P
Paul D.
Scout
ScoutHamilton County Miami Whitewater Forest Campground
Clean, quiet woods and raccoons
20 & 30 amp service only. Very nice place to kick back and unwind. Dump station is on a hill so it’s tough to get the job done completely.
Camping near Madison, IN
90 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping near Madison, Indiana ranges from full-facility RV campgrounds to primitive tent sites, with options close to downtown and deeper in the woods. Madison City Park Campground puts you right near downtown, so you can walk to restaurants and shops but still have a quiet place to sleep. Madison Area State Park has good hiking trails and more natural campsites with fewer people around. If you want to camp with minimal facilities, the National Forest sites near Madison let you set up away from crowds. Families often pick Madison Recreation Area because it has all the basics covered and is well-maintained. Madison County Park Campground has big sites with lots of trees for shade in the summer heat. Most places work for both tents and RVs, and you'll find water and bathrooms at the established campgrounds. Some sites even have showers, which is nice after a hot day. You can drive right up to most campgrounds on regular roads, though some of the forest sites need vehicles that can handle rougher roads. Summer gets pretty hot here, while spring and fall are much more comfortable for camping. Winter camping works if you bring warm gear. The campgrounds around Madison provide excellent options for both short weekend trips and extended stays, with convenient access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and the scenic Ohio River.
Best Campgrounds near Madison (90)
1. Clifty Falls State Park Campground
"No sewer or water hookup as you would expect at most Indiana State Parks. The sites are extremely spacious and plenty of sites with shade."
"The trails were crazy packed the second weekend in June so we didn't do much hiking (however, we've hiked the entire park trail system in the past and really enjoy it)."
from $20 - $42 / night
Check Availability2. Madison City Park
"Great place to camp if you like being next to water, amazing views, fast boats, and good food. Key West Shrimp House is a landmark restaurant with great food."
"An easy walk into downtown."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability3. Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area
"This is a great State Park offering hiking, swimming, boating, skiing, camping, interpretive naturalist program and the only DNR property in the state of Indiana with a raptor rehabilitation program."
"Boats are a big part of this lake. There are 4 boat launches on the lake! Lots of people were water skiing, tubing& playing in the water. There's also a beach, which looked clean."
from $40 / night
Check Availability4. General Butler State Resort Park
"Great little park located just far enough away to get away but close enough to town to run and get something if you forgot it. Campground is pretty compact but stays pretty quiet."
"Hiked the Butler Lake Trail with dogs this was a fun trail We tried to hike the Woodland Trail- unfortunately it had just rained for the few days before that and it was too sloppy for us and our dogs General"
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability5. Charlestown State Park Campground
"We biked throughout the park and hiked 4 of the trails, 3 of which were pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge. "
"It's a fairly new park on the site that used to be the Indiana Ammunition Plant. Good-sized sites with a very helpful staff. I hiked trail 2 and found the waterfall and several other gorgeous views."
from $33 - $40 / night
Check Availability6. Two Rivers Campground
"Two Rivers is a fairly new, city run campground close to I-71 and adjacent to the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers."
"There is a walking path under a bridge to Point Park. You can walk on a paved sidewalk along the Ohio river. We did not use the bathhouse, but you need a code to get in."
7. Hones Pointe Campground
"Offering beautiful scenery, this is a great place to get away from it all."
"Great location. Very very friendly staff with special giveaways lol. Will return if in the area."
from $25 - $200 / night
Check Availability8. Versailles State Park Campground
"Older Indiana State Park just West of Indiana / Ohio state line South of IH-74. Roads tight and only 1 dump station for 70+ sites (most site are water electric only)"
"This is a great southern Indiana State Park with easy access from US 50."
from $40 - $42 / night
Check Availability9. Follow The River RV Resort
"You could barely hear a train off in the distance which sounded cozy. Campground is about 30 min from Madison and Ohio River is across the street."
"The store was super close by and there you are not too far from the nearest town. Super beautiful and spacious especially since you’re close to the river as well!"
10. Wooster Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area
from $14 - $16 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 54 min from Columbus, IN
- 1 hr from Louisville, KY
- 1 hr 11 min from Cincinnati, OH
- 1 hr 44 min from Bloomington, IN
Recent Camping Photos near Madison, IN
97 Photos of 90 Madison Campgrounds
Jessica G.
Clifty Falls State Park Campground
Regina W.
Madison City Park
Chelsea M.
Two Rivers Campground
Fred L.
General Butler State Resort Park
Rebecca J.
Wooster Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area
Justin W.
Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area
Alan B.
Follow The River RV Resort
Kristene B.
Versailles State Park Campground
Philip K.
Charlestown State Park Campground
Ima C.
Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA
GKL P.
Gkl Campground
Dave E.
Knobstone Trail
Recent Reviews near Madison, IN
539 Reviews of 90 Madison Campgrounds
Paula S.ScoutVersailles State Park Campground
Beware of additional daily Fee
Campground is clean but aging. Out-of-state visitors should be aware that they will be charged a $15.00 daily entry fee in addition to their $30-$40. camping fee. Some sights are very unlevel; others are nearly impossible to back into. The staff is nice and friendly.
- ddan H.
GuideThree Springs Campground
Somewhat run down & unkempt
Starting with the good, it is reasonably close to the freeway yet far enough away not to be bothered by road noise. Wi fi was mostly usable. Electrical power was stable. Estimate , if the park was probably half full of campers , some long term , some transit. Was quiet. On the other hand, the place was unmowed with grass 6 to 8 inches high throughout the entire facility. A zero turn mower set unused vext to the office. Some of the water spigots were broken and hoses were strewn about so that people could get it water from different spigots to different sites. What's the worst was the bathroom in showers. A couple of people here and said they were clean , but either there definition of clean was different , or they've been a significant lack of labor to keep them up. In the men's side, there was mold all along the floors at the caulking edges.There was wadded up wet toilet paper smashed on the wall of 2 of them.The ceilings were covered in old cobwebs and fresh spider nests. The floors were quite dirty. Over half of the sites aren't level, so if you use this place bring leveling chocks/plates for your tires if not hydraulically leveled. This facility has a great deal of potential with a bit of money and some elbow grease.
Gregory B.
TravelerMiami Whitewater Forest Campground
Raccoons and Dirty Bathrooms
We stayed at this campground and had several issues. Raccoons were a real problem—they kept trying to get into our tent, weren’t afraid of people, and caused a lot of havoc around the site. The showers and bathrooms were dirty, and the shower timer was frustratingly short at just 15 seconds. The campsites were also very small, which made the experience feel cramped.
- AA B.Scout
Still Waters Campground
Unprofessional management, Junkie sites, Not a welcoming environment
I would highly NOT recommend staying at Still Waters Campground based on my experience with management. Today I rolled through a stop sign in the campground. I understand that was my mistake, and I accepted being told not to do it again. However, what happened afterward was completely unnecessary. Instead of simply speaking with me later at the office or sending a text, management chose to chase me down in a vehicle. I was driving around the campground speed limit, yet I was accused of speeding because they claimed they had to drive 30 mph to catch me—even though they had to turn around before following me. What made it even more frustrating was that I was told to“lead by example” while the manager herself admitted to driving around 30 mph in a 10 mph campground just to catch up to me. That felt incredibly hypocritical. What bothered me most was the way the situation was handled. I tried to walk away to avoid escalating the confrontation, but the manager continued arguing with me. She even told me to“go get my boyfriend,” as if I couldn’t speak for myself. I’m a grown woman and didn’t appreciate being dismissed like that. Later, after I had calmed down, my boyfriend and I went to the office so I could apologize for raising my voice and explain my side of the situation. Unfortunately, management wasn’t interested in having a productive conversation and came across as condescending and unwilling to listen. It also seems like the rules are enforced inconsistently. We have watched plenty of other people roll through that same stop sign without being stopped or chased down. If safety is truly the concern, the rules should apply EQUALLY to everyone instead of selectively enforcing them. Overall, this experience left a VERY bad impression. A simple warning then walking away could have resolved everything, but instead it turned into an unnecessarily confrontational situation. Customer service and professionalism from management were extremely disappointing.
- JJennifer M.Traveler
Indian Springs Campground
Perfect for our Overnight Stay
We found this campground on The Dyrt and called when we were about an hour away. Super friendly folks who gave us a spot which was just right for us as we only needed an overnight stay on our way to Michigan.
Kimberly C.GuideBerry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Great Spot!!
Great for car camping or tent camping. 2.2 miles of gravel dirt road. Very set off the road and private. Very leveled. Shaded by the trees. Clean. Cell service was great.
- AAdam O.Traveler
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground
If you are into bones this is a cool place to stay!
The reviews I’ve read are pretty accurate. Most sights are not very level. The water is too far away. Nice park, the trails are rugged, we walked uphill both ways. Trails are not well marked either, it’s an interesting feeling getting lost in such a small space. Restrooms/showers could use an update. But hey, we’re camping. Overall recommended.
- LLilly H.Traveler
Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Perfect Nature Getaway!
We love these campsites! So much space, existing fire rings, there was wood left behind from previous campers so that was nice! We have a reactive pup and she is able to live her best life there! We enjoyed all the trails around our site as well.
Guide to Madison
Camping options around Madison, Indiana include established campgrounds with various amenities and natural surroundings. Several locations offer different camping experiences within a 40-mile radius of the city, ranging from riverside spots to more secluded forest settings. The region's topography features rolling hills along the Ohio River valley, with summer temperatures typically reaching the 80s and winter lows often below freezing.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Clifty Falls State Park Campground, visitors can explore numerous trails of varying difficulty. "Trail 6 to 5, then down to 2, and back up to 5, finishing on Trail 4 at Hoffman Falls" offers "lots to see on that hike and not very crowded," according to Kaley A. Many trails provide views of the park's waterfalls and natural features.
Historical exploration: Madison's historic downtown is accessible from Madison City Park. "You can easily walk to everything; river walk, local dining hot spots, grocery, wineries, brewery, antique stores and several historic sites. The towns architecture is not to be missed...so take a stroll around town," notes Stephen & Theresa B. The campground provides a perfect base for exploring the heritage of this river town.
Water activities: Hardy Lake offers boating and fishing opportunities. The Wooster Bay primitive area "allows campers to moor their boats overnight" and has "a very relaxed atmosphere," according to Rebecca J. The lake is suitable for canoes and fishing, with multiple boat launch points available around the shoreline.
What campers like
River views: Campers appreciate the Ohio River scenery at Two Rivers Campground. "It is well maintained and quiet. There is a walking path under a bridge to Point Park. You can walk on a paved sidewalk along the Ohio river," explains Carolynn K. Many sites offer direct views of passing barges and boats.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and amenities are frequently mentioned in reviews. At Follow The River RV Resort, "The bathrooms having regular working toilets and showers. The bathrooms are very nice," reports Jessica G. Most campgrounds in the area prioritize cleanliness, particularly in shared facilities.
Privacy options: Some campgrounds offer more secluded spots. Hones Pointe Campground has "spots spaced out nicely" according to David W., making it ideal for those seeking more private camping experiences. Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering more separation between campsites than others.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation as facilities may be limited. Kaley A. notes at Clifty Falls State Park that "bathrooms aren't heated in the cooler months" and some parks have reduced services during off-season periods.
Site selection: Terrain varies significantly between and within campgrounds. At Versailles State Park Campground, "A loop is pretty open without a lot of shade. B & C have lots of shade but the sites are either not very level or not very big," explains Kristene B. Research specific site characteristics before booking.
Connectivity: Cell service can be limited in some areas. Kyle reports that at Clifty Falls "Zero cellular or wifi service so that could be good or bad. The Inn does have WiFi if you have to have it but seems to be more for guests than general park population."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campsites near Madison feature play areas for children. Kyle notes that Two Rivers has a "kids playground" while other campgrounds have open spaces for recreation. These amenities provide entertainment options after exploring trails or water activities.
Swimming options: Some parks have swimming facilities. At General Butler State Resort Park, "The pool lets campers use the pool 4-7 pm for free which is nice," according to Liz S. This can be particularly welcome after hot summer days of hiking or exploring.
Educational opportunities: Look for parks with nature programs. Jeff W. mentions that Clifty Falls features "a cave, nature center" while other parks occasionally offer ranger-led activities. These programs help children connect with local ecology and history.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Pay attention to site grades when reserving. At Clifty Falls, Beverly J. warns that "Site 22 was so sloped our red levelers barely made it work." Checking reviews or calling ahead about specific site characteristics can prevent setup challenges.
Dump station timing: Plan your departure around potential waits. At Versailles State Park, Jessie W. notes "there is only one dump station for the three campgrounds so there can be quite the line when trying to get out of there on a Sunday afternoon." Mid-week departures often mean shorter waits.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. Lisa D. appreciated that Charlestown State Park Campground had "concrete pads and full hookups," making extended stays more convenient. The availability of water, electric, and sewer connections varies by campground and specific sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Madison, Indiana?
What are the best campgrounds in Madison, Indiana?
Madison offers several excellent camping options. Clifty Falls State Park Campground stands out with its spacious sites, beautiful hiking trails, and spectacular views of a 425 million-year-old limestone canyon featuring multiple waterfalls. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, though the non-electric sites receive mixed reviews. For riverside camping, Madison City Park provides 34 sites along the Ohio River waterfront, with both 30 and 50 amp electric options. The park offers convenient access to local events and restaurants while providing stunning river views. Both campgrounds serve as excellent bases for exploring Madison's historic downtown area and natural attractions.
How far are camping spots from downtown Madison, Indiana?
How far are camping spots from downtown Madison, Indiana?
Follow The River RV Resort is well-maintained with spacious sites featuring cement patios, fire pits, and picnic tables, though you'll need to drive a short distance to reach downtown Madison. For a closer option, Swiss Haven RV Resort sits right on the banks of the Ohio River and is family-owned, making it convenient for accessing downtown attractions. Most campgrounds in the area are within a 5-15 minute drive of Madison's historic downtown, making it easy to explore local shops and restaurants. Camping spots at Madison City Park offer the most convenient access, as they're located directly on the waterfront adjacent to downtown.
Are there RV rental options in Madison, Indiana?
Are there RV rental options in Madison, Indiana?
While Madison itself has limited RV rental services, several campgrounds accommodate RVs and might offer referrals to rental companies. Charlestown State Park Campground, located about 30 minutes from Madison, features concrete pads and full hookups that are ideal for RVs. The campground isn't heavily shaded but offers excellent biking and hiking opportunities. For those seeking RV rentals, your best options include checking with local dealerships in Louisville (about an hour away), using online peer-to-peer rental platforms like RVshare or Outdoorsy, or contacting regional RV rental companies that might deliver to Madison-area campgrounds for an additional fee.
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