Camping options near Jeffersonville, Indiana span across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky, with the Ohio River creating a natural boundary between the states. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 400-900 feet above sea level, creating varying terrain with occasional steep hiking paths. Summer temperatures typically range from 75°F to 90°F, with high humidity making spring and fall more comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Hike historical ruins: Rose Island trail at Charlestown State Park Campground offers a unique opportunity to explore abandoned structures. "Enjoyed rose island trail lots of cool history to learn. Also enjoyed trail 6 with the waterfalls," notes Bryana D. who visited with a travel trailer.
Tackle challenging trails: The Knobstone Trail provides serious hiking for experienced backpackers seeking elevation changes. "The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail and creek beds," explains Maris H., who adds practical advice: "Let someone know your itinerary, have a means for filtering water, and enjoy!"
Kayak on no-wake lakes: Deam Lake State Recreation Area offers calm water ideal for beginners. "Perfect lake to kayak for a beginner because no wake zone," writes Brandy A., who appreciates the lake conditions. Boat rentals are available on-site for those without equipment.
Cycle urban trails: The Ohio River Greenway connects Jeffersonville to neighboring communities. "Biked the Ohio River Greenway path - nice 7 mile one way bike path from Jeffersonville to New Albany and stopped for lunch before turning around to head back," shares Lisa D., who stayed at Charlestown State Park.
What campers like
Spacious, naturally separated sites: Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground receives praise for its layout and privacy. "The camp sites are all wooded and primitive, preserving the peaceful serenity of such a beautiful and heavily forested area," explains Mike G., who appreciates being "far removed from the noise, hustle and bustle of city/suburb living" despite proximity to urban areas.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies between properties, with some standout examples. "The bathhouse was really, really nice. Very clean and spacious," reports Kaley A. about Clifty Falls State Park Campground, though she notes occasional maintenance issues: "there was no hot water. I think this was just a fluke."
Cabin accommodations: For those wanting more comfort than tent camping provides, several properties offer cabin options. "We stayed last night in the Cardinal Cabin. Tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink," shares Angela F. about her stay at Deam Lake State Recreation Area.
Proximity to amenities: Many campgrounds balance natural settings with nearby conveniences. "Close to home and close to nature. Overall this campsite is amazing in the sense that it's in a very natural setting," writes Joshua S. about Jefferson Memorial Forest, highlighting a key benefit of dog-friendly campgrounds near the Jeffersonville area.
What you should know
Train noise impacts sleep: Several campgrounds near Jeffersonville have railroad tracks nearby. At Louisville North Campground, "We heard the train, it's super close and loud, but of course it only runs at midnight and 2 am," reports a reviewer named "Never Sitting S." who still found the location worthwhile.
Aircraft flight paths: Airplane noise affects some otherwise peaceful locations. "For a hour or two in the morning and in the afternoon huge jets fly right over the campgrounds. Really throws me outta my mood," writes Matt about Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground, noting this disruption to the natural experience.
Site crowding and layouts: Some dog-friendly campgrounds near Jeffersonville prioritize quantity over spaciousness. "When people say tight, they mean it here. Wouldn't classify this as a campground at all. We have never stayed in a place that the spaces were this close," explains "Never Sitting S." about Louisville North Campground, though they still valued its location.
Wildlife encounters: Nocturnal animals can become problematic without proper precautions. "Just be sure if tent camping to hide your trash as wildlife is very brave to get up close and personal with your things," advises Kyle J. about Clifty Falls State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Add-More Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring urban attractions. "Great camp hosts but it is more of a stop on your way to a campground," explains Rebecca N., suggesting families use this as a staging area rather than a destination campground.
Playground options: Some campgrounds offer limited on-site entertainment for children. "The campground playground is small, not much to write home about. Nice flat paved loops and sites that are good for biking," reports Greg S. about Charlestown State Park, noting the trade-off between facilities and natural setting.
Water activities: Swimming and boating provide summer recreation options. "The beach was fun to swim and water was clean. They have boats for rent which are fun and paddle around the lake," shares Angela F. about her experience at Deam Lake State Recreation Area.
Trail difficulty ratings: Parents should research trail challenges before hiking with children. "The paved trail to see Rose Island is about 1/2 mile long hill that is very steep in parts. We took bikes and scooters but half of it had to be walked," cautions Greg S. about Charlestown State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. "Site 22 was so sloped our red levelers barely made it work," reports Beverly J. about her Clifty Falls State Park experience, recommending RVers bring adequate leveling equipment.
Space constraints: Larger RVs face challenges at some locations. "Someone else said that you have to be skilled to drive here..and they were right!! We have a 41' Class A towing and I don't think we would fit of any bigger," warns "Never Sitting S." about Louisville North Campground.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites can be limited at state parks. "All the sites are pretty much the same with good spacing between them. Most are electric only but we got one of the handful of full hookup sites," notes Greg S. about Charlestown State Park.
Extra fees: Budget for additional charges beyond base camping rates. "Quick stop over. Would definitely return if in the area. Would have like to have had more time to do some of the trails. Very clean, friendly. Be aware of an additional $9 fee at the gate besides the camp fee," advises Donna T. about entry costs at Charlestown State Park.
