Several state parks surround Monticello, Indiana, giving campers good options within driving distance. Potato Creek State Park Campground has many hiking and biking trails that wind through the woods. Campers who like fishing and paddling often head to Tippecanoe River State Park Campground, though you'll want to bring plenty of bug spray for the mosquitoes that swarm there. Prophetstown State Park Campground keeps their grounds and bathrooms very clean, and most campers find the staff friendly. RVs fit well at White River Campground where the sites aren't cramped together. You can drive regular cars to all these campgrounds without any problems. Most camping areas have drinking water and bathrooms available. While many campgrounds stay open all year, some facilities shut down during winter, so it's smart to call ahead. Many families camp here because Indiana Beach amusement park is close by. The natural setting around Monticello has nice views without being too remote. RV campers will find hookups and fairly level parking at most places. July and August get pretty hot, but May, June, September and October have better temperatures for hiking and being outside. The Monticello area works well whether you want to do lots of activities or just relax at your campsite.
"Close to Indiana Beach amusement park. No major highways nearby, so the drive was kind of....strange. At one point we were on a gravel road."
"We used to go camping here every summer when I was a kid so it brought back a little nostalgia we stayed an E567 I would stay away from these they are very muddy kind of tight to turn a 30 foot camper"
$36 - $45 / night
"Well kept and clean area in the plains of Indiana. Great amnesties for the area such as a new, large public pool and a few hiking and biking trails."
"Not too far out of the way, this is Indiana's newest state park, if I'm not mistaken, and it shows. The lower loop is all full hookups with 50, 30, and 20 amp service and respectably woody."
$18 - $45 / night
"We had no idea it was so close to us too. We packed up the dogs and headed to France Park for a full day of exploring, followed by staying at a primitive campsite."
"Our campsite was an odd size and a tight drive to back into (but it was a busy weekend). We were excited for the waterfall but it was closed off."
$53 - $67 / night
"Swimming, camp fires, children parks, dog park, small trails, and only 10 minutes from Indiana beach. Love staying here."
"The town of Monticello offers a lot. The camp ground was very clean and shower houses were very nice. Water, cable, sewer, electric available."
"Nice KOA property which sits directly next to - and shares amenities with - the Indiana Beach Campground, next door. Clean facilities and grounds, and friendly staff."
$30 - $45 / night
"When we came down the road to the CG we were unsure of the CG location, but it is located right behind the interpretive/conference center building."
"With miles of bike trails it is easy to see everything without having to drive. With only a handful of sites but far enough off the beaten path it's not crowded."
"This place is different close to interstate so noise, they have tons of activities for the kids it’s very clean. Almost every spot has a waters edge. I plan coming back here in the middle of summer."
"Nice sites next to lake."
"Great get away with perfect access to the lake. Close to town within 15 min for stores and restaurants."
"Pretty spots by the river but best for adults only trips as there is a step ledge. Lots of other areas too away from the Wabash and they have a campsore and game room to that the kids to."
"Right next to the river for fishing. They have a little arcade hall, have bingo, a swimming pool, basketball court."
ScoutI loved the management, a beautiful clean Park that focuses on kids safety and Respect and A Good Time. Clean Restrooms and parks and Nice Pool on The Beautiful Wabash River. I suggest Primitive Camping myself👌🤌. Tent and camper camping is a little Too Tight for my taste. Very Nice and Secluded Primitive Camping!
ScoutWe camped here for a little over a year and the place has gone downhill fast. Property is hardly kept up, owner allows trashy campers yo be abandoned on the property, most of the people camping here don’t pay, loose dogs and cats run around the campground. Price is $700 for four weeks with electric only. Bath house is disgusting. The area and space is nice but that’s about it
Traveler6 people, 1 pup & a 44.4' Keystone Sprinter... Oak Lake RV Resort handled it all with ease & gave us the BEST camping trip ever! From the moment you drive up, staff are waiting in golf carts to guide you to your site & even help with setup. We were nervous about fitting our big rig, but pull-through site #17 made it flawless. Where else does that??
We originally booked August 22–25, extended to the 29th & then lucked into staying through Labor Day weekend. We canceled our other plans because Oak Lake had everything we wanted & more!!Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s’mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories. The kids are still raving about it!
Rebecca deserves a huge shoutout for going above & beyond! Tom & Marianne, the owners, are amazing hosts who clearly pour their hearts into making Oak Lake special. Even the coin operated laundry was a lifesaver & convinced us we need a washer/dryer in our camper for future impromptu stays 😂.
We’re already talking about being put on the list for a seasonal site for next year bc we know we’ll be back again & again. Oak Lake RV Resort is Newton County’s hidden gem!!! If you’re searching for fun, hospitality & true family camping memories... THIS is the place!! Hands down, every time.
RangerGreat campground. Really nice campground - clean, sites with some shade (especially the section with full hookups). Lots of families enjoying camping, kids relishing the freedom of riding bikes and skateboards (unfortunately too few with helmets including one with a major black eye). Nice walking trails right off of campground. Aquatic center in park. We would return - except that crossing the country on highway 70 is brutal
TravelerWe stayed at the Newton County Fairgrounds during fair week & had a great experience. The grounds were clean & well kept. It was easy to get around even with all the fair activity going on. Our campsite had water & electric only, just like all of the others. The bathrooms & showers were in good condition considering how busy the week was.
The fair itself was a lot of fun! From the 4-H shows to the carnival rides & food vendors, there was always something going on. The kids loved it! It felt very family-friendly & welcoming.
The only thing to note is that cell service & wifi can be a little spotty, but honestly that gave us more time to just enjoy the fair & each other. Overall, we would definitely come back & recommend it to anyone looking for a good small-town fair experience with a convenient place to stay.
Cannot wait until next year!!
TravelerTo much money rv/campsites way way to small they charge for EVERYTHING INCLUDING GUEST TO SEE IF THEY WANT TO CAMP , u can only have 4 people then its 10$ per each for a weekend ridiculous
TravelerExperience was good , except do not get sites 33, 34 or 35 we had maybe 5ft between us and the camper beside us , no way and the electricity hookup is right there so putting out awning was so very dangerous!!!! Bc the water dripped straight onto the electric hookup and who knows if someone may have a cut or anything wrong with there cord electric shock for sure !!!! Visitors JUST TO VISIT TO SEE IF THEY WANT TO CAMP THERE 5$ each Could not cook out or anything bc there’s no room in between your camper and your neighbor’s camper They tell u to look at the four day itinerary, but we’ve always just called or got on the website and booked our site, but it is pretty ridiculous for a camper to hold six or eight and you can only have four people and then on top of that an arm and a leg just for a float to float downstream which the gal young gal told me it was 2 miles 2 to 4 hour trip and it took us an hour so basically got ripped off pretty good this weekend so make sure to read your email b4 going here ! Thank goodness we had family bc we had absolutely no room for anything Bugs horrible And they tell you to have dogs on leash , no one had their dogs on leash except us . A blue healer tried to bite one of us ! It was pouring down and the guy on golf cart while we’re trying to hurry in the rain was so worried about our card he couldn’t wait till we was leaving to turn it in . They give u a code so why not put it in your phone bc if u lose there card they charge u 40$ Seems like more of a money thing to us . We enjoy camping but my gosh break the bank here for sure no gravel on sites hardly mainly dirt and sand so come prepared to sweep your caper or rv every hour . Very very tiny sites and unacceptable for us and anyone wanting to enjoy outside of your camper with your awning
ScoutThis campground has a personality of its own. Majority of the lots are permanent Indiana residents but the option for an impromptu night of camping here is always open. The staff have been here years and you can tell genuinely care about this place. They make sure to know you, which makes me feel safe cuz they know who’s here whether tenant or guest. Neighbors are great. You have the occasion person that likes to hear themselves but that’s everywhere. If u want to make friends you can and if you want to stay to yourself you can. The pool was just put in a year ago and is a relaxing place to go. Also what I thought was different was that no matter what is going on here , everyone settles down around 10 to 11 pm and by midnight you hear the crickets and owls. Everyone is so respectful of quiet time here no matter the festivity. There is a pond you can fish as well. If you wanna stick around a while this is the campground for you.
TravelerDon’t think I’ve ever stayed anywhere so peaceful. Birds chirping, right on a nature spring, everyone is respectful but laid back,. Full hook ups and amazing stay.
Monticello, Indiana features multiple established campgrounds catering to diverse camping preferences along Lake Shafer and surrounding areas. Norway Campground, Indiana Beach Campground, and Lost Acres RV Park offer a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations within close proximity to water recreation. Most campgrounds in the area maintain full hookup capabilities for RVs with electric, water, and sewer connections. Several facilities include amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and shower facilities, making them suitable for family camping trips.
Access to campgrounds remains relatively straightforward with most facilities located within 15 minutes of downtown Monticello. The camping season generally runs from May through September or October, with some properties like Prophetstown State Park remaining open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer weekends and holidays when facilities reach capacity. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours after 11:00 pm, though enforcement varies between properties. Seasonal considerations include higher humidity during summer months and occasional thunderstorms. As one camper noted, "Clean, quiet campground. No easy way to get there. Close to Indiana Beach amusement park. No major highways nearby, so the drive was kind of strange."
Campers frequently mention water access as a primary draw to the area, with Lake Shafer providing opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. Several campgrounds offer direct water access or are situated near the shoreline. The Indiana Beach amusement park represents another popular attraction, with some campgrounds providing shuttle service or discounted admission. Family-friendly amenities receive consistent praise in reviews, including splash pads, pools, and playgrounds. A reviewer at Lost Acres described it as "a beautiful family orientation campground. There is something for everyone. Playgrounds, new pool, kids activities, corn hole tournaments, fishing pond." Some visitors note that campgrounds closer to Indiana Beach can experience higher noise levels and more crowded conditions during peak season, while properties farther from attractions offer quieter settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV resorts in Monticello, Indiana?
Yes, Monticello offers several RV-friendly options. Indiana Beach / Monticello KOA Holiday provides full hookup sites with water, cable, sewer, and electric connections. The facilities include clean shower houses and share amenities with the adjacent Indiana Beach Campground. For those seeking alternatives, France Park offers primitive camping with the bonus of natural attractions for a more outdoorsy experience. Most RV accommodations in the area maintain clean grounds with good site spacing, though some visitors note occasional muddy conditions depending on weather and specific site location.
What campgrounds are available near Indiana Beach in Monticello?
Several campgrounds serve visitors to Indiana Beach amusement park in Monticello. Indiana Beach Campground offers clean, spacious sites with convenient access to the park via ferry service, eliminating the need to drive. This former Jellystone Park features well-designed layouts. Nearby, Rvino - Lost Acres, LLC provides family-friendly amenities including swimming, playgrounds, dog parks, and trails just 10 minutes from Indiana Beach. Both options make excellent home bases for amusement park visitors looking to stay close to the action.
How much does camping cost in Monticello, Indiana?
Camping costs in Monticello vary by location and amenities. At Indiana Beach Campground, amusement park tickets cost approximately $27.50 when purchased at the gatehouse, adding value for campers planning to visit the attraction. For more budget-friendly options, Mississinewa Lake Campground charges about $25 per night plus a $7 park entry fee for electric sites with water. Sites range from basic primitive camping to full-service RV hookups, with state parks generally offering the most economical rates while private campgrounds with premium amenities command higher prices.
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