Morgan-Monroe State Forest offers a more secluded camping experience near Mooresville, Indiana. The forest spans over 23,000 acres with primitive camping sites positioned throughout multiple campground areas. Most campsites sit under dense tree canopy, providing natural shade during summer months when temperatures frequently reach the upper 80s. Campers should prepare for limited cell service throughout most forested campgrounds in the region.
What to do
Hiking trails with varying difficulty levels: Morgan-Monroe State Forest features several well-maintained hiking paths for all skill levels. "This is probably the best state forest in the state of Indiana... There are a lot of trails to hike, 2 of them are over 10 miles (lower gap and three lakes). The Tecumseh trail (40 miles) starts in Morgan Monroe State Forest passes through Yellowwood State Forest and ends in the Hoosier national Forest."
Fishing at stocked lakes: Yellowwood State Forest provides fishing opportunities at its 133-acre lake. "Three small lakes are on the property for fishing and kayaking." The area rents boats at the Forest Office with electric motors only permitted. "So many great tent sites. Wooded. Row boats, kayaks."
Mountain biking on purpose-built trails: Buffalo Ridge Campground offers outstanding mountain biking trails for all experience levels. "The mountain biking is excellent, with purpose built trails for beginner to expert (flow, berms, rollers, jumps...)." Trail systems connect to adjacent public lands for longer rides.
What campers like
Spacious, private campsites: Taylor Ridge Campground provides more secluded sites compared to other dog-friendly campgrounds near Mooresville. "The site we stayed in was lovely. 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."
Fire rings and provided firewood: Lake Haven Retreat offers a unique setup with shared fire areas. "This place is pretty awesome... Campsites also don't have fire rings but there are a bunch of communal ones around the lake. Plus free communal firewood."
Cleanliness and maintenance: Johnson County Park maintains its facilities well. "Clean bathrooms/showers!!! Park is nice and clean too!!" Sites are generally level with gravel pads, making setup easier for both tent and RV campers.
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary: Most state forest campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis, unlike state parks. "Yellowwood state forest campground does not accept reservations. It is first come, first served. Drive up, select your site, and then go to the park office to pay using a self-pay envelope."
Limited services at primitive sites: Yellowwood State Forest offers minimal amenities. "Very beautiful yet primitive campground... They have outhouses for toilets. Some sites have water fountains... It's nice a quiet here."
Seasonal road conditions: During spring thaw and after heavy rains, gravel roads leading to campsites can become rutted or slick. Access to more remote sites may require vehicles with higher clearance during these periods.
Tips for camping with families
Select campgrounds with playgrounds: Indianapolis KOA offers kid-friendly amenities. "The balance between kid fun and peaceful nature is actually on point here. It was beautiful and peaceful but still a blast for kids with the water, playground, and even horses to view (not for riding)."
Water features for recreation: Several parks offer water activities during summer months. "The splash pad / water park was fun, but was not a pool. It only goes to 3 feet so if you want to swim this is not for you. The water was cold but my kiddos finally got in and had fun on the slides."
Pet management at pet-friendly sites: While most campgrounds welcome dogs, policies for pet areas differ. Many campgrounds require pets to remain on designated walking paths. Some parks provide fenced areas for off-leash play.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges for larger vehicles: State forest campgrounds typically accommodate smaller rigs. "This park is perfect for tent camping or smaller units; we would not recommend for larger units as most sites are small and unlevel and may challenge your maneuvering skills!"
Electric service reliability: Indy Lakes Campground provides reliable hookups for extended stays. "We have been here for 6 months and it has been amazing! Clean, friendly staff, and safe!"
Dump station availability: Not all dog-friendly campgrounds near Mooresville offer sewer connections. "The only drawbacks were that the vault toilets are in pretty bad condition and the dump station hose did not have a connection to allow me to flush the blackwater holding tank."
