Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Monroe Lake, IN is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Monroe Lake is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Monroe Lake, IN. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
$16 - $25 / 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."
$21 - $55 / night
"This campground is on the south side of Monroe lake and has beach access. I tent camped solo and everything went great!"
"It is part of Hoosier National so there are unlimited trails, Monroe Lake, a beach and all kinds of playgrounds."
"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."
$23 / night
"We have visited Nashville Indiana several times but this is our first time camping nearby. My wife loves to visit Nashville and all the little shops they offer."
"It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view. Driving through the campground it looks like there are some sites pretty close together but ours wasn’t too bad."
"A staple of our state here in Indiana. Unfortunately due to some storm damage, trails were rerouted or straight up inaccessible. Great places to find and set up camp."
"Tent camping only although there are both hike in and drive up sites in the wilderness area. Great place to get away from it all."
"Great location and clean camp ground."
"I had to nearly lower my tongue to the ground to get it level. The splash park was fun, even for the teen kids, but the pool was tiny and shallow and disappointing."
$23 / night
"This is a beautiful State Park situated in the rolling hills of southern Indiana."
"I make multiple visits here every year, mainly for the mountain bike trails. There are almost 30 miles of trails inside the park with new trails every year for the past 3+ years."
"The Peninsula Trail and Grub Ridge trails both have marked campsites that are very far apart and totally private. These are dispersed/primitive sites with a fire ring only. "
"this was a wonderful scenic hike meant for the beauty of indiana"
$225 / night
"Peaceful little place but unfortunately it rained but we made the best of it, there’s some secluded spots where you can stay away from others or stay in the more general areas, nice lake to fish and we"
"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."
"If you are into boondocking at all defiantly check out berry ridge it’s just south of brown county Indiana beautiful country mostly hills tons of camp spots sometimes half mile or more apart haven’t seen"
"I have lived in Indiana for ever and have made many trips this way, but I never knew sites like this existed."
RangerWe stayed here for the 1st Annual HikerFest and had a blast! 106 of our little Hikers took up the majority of the park. The full-timers that stay here for the season were very kind and cordial; freely giving of advice on local attractions to see and things to do during our stay. The museum was really interesting! They gave a great tour with lots of stories about country legends. The bath house was clean and tidy. The showers were ok. Porta-potties throughout the campground, not so much… Campsites are close together and without privacy, some more level than others. Try to grab a spot near the trees for a bit of shade. Great music. Awesome weekend!
ScoutQuick two night stay for us but although our first time here was short we will certainly be back. Campground is clean and very well maintained. Owners are very involved and run things very thoughtfully.
They were able to accommodate our 44ft 5th wheel and navigating to the site was simple. Can’t wait to come back and visit.
TravelerNational forest area with 3ish campsites one of which can accommodate a vehicle. Wooded so no solar or starlink. Small lake nearby with what looks like some trails.
TravelerThis is a bare bones location. There was evidence of a homemade fire pit and a small cleared area. No cell service at the site but there was a bar or two on the road just a few feet away. With a weboost there was att and tmobile service. Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there. 38.515995, -85.870726, 871 ft
GuideI 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.
RangerMost of the spaces that had both water and electric were mostly in the sun. But all the other spaces had plenty of shade and trees around them. Our space was spot on level and nice area around each space to where you didn’t feel like you were camped on top of other people. The showers were adequate. Great hiking trails in the area. Very quiet. Although we were there on a weekday. One downside was we had Verizon as a cell phone carrier and only had one bar.
TravelerThis 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!
TravelerWe had a nice site that was evenly spaced from the other campsites by trees and was nice and close to water, the bathrooms, and the shower houses, which were very clean! The camp store was nice and the paddle boats were fun! The pool was only opened on the weekends in August which was disappointing but there was a large fishing dock and many boating opportunities. Very nice camping spot, but in August beware of the bugs!
LegendOur 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.
Camping near Monroe Lake, Indiana, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to fish, hike, or just relax by the water, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Monroe Lake, Indiana, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available at Monroe Lake in Indiana?
Monroe Lake offers diverse camping experiences to suit various preferences. Hardin Ridge on the south side of the lake provides tent and RV sites with beach access, trails, and both electric and non-electric options. For a more rustic experience, Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers dispersed camping with primitive sites. Other options include Paynetown Campground with standard amenities, and specialized camping at Ransburg Scout Reservation which offers cabin and tent camping with water activities. For RVers, there are several campgrounds with full hookups and big-rig friendly sites. Most campgrounds around Monroe Lake are open seasonally with peak availability from spring through fall.
What amenities does Paynetown Campground offer at Monroe Lake?
Paynetown Campground offers a range of amenities for campers seeking comfort while enjoying Monroe Lake. The campground provides electric hookups at many sites, clean restrooms, and shower facilities. While Paynetown can get busy during peak season, it offers a balance of natural surroundings while maintaining access to essential services. Recreational amenities include direct access to Monroe Lake for swimming, fishing, and boating. For those seeking alternatives with similar amenities, Ransburg Scout Reservation nearby offers access to Monroe Lake with canoeing, rowing, sailing, and motorboating options, along with hiking trails and meal services for organized groups.
What visitor reviews say about camping at Paynetown Campground?
Visitors to Paynetown Campground report it can get quite busy, especially during COVID when outdoor recreation surged in popularity. Campers note it can be challenging to find campsites that aren't packed close together while still providing access to nature. For those seeking quieter alternatives with more space, Pine Loop at Hardin Ridge receives excellent reviews for offering various campsite styles including walk-ins and drive-ins, with or without utilities. Campers particularly appreciate Pine Loop's ample shade, quiet surroundings, and easy access to Monroe Lake and a swimming beach, making it a popular choice for visitors seeking a more peaceful camping experience near the lake.
How do I make reservations for camping at Monroe Lake State Park?
To reserve a campsite at Monroe Lake State Park, including Paynetown Campground, make reservations through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website or by calling their reservation line. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance, which is recommended for summer weekends and holidays. For alternative options, Yellowwood State Forest located near Monroe Lake has 79 primitive campsites available. Buffalo Ridge Campground at nearby Brown County State Park also offers reservable sites with both electric and non-electric options. Remember that some smaller campgrounds and dispersed sites in the area may operate on a first-come, first-served basis rather than through reservations.
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