Top Tent Camping near Monroe Lake
Looking for the best Monroe Lake tent camping? Find the best tent camping sites near Monroe Lake. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your Indiana camping adventure.
Best Tent Sites Near Monroe Lake, IN (21)
1.
Paynetown Campground
Clear Creek, Indiana29 Reviews99 Photos182 SavesLocated 6 miles south of Bloomington and the IU campus, Monroe Lake is the largest in Indiana. Paynetown Campground is a recreation area that is part of Monroe Lake. Activities at Monroe include fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, picnicking, water recreation, bird/eagle viewing, and many others.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$16 - $30 / night
2.
Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Freetown, Indiana13 Reviews30 Photos311 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
3.
Charles C. Deam Wilderness
Heltonville, Indiana8 Reviews27 Photos124 SavesThe Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers 36 miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, and horse riding through scenic hardwood forest and varied terrain with views of nearby Monroe Lake. The area was designated a wilderness in 1982 and encompasses nearly 12,953 acres of the Hoosier National Forest. Wilderness designation places this area in a special legal status (subject to the 1964 Wilderness Act). It is managed to preserve a natural condition and provide opportunities for solitude. Since its designation as a wilderness, visitor use in the area increased to a point that significant damage was occurring. Special restrictions are in place to protect the wilderness character. Visitors to this special place are asked to follow these restrictions to lessen your impact and share responsibility in preserving this unique natural resource.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
4.
Ransburg Scout Reservation
Harrodsburg, Indiana4 Reviews13 Photos8 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
5.
Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Martinsville, Indiana7 Reviews29 Photos75 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$25 - $55 / night
6.
Pine Loop
Harrodsburg, Indiana1 Review20 SavesThis campground loop is a shady campground with 40 tent and trailer sites. About half of the sites are electric. This area includes a playground for children. There are eight walk-in sites on this campground loop. ACTIVITIES Camping: This is one of six shady campground loops in the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area. It includes 39 sites, about 3/4 of which are electric. Pine Loop is generally open in the summer months but is closed in winter months, though other loops will be open. A maximum of 2 vehicles and 8 people are allowed per site. Recreational Vehicles: This is one of six shady campground loops in the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area. It includes 31 sites appropriate for RVs, about 3/4 of which are electric. Pine Loop is generally open in the summer months but is closed in winter months, though other loops will be open. A maximum of 2 vehicles and 8 people are allowed per site. Wildlife Viewing: Each of the six shady campground loops in the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area provide ample opportunities to see wildlife. While staying in the campground you share the birds and animal's home and are likely to see them come right up to your campsite.
- Tents
8.
Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area
Deputy, Indiana16 Reviews89 Photos2 SavesHardy Lake has a 740 acre lake with great fishing and it allows water skiing. It has hiking trails, beach, picnic area, and 2 campgrounds. Hunting is allowed during normal hunting seasons which include deer and wild turkey hunting. Both campgrounds are open year round with electric available at each site in Shale Bluff Campground.
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
9.
Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Martinsville, Indiana1 Review6 SavesPrimitive camping is available for a fee; campers must register for camping at the forest office. Mason Ridge Campground, located behind the fire tower north of the forest office, has vault toilets and seasonal drinking water available. There is a picnic table and grill located on each of the campground's 19 sites. On busy weekends, overflow camping is available at Oak Ridge Campground. Oak Ridge has 10 sites and the same facilities as Mason Ridge.
Scout Ridge Youth Tent Campground is available for scouts or other groups. The six sites in Scout Ridge Campground are larger than regular campground sites and there are several picnic tables and grills available. Scout Ridge Nature Preserve is located in this area.
Backcountry camping is available. All campers must register with State Forest Office via person, email at morgansf@dnr.IN.gov, at the kiosk, or phone (765-792-4654). Please note the phone is not recommended because the office is closed in evenings and on Sundays. Users must indicate the general region of planned camping. During periods of high fire danger the area may be closed by the property manager. Camping groups are restricted to either family units or groups not exceeding six persons. No campsite may be established within ¼ mile of access points into the area. Use of the area is restricted to a maximum of three nights by any individual. Morgan-Monroe State Forest has a carry-in, carry-out trash policy, i.e., what you carry in you must carry out. Additionally, the backcountry area is restricted to only minimal-impact camping/hiking in order to preserve the natural state of Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Oak Ridge campground is closed Jan. 1 through March 31. Scout Ridge campground is closed Jan. 1 through March 31. Special requests can be made during this period through the forest office. Marson Ridge campground is open year-round.Water is shut off at all campgrounds and shelters Oct. 31 and turned on in March as weather permits. A year-round hydrant is located southeast of the main office.
Small campfires are allowed while backcountry camping, but the DNR recommends using a portable backpacking stove for cooking instead of a campfire. A portable stove will cook your meal long before a fire is ready. Another advantage is that it helps prevent fire-blackened rocks in areas where people camp. If using a campfire, make sure a campfire is allowed during the time of your trip. Different properties may have different rules regarding campfires. Even properties that generally allow campfires may ban them on a temporary basis because of dry conditions. Use only small dead and downed wood where permitted. Do not break or cut tree limbs or trees, even dead ones. Dead trees provide habitat for many birds and animals. Do not stockpile wood. While this was once considered a friendly gesture in remote areas, today it is one more way of reducing the spirit of solitude and independence that people seek when backcountry camping. Any campfire in a backcountry area should be in a pit 12 inches or less in diameter, and a 3-foot diameter area should be cleared to mineral soil around the fire. Before leaving an area where a campfire was built, mix ashes with the soil (100% extinguished), fill the pit, and cover the cleared area with the humus layer that was originally removed.
Draper Cabin
Draper Cabin is a primitive, wooden-floored log cabin that takes visitors 100 years back in time to the days before electricity, vehicles and modern plumbing. Reservations for the cabin are accepted from the first weekend in April to the weekend before Thanksgiving. The cabin may be rented on a day by day basis, depending on weather conditions, during the winter. Click here for rental information and a picture of the cabin .
Cherry Lake Lodge
Nestled deep in Morgan-Monroe State Forest you’ll find the solitude you seek, while still having a comfortable bed in which to sleep, hot and cold running water, indoor restroom and shower, and full kitchen facilities. This recently renovated lodge is everything you’d expect in a woodland retreat at a very affordable rental rate. It’s a place where the whole family can explore the woods all day, and relax to a warm fire at night. Click here for rental information and rates.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
Showing results 1-10 of 21 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Monroe Lake
547 Reviews of 21 Monroe Lake Campgrounds
Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Nice
Very long secluded road. Took a bit to find the first spot to camp, once we found it the other spots weren’t too far past.
Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Perfect
The perfect dispersed site for my way through, quiet and peaceful. Good spot for tent camping , we enjoyed our stay.
Jackson Washington State Forest
Great primitive campground
Spacious sites. Beautiful forest. Quiet, but only 5 minutes small town with gas stations, grocery, etc. Not many amenities. Only pit toilets and water spigots. Firewood was not available during our visit. No reservations. First come first serve, but even on a "busy" Saturday in July less than 1/3 of the sites were full. Two "loops" one in a pine forest below the small lake and one at the lake/up the hill. Multiple playgrounds. Great trails to hike. Cool CCC construction. Highly recommend.
Sycamore Springs Park
Great camping with enjoyable amenities
This is a great family campground with excellent amenities, clean sites and grounds, beautiful surroundings, multiple cabins, pavilions, and a welcoming host office. We would love to visit and stay again. Do not let the short rural entry drive deter you. Yes it's hilly and curvy but take it slow and careful I promise it's worth it. Free firewood is just a bonus. Get a shady spot and enjoy the stay.
Sycamore Springs Park
Child’s paradise !
We went up in June 2024. There are several spots that are in the shade, but some of them are permanent campers. There is a fishing lake and a small river to fish in or wade and swim in. There is a miniature village for the kids along with 20 playgrounds in the campground. Golf carts are available to rent, and I feel are a necessity to get around this large park. There are also large fields to play in. Didn’t use the bath house. The general store has ice and a few souvenirs. There is cell service (AT&T and Verizon) There is also free wood. They have really cool spiral steps that lead up to a walk bridge. They also have a donkey and goats to pet. Altogether a really nice and clean park. Will definitely go again.
Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
Spacious Camping
We really liked the set up of this campsite. The fire rings were spread apart amidst a green hill. There was some shade available around the edges. Plenty of room to spread out from your neighbors; it wasn’t too busy when we were there (a Thursday). Camp accesses two trailheads directly. There were two bathrooms, a place for garbage, and potable water. Screech owls and active birds made it an exciting evening.
Camp Buckwood
Very Nice and Freindly
Stayed two nights, tent camping. It was a great time meeting new people and exploring the surrounding area.
Hickory Hills Camp Resort
Perfect RV Resort south of Indianapolis
We were so fortunate to have found The Retreat at Hickory Hills and stay there for a month! There’s two pools, a pickle ball court, a basketball half court, farm animals, golf cart trails, kayak/canoe/row boats, exploring creeks, fishing, a dog park, several playgrounds, Gaga ball, tether ball, volleyball, frisbee golf and several weekend activities for everyone. Saturday mornings were our favorite where we could get biscuits and gravy, coffee and the kids had craft time. It’s definitely worth bringing mountain bikes or renting their golf carts to explore their golf cart trails! We went out on these several times and it never got old! Staff and campers were welcoming and friendly. We still haven’t stopped talking about how CLEAN they keep everything. The sites were large and they’re still expanding and adding more sites. There’s a seasonal campers area and an overnight or monthly area. We stayed in the overnight/monthly area. It was peaceful and relaxing throughout the week and lively during the weekend. It was a wonderful balance!! We’ll definitely be back.
Sycamore Springs Park
Bad campground
The bathrooms are dirty, showers are full of hair, the toilets are dirty, staff can be rude, not a lot to do besides walk/drive around, not a very fun park if u was to bring ur kids to it, there’s not much to see. I wouldn’t waste ur take time comming here and instead go to a better park that’s much better
Shakamak State Park — Shakamak Prairie Nature Preserve
One of our favorite parks!
We have been coming here every year since 2016. Most of the sites are shady. Our favorite site is 72. It is close to a water hookup if you need to top off your fresh water tank, shady, and not too close to other sites. They added a new shower house close by in 2022 or 2023.
Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Secluded in the woods
Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far. There was no traffic or other people in site. I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times. I have lived in Indiana for ever and have made many trips this way, but I never knew sites like this existed.
Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
Meh
First off- Brown County is a lovely park. This review is only for the campground.
The only time we ever camped here was in 2003 when we had 3 kids & a popup. New to the park I thought the Racoon Ridge Loop looked good & picked site 121. Bad mistake! We stayed 3 nights & every night we had a weird thing happen. The worst was the bat that found it's way into the popup one night. None of it was in any way Brown County's fault, but we never went back.
We were staying at Paynetown recently & decided to visit Brown County & the campground. The mirror tag helped with this. We visited on a Saturday morning in late June. The whole campground was full & it was jumpin'!
We skipped Buffalo Ridge. Raccoon Ridge is the smallest loop. Close sites. Our former site 121 has a pit toilet right next to it now. There's several sites along the main road, also very close to each other & right on the road.
I thought that Taylor Ridge was the best loop based on my memories from 2003. It's really a long warren of close sites, some with terrible inclines.
I was able to write down a few sites I thought would work- Sites with no one close by: 193/194/266.
265 was the only pull thru I saw, but there may be others.
End of loop: 317/318
Ridge view from your site: 310/311/312/313/314
Random sites that looked ok: 179/188/215/223/225/242/259/260/265/277/280/287/422- these sites are just what I eyeballed while the husband was cruising down the main road.
We decided we were never going to camp here again. The sites are too close together. There's too many people crammed in a small space. If you go be aware that summer weekends & leaf peeper season will be very busy. The middle of the week or shoulder season would probably be your best bet for a more relaxing experience.
Yellowwood State Forest
Just did a drive thru
This is a State Forest campground near Nashville, Indiana. Primitive camping. Pit toilets only. This is by Yellowwood Lake, so boating & fishing opportunities.
All these sites are first come, first serve. No reservations.
There's a Forest Office with area information & a small display.
There's several trails of varying length.
Believe it or not- gold panning is a thing here! You need a permit.
They rent boats at the Forest Office. Electric motor only.
There's several camping loops. There's a horse camp also.
The boat ramp is near the horse camp loop.
We didn't go down the Red Pine Loop, but did check out White Oak/Redbud& Black Gum.
Hickory loop is right off the road & the sites are visible from the road. They looked nicely spaced.
White oak loop had several nice sites. Redbud is close to a building they call a camp store. It may have been many years ago, but not open now.
Several picnic spots by the lake. The best site in Redbud would be 39. Large site with some shade. I would also say 38, but site 37 is directly behind it. This is the camp host spot, so occupied. These sites are near the pit toilets.
The best spot in Black Gum would be site 75. Large site at the end of the loop & right by the lake.
If you go back to Hwy 46 where the road split on your way in, follow the sign to the dam. Just a large earthen dam, but there's trail heads here. There's the Scarce O' Fat Trail which has been mentioned on the Facebook Indiana Hiking page.
$13 per night regular camping.$16 per night for horseman's.
Hardin Ridge
National Forest
We did a drive through to check out the campground. It was $8 for day use, self pay.
This is a beautiful campground. There's 4 loops with 30 & 50 amp. 2 loops with no electric.
Well spaced all tucked into the trees on a ridge. Also some carry in sites.
If we tented camped still I'd be in heaven!
You can reserve sites, or some are first come first served.
Shower/restroom with pit toilets scattered around.
3 trails. A beach, picnic areas& a boat launch.
This seems less popular than Paynetown, but a lot quieter!!
Paynetown Campground
Crazy busy on a summer weekend
This is a SRA on the shores of Lake Monroe by Bloomington Indiana. This is a boating/fishing park. We went on a hot weekend the 4rth weekend in June & it was completely full.
There's only 3 short trails. The longest is 1.25 miles. Not a hiking park.
There's a visitor center off State Road 446. This is NOT a nature center! Just a place to pick up some information.
The marina & boat launch get the most use. There's also a beach.
There's a large Class B campground closer to the marina. There's some pit toilets & one flush toilet building. No showers. No electricity.
There's a large dump station.
The electric campground has 227 sites. 3 are handicap accessible. There's also 27 pull throughs. Many have lake access due to camper made trails to the lake.
We had site 137 which was a good site due to the fact we had no one on the left. There was a woods view.
Many of these sites have a bad incline & people were putting their rigs sideways on the site close to the road. Our site was no exception, but we were able to make it work. This site also had afternoon sun.
Restrooms/showers were state park clean. I was impressed with the hard working staff trying their best to give us a clean bathroom!
The best sites in the campground are 171/172& 153/154. These have a lot of sun, but a stellar view of the lake.
132-137 have a trail to the lake. Very bad inclines though.
120-124 have trails to the lake & are in the woods.
103 is a large site& fairly even with lots of shade.
The sites from 180-227 are asphalt with concrete pads. The rest of the campground is gravel.
There's 4 carry in campsites for tents that looked very nice. Campsites in the E area have access to a sandy peninsula that was very popular for swimmers.
This is known in Indiana as a party park. There's some truth to that. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend. If you like a quieter experience come Monday through Wed. or wait until the off season.
Camp Atterbury Campground
Great 1st experience
This was my first time at a campsite, so I don't have other sites to compare to. Overall, my experience was great. Clean area with lots of amenities. They stack free firewood at your campsite to burn. I'm military, so the gunfire, canon fire, and helicopters didn't bother me at all. Those things don't happen all the time though.
Spring Mill State Park Campground
summer camp 2024
nice camping here,but they have small area ,i see racoon,cath meow lol but they attack
Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Beautiful as it should be.
We stayed pretty much on our site. Generally, we aim to do a bit of exploring, but we used their camping as a rendezvous. I was slightly disappointed by the site selections being mostly on a slant, but we did find one on the overfill site that suited our needs and we ended up loving it. I do plan on returning specifically to update a better review on the available views.
Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Real dispersed camping
For those of you who don't understand disperse camping this is the perfect site for a tent to camp without anything but what you bring in and take out understand what dispersed camping is and then there won't be any complaints about can't get a camper in or whatever I always see the complaints this is dispersed camping at its best
Youngs Creek Horse Camp
Beautiful
The chorus frog do roar through the night. 100% worth it, make sure to bring bug spray, and travel carefully up the roads. Lots of wildlife, and kind people.
Clark State Forest
Nice and cheap
We tent camped and it was not a bad time. Very dead and very quiet, and we met a friendly raccoon.
Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA
Repeat Visit
This was a repeat visit. Just as perfect as the first time. Lake was beautiful and staff are always so helpful. They even have an on-site RV Tech that works for them who helped us fix our hot water heater. Very professional young man. We also enjoyed live music at the pavilion, and PIZZA from their new café, it was fabulous. They even have Boba tea.
Yellowwood State Forest
Great Camping & Fishing Combo
Lots of primitive campsites here. Many have short trails from them to the lake edge, making for some great night fishing with a cozy fire to return to.
Hardin Ridge
Hoosier National Forest
This place is deluxe. Sites are spacious. Good space between campsites. Restrooms are clean. Well maintained facility
Staff are very friendly and helpful
Spring Mill State Park Campground
Perfect location for the 2024 eclipse
In January we found a couple of available sites at Spring Mill when trying to plan where we'd go for the eclipse, so we took them and then started looking at what the park had to offer. We started to really look forward to the park as much as the eclipse. The park lived up to expectations. We were able to do a lot of hiking. Our dog was welcome in most areas of the park (pioneer village being the only significant exception). They were planning for a ton of folks to be there for the eclipse, but the numbers were lower than expected. We had the perfect spot for viewing it right across the lane from our campsite, so it didn't really matter how many people came into the park for it.
The only possible negative was that our site wasn't very level for our pop up. We had our leveler with us, so it didn't matter. My wife and I decided that the eclipse was simply the cherry on top of a very good sundae. We loved the park and will likely return again.
Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed
It’s a very spartan spot
Spot has a creek and is flat enough for a tent mostly just a single person spot no toilets. Road south coming in was destroyed some time ago have to w yer from east or west road.
Hickory Ridge
Secluded with view
Good spot to get some quiet time to learn/hone skills or for some good quality time with the family while being plugged into nature and unplugged from their electronics
Guide to Monroe Lake
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.
What to do:
- Boating and Fishing: At Paynetown Campground, you can enjoy boating and fishing on Lake Monroe. One visitor noted, "This is a boating/fishing park," highlighting the lake's popularity for these activities.
- Hiking: Explore the trails at Taylor Ridge Campground where one camper mentioned, "We had a blast. Rode horses, hiked, geocached, lots to do."
- Swimming: The beach at Starve Hollow State Rec Area is a great spot for a swim. A reviewer said, "Small lake for boating and canoeing and kayaking," making it a fun place to cool off.
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Hardin Ridge. One reviewer stated, "Restrooms are clean. Well maintained facility."
- Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Blackwell Campground. A visitor shared, "Plenty of room to spread out from your neighbors; it wasn’t too busy when we were there."
- Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpful staff at West Boggs Park. One guest noted, "They host different themed events," which adds to the welcoming atmosphere.
What you should know:
- Busy Weekends: If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting during the week. A reviewer at Paynetown Campground warned, "It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend."
- Site Conditions: Some sites may not be level. A camper at Spring Mill State Park Campground mentioned, "Our last site (15) was located on a grade that made setting up camp more difficult than usual."
- Primitive Camping: If you're looking for a more rustic experience, check out Yellowwood State Forest. A visitor described it as "Primitive camping. Pit toilets only."
Tips for camping with families:
- Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with amenities like playgrounds. At Buffalo Ridge Campground, one reviewer said, "One of the playgrounds is right off the site."
- Plan for Noise: Be prepared for lively environments, especially on weekends. A family camping at Starve Hollow State Rec Area noted, "The beach was muddy and shallow, but the lake was beautiful!"
- Bring Outdoor Games: Campgrounds like West Boggs Park offer plenty of space for games. One camper mentioned, "They have great activities such as outdoor movies, scavenger hunts, and more."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Taylor Ridge Campground advised, "Pay attention to your campsite for slope and camper accessibility."
- Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds, like Hardin Ridge, offer electric hookups. A visitor shared, "There’s 4 loops with 30 & 50 amp."
- Plan for Dump Stations: Ensure you know where the nearest dump station is located. A camper at Paynetown Campground mentioned, "There's a large dump station."
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
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Monroe Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Monroe Lake is Paynetown Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Monroe Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Monroe Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.