Brookville, Indiana camping options span across multiple state recreation areas and county parks at elevations between 800-900 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winter lows reaching 20°F. Many campgrounds maintain connections to the 5,260-acre Brookville Lake with its 36 miles of shoreline, creating opportunities for water recreation throughout the camping season.
What to do
Kayaking access points: At Camp Cottonwood, campers can combine water activities with camping. "Love that this site allows you to do a full day river trip and then end right at camp!" reports a visitor. The camp provides direct river access for paddlers seeking to integrate camping with water exploration.
Hiking through diverse terrain: Miami Whitewater Forest Campground offers multiple trail systems within a 30-minute drive from Brookville. A visitor notes, "Several well maintained hiking and walking trails. Also a great bike trail (7.8 and 1.6 mile paved loops), disc golf, kids sprayground and 18 hole golf course." These trails accommodate various skill levels and connect to additional recreational facilities.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes around Brookville provide excellent fishing spots. A camper at Brookville Lake commented, "This is a clean and well maintained camp ground. If you are looking to get close to the lake life this is a great spot for it." Fishing is possible from shore or by boat, with many campgrounds providing direct water access.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Whitewater Memorial State Park Campground receives praise for its layout. A reviewer observed, "Large camp sites," which allows for comfortable setup and some privacy between camping neighbors. The spacious design helps reduce noise between sites and provides room for equipment.
Renovated facilities: Recent improvements at several campgrounds have enhanced the camping experience. A camper noted about Whitewater Memorial State Park, "The campground facilities are newly updated with two large shower/bath houses." These upgrades offer more comfort for campers who prefer access to modern amenities.
Lake access for boats: Hueston Woods State Park Campground offers additional water recreation options within driving distance. A camper mentioned, "Huge Park! Extremely large beach, always quite crowded though, boat rentals available, lots of places for peaceful fishing." The combination of swimming areas and fishing spots creates diverse recreation options.
What you should know
Site conditions vary by season: Mud can be an issue after rain. One camper at Miami Whitewater Forest mentioned, "Sites on a loop set in the woods suitable for tents or small campers." Another visitor noted, "Loved our site - lots of trees for hanging a hammock and very roomy! Wouldn't book during rain though - I think it would be super muddy."
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are active at many campgrounds in the area. A camper at Miami Whitewater Forest warned, "Beware of sneaky raccoons." At Whitewater Memorial State Park, a visitor reported, "Watch out for the 🦝 raccoons they are pretty aggressive and were all over our campsite. Clearly they are used to getting handouts, so keep your foodstuffs in you vehicle or well secured."
Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly at most Brookville area campgrounds. At Franklin County Park, a visitor shared, "Stayed here last year and plan on staying again this year. We liked both levels 1 and 2. We have a 36 ft RV." Making reservations 3-6 months in advance is recommended for peak summer dates.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer better playground access than others. A visitor at Miami Whitewater Forest observed, "Nice flat camping areas for most sites, small campground with great views of playground for most sites near there." This layout allows parents to supervise children while remaining at their campsite.
Beach activities: Multiple swimming areas provide family-friendly water access. A camper at Brookville Lake reported, "Lots of fun for the family, huge lake for boating 🚤" while another mentioned "You will find many campers are here to enjoy the lake with their watercraft or at the big sandy beach for swimming and paddle boarding."
Kid-friendly amenities: Facilities for children vary between campgrounds. At Miami Whitewater Forest, a first-time family camper shared, "What a great place to have our first camping experience with our children! Each site came with a fire ring and picnic table bench. There's an absolutely wonderful playground inside the campground and lots of trails and paddle boats by the harbor."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring careful setup. A camper at Hueston Woods noted, "Campground is nice, packed in like sardines in places. Facilities leave a lot to be desired." Another visitor at Miami Whitewater Forest observed, "Most sites are uneven."
Limited full hookup availability: Water and electric sites are more common than full hookups. An RVer at Brookville Lake commented, "Very cute town of Brookville for shopping and or rafting on the nearby river. Campground very clean w/ lots of bath/shower locations. Lots of electric site - only negative was there were very few full hook up sites so need to reserve those early."
Site selection strategy: Researching specific sites before booking improves the experience. An RVer who stayed at Hueston Woods recommended, "Drove around looking at all the sites, wrote down numbers of sites we'd like to stay at (near bathrooms). Decided to come back for 12 days after our trip. Many sites to choose from. Full hook ups are limited, but we were happy with a power site."
