Best Campgrounds near Madison, IN

Several campgrounds surround Madison, Indiana, giving visitors a mix of options close to town and out 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. Madison's camping spots tend to be straightforward and practical, nothing fancy but they get the job done.

Best Camping Sites Near Madison, Indiana (84)

    1. Clifty Falls State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Madison, IN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (812) 273-8885

    $16 - $25 / night

    "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)."

    2. Madison City Park

    6 Reviews
    Madison, IN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 265-8333

    $30 - $40 / night

    "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."

    3. Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Deputy, IN
    16 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. General Butler State Resort Park

    11 Reviews
    Carrollton, KY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 732-4826

    $35 - $45 / night

    "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"

    5. Two Rivers Campground

    7 Reviews
    Carrollton, KY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 732-4665

    "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."

    6. Charlestown State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Charlestown, IN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 256-5600

    $23 - $30 / night

    "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."

    7. Versailles State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Versailles, IN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 689-6424

    $19 - $240 / night

    "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."

    8. Hones Pointe Campground

    5 Reviews
    La Grange, KY
    17 miles
    Website

    $25 - $200 / night

    "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."

    9. Follow The River RV Resort

    13 Reviews
    Warsaw, IN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 427-3330

    "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!"

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Recent Reviews near Madison, IN

481 Reviews of 84 Madison Campgrounds



Guide to Madison

Camping near Madison, Indiana, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Clifty Falls State Park Campground. One visitor noted, "The trails were really great! The wooded hiking trails helped keep us comfortable."
  • Fishing and Boating: Enjoy the water at Starve Hollow State Rec Area. A camper shared, "Electric sites near the lake with several waterfront sites. Very friendly staff."
  • Historical Exploration: Visit the historic Rose Island Theme Park near Charlestown State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Great hiking opportunities and cool exploration of historic Rose Island."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Paynetown Campground said, "Restrooms/showers were state park clean. I was impressed with the hard-working staff."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at Kincaid Lake State Park Campground noted, "The campground is up high, so it’s peaceful. We felt like we had a lot of space between us and the other campers."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground remarked, "The ranger met us on the way in and was super-friendly."

What you should know

  • Busy Weekends: Many campgrounds can get crowded, especially on weekends. A visitor at Paynetown Campground mentioned, "This is known in Indiana as a party park. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend."
  • Limited Cell Service: Some areas have spotty cell service. A camper at Clifty Falls State Park Campground noted, "I question the validity of these reviews sometimes also, as cell signal was rated good... and both were spotty at best."
  • Leveling Issues: Some sites may require leveling. A camper at Big Bone Lick State Park Campground mentioned, "Most of the sites will require some extra leveling."

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. A reviewer at Charlestown State Park Campground said, "My children loved all the playgrounds around the state park."
  • Quiet Areas: Choose sites that are a bit more secluded for a peaceful experience. A camper at Kincaid Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground is peaceful."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Starve Hollow State Rec Area noted, "We had a great time, renting a canoe."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure to check the leveling of your site before booking. A camper at Taylor Ridge Campground mentioned, "The roads are not marked very well and it took a bit to find our site which needed level blocks."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups for convenience. A visitor at Hardin Ridge said, "This is a beautiful campground. There's 4 loops with 30 & 50 amp."
  • Avoid Busy Times: If you prefer a quieter experience, try to camp during the week. A camper at Paynetown Campground advised, "If you like a quieter experience come Monday through Wednesday or wait until the off-season."

Camping around Madison, Indiana, offers a variety of experiences, from peaceful retreats to family-friendly adventures. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Madison, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Madison, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 84 campgrounds and RV parks near Madison, IN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Madison, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Madison, IN is Clifty Falls State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 44 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Madison, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Madison, IN.

What parks are near Madison, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Madison, IN that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.