Tent camping near Mount Vernon, Indiana offers numerous options within the Shawnee National Forest region and surrounding states. Most sites require self-sufficient camping with personal supplies and equipment. While established campgrounds provide basic facilities, primitive sites offer more seclusion with fewer amenities. Tent camping in this tri-state area can be enjoyed year-round with some seasonal closures during winter months or flooding periods.
What to do
Hiking the River to River Trail: Camp Cadiz serves as an eastern trailhead for the River to River trail, making it convenient for backpacking trips. A camper noted, "It has easy access to the River to River trail, and I love the CCC stonework."
Fishing at Saline County: The conservation area offers excellent fishing opportunities with lake access. One visitor shared, "This was a great campground with fantastic views of the lake. We also hiked Garden of the Gods and Burden Falls in the Shawnee National Forest."
Exploring historical sites: Tower Rock Campground features remnants of CCC pathways and a river overlook. "A short walk from the campground is Tower Rock that was an old CCC path and overlook of the Ohio River... It is a rock cliff that is, I don't know 100 feet above the river. In my opinion it is worth a look," explained one camper.
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: Camp Cadiz Campground offers generous sites that accommodate multiple tents. "The spaces are wide open and big for multiple tents. There is well water, a bathroom for pit and picnic table at each site," reported one visitor.
Quiet seclusion: Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere away from crowds. "Motorcycle camping across America and I wanted to see Garden of the Gods. What I didn't want was to camp on top of someone else... Cadiz was spacious, quiet, and the other campers wanted to camp not party."
Waterfront access: Lake Mauzy East provides direct lakefront tent sites. "This is an amazing spot for free camping! The tent pads are right by the water, offering stunning lake views," remarked one camper who gave it a five-star rating.
What you should know
Limited amenities: Most tent campgrounds around Mount Vernon provide only basic facilities. "This is a very cool little basic campground with two stone fireplaces and several other sites with shade. A pit toilet and water source that's about it," explained a visitor about Camp Cadiz.
Supply planning: Remote locations require advance preparation. "On a gravel road, in the back country like most everything else on this side of Illinois, fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill."
Seasonal closures: Tower Rock Campground operates seasonally and can close unexpectedly. "We drove down to camp here and found this campground closed. We walked in past the locked gate to scout it out and there was a line of debris left behind from when the river was higher," warned one reviewer.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids can enjoy abundant bird and wildlife watching. "Super quiet, tons of birds, and we saw snake mounds but not yet seen one...birds and butterflies and owls," mentioned a camper at Lake Mauzy East.
Convenience factors: Saline County State Conservation Area offers family-friendly amenities. "There is a dump station and potable water at the entrance to the campground. There are also some water spigots sprinkled throughout the campground," noted a family that stayed a week.
Cell service considerations: Signal availability varies significantly by location. "We were able to get cell signal on the campsites up the hill but not in any down by the water, which is why we stayed up the hill," advised a family camper at Saline County.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Tent camping near Mount Vernon offers limited options for large rigs. "Very small, on the river, vault toilets, seems like people 'live' there and run a generator all night long. Good if you like free, being close to the ferry, and or fish," reported an RVer about Tower Rock.
Boondocking preparation: Lake Mauzy serves RVers who can camp without hookups. "Lake mauzy is very quiet. No hookups but if you want to boondocks this is a great place," advised an RV camper who gave it four stars.
