Morgan-Monroe State Forest offers primitive tent and small RV camping opportunities about 20 miles from Martinsville, Indiana. The forest encompasses over 24,000 acres of hardwood forest with elevation changes from 550 to 800 feet above sea level. Campground options include both traditional tent sites and elevated glamping experiences scattered throughout Brown County and surrounding areas.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Morgan-Monroe State Forest maintains extensive trail networks for hikers of all abilities. "There are a lot of trails to hike 2 of them are over 10 miles (lower gap and three lakes). The Tecumseh trail (40 miles) starts in Morgan Monroe State Forest passes through Yellowwood State Forest and ends in the Hoosier national Forest," shares Ron H. who visited the forest.
Fishing spots: Multiple small lakes throughout the region provide fishing opportunities. At Indy Lakes Campground, fishing ponds are a main attraction. However, one visitor notes: "The 'lakes' are more like ponds but you have to stay away so the anglers get the water. Not supposed to even walk around!" This suggests designated fishing areas with specific rules.
Adventure activities: For those seeking more active recreation, options abound. "This would be a rad place to take your kids/teens... We still had a fun night as the bulk of the visitors seemed to be a very large group staying in two cabins," reports a visitor to eXplore Brown County, where activities include zip-lining, paintball, and mountain biking trails.
What campers like
Natural seclusion: Many glamping sites near Martinsville offer forest immersion. "My favorite forest with traditional camping, backwoods camping, and a wonderful secret pioneer cabin for rent. This is the best camping within an hour of Indianapolis," shares a Morgan-Monroe State Forest visitor.
Cabin comfort levels: For those seeking glamping in Martinsville area, Friends O' Mine Campground offers an all-in-one experience. "Best place for camping, fishing, and relaxing. Pool onsite, rec room, firepits, showers, campstore, etc. You can get tent site or pull through sites," reports Miles G.
Community atmosphere: Some locations foster a social camping environment. "The owner, their staff, and fellow campers embraced us as part of the family. Their fire pit fellowship is second to none. It's places like this that inspire us to continue camping," writes a Friends O' Mine visitor, highlighting the communal aspects of certain glamping sites.
What you should know
Seasonal accessibility: Most glamping facilities around Martinsville operate during specific seasons. "Great forest for camping. Even with beautiful weather and the opening of squirrel season, it was relatively light with other campers," notes a Morgan-Monroe visitor, suggesting hunting seasons may affect campground population.
Site selection matters: When booking glamping accommodations, research specific site locations. One Brown County-Nashville KOA visitor advises: "Our site was directly beside a tiny cabin and could have been a little bigger but that's what you get often times with RV sites," indicating varied site quality within the same property.
Payment procedures: Different properties have distinct check-in processes. "When you arrive set up at your site. Then you will need to go WITH EXACT CHANGE to the sign in at the main building. It's easy, there is a little box on the side of the firewood shed," explains Rob R. about Morgan-Monroe State Forest's self-registration system.
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom considerations: Facility quality varies significantly between rustic and luxury glamping options. "Cleanest campground bathrooms I have ever seen," reports one KOA visitor, while Morgan-Monroe offers more rustic facilities: "The vault toilets are in pretty bad condition and the dump station hose did not have a connection to allow me to flush the blackwater holding tank."
Kid-friendly amenities: When glamping with children near Martinsville, Cloverdale RV Park offers family-oriented attractions. "This easy-access-from-the-highway RV park is really nice. The spots are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING, the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific," notes Linda R.
Noise levels: Different campgrounds have different noise atmospheres. "We had a rowdy group of car campers that came to have a bonfire and drink all night two sites down from us. They would loud and obnoxious," reports one Morgan-Monroe camper, suggesting potential noise issues even at more secluded locations.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV glamping sites may require leveling equipment. "Pads are gravel and we did need to use several leveling blocks on our site, which made for a doosey of a bottom step into and out of our trailer," reports a KOA visitor, highlighting terrain considerations for RVers.
Size restrictions: Many glamping areas have limitations for larger RVs. "The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is, we are RV campers and there are only about 5 sites we could get in to. Our camper is about 25' and it was tight get in and out of the campground," explains an RV owner about Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Full hookup availability: For luxury RV glamping, Camp Atterbury Campground provides military base camping with utilities. "Clean area with lots of amenities. They stack free firewood at your campsite to burn," notes a visitor, though they warn: "If you don't mind gunfire 24/7 this is the best place ever," referencing the active military training in the area.
