Jasonville, Indiana sits at an elevation of 564 feet within the west-central region of Indiana, characterized by reclaimed mining land that now forms numerous lakes and forested areas. The climate features warm summers with temperatures averaging 85°F from June through August and mild springs with occasional rainfall, creating ideal conditions for tent camping from April through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Shakamak State Park Campground offers three connected lakes spanning 400 acres known for quality fishing. "This is a fishing park. Boating with electric motors, so a quiet lake. Fishing was fair according to my fishing guy," notes one camper at Shakamak State Park Campground.
Mountain biking: Located near pet friendly camping options close to Jasonville, Fowler County Park provides excellent access to Griffin Bike Park. "This park is a short four minute bike ride from Griffin Bike Park, which is an amazing mountain bike park," reports a visitor. The park maintains several well-designed trails suitable for various skill levels.
Swimming options: Beyond the lakes, several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas. "There's no beach, but they have an enormous pool. It has slides & everything," writes a Shakamak visitor. For those preferring natural swimming, Fowler County Park features "a swimming spot and some old cabins for some westworld feels."
What campers like
Level camping terrain: Unlike many Indiana parks, Shakamak offers exceptionally flat camping areas. "The sites are all flat- ALL FLAT!!! No inclined sites at all! Unheard of in an Indiana State Park," explains one visitor. This makes setup easier for both tents and RVs at this pet accommodating campground near Jasonville.
Waterfront campsites: Many visitors appreciate the lakeside camping at Sullivan County Park. "They have all kinds of camping sites, a huge lake that can support all sizes of family boating. A beach for swimming. Pets are welcome," mentions one camper. Sullivan County Park provides direct water access from numerous sites.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness consistently ranks high in visitor reviews. "The bathrooms/showers are KOA clean. Also unheard of in an Indiana State Park. I couldn't even find a spider web," reports a Shakamak visitor. Another notes Sullivan County Park is staffed at the gatehouse 24/7 where "ice and firewood is sold."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: While camping with pets near Jasonville, be aware of local wildlife. "We did have several nighttime visits from a couple large raccoon families, but it became a game for the kids as they watched for them," notes a visitor at Fowler County Park. Secure food items at night to avoid unwanted animal encounters.
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be spotty throughout the area. "One downside was we had Verizon as a cell phone carrier and only had one bar," reports a Shakamak visitor. At Lieber State Recreation Area, approximately 40 miles from Jasonville, campers note "ZERO cell phone coverage."
Lake conditions: Some lakes have vegetation that can affect water activities. At Fowler County Park, a visitor cautions about "moss everywhere" making fishing challenging in summer months. Water conditions vary seasonally, with spring typically offering clearer conditions than late summer.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Terre Haute Campground, about 30 minutes from Jasonville, offers "lots of amenities, very family friendly." The campground features playground equipment, basketball courts, and family-oriented activities throughout the season.
Animal encounters: Children often enjoy the animal experiences available at some campgrounds. "The goats and donkeys were a pleasant addition," notes a visitor to Terre Haute Campground. Another camper mentions, "We woke this morning at 8 to donkeys braying which was cool."
Pool access: For hot summer days, Shakamak State Park provides a particularly good option. "They have a really nice pool with water slides and diving board. The pool also had a splash area/wading pool for your smaller kiddos," writes one visitor. The pool typically operates on weekends during the late season (August).
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At Shakamak State Park, RVers should note electrical hookup placement. "Bring an extension cord if you're in a pull through. If you want your door facing the fire pit- the electric box is in an awkward place," advises one RVer. This helps with optimal positioning when camping with pets near Jasonville.
Tree clearance: Watch for low-hanging branches at several campgrounds. At Prairie Creek, "Lots of trees and wild life with hiking trails" means checking overhead clearance. At Terre Haute Campground, a visitor recommends: "As we've stayed here before, we liked this site as there are trees but they won't get in the way of parking maneuvers. Some of the other sites in this CG, not so much, so look up and watch your turn into the pull-throughs."
Water pressure considerations: Water connections vary between campgrounds. "No issues with utilities as they are smartly placed on the pad and work to include decent water pressure," reports a Terre Haute Campground visitor. Most full-hookup sites provide reliable connections suitable for routine RV use.
