Best Campgrounds near New Albany, IN

Campgrounds around New Albany, Indiana provide a mix of established facilities and more rustic experiences in the Ohio River Valley region. Located within 30 minutes of the city, sites like Charlestown State Park Campground and Add-More Campground offer amenities for various camping styles. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate tent camping, RV setups with full hookups, and several feature cabin accommodations. Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground offers water recreation options approximately 15 miles northwest of New Albany, while Louisville North Campground provides convenient access to both New Albany and Louisville across the Ohio River.

Several mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region maintain year-round operations, though services may be limited during winter months. Road access to most developed campgrounds is suitable for passenger vehicles and large RVs, with gravel being common at many sites. "We got a spot by the tree line where the trains are. They really aren't that bad and those are the best spots on the property; everyone else seems exposed," notes one visitor regarding Louisville North Campground. The Knobstone Trail provides more primitive camping opportunities for backpackers seeking a less developed experience. Electric hookups are standard at most facilities near New Albany, with water hookups also widely available. Reservations are typically required, especially during summer weekends and holidays.

Campers report varying experiences with site spacing and noise levels throughout the area. Tent and RV sites at Deam Lake feature proximity to water recreation, while visitors note the campground becomes crowded during summer weekends. A recent review indicated: "This is a nice campground. We went on a weekend in July and it was pretty busy, as to be expected." Railroad noise impacts some campgrounds closer to transportation corridors, particularly Louisville North Campground. O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground, located further west of New Albany, typically offers more spacious sites and natural surroundings compared to the RV-focused parks closer to the urban area. Buffalo Trace Park provides another option with cabin rentals and both tent and RV sites in a more natural setting approximately 20 miles west of New Albany.

Best Camping Sites Near New Albany, Indiana (88)

    1. Charlestown State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Charlestown, IN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 256-5600

    $23 - $30 / night

    "We biked throughout the park and hiked 4 of the trails, 3 of which were pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge. "

    "It's a fairly new park on the site that used to be the Indiana Ammunition Plant. Good-sized sites with a very helpful staff. I hiked trail 2 and found the waterfall and several other gorgeous views."

    2. Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground

    18 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 246-5421

    $23 - $64 / night

    "I used this location as my FOB for a weekend of hiking in southern Indiana. The campground was nice."

    "Great sites close to the lake"

    3. Horine Reservation Camping at Jefferson County Memorial Forest

    18 Reviews
    Fairdale, KY
    17 miles
    Website

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Tent sites have so many trees surrounding them. If you're looking for more privacy anything off of the loop will do just fine."

    "Just a guess, but I would say around 1.5 acres. About 2/3 of this site is open, grassy field. The other 1/3 is shaded."

    4. Add-More Campground

    7 Reviews
    Clarksville, IN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 283-4321

    "Close to shopping and restaurants. We will stay here again when back in the Louisville area."

    5. Louisville North Campground

    5 Reviews
    Clarksville, IN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 282-4474

    $40 - $45 / night

    "If you are looking to be close to downtown Louisville, this is the campground for you. The staff was super nice and the location is very convenient for getting downtown."

    6. Knobstone Trail

    4 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 358-2160

    "The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail snd creek beds."

    "Most people, even Hoosiers don't realize the Knobstone Trail exists. It's often referred to The Little AT by those who know about it. It's no walk in the park."

    7. Louisville South KOA

    22 Reviews
    Shepherdsville, KY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (502) 543-2041

    "Will absolutely come back again especially with the proximity to the city but having peace and quiet to the south. The walking trail was much longer than expected and really nice."

    "There was corn hole, ladder ball, pool, walking trails, access to the river, cat fish pond, small dog park, and washers & dryers."

    8. Buffalo Trace Park

    7 Reviews
    New Pekin, IN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 738-8236

    $12 - $60 / night

    "The sites are well-spaced and there’s a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc. Disc golf is the big activity at this park. Awesome walking path and a petting zoo."

    "Beautiful lake views. Staggered sites so everyone has space and views. The walk around the lake is lovely. No WiFi but they said the are having it installed. T-Mobile had good service."

    9. Jackson Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 294-4306

    "there’s parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. there are campsites along the trail just have to find them"

    10. O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Leavenworth, IN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 738-8232

    $19 - $496 / night

    "There is also no sewer hookup at the site which I assumed was wrong, because I have never been to an Indiana state park with sewer hookup on site."

    "The campground is near the trail to the old abandoned bridge which is well worth the hike. The fire tower has a commanding view."

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Recent Reviews near New Albany, IN

628 Reviews of 88 New Albany Campgrounds


  • Jon R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Nighthawk Forest

    Nighthawk Forrest Sept 2024

    Great little campground with accessible trails and small pond. I had a primitive site with pad. Nestled in the trees gave off nice shade. They have showers and ice available (but didn’t know about the ice until I was checking out). About 15 minutes from Patoka Lake. I would recommend this campground if in the area.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Hoosier National Forest Goldenrod Loop Campground

    Nice, small, remote campground

    Beautiful, heavily wooded, quiet campground. We are in a big rig but most people here are tent camping. Lake is small. Very peaceful, helpful attendant at gate checked in on us first day. We have electricity and water but no sewer hookups. Dump station available. If you just want to to get away and relax for a few days this is nice. But if you’re looking for lots of recreation opportunities you want to find a larger lake. There are a few trails but they are short.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Little Patch of Heaven Campground

    Adequate

    Most are pull through sites, many have a shared water faucet. Clean and conveniente to town. Sandy the manager is a peach.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Glendale Campground

    Simply serene

    Great overnight stop on our drive from Tennessee to Indiana. The hosts Valette and Greg were absolutely wonderful. The campground was well tended with a playground for the little ones. We don’t have little ones, but I couldn’t resist a ride on the merry-go-round! The facilities were pristine with piping hot showers that had great water pressure. Perfect TMobile signal and ***free WiFi *** which allowed us to get some work done. Conveniently located near 65 without too much traffic noise. Would definitely return here. Pick site 14 for the best view beside the lake.

  • Kyle H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA

    Great Campground

    Quick two night stay for us but although our first time here was short we will certainly be back. Campground is clean and very well maintained. Owners are very involved and run things very thoughtfully.

    They were able to accommodate our 44ft 5th wheel and navigating to the site was simple. Can’t wait to come back and visit.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Small pull off on the side of a gravel road.

    This is a bare bones location. There was evidence of a homemade fire pit and a small cleared area. No cell service at the site but there was a bar or two on the road just a few feet away. With a weboost there was att and tmobile service. Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there. 38.515995, -85.870726, 871 ft

  • Patrick T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Hones Pointe Campground

    Amazing camp site

    Wonderful campsite. They put a lot of time and thought into this property. It’s truly incredible.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Very clean and friendly state park. Quick stop over but would definitely stay again if in the area. Would like to do some of the trails there

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Charlestown State Park Campground

    Charlestown

    Quick stop over. Would definitely return if in the area. Would have like to have had more time to do some of the trails. Very clean, friendly. Be aware of an additional $9 feet at the gate besides the camp fee.


Guide to New Albany

Camping options near New Albany, Indiana range from full-service RV parks to primitive backcountry sites across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. The region sits along the Ohio River Valley with elevations from 400-900 feet and receives around 45 inches of precipitation annually. Trail systems throughout the area provide hiking access to limestone outcroppings and hardwood forests typical of this transitional zone between the Interior Low Plateaus and Bluegrass regions.

What to do

Hiking trails: Charlestown State Park offers multiple trail options with varying difficulty. "I love this place, we visit all the time to hike/walk the trails. Very beautiful!!" notes Elizabeth S. The park features the Rose Island Trail with historical elements and Trail 6 with waterfalls.

Water recreation: Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground provides swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. "The lake looked very nice and is electric motor only. It will be nice to head back with the kayaks. You may need a permit for all boats, so check before you go," advises Tom J. The lake has a designated swimming area and boat rentals available during summer months.

Nature education: O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground maintains a nature center with ranger-led programs. "We had a wonderful time and plan on returning many times to hike all the trails," mentions Stacey S., while another camper notes the "nature center was basic but well prepared with critters and educational items."

Disc golf: Buffalo Trace Park offers disc golf as its primary activity. "Disc golf is the big activity at this park. Awesome walking path and a petting zoo," reports Kelsie E. The course winds around the lake, providing scenic views during play.

What campers like

Secluded sites: Many campgrounds near New Albany offer sites with good separation and natural surroundings. At Buffalo Trace Park, "The sites are well-spaced and there's a beautiful lake where you can kayak, canoe, fish, let your dog swim, etc." according to Kelsie E.

Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At Deam Lake, one camper praised "the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink." Shower houses and restrooms at many locations are regularly maintained, though quality varies by season.

Camping cabins: Multiple parks offer cabin rentals as alternatives to tent or RV camping. At Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground, "We stayed last night in the Cardinal Cabin. Tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen," reports Angela F. Buffalo Trace Park also provides cabin options with lakeside views.

Historic features: Charlestown State Park includes remnants of an abandoned amusement park. "Rose Island is very cool - haunting but sublime," notes Greg S., while another camper described, "Enjoyed rose island trail lots of cool history to learn."

What you should know

Site selection: Some campgrounds have significant variation in site quality and amenities. At Louisville North Campground, "We got a spot by the tree line where the trains are. They really aren't that bad and those are the best spots on the property; everyone else seems exposed," reports Justin T.

Seasonal considerations: Water access and facility availability change seasonally. One camper at Deam Lake noted, "Being the first weekend in April, the water wasn't turned on so there were no modern restrooms/shower houses available." Most campgrounds reduce services during winter months.

Noise factors: Train noise and airport traffic impact several campgrounds. Louisville North Campground has trains running throughout the night, while Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground sits under flight paths. "For a hour or two in the morning and in the afternoon huge jets fly right over the campgrounds. Really throws me outta my mood," one camper shared.

Tick precautions: Wooded areas have significant tick populations, especially in spring and early summer. On the Knobstone Trail, "My dogs and I got loads of them in April 2020 from Leota to Spurgeon Hollow," reports Maris H. Pack repellent and conduct regular tick checks.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. At O'Bannon Woods, "My kids enjoyed the nature center, pioneer village, and one of the easy trails," mentions one visitor, though they note "the playground was pretty basic but well maintained."

Swimming options: Buffalo Trace Park and O'Bannon Woods both offer swimming facilities. One camper noted O'Bannon's "pool was very nice with a splash pad and two water slides (42" height requirement) and a small concession stand," though visitors "have to pay entry to the pool whether you're swimming or not."

Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds have paved roads suitable for children's bikes. At Charlestown State Park, visitors enjoy "nice flat paved loops and sites that are good for biking," while at O'Bannon Woods "everything except the nature center was reachable via bikes."

Weekend crowds: Many locations become busy during peak season weekends. Plan accordingly, especially at Deam Lake where "we went on a weekend in July and it was pretty busy, as to be expected." Weekday visits typically offer quieter experiences and better site selection.

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions: Several campgrounds have challenges for larger RVs. At Buffalo Trace Park, one RV camper advised, "The campground is made for smaller sizes but we were able to negotiate the main ring road with our 37' travel trailer." They also recommend bringing "plenty of leveling blocks. We used all of ours and was not level."

Utility connections: Water and electric hookup locations vary significantly. At O'Bannon Woods, "There was no water at the site though. Throughout the campground are potable water spigots that you can hook up to and add water to your tank," explains Derek J.

Campsite selection tips: Some RV sites are significantly better than others. "The spot that we had reserved was in an area we could not get into but we went to the gatehouse and they gave us another spot that was on the main ring road," shared one camper at Buffalo Trace Park. Calling ahead about specific site dimensions can prevent arrival issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near New Albany, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, New Albany, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 88 campgrounds and RV parks near New Albany, IN and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near New Albany, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Albany, IN is Charlestown State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near New Albany, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near New Albany, IN.

What parks are near New Albany, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near New Albany, IN that allow camping, notably Hoosier National Forest and Patoka Lake.