The camping spots near Selma, Indiana sit within the East Central Indiana region at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, characterized by rolling terrain and small waterways. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, though Prairie Creek Reservoir offers year-round options with temperature variations from summer highs around 85°F to winter lows in the 20s. The area's mix of lakeside and wooded settings creates diverse habitat for local wildlife including white-tailed deer and various waterfowl species.
What to do
Kayaking on no-wake lakes: Summit Lake State Park Campground offers excellent paddling opportunities on its calm waters. One visitor noted, "Beautiful lake for kayaking! If you don't owe a kayak or canoe, they offer rentals" at Summit Lake State Park Campground. The lake's motorboat restrictions make it particularly peaceful for paddlers.
Hiking accessible trails: The area features several well-maintained walking paths suitable for most ability levels. At Mounds State Park Campground, trails highlight the park's historical features. A visitor commented, "Hiking trails were nice" and another mentioned "Easy trails" that work well for families with children.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes provide good fishing access with various catch possibilities. A visitor to Westwood Park stated, "Westwood is a beautiful well manicured park... The lake is nice. Lots of small bass." The 10-mile trail around the lake offers numerous access points for shore fishing.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and shower buildings. One visitor to Westwood Park reported, "The restrooms are very clean," while another at Muncie RV Resort noted, "The park is clean and quiet. Staff is very nice and accommodating."
Lake access: Direct water access ranks high among visitor priorities. At Prairie Creek Reservoir, a camper shared their experience: "Primitive tent camping is more then affordable, and the fishing was AWESOME!! He had an amazing time. We've been back 5 times since then. It's a hidden gem for sure!"
Varied site options: Campgrounds offer different settings to match preferences. At Summit Lake State Park, a reviewer explained, "You can camp in the woods with a lake view or out in the open with your camper, tent or rent a cottage. It has clean restrooms, a beach, hiking trails and tends to be quiet."
What you should know
Site layouts and terrain: Many campgrounds have variable site conditions. At Summit Lake State Park, a visitor reported, "Our site was a pull through and, while level left to right, required a good bit of leveling front to back." Similarly, at Timberline Family Campground, a camper stated, "I got spot b11 it's pretty unlevel besides that no issues."
Reservation policies: Availability systems vary by location. Westwood Park operates on a first-come basis: "Always call ahead before heading that way to see if they have sites available." Another camper noted, "First come first serve on the sites," which means weekends often fill by Thursday.
Seasonal considerations: Water availability changes throughout the year. One Summit Lake visitor reported, "Potable water was available at the entrance but was not on yet in the campground itself." Prairie Creek Park posts closure notices: "Campground is closing 10/31/22 for the winter."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and water activities: Kamp Modoc offers family-centered recreation options. A visitor shared, "The pond was great with the inflatables and water toys available for use... There were many activities put on by the campground." These structured activities help keep children entertained.
Educational opportunities: Mounds State Park provides learning experiences through its nature center and historical features. One visitor suggested it would be "a perfect spot to field trip to if you homeschool your children" with "a lot of historical, geographical and natural information."
Proximity considerations: Some sites work better for family camping. One camper at Summit Lake noted that "sites 1 through 74 seem to be a lot more level and larger, but they were in a sort of an open area with very little shade." This open layout allows easier supervision of children.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and access: Some campgrounds have navigation challenges. A reviewer at Summit Lake warned, "I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop. We are a 30ft. Fifth wheel and it was pretty tight for us."
Hookup locations: Utility placement varies by campground. At Mounds State Park, a visitor noted, "Water locations could block traffic if camper does not park accurately," suggesting careful positioning when setting up.
WiFi and connectivity: Connection quality differs between locations. One camper at Muncie RV Resort mentioned, "we weren't close enough to connect to the WIFI (only close enough to occasionally see 1 bar pop up)." They added, "On AT&T, I typically had 2 bars and no problem streaming music or browsing Facebook. My fellow travelers, on Sprint, said they had poor reception."
