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Tent Camping near Marshall, IN

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    Tent campsites near Marshall, Indiana include several options with varying levels of amenities and seclusion. Lake Waveland Park provides primitive tent sites that don't require reservations, each equipped with a picnic table and some with fire rings. Located approximately 15 miles southwest of Marshall, this park features dozens of primitive sites in a large, reasonably well-mowed area past the shower house. The Rattlesnake campground in Owen Putnam State Forest offers a more remote tent camping experience for those seeking greater solitude.

    Primitive tent sites at Lake Waveland Park operate on a first-come, first-served basis, making early arrival advisable, especially on weekends. The campground provides clean restrooms and shower facilities, though some infrastructure may need updating. Water and electrical hookups are available at modern campsites, while primitive areas have more basic amenities. Most tent sites feature picnic tables, though fire rings are not consistently present at all locations. Rattlesnake campground in Owen Putnam State Forest offers significantly fewer amenities, with no drinking water available on site, making it suitable only for self-sufficient campers prepared for off-grid experiences.

    The tent camping experience near Marshall offers varying levels of seclusion and natural surroundings. Lake Waveland's grounds are well-maintained with substantial green space and ample shade at most sites. The primitive tent camping areas provide more privacy than the modern sites, with campsites spread farther apart than typically found at state parks. One camper noted that "the primitive sites are very secluded and quiet but get there fast because spots are first come first serve." The area also provides convenient access to nearby natural attractions, including Sugar Creek, Turkey Run State Park, and Shades State Park, offering tent campers additional recreational opportunities beyond the immediate campground.

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Marshall (4)

      1. Lake Waveland Park

      3.6(10)6mi from MarshallTents

      "Nice clean park in west-central Indiana that has a lake and a large number of camping sites along with restrooms and showers."

      "There are dozens of sites here, drive past the shower house where road bends to the left and down hill."

      from $25 - $40 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Covered Bridge State Forest Retreat

      Be the first to review4mi from MarshallTents, Cabins

      3. Rattlesnake

      3.5(2)36mi from MarshallTents

      4. Attica Family Campground

      Be the first to review30mi from MarshallTents

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    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Marshall, IN

    1 Photos of 4 Marshall Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers


    Tent Camping Reviews near Marshall, IN

    440 Reviews of 4 Marshall Campgrounds

    • Kevin M.
      Oct. 12, 2026

      Off The Trail Campground

      Great place for Jeeping

      Spent the weekend at a campground that’s a little different from the places we typically stay, and it was a fun change of pace!

      Off the Trail Campground in Attica, Indiana, is located on the same property as Badlands Off Road Park, home to a Jeep Badge of Honor trail. The park offers trails for Jeeps, dirt bikes, ATVs, and side-by-sides, with a huge variety of terrain to explore. From a rock quarry and river trails to tight, technical wooded trails and sand dunes, there’s something for just about every off-road enthusiast.

      For our stay, we booked a buddy site, which provides a large shared grassy area with a fire pit and multiple picnic tables. Each site has full hookups with 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer. The campground also has a nice office store and a very clean bathhouse with showers.

      One thing to keep in mind is that this campground is part of an active off-road park. There’s quite a bit of traffic, and you’ll hear loud vehicles throughout the day and into the evening. If you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful camping getaway, this might not be the best fit.

      However, if you’re a Jeep or 4x4 enthusiast, you’ll probably love it! It’s a lot of fun watching all the different rigs come and go, and the access to so much off-road terrain makes this campground a unique place to stay.

      Overall, it was a different kind of camping experience for us, but one that’s definitely worth considering if you enjoy off-roading!

    • Jake C.The Dyrt Admin User
      Oct. 12, 2026

      Kickapoo State Recreation Area

      We stayed in the Sauk Primitive sites, which was definitely the quietest part of the park. The Miami & Illini loops had a lot more going on with families and big RVs. In October, the park overall was about 60% full, but we got our site as a walk-in. NOTE: No reservations less than 3-days in advance, after that it becomes Fist-come First-serve on available sites. So book Monday if you want to secure a site.

    • GThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 22, 2026

      Walnut Point State Park Campground

      Small forested campground on fishing lake

      This campground is surrounded by farm land and Off the beaten track. I was one of maybe two or three campers. Electricity at RV sights. Water at dump station. Docks to fish from and watch the birds around the lake.

    • GThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 20, 2026

      Walnut Point State Park Campground

      I used my Starlink mini

      Limited Cellular access. I’m the only camper in the camp tonight so I moved close to the camp host since I travel solo. Nice fishing lake.

    • Charlie Y.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 19, 2026

      Prophetstown State Park Campground

      Cross country travelers

      Last minute late evening online reservation.....Arrived about 900pm...There was still someone at the gate house to check us in.....very nice park staff....clean, safe,secure...elec/water hookup...dump station in park....nice level site although somewhat challenging to back into in the dark. Only downside is the Indiana entrance fee of I think $18(good for a year) on top of site rental....We're from out of state heading back to East coast so it's doubtful we'll be able to use our entrance fee during the next year....nice large sites, hardly any campers near our site. I would camp here again if ever in the area.

    • jennifer S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 18, 2026

      Lakeside Campground — Lincoln Trail State Park

      Forested sites

      Stayed at site 1 in lakeside campground with our 31' RV, Got here on Wednesday and left Friday morning. We were only ones in this campground. Other campground had visitors but not crowded at all. Hosts were super nice and helpful. The bathroom with flush toilets and showers was in the other campground. Short walk or bike ride away. Beautiful lake. We paddle boarded all Thursday afternoon. Only ones on the lake. All I can say is this lake is absolutely beautiful. Were heading west from Ohio and would highly recommend staying here.

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 13, 2026

      Kickapoo State Recreation Area

      Water Activities

      I enjoyed my stay and loved the various water activities available throughout the park. I had my kayak and had one of the lakes all to myself for an afternoon.

    • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 12, 2026

      Shades State Park Campground

      Nice, but….

      Nice halfway point for our road trip to Door County. We stayed here the week after Labor Day. Not sure if park staff had enough time to clean the grounds after the busy holiday weekend… There was a disappointing amount of litter at our site. We had remove the various cans, plastic bottles and ice pack out of our fire ring and the surrounding wooded area was full of more of the same including a full trash bag of garbage. And speaking of full… the pit toilets…There’s a $15 out of state fee above the $25 p/night charge. There’s only one shower for the park so be prepared. The amount of gnats and mosquitoes had us running for cover. The staff we encountered here, we’re cordial and friendly.

    • Dan L.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 3, 2026

      Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area

      Site 293, Raccoon Lake (Cecil M. Harden Lake), IN

      50A service, no water or sewer at the site. Fill your fresh tank on the way in. There’s a dump station on the property, so emptying on the way out is easy.

      Site is mostly level with partial shade. The approach is the one thing to watch: 293 isn’t angled off the road, so it’s a tighter back-in than most. We’re towing a 33’ Airstream Classic and made it first try with no issues, so bigger rigs can absolutely get in here. Just take it slow. Once parked, there’s plenty of room, and the spacing between sites is better than most state park campgrounds we’ve stayed in. Bathhouse is only a few sites down.

      Cell signal ran about 2 bars. We’re on Starlink so it didn’t matter, but plan accordingly if you work from the road.

      Park staff are the highlight. Stephanie checked us in and could not have been more accommodating. Friendly, quick, genuinely helpful.

    Guide to Marshall

    Tent campsites near Marshall, Indiana range from quiet lakeside spots to secluded forest settings. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day. Most primitive sites in this region require campers to bring their own water supplies, while developed campgrounds offer basic amenities including picnic tables and fire rings.

    What to do

    Fishing opportunities: Lake Waveland Park features a popular fishing lake where campers can catch various species throughout the camping season. "If fishing is your way of relaxing, you should have a good time here," notes Randy A. about Lake Waveland.

    Family-friendly events: Seasonal activities add variety to camping experiences in the area. At Lake Waveland Park, campers can enjoy "Fireworks in July and Halloween for the whole family in October," according to Nicole B., making this location popular for holiday weekends.

    Bird watching: The natural areas around Marshall camping areas provide excellent bird watching opportunities. William David S. describes Lake Waveland Park as "a lovely space with lots of birds to observe," making it ideal for nature enthusiasts who enjoy wildlife viewing from their campsite.

    What campers like

    Peaceful atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the quiet nature of tent sites in this region. Douglas W. describes Lake Waveland Park as a "Small but peaceful campground. Well worth the time spent here."

    Well-maintained grounds: The upkeep of camping areas receives consistent praise from visitors. "Really well maintained grounds," says Katie R. about Lake Waveland Park, while Randy A. notes that "Lake Waveland's grounds crew does a very good job keeping the property in order... and that's no small task, there is a TON of green space on this property!"

    Spacious sites: Tent campers near Marshall enjoy more room than at typical campgrounds. Kevin T. mentions that at Lake Waveland Park, "The campsite do have fire rings and picnic tables. The site fills up pretty fast so come early." The generous spacing between sites creates a more private camping experience.

    What you should know

    Reservation requirements: Many primitive tent sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. According to Kevin T., at Lake Waveland Park there's "No need to pay because it is first come first serve," but he cautions that "The site fills up pretty fast so come early."

    Facility conditions: While most campgrounds are well-maintained, some infrastructure may require updates. William David S. observes that Rattlesnake Campground is "Not fancy, some updating of infrastructure is due. I would keep this on list as decent stop."

    Water availability: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. Nicole B. warns that Rattlesnake Campground offers "primitive only no drinking water at campgrounds," making it essential to bring your own water supply when camping at less developed sites.

    Tips for camping with families

    Beach access: Families with children can enjoy swimming options during summer months. Nicole B. mentions that Lake Waveland Park "do have a beach," providing an additional recreational option for families with children.

    Space for activities: The ample green space at Lake Waveland Park makes it ideal for family games and activities. Randy A. highlights that "there is a TON of green space on this property," giving children plenty of room to play safely away from camping equipment.

    Family programming: Leiber State Park receives high marks for its family-friendly atmosphere. Tracy T. enthusiastically shares that it's "Family friendly!!! Love this place!!!!" making it a solid option for campers with children.

    Tips from RVers

    Site limitations: RV campers should note size restrictions at some campgrounds. Nicole B. points out that at Lake Waveland Park "they need more spots for those long campers. lots of pop up size sites," suggesting larger rigs may have difficulty finding suitable spaces.

    Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are available at some designated sites. "As for the modern the best part is sites include water and electric," reports Nicole B. about Lake Waveland Park, providing essential information for RV campers requiring hookups.

    Tree management: RVers should be aware of potential overhead obstacles. Nicole B. notes that at Lake Waveland Park, "Trees need cut or maintained," which could pose challenges for taller RVs navigating the campground roads and sites.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Marshall, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Marshall, IN is Lake Waveland Park with a 3.6-star rating from 10 reviews.

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Marshall, IN?

    TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Marshall, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.