Best Campgrounds near Mitchell, IN

Mitchell is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Mitchell campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Mitchell, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Mitchell, Indiana (134)

    1. Spring Mill State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Mitchell, IN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 849-3534

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Spring Mill State park is a little piece of history that is in the heart of southern Indiana. Here you will find a working frontier village."

    "Open space, close to facilities and water pump, Ground was mostly flat, slightly shady in the afternoon, and very peaceful."

    2. Hardin Ridge

    25 Reviews
    Heltonville, IN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 837-9453

    $21 - $55 / night

    "This campground is nestled on a ridge above Indiana's Lake Monroe."

    "Hardin Ridge is a fantastic place to camp, and is very close to lake Monroe. But it's also quite a ways away from any stores in case you forget anything."

    3. Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    22 Reviews
    Heltonville, IN
    20 miles
    +1 (812) 275-5987

    "The ground is level and all grass with less bugs than sites directly off trail. We just have a simple backpacking tent set-up and we had a great campfire."

    "Site is a wide open and well-groomed, with trails just a short walk (or ride) away.

    Toilets and covered picnic tables nearby."

    4. Patoka Lake Campground

    36 Reviews
    Birdseye, IN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 338-5589

    $12 - $32 / night

    "My Aunt loves their trips to Patoka Lake & I can relate as to why after this weekend. We went for a wedding at the marina & ended by a lovely cove."

    "Pick a site that has water near and you won’t have to unhook to fill your tanks. So many sites are in the shade all day and peaceful. Showers are spotless but fun on the push button system."

    5. Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground

    25 Reviews
    Vallonia, IN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 358-3464

    $30 - $57 / night

    "There are lakeside camping lots. Also there are larger full hookup lots away from the lake"

    "Starve Hollow State Recreation Area is 280 acres that are adjacent to Jackson-Washington State Forest (18,000 acres)."

    6. Paynetown Campground

    29 Reviews
    Clear Creek, IN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 837-9546

    $19 - $32 / night

    "It's a bittersweet type of situation."

    "This is one of the largest campgrounds in all of Indiana. It includes hundreds of campsites. This includes RV hookups, standard campsites, and primitive campsites."

    7. Shirley Creek Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    3 Reviews
    West Baden Springs, IN
    9 miles
    +1 (812) 275-5987

    "There is also a nice loop trail if you feel like hiking. Be aware that it’s a pretty long drive in with lots of hill and some areas that are strictly gravel."

    "Great trails that our kids (ages 2-9) loved. Only reason for 4 stars is no drinking water or fire pit."

    8. Youngs Creek Horse Camp

    8 Reviews
    Paoli, IN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 547-7051

    "We camp here every time we come to Indiana. We have camped there in a truck camper, and now we tent camp with our Jeep. The sites are large, and there are fire rings available."

    "Site accommodates both horse, drive in and walk-in camping. There’s a privy and water on site. Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables."

    9. Martin State Forest

    4 Reviews
    Shoals, IN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 247-3491

    $13 / night

    "Generator okay but recommend use away from other campers."

    "This state forest is beautiful, filled with pines and a clear lake. It is a primative campground but is very nice. Has nice hiking trails and 7 miles of mountain bike trails."

    10. Free Spirit Campground

    2 Reviews
    Heltonville, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 834-6164
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Recent Reviews near Mitchell, IN

755 Reviews of 134 Mitchell Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    Nice Trails & Big Campsites

    I had a great time camping here. The spots in Taylor ridge were mostly well-spaced and felt pretty private. The pit toilets were clean and the showers were nice. Busy campground but it was very quiet still. 262 was the biggest and most private site I saw when walking around. 260 is a pull through site.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Very clean and friendly state park. Quick stop over but would definitely stay again if in the area. Would like to do some of the trails there

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Quick stop over. Would definitely return if in the area. Would have like to have had more time to do some of the trails. Very clean, friendly. Be aware of an additional $9 feet at the gate besides the camp fee.

  • Desert B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Knobstone Trail

    not accessible

    Maybe Google Maps took me to the wrong place (probably not).  I drove back and forth on the road several times looking for this place  The only thing I found was what I believe was the entrance with a cable across it.  There was no place to park otherwise.

  • L
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Spring Mill State Park Campground

    Fun, sunny, clean.

    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. Our campsite was on a small hill so it was well distanced from all the other campers, which was nice and peaceful. 

         There was a sweet place where you could get ice cream down the road from Spring Mill called Dairy Bell. Spring Mill wasn't far from the town were there was a Walmart, Rural King, and several more stores. 

    Very pretty and nice campground!

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Raccoon Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    the non-RV loop of the three camp areas (I think)

    Our third Indiana state park. Still impressed, they have all been friendly, well maintained with good, spread out sites and good signage everywhere (even the trails). All the rest rooms are spotlessly clean.
    We were there mid-week, so very few of the 480 (!) sites were occupied, except in Buffalo Ridge, the primary RV loop. There are three loops, Buffalo ridge (RV), Raccoon Ridge which is tent sites around the outside, with electric inside the loop. Which would be suitable for RVs. Many of the tent sites are split-level, meaning the fire pit and tent area is down a hill from where you park your car. We have a mini pop-up, and had no problem parking both it and car on the pad, and, these sites have two picnic tables, upper and lower. Check the photos when you reserve!
    We drove through Taylor ridge loop, and it's your best choice for getting away from it all. 
    The camp store is stocked with the basics, but has more souvenirs than food or camp needs. That's okay, as some of their goods are better quality than many other places.
    The park has a classic old CCC lodge (though you enter through the modern addition) so if you don't want to cook, eat at the restaurant (open till 8:PM), great food, generous portions. 
    The park also features an Olympic size pool (capacity 2,000). You cannot walk there from the campground unless you are very hardy and very determined. 
    You may think of Indiana as flat farmland, but this park is VERY hilly, with many scenic overlooks. It has two man-made lakes. Unsure about boating options on the larger one. 
    Another big feature are equestrian trails and a horse campground, see someone else's review for that.
    Nearby is the town of Nashville, which is full of art and craft galleries as well as multiple fudge shops, hand-made soaps, etc... Touristy but quaint. Was surprisingly crowded when we passed through on a Friday morning.   
    We are planning to go back to take advantage of all we missed in the area. Oh, I should point out that there are many private campgrounds nearby, it's a very popular  area.

  • Becca M.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Grand Trails RV Park

    Not for rv stsys

    This place could be nice but it is full of permanent trailer occupants, which is fine but .  It shouldn’t be advertised as a RV park.  There were 3 empty spaces, we chose  one and we couldn’t hook the sewer up because the pipe is too high off the ground.  They charged us 45.95 which is too high for the amenities offered.  The spaces are very close, no table, no place to set up a bbq.  We should have left but we were very tired.


Guide to Mitchell

Camping near Mitchell, Indiana, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Clifty Falls State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The wooded hiking trails helped keep us comfortable," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing and Boating: At Patoka Lake Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. One camper noted, "The beach was muddy and shallow, but the lake was beautiful!"
  • Historical Exploration: Visit the historic Rose Island Theme Park while camping at Charlestown State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, "Great hiking opportunities and cool exploration of historic Rose Island."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Paynetown Campground. One reviewer said, "Restrooms/showers were state park clean," which is a big plus for many.
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the spacious sites at Starve Hollow State Rec Area. A visitor mentioned, "Full hook up sites that are well spread out so you are not on top of each other."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the friendly staff at Hardin Ridge. One reviewer stated, "Staff are very friendly and helpful," making for a welcoming atmosphere.

What you should know

  • Busy Weekends: If you plan to camp at Paynetown Campground, be prepared for crowds. One camper noted, "This is known in Indiana as a party park," especially on summer weekends.
  • Uneven Sites: At Spring Mill State Park Campground, some sites can be unlevel. A visitor mentioned, "It is mostly uneven and the shaded loop is very unlevel."
  • Limited Cell Service: Campers at Buffalo Ridge Campground have reported poor cell service. One reviewer said, "Pay attention to your campsite for slope and camper accessibility," which can be tricky.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Lake Rudolph Campground is a great option for families. One camper shared, "Having electric and water was nice," making it easier for families with kids.
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to plan activities like hiking and fishing. A visitor at Patoka Lake Campground mentioned, "The abundance of activities at this state park ensures there's never a dull moment."
  • Keep an Eye on Kids: At Starve Hollow State Rec Area, be cautious of the water. One reviewer advised, "Parents with small children should be especially vigilant."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: RVers at Taylor Ridge Campground recommend checking site levels. One camper noted, "The roads are not marked very well and it took a bit to find our site."
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: Many RVers suggest bringing leveling blocks for uneven sites. A visitor at Buffalo Ridge Campground mentioned, "Be sure to check pad size. Several sites have 20' or so."
  • Plan for Crowds: If you're camping during peak season, be prepared for busy campgrounds. A reviewer at Paynetown Campground said, "It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend."

Camping around Mitchell, Indiana, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mitchell, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mitchell, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 134 campgrounds and RV parks near Mitchell, IN and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mitchell, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mitchell, IN is Spring Mill State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 23 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mitchell, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Mitchell, IN.

What parks are near Mitchell, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Mitchell, IN that allow camping, notably Hoosier National Forest and Monroe Lake.