noted about Tipsaw Lake: "The rangers were very nice and pleased to answer any questions, the lake and bathrooms were clean, and the place was nice and quiet." Ticks can be problematic during warm months, especially after rainfall, so appropriate clothing and repellent are recommended for hiking.

Water-based recreation forms the centerpiece of camping experiences near Jasper, with most developed campgrounds situated on or near lakes. Electric-only boating restrictions on many lakes create peaceful environments for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Families particularly appreciate the clean beaches and swimming areas at Lincoln State Park and Patoka Lake. Historical attractions enhance the camping experience, with Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial adjacent to Lincoln State Park and cave systems like Marengo Cave offering unique exploration opportunities. As one visitor to Lincoln State Park observed: "Boating and fishing are popular, but electric motor only. There's boat rental, a beach, and a small nature center. Lots of history in the park and in the area."

Best Camping Sites Near Jasper, Indiana (83)

    1. Patoka Lake Campground

    36 Reviews
    Birdseye, IN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 338-5589

    $12 - $32 / night

    "My Aunt loves their trips to Patoka Lake & I can relate as to why after this weekend. We went for a wedding at the marina & ended by a lovely cove."

    "Pick a site that has water near and you won’t have to unhook to fill your tanks. So many sites are in the shade all day and peaceful. Showers are spotless but fun on the push button system."

    2. Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph

    33 Reviews
    Santa Claus, IN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 937-4458

    $45 - $101 / night

    "This park is conveniently located beside Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana! There is a wide variety of activities and it's a fun place to camp with family!"

    "This is a fun family Campground located adjacent to holiday world and Splashin Safari. There are golf carts for rent, nice camp stores, pools, playground, putt putt golf course, arcade and more."

    3. Lake Lincoln Campground — Lincoln State Park

    22 Reviews
    Lincoln City, IN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 937-4710

    $20 - $100 / night

    "Lincoln State Park is right down the road from Santa Claus , Indiana and Holiday World. Needless to say it was a little busy, but not as bad as the Rudolph RV Park in town."

    "Lake for swimming, fishing, canoe, paddle boat and Jon boat rentals. Hiking trails and fire tower. Typical camp store on site. Gas station with propane about a mile from the camp ground."

    4. Glendale State Fish and Wildlife Area

    5 Reviews
    Loogootee, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 644-7711

    $16 - $23 / night

    "We stayed in the primitive are and we were tucked away back by the lake."

    "Great place for fishing in Dogwood Lake."

    5. Indian-Celina Recreation Area

    20 Reviews
    Saint Croix, IN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 843-4880

    $21 - $44 / night

    "This was a very quiet campsite in southern Indiana. We had a hard time finding dispered camping in the national Forest so we settled for this site."

    "Indian Lake is co-located with Celina Lake and two campground.

    Once you turn off of IN37 you just keep straight to get to Indian Lake."

    6. Dubois County Park

    2 Reviews
    Jasper, IN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 482-2434

    7. Newton Stewart State Rec Area - Patoka Lake

    4 Reviews
    Birdseye, IN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 685-2464

    "This SRA is right on Patoka Lake, so there's plenty to do on the water - boating, fishing, floating cabins, beaches. There's also a disc golf course, archery range, and plenty of paved & dirt trails."

    "Beautiful campground and lake. Quiet and very well maintained facilities."

    8. Pike State Forest

    3 Reviews
    Winslow, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 367-1524

    9. Sycamore Springs Park

    17 Reviews
    English, IN
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 338-3846

    "There is a fishing lake and a small river to fish in or wade and swim in. There is a miniature village for the kids along with 20 playgrounds in the campground."

    "We were right at the lake edge. The campsite had electric but no water, but the water was just across the road at a shelter."

    10. Prides Creek Co Park

    5 Reviews
    Winslow, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 354-6798

    "It was somewhat easy to get to off the highway. There were some unfriendly signs saying it wasn’t the correct route- it was.

    The campground is situated on a golf course."

    "Ok fishing, disc golf, tennis court, beach for swimming friendly campers, they allow fires and golf carts ..9 hole golf course around the other half of the lake ..great family fun.. big minus park has"

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Recent Reviews near Jasper, IN

399 Reviews of 83 Jasper Campgrounds


  • L
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Spring Mill State Park Campground

    Fun, sunny, clean.

    This was an amazing campground! There were amazing trails and a cave, as well as Pioneer Village which was so fascinating and well run. Our campsite wasn't far from the bathrooms and showers house which were pretty clean. We were near water as well. Our campsite was on a small hill so it was well distanced from all the other campers, which was nice and peaceful. 

         There was a sweet place where you could get ice cream down the road from Spring Mill called Dairy Bell. Spring Mill wasn't far from the town were there was a Walmart, Rural King, and several more stores. 

    Very pretty and nice campground!

  • Becca M.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Grand Trails RV Park

    Not for rv stsys

    This place could be nice but it is full of permanent trailer occupants, which is fine but .  It shouldn’t be advertised as a RV park.  There were 3 empty spaces, we chose  one and we couldn’t hook the sewer up because the pipe is too high off the ground.  They charged us 45.95 which is too high for the amenities offered.  The spaces are very close, no table, no place to set up a bbq.  We should have left but we were very tired.

  • Fred R.
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Lake Lincoln Campground — Lincoln State Park

    Cross country trip

    First stop and a Natl park. This place was crazy packed due to concert and drone show. We missed both. It was tight to get into but made it work. Shade trees are plenty with hiking trails all around.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground

    Nice State Park

    nice state park. several shaded sites w electric and water hookups. clean restrooms. great nature center w ranger tours. several hiking trails w various difficulties

    lots of caving activity in area

    several local restaurants to visit. overlook and 1816

  • Cora P.
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Patoka Lake Campground

    Beautiful and so calm

    I am actually going to say if the beach was open I wouldn't have a bad thing to say. Other than that beautiful park, friendly staff, and clean shower houses.

  • Cora P.
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Sycamore Springs Park

    Kid's LOVE it!

    So much to do with the kids, from swimming in the creek, fishing, campfires, s'mores, fresh black topped roads, and such friendly staff. Clean bathrooms and showers, and beautiful places to visit also. Tons of playgrounds too spread throughout the campground.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Ouabache Trails County Park

    Excellent County Park

    Great gem of a woodsy campground. Stayed one night before visiting George Rogers Clark National Park (you can park your rig right in front of the natl park visitors center on the street). Campground is out of the way, which I consider a positive. 

    The staff were great. Excellent communication, seamless reservation process. Received prompt response to email, voicemail message was left after booking explaining exactly where my site was located. 

    If you are coming in for one night, definitely pick site 23 or 24 pull throughs. TIP: Make sure you have an extension for your 30/50 AMP, and one for your water as well (but what serious camper doesn't already have those?). Definitely on the list of "do agains."


Guide to Jasper

Camping near Jasper, Indiana, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakes to bustling campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to enjoy nature.

What to do

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campers enjoy fishing and boating at Patoka Lake Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The abundance of activities at this state park ensures there's never a dull moment." Another camper noted, "Roads and grounds are in good shape. Tons of sites and all different types (secluded, group, field, lake access, lake view, etc.)"

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Harmonie State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, "Multiple walking trails and bike trails. Nice shelter houses and picnic areas." Another camper added, "The trails are nice as well. This park is a must for any type of camping."

  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Starve Hollow State Rec Area have spotted various wildlife. One camper said, "The nights were still chilly, so there were very few campers," making it a peaceful spot for nature lovers.

What campers like

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Hardin Ridge. A review stated, "Beautiful spacious sites. Spread out with plenty of room between sites." Another camper mentioned, "The fire rings were spread apart amidst a green hill."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A visitor at Paynetown Campground remarked, "Restrooms/showers were state park clean. I was impressed with the hard-working staff trying their best to give us a clean bathroom!"
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers rave about the helpful staff. One camper at Indian-Celina Recreation Area said, "Quiet. Friendly helpful staff." Another added, "The staff was extremely friendly. They had ice and firewood to purchase."

What you should know

  • No Water Hookups: Some campgrounds, like Patoka Lake Campground, do not have water hookups. A camper reminded others, "It's worth noting that there are no water hookups, so remember to fill your tank before arriving at your site."
  • Busy on Weekends: Expect crowds during peak times. A visitor at Paynetown Campground noted, "This is known in Indiana as a party park. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend."
  • Limited Cell Service: Some areas have poor cell reception. A camper at Harmonie State Park Campground mentioned, "Cell service was poor. (T-Mobile 0-1 bar LTE, AT&T 1-2 bars LTE)."

Tips for camping with families

  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. A family camper at Lake Rudolph Campground said, "We had a great time, renting a canoe and keeping it on our site until we returned it."
  • Watch for Wildlife: Be cautious of raccoons. A camper at Harmonie State Park Campground shared, "Our only problem was 1 or more raccoons kept coming into our site."
  • Choose Shady Spots: Look for campsites with shade to keep cool. A visitor at Shakamak State Park noted, "Most of the sites are shady."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Some sites may not be level. A camper at Spring Mill State Park Campground mentioned, "It is mostly uneven and the shaded loop is very unlevel."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A visitor at Lake Rudolph Campground said, "The prices are high, even higher during the Halloween season."
  • Use the Dump Station: Make sure to utilize the dump stations available. A camper at Paynetown Campground noted, "4 dump stations at exit but still lines due to sheer number of sites."

Camping near Jasper, Indiana, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. Whether you prefer a quiet retreat or a lively atmosphere, there are plenty of options to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to go camping in Jasper, Indiana?

The ideal camping season in Jasper, Indiana runs from late spring through early fall. Late May through June offers comfortable temperatures and blooming landscapes, while September to mid-October provides spectacular fall foliage with fewer crowds. West Boggs Park is particularly beautiful during summer months with its lake activities and proximity to Indiana's Amish country. Lake Lincoln Campground stays busy during summer, especially when nearby Holiday World is operating. Midsummer (July-August) can be hot and humid with occasional thunderstorms, but most campgrounds remain accessible year-round with spring and fall offering the most pleasant weather conditions.

What campgrounds are available near Jasper, Indiana?

Southern Indiana offers several excellent campgrounds near Jasper. Tipsaw Lake in the Hoosier National Forest is a beautiful option with electric hookups and a small lake perfect for kayaking. For families seeking recreational activities, Dubois County Park provides drive-in sites with water and toilet facilities. Other nearby options include Patoka Lake Campground near Birdseye and the Mitchell Creek Road dispersed camping area for those seeking a more primitive experience. West Boggs Park near Loogootee and Lincoln State Park are also within reasonable driving distance, offering electric sites and lake access for fishing and boating enthusiasts.

What amenities are offered at Jasper, Indiana camping facilities?

Camping facilities near Jasper offer a range of amenities to suit different camping styles. Burdette Park provides primitive tent sites and RV sites with electric, water, and some with sewer hookups. For those seeking luxury camping, Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph features numerous activities and convenient access to Holiday World. Most developed campgrounds in the area offer clean shower houses, dump stations, picnic tables, and fire rings. Many sites have electric hookups (both 30 and 50 amp) and water. Recreation amenities typically include hiking trails, fishing opportunities, boat rentals, and swimming areas, with some parks featuring camp stores selling essentials and propane.