Cabin accommodations near Laurel, Indiana range from rustic to modern options at multiple campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region features diverse terrain with elevations between 800-1,000 feet and seasonal temperature variations that impact cabin availability. Most cabins require advance booking, with summer reservations filling 3-6 months ahead at popular locations.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing opportunities: Whitewater Memorial State Park Campground offers excellent water recreation with "awesome fishing lake with tons of good spots to fish" according to Kimberly A. The park provides "water access to both Brookville and Whitewater lakes" making it popular among "fishermen and kayakers" who frequent the lake trails.
Swimming options: During summer months, Versailles State Park features a swimming pool with slides and diving boards. As one visitor noted, "The pool is nice, and the kids love the slides and diving board. They also have a fenced in area for small children with a baby pool and sprinkler."
Hiking trails: Most cabin locations connect to trail systems with varying difficulty levels. At Versailles State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "great bike trails & walking trails" though one camper warned about rocky terrain: "We went on one of the easy trails. Be aware this area is very rocky so easy is relative to the surroundings."
River floating: Seasonal river activities are available at several sites. One visitor at Hidden Paradise Campground described watching "random people float down river" while their son fished, making it "perfect for overnight stay passing through."
What campers like
Waterfront cabin views: Cabins positioned along waterways offer scenic views. At Morgan's Outdoor Adventures, visitors appreciate being "steps away from gorgeous river views" with one reviewer noting: "There is nothing like waking up and making breakfast while watching the river roll by!"
Privacy levels: Site spacing varies significantly between locations. At Governor Bebb MetroPark Campground, visitors find "basic car tent camping at several spots along a creek with picnic tables and fire rings" in a more secluded setting than some commercial campgrounds.
Family activities: Cornerstone Campground receives high marks for family amenities with one visitor noting there are "tons of stuff for kids to do" and "the resort is beautiful. Lots are level and include a picnic table and fire pit, with nice space between sites."
Swimming quarries: Some locations feature unique swimming areas beyond standard pools. Hidden Paradise Campground has "a quarry full to swim with an aqua playground, with use of free life preservers" making it popular for families seeking water recreation beyond standard pools.
What you should know
Reservation timing: For cabin reservations, timing matters significantly. At popular locations like Thousand Trails Indian Lakes, weekend spots fill quickly while midweek availability remains better: "Completely inundated with annual spots being reserved by weekend warriors meaning minimal availability for people who want to be here during the week."
Bathroom facilities: Bathhouse conditions vary widely between properties. Some campgrounds maintain excellent facilities while others receive criticism. One visitor at Hannon's Camp America noted "shower houses are disgusting and filthy" despite the otherwise good location.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for local wildlife encounters, particularly at state parks. One camper at Whitewater Memorial warned: "Watch out for the raccoons they are pretty aggressive and were all over our campsite. Clearly they are used to getting handouts, so keep your foodstuffs in your vehicle or well secured."
Accessibility challenges: Some cabins require navigation through difficult terrain. At Hidden Paradise Campground, a visitor noted the entrance can be challenging: "while the campground sign can be seen from the main road on the way in - it all disappears in the dark after you turn onto the road."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: When cabin camping with children, consider locations with dedicated kid swimming areas. Versailles State Park Campground features family-friendly pool options including "a fenced in area for small children with a baby pool and sprinkler. They also sell concessions at the pool."
Playground access: Moccasin Meadow offers family-friendly amenities including "spots available from primitive tent sites, to full hookup" and features a "playground, pond to fish from" according to visitors.
Annual traditions: Several campgrounds host seasonal events that families return to yearly. At Hidden Paradise Campground, one family shared: "We love this campground so much that we return every year! Our boys & friends spend most of their time in the river, but also enjoy the quarry lake with inflatables & paddle boats."
Group accommodations: For multi-family cabin trips, seek locations with clustered cabins. One visitor at Hidden Paradise explained: "The campground also has fabulous cabins at a reasonable price. Our friends without campers join us in the cabins. All together there were 50+ in our party this year."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Larger cabin and RV sites vary significantly between campgrounds. At Cornerstone Campground, visitors note the "lots are level and include a picnic table and fire pit, with nice space between sites."
Campground navigation: Some properties present navigation challenges for larger vehicles. At Hidden Paradise, one visitor with a 42' fifth wheel cautioned: "This little road is quite narrow, has some pretty tight turns with trees on both sides and in the night it's hard to tell where the rear end of your camper is on the turns."
Seasonal considerations: Road conditions impact cabin access during wet periods. Indian Lakes campers mentioned problems with "the condition of the roads throughout the campground. The owners seem to be slacking off on maintenance and therefore, there's a lot of mud and potholes."
Utility reliability: Power availability can fluctuate at some locations. Several campgrounds offer full hookups, but service reliability varies. At Thousand Trails Indian Lakes, one visitor noted having to be "extremely persistent to get a FHU spot only to see dozens continue to be available for the rest of our 2 week stay."
