Southeastern Indiana's camping options extend beyond Milan into the surrounding Ohio Valley region. Most sites sit at elevations between 800-900 feet in a landscape shaped by glacial activity and river systems. Campgrounds range from state-operated facilities with extensive trail systems to private resorts with water recreation options, with peak season running April through October when temperatures average 65-85°F during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails for all skill levels: Versailles State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks with varying difficulty. "Love the trails," notes one camper, while another points out, "We went on one of the easy trails. Be aware this area is very rocky so easy is relate to the surroundings." The park maintains over 20 miles of pathways.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Campground features a bison viewing area where visitors can observe a small herd. "Great Attraction, you can walk the trails and even get the excitement of seeing REAL LIVE BISON. Pretty sweet experience!" explains one visitor. The park also contains archaeological exhibits focused on extinct animals.
Water activities on local lakes: Fishing is popular at several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Milan. One camper at Thousand Trails Indian Lakes notes "campgrounds spots for the most part are level fishing is very good reasonable priceing." The 230-acre lake at Versailles State Park offers kayaking opportunities, while Indian Lakes features multiple fishing ponds.
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: Follow The River RV Resort gets high marks for site quality. "Mostly level concrete pads, nice picnic table & fire ring," reports one camper. Another notes it's "one of the prettiest campground/RV parks I've been to" with "a tree for shade at every lot."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness rates highly across several campgrounds. At Versailles State Park Campground, one camper mentions "Clean bathrooms with push button showers." Similarly, at Big Bone Lick, visitors appreciate the regularly maintained facilities and grounds.
Family recreation options: Multiple campgrounds offer recreational amenities. Indian Springs Campground provides "canoes and pedal boats for use at no extra charge" and "a nice walking trail around the lake." At Big Bone Lick, families appreciate the "mini golf, paved roads and sites" along with a "museum and playground located on the property."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the Milan area operate seasonally. Thousand Trails Indian Lakes runs "April 1 to November 1" while Batesville KOA operates from "April 7 to October 22." Several sites offer limited winter camping.
Entrance fees beyond camping costs: State parks often charge daily entrance fees in addition to camping rates. At Clifty Falls State Park Campground, one visitor noted, "If you live outside of Indiana you have to pay a $9 entrance fee on top of the campground reservation fee."
Site selection considerations: Campground terrain varies significantly. At Versailles, a visitor warns, "Some sites are not level at all. So be sure to read up on the site you want before you book it." Similarly, at Clifty Falls, one camper reported, "Site 22 was so sloped our red levelers barely made it work."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Delaware Campground in Milan provides family-friendly amenities including a playground. At Big Bone Lick, families appreciate that "There is a pool, mini golf, and tennis plus some play areas for the kids."
Educational opportunities: Big Bone Lick offers unique learning experiences. "The museum and gift shop have a lot of educational stuff which would be excellent for a home schooling trip. A good interactive grade school age children campground," notes one visitor. The site features exhibits on prehistoric animals and natural history.
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming facilities. Versailles State Park includes "a fenced in area for small children with a baby pool and sprinkler. They also sell concessions at the pool." Follow The River RV Resort provides "pool access" which campers note is "super close by" to the camping sites.
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: During busy periods, dump stations can get congested. At Versailles State Park, one RVer mentioned "there is only one dump station for the three campgrounds so there can be quite the line when trying to get out of there on a Sunday afternoon."
Pad length considerations: Site dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Versailles, one camper noted of their site, "Pad is long. This is a nice site. easy to back in. nestled up to some trees." RVers should verify site dimensions when booking.
