Best Tent Camping near Marion, IN

I really enjoyed camping here!! We camped in a tent had a fire went hiking found little waterfalls and there is another part that allows horses!!

Restroom & shower facilities are clean

Flat-steep Grades for tent camping and camper camping.

Many hiking trails

Boat rental.

Swim area

Took my hubby there for his birthday. Primitive tent camping is more then affordable, and the fishing was AWESOME!! He had an amazing time. We've been back 5 times since then. It's a hidden gem for sure!

I stayed here in June and it was a pretty nice place. Several spots for tent camping, but several electric hookups were not functional. Bathrooms were not impeccable, but they were fairly updated. The only real problem we encountered was the dirt road through the site was difficult to navigate, even though it hadn’t rained for a few days. Just a lot of wear and tear. But super friendly campground, and will definitely return!

This was the third time we had camped at Summit Lake State Park. It has always been a good experience. There are two campground loops - one is more open with sites are that are level and the other is in the woods with many sites that are on slopes. We camped in site 120 this time which was on the end so we looked out into the woods. Bonus! 

The state park has a nice lake with a swimming beach and kayak/canoe rentals available. If you have a site near the lake you can launch your boat directly from your campsite!

For those of you who are bicycle enthusiasts, the Losantville trail head fro the Cardinal Greenway Bike Trail is only a few miles away. The trail runs from Marion to Richmond and is very well maintained and not crowded.

Hit a little rough patch in life and needed a break from sleeping in the car and hotels . All the staff at the park were very friendly and understanding of our situation. At $20 a nite for tent site ,showers ,clean toilets ,whole park is very clean ! Lots of things to do here and the waterfall was our fav part ! Deff will be back when in the area . Our site was right down the Rd from the waterfall so had a great view !

I learned of this place through the Dyrt (thank you!) and knew I wanted to stay here! There are several options available: tent camping (including a tree tent!), RV camping (two with electric hookups), and a 170-year-old log cabin. If you are RV camping, there are two very clean, private, and fully stocked "outhouses" (see photo below)

We originally planned to camp in our van but with below-freezing temperatures and a forecasted snowstorm, we decided to take refuge in the log cabin. To call this a log cabin is a disservice; yes, it is made from logs(and is 170 years old) but I was expecting a tiny one-room cabin; instead it is a two-story cozy home that can sleep up to six people, all in one upstairs room (two full-size beds and two twin beds; would be great for families). It was cozy and warm, heated by a gas stove. The bathroom (with a shower) is accessed from just outside the back door but is heated. The kitchen is an outdoor grill and picnic table, but we did not use this. 

Tim and Beth were very welcoming, as was Juno, their dog. We enjoyed helping to feed the Alpacas– they have over 50. The rooster crowed gustily at dawn (but dawn was after 7 am and we were already awake). Also on the farm is Stormy, the horse, chickens, and some barn cats. There is a shop that sells goods made from Alpaca wool and we made sure to visit before departing. 

Staying here was truly special and we hope to return to camp in one of the RV spots or the tree tent in the future.

Nice place . Rv and tent and cabins. Nice showers , bathrooms.

I have been to 9 other Indiana State parks, this one is in the top half. Great sites and clean. Large clean lake with beach. Lots of trails and many views. Staff is very friendly. The down side, bathrooms weren’t very clean and no one enforced noise curfew. I often stay up very late but I respectfully do so. When its after 1am and I can clearly hear you across the park, no bueno! Lol....other than that, I would definitely be back after I complete my bucketlist of Indiana State parks.

Perfect example of this park...my husband and I were quickly becoming homeless and with 2 cat's needed someplace to go fast! It just happened to be Memorial Day weekend.We had a 10 person tent that we had no clue how to put up. We left to get more supplies and upon returning we found 10 guy's waiting to help us put it up! We had no idea who they were, but they put the tent and another screen tent for us and refused to be paid. We were so touched by their help! The park staff found the very last spot after hearing our housing dilemma and checked on me everyday while my husband went to work. Very clean park and safe as the sheriff's department cruised through every night. Campers helped each other with food and wood and picked up after themselves. Very relaxing as it is a drive off the highway which allowed nature to unfold all around campers.

As far as Indiana parks goes, this is a hidden gem. We have camped here many times. Even the trails we frequent always seem new because each season offers a different kind of beauty.

Cash only self check in on sight. Very small campground. About 20 electric and 20 tent. Level gravel lots. Not any hiking really, mostly fishing and boating. Nearby town for supplies.

Locsted on puplic water source lzke near Peru Indiana. Clean and spacious sites. About $25 plus $7.00 park entry fee for 50/30 amp with water. Nice restrooms and showers. Dump site available. Some sites on the lake.

Small campground with nice campsites.Clean shower house.

The lake doesn't allow gas motors so its one of the clearest lakes in central Indiana

This is one of the best parks we have been to in Indiana. We Volunteer all over our the USA at State Parks and National Forest. So we know what to look for. Friendly people to answer questions plenty to do. And affordable.

Clean sites, definitely seemed geared towards rv/campers but we fit in with our tent. Amazing spot for stargazing. Local trails are abundant and vary in difficulty. The lake was gorgeous and easy to get to within the park. Bonus they sell ice right in the park. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained.

Stayed in one of the primitive sites during the week. Most RV sites were occupied, but only one other tent was out there. Well maintained for the most part, showing its age in some spots. Dealt with some late night noise primarily from vehicles coming and going.

This campground was clean and fun! We went swimming in the lake. We also had fun trying to outsmart the raccoons that lived under the mini cabins. They were everywhere! Also if you want to drive to nearby Peru, Indiana you should check out their circus festival and youth circus! It was amazing to see these kids perform circus tricks!