Camping sites near Danville, Indiana range from basic facilities with water access to full-service campgrounds with modern amenities. The area sits within Indiana's Central Till Plain at about 830-900 feet elevation, featuring gently rolling terrain with a mix of agricultural land and patches of native hardwood forests. Local camping areas experience four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s°F, making May through October the primary camping season.
What to Do
Hiking trails: Access multiple difficulty levels at Raccoon State Recreation Area, about 20 miles west of Danville. "We stayed in the hideaway loop and it was perfect. Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right. The hiking trails were pretty, not very rugged. Scenery was nice on the trails," reports Stacey S.
Swimming options: Choose between natural and man-made: Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area offers beach access. "I loved this camp ground, there was a beach which was nice and a building to get food. They have a basketball court, and a few trails," notes Staci J.
Fishing opportunities: Cast from multiple locations along local waterways. At 3-Point Lake Campgrounds, anglers can access fishing spots directly from the camping area, though note that "there's no tent camping a lot of spots for RVs could be an awesome spot if they allowed tents," according to Frank S.
Boating and paddling: Rent equipment nearby for water recreation. Turkey Run State Park provides access to Sugar Creek, where "You can choose 2 different canoe trips," mentions Barry B., making it suitable for different skill levels and time constraints.
What Campers Like
Unique rock formations: Navigate ladder-assisted trails in the area's state parks. "Trail 3, which has the ladders, and parts of trail 10, 4, and 2. Trail 10 was nothing special but was relatively flat," explains Kaley A. from Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Spacious campsites: Enjoy room to spread out at many locations. "Loving Lieber. Stayed at Poplar Grove. Great sites. Lots of activities for families. The beach was fun. Very social campground, but respectful and quiet after dark," shares Brett B. who visited Lieber State Recreation Area Campground.
Clean facilities: Find well-maintained bathhouses at most established campgrounds. "The bathrooms were okay. They were older but seemed to be fairly well maintained," notes Kaley A. about Turkey Run State Park, while Sammii D. describes Lake Haven Retreat's facilities as "really stellar too. Clean and open 24/7. Plenty of washers and dryers."
Wildlife viewing: Watch for native animals throughout the camping areas. Several campers mention wildlife sightings, with Stacey S. specifically noting the need to secure food properly due to wildlife activity at Raccoon State Recreation Area.
What You Should Know
Cell service limitations: Plan for connectivity gaps in certain areas. Joe M. notes about Raccoon Lake: "No cell service but who needs it!" This varies by carrier and specific location within campgrounds.
Seasonal availability: Check operating dates before planning trips. Most campgrounds like Shades State Park Campground operate from April through October, with Nick S. noting it offers "Great sites that offer decent privacy with brush & trees as a barrier between sites."
Site characteristics: Research terrain before booking to ensure it meets your needs. Dave R. warns about Raccoon State Recreation Area: "some of the sites have a huge inclines or declines," which could present challenges for certain camping setups.
Reservation requirements: Book early for popular weekends as many sites fill quickly. Michelle M. from Turkey Run State Park notes it can be "terrific campground and state park" but cautions it sometimes gets "crowded during peak season."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds and recreation: Utilize dedicated kid-friendly areas for entertainment. "They have a basketball court, and a few trails. We stayed Thurs thru Sunday and had a very nice time," mentions Staci J. about Raccoon State Recreation Area.
Water features for children: Consider campgrounds with shallow water access for safer play. At Indianapolis KOA, Megan T. describes, "The splash pad / water park was fun, but was not a pool. It only goes to 3 feet so if you want to swim this is not for you."
Bicycle-friendly terrain: Bring bikes for exploration on flat, paved areas. Shirley M. notes about Lieber Recreation Area: "Husband was able to take his gravel bike out for a nice ride after work and I got in a nice little walk."
Quiet hours enforcement: Expect consistent evening quiet times for family camping. Brett B. appreciated that Lieber State Recreation Area was a "Very social campground, but respectful and quiet after dark," making it suitable for families with children who need regular sleep schedules.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Verify utility connections before arrival. At Acacia Farms, campers can expect cabins with basic amenities but no electric or water hookups directly to the sites, providing a more rustic experience.
Leveling considerations: Check site grade when selecting spots. Todd L. from Lake Haven Retreat appreciates that "The sites were all nice and level with a crushed stone base," making setup easier for RVs that require proper leveling.
Driving access: Note internal road conditions when navigating larger rigs. Cloverdale RV Park offers "easy-access-from-the-highway" according to Linda R., who adds "The spots are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING (no…seriously), the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific."
Overnight conveniences: Locate campgrounds convenient to major highways for easy travel stops. Michael J. describes Lake Haven Retreat as "Near Indianapolis, just off I69" with "Excellent WiFi and facilities. Family owned 20 years."
