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Best Tent Camping near Laurel, IN

471 Reviews

Tent camping options near Laurel, Indiana include a mix of established campgrounds and primitive sites within day-trip distance. Morgan's Outdoor Adventures offers riverside tent camping with picturesque water views, while Quakertown State Recreation Area provides more traditional campground facilities about 9 miles north of Laurel. The Dayton Metro Parks system, though slightly farther in Ohio, offers several backcountry and group tent camping options within reasonable driving distance.

Most tent sites in the region provide basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though water access varies significantly between locations. Quakertown sites feature fire rings, though some campers note the picnic tables are somewhat small. Morgan's Outdoor Adventures provides waterfront tent sites with direct river access, but spaces are relatively close together. The backcountry sites at Dayton Metro Parks' Twin Valley Trail require hikers to filter water from nearby creeks, as potable water stations are limited. Vault toilets are standard at most locations, with cleanliness varying by campground.

The tent camping experience near Laurel offers diverse terrain and settings. The Twin Valley Trail in the Dayton Metro Parks system provides challenging hiking with backcountry campsites situated on wooded ridges away from busy areas. One camper noted these sites are "away from busy/crowded campsites and surrounded by nature" with "access to a river for water source." At Morgan's Outdoor Adventures, the waterfront setting creates a distinctive experience, with one reviewer stating: "There is nothing like waking up and making breakfast while watching the river roll by." Most tent-specific sites offer reasonable privacy, though the degree of seclusion varies widely between the more developed campgrounds and the backcountry options.

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Best Tent Sites Near Laurel, Indiana (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Laurel, IN

6 Photos of 8 Laurel Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Laurel, IN

471 Reviews of 8 Laurel Campgrounds

  • John M.
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Governor Bebb MetroPark Campground

    Roughing it by a creek and a pioneer village

    Basic car tent camping at several spots along a creek wIth picnic tables and fire rings (no hookups, portolet toilets, no showers.) There is a rustic scout cabin/group lodge reservable for scout, etc. groups. The park features a pioneer village with log cabins, including a blacksmith forge, etc. that have been moved to the site.

  • Dave V.
    Nov. 1, 2019

    Hueston Woods State Park Campground

    A Relaxing Shoulder Season, Weekday stay

    Hueston Woods State Park, Oh.

    http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/huestonwoods 

    Campground Overview: Hueston Woods State Park is very close to Miami University...in the Southwest area of Ohio. The direction we traveled from the south took us on numerous winding country lanes through farm country that actually meandered in and out of Indiana and Ohio.

    (Disclaimer: I am a tent camper, preferring backcountry sites of solitude and privacy...so take my reviews of campgrounds with a grain of salt). 

    The campground area is separated not only by roadway, but a short walk, ride or drive from the reservoir, docks, boat rental beach area and tiny nature center. 

    The Campground Office sits at the campground entrance and does offer quite a bit of camping items for its tiny size should you have forgotten anything. The cabins and lodge are on the opposite bank of the reservoir. The tent site area was sparsely occupied and the particular area was empty that I chose. 

    All campground sites are line of sight, no barriers or buffer between neighbors(something I do not enjoy)...the trees are mature and tall so offer no privacy. Noise/sound travels so when full, you’ll likely hear your neighbors conversations. 

    Unknowingly, it appeared every weekend in October has a big Halloween emphasis, so the upper campground was sold out. I was advised the lower non electric loop would also be sold out...which reinforced my gratefulness for midweek camping. 

    With the vast old growth forests, dried/dead branches for firewood was plentiful for a chilly night(38) fire. We evaded the impending rain for once and pressed on. Weekend campers experienced heavy storms as we left. 

    There are several hiking trails and biking trails. Streams were dried up at our visit. A cool restoration covered bridge was a short hop from the campground. The lodge has a restaurant, a gift shop, an outside pool and a nicely equipped activity room for older kids complete with numerous arcade games, pool table, and ping-pong table. There is also a token tiny exercise center-Key card entrance for lodge stayers. The A-frame lodge, though nostalgic, needs some TLC and updating(especially the exterior). 

    Traffic noise is noticeable, especially during quiet hours. While not excessive, it’s disruptive. 

    Deer sighting were plentiful as were chattering tree rats...ahem, squirrels, sorry. Woodpeckers stayed busy overhead. At dusk an overly friendly“masked trash panda” encroached seeking to share my delectable and perfectly toasted s’more...having to be chased off(unfortunately, it appeared he has been fed by campers to be that bold). Other small birds were plentiful as were migrating Canadian honkers. 

    Housekeeping notes: In the larger non-electric loop newer restrooms existed...modern bathrooms and showers were clean and stocked with TP. No paper towels offered, only electric hand dryers. Bathroom stalls, like the showers, utilized shower curtains rather than lockable doors. In my tent area...antiquated wood shed pit latrines...that truly needed razed. 

    I did not have time to walk any trails, but talked with mountain bikers that spoke favorably. There were several marked trails near the reservoir area. 

    Final Thoughts: It was a nice choice for a stop-over as I drifted north. However, I would not want to stay when it’s busy or on the weekends. The reservoir beach and watercraft fishing appears a big draw...and I wish I had brought both my bicycle and canoe.

  • S
    Jun. 1, 2023

    Hueston Woods State Park Campground

    Nice but hard to get good sites on weekends !

    Limited level campground with full and electric hookups (does have WiFi). Best areas are A (full hookups and B (electric hookups) with concrete pads, some with slight slopes. First sites #s on A side do have larger slopes! C through E are electric only but are hilly grass pads. Other areas are back in the woods with no WiFi connections and primitive bathrooms/ outhouses (no showers) But park has great recreational activities. Book early for weekends which are almost non existent during the summer for A and B areas! Also only one dump station in B area.

  • Michelle M.
    Nov. 16, 2020

    Mounds State Park Campground

    A nice park. Electric only.

    It’s a nice park for kids. Has a nice swimming pool. Easy trails. Nice playground. $5 firewood bundles. Mostly a weekender park. It is right next to a small craft airfield do it can get noisy at times and there is little wind protection.

  • j
    May. 24, 2023

    Timberline Family Campground

    Potato Creek State Patk

    Specious sites a bit on the awkward side regarding lay-out. The vehicle separated the tent from the picnic table and fire ring. Less than ideal. I’m told that they’ve planted additional trees. They are relatively non existent at this point. Hence, a lack of privacy . Combined with awkward site layout we seemed to be right on top of our neighbors. No place to hang hammocks, tree swings or clothesline. Just sort of a open Praire. We were visiting by staff shortly after getting settled and told to put my highly trained border-jack on a leash even though she was at the time laying on my bed inside the tent which was zipped closed. The restrooms are kept up twice per day and are extremely clean and well cared for. The fishing was great! Lots of areas to explore even just to fish off shore or bridge. Everything was a good distended away from the campground so unfortunately my grandson could not bike alone to the lake to fish.

  • Anne H.
    May. 22, 2018

    Winton Woods Campground

    Love this campground for a weekend rendezvous!

    Winton Woods campground has spacious paved RV spaces with full hook-ups, fire ring, and picnic table. They also have cabin and tent camping. The location is located on the lake with access to put in a kayak or canoe. The bathrooms are clean, with private combined shower/dressing stalls. There is a playground for children, and a camp store that sells firewood and supplies. I love the tall pines on the property. They made me feel like I was out west. The campground is also near paved and unpaved trails in the park that surround more of the lake which allows for walking/running/hiking and bicycling, fishing, small craft boating, with small craft boat rentals available at the marina. The park also allows for horseback riding, and a small water park for children in the summer.

  • Stephen & Theresa B.
    Apr. 11, 2019

    Versailles State Park Campground

    “One of Indiana's Finest”

    This is a great southern Indiana State Park with easy access from US 50. Plenty of sites to accommodate larger rigs with paved pads, picnic tables, fire rings, 30 amp, dump station and very clean restroom & shower facilities. The park offers great hiking trails, mountain bike trails, seasonal nature center, seasonal swimming pool, horse trails and 230 acre lake. Mapping Address: 1387 US 50 East, Versailles, IN 47042 | Phone: 812-689-6424 | Reservations: https://indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com/welcome.do

  • Brandie B.
    May. 6, 2020

    Thousand Trails Indian Lakes

    Large property with lots of green space

    Indian Lakes Campground is 10 minutes east of downtown Batesville, an hour to the east of Indianapolis and an hour to the west of Cincinnati. With over 1000 sites they offer a KOA section, year round leased sites, Thousand Trails sites and individual sites. We’re a married couple in our forties traveling with two dogs and a cat in our 37 foot motorhome and members of Thousand Trails. We arrived on April 3rd, the day prior to Indiana Covid-19 stay at home restrictions. The property owners were gracious enough to allow us to extend our stay beyond the normal 14 day limit for our personal safety. We were assigned a 50 amp site with water and sewer in loop 4B. This is an open loop with very few trees for shade. Immediately across from our site is a large field about the length of a football field. We can see the lake in the distance past the recreation and pool areas. During our stay we did not access the restroom, laundry, recreation or store areas as we were practicing social distancing. We plan to make many return trips to this campground in the future. Because we were the first to stay in our site since the campground closed for the winter season we had a little site maintenance/pickup to perform but nothing too out of the norm. The noise from the highway can only be heard about once a week. On weekends there’s an increase in golf-cart users and most neighbors are respectful during quiet hours.

  • K
    May. 31, 2019

    Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks)

    Five Creeks Metro Parks (Dayton) -- Twincreek Group Site #2

    This was a lovely campsite with 4 picnic tables, fire ring, and a very clean latrine. The other two group camp sites were far enough away that you couldn't hear or see them.  It was a camp site that was flat enough for tents and did have trees to hang  your hammock. 

    The nice thing about the metro parks camp sites (front country only) is that they provide a bundle of fire wood free each night and you can purchase additional bundles (See below). No water so be sure to bring  your own. 

    Paved parking lot for the larger groups which is nice. Near by within walking distance a lake, amphitheater, and more as this was once a boy scout camp ground. Capacity is 25 individuals and ample parking.   

    Note: Your camping permit comes with one 2' x 2' bundle of firewood per night. Additional firewood available at checkout (+ $10.00 per 1/32nd of a cord). as this is great as it is left at the camp site in a protected spot.

Guide to Laurel

Tent camping near Laurel, Indiana offers seasonal considerations that vary significantly throughout the year. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping provides milder conditions but increased chances of rainfall. Primitive camping options extend beyond established campgrounds, with backpacking opportunities available at several locations within a 45-minute drive of Laurel.

What to do

Disc golf excursions: Sycamore State Park offers an excellent course for disc golf enthusiasts just under an hour from Laurel. "This park has such a variety of things to do. There's a great disc golf course, really nice trails to hike with challenging hills and nice areas with shelters for grilling and parties and such," notes camper Heidi G. from Sycamore State Park Campground.

Backpacking challenges: The Twin Valley Trail system provides more rugged hiking options with significant elevation changes. "My first real backpacking experience, shared with my boys. Ostensibly a 'city' park, Germantown MetroPark provides visitors with well-kept trails over rolling hills through old forests, leading down to lush river valleys of the Twin Creek watershed system," writes Charles R. from Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks).

Fishing opportunities: Though catches can be inconsistent, several nearby lakes offer fishing opportunities. "The lake is fabulous, but there didn't seem to be too many fish available for catching!! Pretty place and fun for a laid back place to stay," reports Debbie S. from Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort.

What campers like

Clean facilities: The maintenance of vault toilets receives positive mentions. "Latrine was very clean and well stocked. Toilet paper was available and hand gel to get your hands clean," notes a reviewer at Dayton Metro Parks.

Firewood provisions: At certain campgrounds, campers appreciate the firewood services. "The nice thing about the Dayton metro parks is that each night in the front country camp sites they include a bundle of fire wood. This is not the small sad bundle that you often buy at gas stations or other markets. This is a huge bundle," explains Kenpocentaur K. from Twin Creek Metro Parks.

Historical features: The Laurel area camping experience is enhanced by nearby historical sites. "We drove into town and discovered a covered bridge that I had missed on an earlier camping trip. (Germantown). This town also has the Florentine which is one of the oldest inns in Ohio," shares a camper about day trips from nearby campgrounds.

What you should know

Water availability limitations: Access to potable water varies significantly between campgrounds. "If there is one complaint, it would be that there is a dearth of potable water stations, so all water needs to be packed in from trailheads with water, the Welcome Center, or pumped from non-potable sources, filtered and/or treated," warns a camper at Dayton Metro Parks.

Variable site sizes: Table and space accommodations differ between locations. "A'll sites gave fire rings. Some of the picnic tables are small. Nice clean bathrooms. Site was a little pricey at $30. A shooting range nearby is a little annoying," reports Melissa W. from Quakertown State Rec Area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Laurel, IN is Morgan’s Outdoor Adventures with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Laurel, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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