Equestrian camping near Martinsville, Indiana provides access to over 300 miles of developed trails across the Hoosier National Forest and surrounding state lands. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 600 to 900 feet, creating varied terrain for both horse and hiking trails. Most horse-friendly campgrounds remain open year-round, though water services typically shut off from mid-October through April when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Trail riding at multiple skill levels: Horseman's Campground in Brown County State Park connects to trails ranging from beginner to advanced. "The park that is set in massive hills and valleys has lots of different trails, a nature center, a pool, a lodge with a pool/park, large and small cabins for rent, various overlooks, playgrounds, historical sites, a fire watch tower you can go in, beautiful gathering places, daily activities throughout the park, a horse stables, amphithéâtres, a restaurant, a gift store, and much more," notes Anna A. about Horsemen's Campground.
Primitive hiking and camping: Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers secluded trails for those seeking solitude. "Being close to the college there was evidence that less than mature campers may frequent the area. That being said once on trail I didn't see another soul past a couple hundred feet of the trail head and only heard a pair of hikers on the trail pass my camp site as I ate my breakfast the one morning," reports Darren L. about Charles C. Deam Wilderness.
Water activities on Monroe Lake: Ransburg Scout Reservation provides lake access with multiple boat options. "Located on Monroe lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing. Lots of fun activities to do, and great hiking trails. Their mess hall is top notch. We have camped here in a cabin, and also tent camped," says Margo B. about the recreation options.
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Berry Ridge Road dispersed camping offers quieter alternatives to developed campgrounds. "Multiple campsites in the area, I've stayed at two both of which were away from others, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn. Some sites, at least one, could fit a pretty good sized camper. This is pack in pack out, no amenities camping for free," shares Jeremy F. about Berry Ridge Road dispersed camping.
Clean facilities: Spring Mill State Park maintains well-kept amenities. "This was an amazing campground! There were amazing trails and a cave, as well as Pioneer Village which was so fascinating and well run. Our campsite wasn't far from the bathrooms and showers house which were pretty clean. We were near water as well," notes Lauren E. about Spring Mill State Park.
Proximity to attractions: Many campsites serve as bases for exploring nearby features. "Yellowwood State Forest is a great area for camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, etc. It's just a couple minutes drive from the more popular Brown County State Park. I feel like this is still a bit of a hidden gem," explains Dave E.
What you should know
Site availability differs by campground: Some locations require advance planning while others operate first-come, first-served. "Yellowwood state forest campground does not accept reservations. It is first come, first served. Drive up, select your site, and then go to the park office to pay using a self-pay envelope. Bring exact change(cash). Current prices are listed on the Indiana DNR website," advises Daisy C. about Yellowwood State Forest.
Seasonal considerations: Campground populations fluctuate dramatically throughout the year. "Late fall, winter, and early spring when the nights are a little chilly, you may have the whole place to yourself, unlike Brown County State Park, where there will likely still be some campers scattered about," notes Dave E.
Terrain challenges: Many sites have uneven ground, especially for larger rigs. "The site we where at was heavily sloped, the only flat part was where they put the fire pit at. When we looked at the other site most of the shaded sites that had some privacy where also heavily sloped, the best site we found was #9," warns Thomas U.
Tips for camping with families
Pioneer village experiences: Historical sites provide educational opportunities. "We unfortunately had poor weather during our stay and had to leave early because of the threat of thunderstorms and tornadoes/damaging winds. We did however pack a lot of fun into 1 day! They had a Smokey the Bear program for the kids and some really fun activities at the nature center while we were there," shares Jessie W.
Cave explorations: Underground features fascinate children of all ages. "We also went for a hike to see Donaldson cave and the kids absolutely loved it! It was beautiful, and the highlight of the trip," continues Jessie W.
Swimming areas: Lakes and pools offer cooling options during summer months. "Very beautiful yet primitive campground. All the campgrounds are numbered and have their own names. Think there are 80 sites in total. They have outhouses for toilets. Some sites have water fountains. There is a picnicing area for day use only right off the water which is beautiful," explains Sammii D.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose carefully based on rig size and leveling needs. "Open areas with pit toilets and water available. Shade and sunny locations. Pick a spot and set up with hammock-large rvs spots. No fee, no reservations, no problems," advises Betsy W. about Blackwell Campground.
Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer partial services only. "Great Attitude an Service by the staff. I was warmly welcomed and escorted to my site. The only amenity not available is Sewage Hookup but they offer a dump instead. Very open wide spaced sites. Shade is hard to come by," notes Nomon K. about Johnson County Park.
Off-season advantages: Consider visiting during shoulder seasons for better availability. "The only time we have ever seen the campground busy is over big holiday weekends like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and 4th of July. Otherwise use is light. We have several times been one of two or three campers in the loop," shares Daisy C.
