Best Tent Camping near New Harmony, IN

Tent campsites in the New Harmony, Indiana area include several established options within driving distance. Lake Mauzy East, located near Morganfield, Kentucky, offers tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Camp Cadiz Campground in Illinois provides basic tent camping with vault toilets and drinking water available. Saline County State Conservation Area features lakeside tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets.

Most tent campgrounds in the region have minimal amenities but offer scenic locations. Lake Mauzy East provides free tent sites near the water with fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Tower Rock Campground offers riverside tent camping but may close during flood seasons. Vault toilets are available at most locations, but not all sites have potable water access. Camp Cadiz features only eight campsites, making it less crowded than other options. Seasonal considerations apply, with Tower Rock being open from May through mid-December, while others remain open year-round.

Areas like Camp Cadiz provide spacious sites for multiple tents with easy access to hiking trails including the River to River Trail. The remote nature of these campgrounds ensures quiet experiences for tent campers. Saline County State Conservation Area features tent sites with lake views and access to hiking in the Shawnee National Forest. Cell phone coverage varies significantly, with some campgrounds having no service in lower-elevation sites. A review of Camp Cadiz noted it is "super quiet despite the gravel road nearby" and mentioned the "easy access to the River to River trail." Another camper described Tower Rock as having "clean, quiet, and great river views" with sites well-spaced for privacy.

Best Tent Sites Near New Harmony, Indiana (4)

    1. Lake Mauzy East

    3 Reviews
    Morganfield, KY
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 389-3580

    "The tent pads are right by the water, offering stunning lake views. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and access to toilets—everything you need for a comfortable stay."

    "Lake mauzy is very quiet. No hookups but if you want to boondocks this is a great place."

    2. Camp Cadiz Campground

    6 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    42 miles
    Website

    "There was potable water from a spigot and lots of kindling around to get fires going. No showers. Over all a nice site. I would stay there again."

    "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. "

    3. Saline County State Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Equality, IL
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 276-4405

    $8 / night

    "There is a dump station and potable water at the entrance to the campground. There are also some water spigots sprinkled throughout the campground."

    "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. The hikes were great."

    4. Tower Rock Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cave-In-Rock, IL
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    "Campground is smaller but the sites are spread out well, most have fire ring with grill stand and table, firewood available to gather onsite when I was there, vault toilets, right on the river so may be"

    "There is a pit toilet, but no water. "

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near New Harmony, IN

5 Photos of 4 New Harmony Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near New Harmony, IN

260 Reviews of 4 New Harmony Campgrounds


  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2019

    Harmonie State Park Campground

    Lotsa trees

    Ranger Review: Primus at Harmonie State Park

    I recently visited Harmonie State Park near New Harmony, In. https://indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IN&parkId=570048 Just a heads up when camping in Indiana there is a fee to visit the State Parks. I always carry cash for that , laundry and in some states bathroom use. So, the number one thing that stuck out to me about this campground was the shade. For the most part it’s level (floodplain...I saw no standing water) And all the sites are nicely shaded (we are talking full growth) and good size. The sites are electric only, no water, no sewer. There are centrally located water hydrants and a dump station on the way out of the campground. The campground wasn’t very full when we visited, but there is a plethora of activities to enjoy. An Olympic size pool which back in the day my kids woulda loved. Hiking paths (very wide), one right by the campground and a connector trail to the mountain bike trail area. There’s also a bike section on the paved roads. You could spend a comfortable week here and not be bored.

    Product Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I get to occasionally try out outdoor products while camping and this trip I brought along some Primus “kitchen gear” https://primus.us/ . Primus is known for its camping stoves , the kitchen accessories are pretty sweet too. I have the Trailsporks , a long spoon , a spatula for grilling , campfire plates and a campfire knife. These are very sturdy made accessories and pack in my kit without taking up a lot of space. There are a lot of options on the site to fit your packing needs too, from family fireside to fastpacking . I’m building my fireside kitchen kit .

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2016

    Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    Garden of the Gods

    Primative camping at its best. This is heavily used in the summer and early fall. Picnic tables and fire rings, vault toilets. Go in the off season and you will have plenty of privacy. Fairly level tent sites , some with nice trees for hammocks. Close to Little Grand Canyon, a really neat natural bridge, and Illinois wineries.

  • Richy R.
    Apr. 2, 2025

    Lake Mauzy East

    Harris-Dickerson WMA (Free) – A Hidden Gem on the Lake!

    This is an amazing spot for free camping! The tent pads are right by the water, offering stunning lake views. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and access to toilets—everything you need for a comfortable stay. Despite its remote feel, Walmart is just a 12-minute drive away for any last-minute supplies. We would have loved to stay longer, but incoming storms cut our trip short. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a peaceful and scenic getaway! No electricity or showers!

  • Lane M.
    Jun. 6, 2019

    Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    Great little spot!

    This camping spot is just down the road from Southern IL’s Garden Of the Gods. There were 12 camping areas. Plenty of room and trees for tents and hammocks. Also, there is a good amount of shade so if you tent in the right spot you don’t wake up roasting from the sun. The campsites have a lot of room so your neighbors don’t seem like they are on top of your site. The spots include a picnic table, hanging poles for trash or lantern, and a fire pit with movable built-in grill. The area is very wooded so unless the ground is wet you can find lots of firewood. There is a drinking water pump at the entrance of the campsite but it’s pretty chlorinated. There is no shower or running water and the toilets are pit style; but there are toilets. I don’t know if other sites had this but ours had 2 trails leading right out of the woods. Great for close to home hiking.

    P.S. Beware of tailless raccoon at site 12 that likes to steal Doritos.

  • M E.
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Pine Ridge

    Beautiful Area with large sites!

    This campground area is beautiful! We stayed here 3 nights. We arrived on a Thursday and there were plenty of open spots. Friday they open some of the other loops up for more people to stay and it did fill up for the weekend. 

    You can get some cell service but only in choice areas (at the front by the water spigot and some of the roads leading down to the lake. We were not able to get any cell service (Verizon, AT&T, or T Mobile) in the electric loop. 

    This area is a primitive area and is not really set up for RVs. Don't get me wrong... RVs can definitely fit in most of the camping spots but only 1 loop has electricity, there is no sanitary dump station, and the water spigot does not have a way to hook up a hose to fill your tank. If you dump your tanks and fill with fresh water before coming you should be good. 

    It does have vault toilets... no showers. The toilets were very clean for vault toilets. 

    The lake area is beautiful with a swimming area, fishing pier, and pavilion to eat or sit under for shade. It looks like they really keep the area cleaned up!

    Another little note that we learned is that the park rangers can help you move sites... or even campgrounds if your site is not working for you so you don't loose out on money like we did. This only applies to other Shawnee campgrounds of course but there are quite a few to choose from!

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 7, 2021

    Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    Nice little campground

    I arrived on Friday around 2:30pm hoping to get a spot but unfortunately, all spots were already taken (about 10-12). The vault toilet looked decently clean and all sites had a nice fire ring, picnic table and hanging hooks. Some sites were closer together than others but would work for a night or two to enjoy the beauty around! Little picnic area just around the corner and about .5 from several awesome hikes!

  • Ashley D.
    Feb. 24, 2020

    Pike State Forest

    Very primitive

    The park is very primitive with no electricity. There is running water but you have to walk quite a ways to get to it if you arent camping by it. There are no shower houses and the bathrooms are just a glorified porta potty. Aside from lacking amenities it is a very quiet and pretty place to camp.

  • J
    Sep. 1, 2022

    Tower Rock Campground

    Clean, quiet, and great river views!

    Campground is smaller but the sites are spread out well, most have fire ring with grill stand and table, firewood available to gather onsite when I was there, vault toilets, right on the river so may be closed during flood seasons. Will be staying here again!

  • j
    Mar. 31, 2019

    Harmonie State Park Campground

    Edge of lower eastern Indiana

    Over 200 gravel sites many sloping so choose wisely. I chose site 39 and it was close to level. Well spaced.Vault toilets and bathhouses. Only lower camp area bathhouse open before summer.Garbage bin overflowing. Fire pit, table, electric. Playgrounds. Water nearby. River with boat launch in park. Lots of bike trails. Large pool with water slide open in the summer. Same for nature center. Great trees. Quiet. Quirky little town of New Harmony nearby.


Guide to New Harmony

Tent campsites near New Harmony, Indiana provide varying levels of seclusion at elevations between 350-500 feet. The region experiences humid continental climate with hot summers and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most campgrounds in the area sit within the Shawnee National Forest ecosystem, characterized by eastern hardwood forests and limestone outcroppings.

What to do

Hiking access: Camp Cadiz serves as the eastern trailhead for the River to River Trail. "In order to get a spot you will need to look around and choose a site then put your tent or RV on it to save it," explains camper M E. about securing spots at Saline County State Conservation Area, which offers hiking access to Garden of the Gods.

Water activities: The Ohio River provides opportunities for boating and fishing near Tower Rock Campground. "The road continues past camp to a marina where you can launch your boat into the river," notes reviewer Art S. Lake Mauzy East features tent pads directly beside the water for fishing and swimming access.

Historical sites: The region contains CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) structures worth exploring. "Tower Rock that was an old CCC path and over look of the Ohio River... It is a rock cliff that is, I don't know 100 feet above the river," explains Christopher H. Cave in Rock State Park, located near several campgrounds, features a notable river cave formation accessible by short hike.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Lake Mauzy East, campers appreciate the secluded lakeside locations. "This is an amazing spot for free camping! The tent pads are right by the water, offering stunning lake views," reports Richy R. Sites typically include basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables.

Quiet atmosphere: The remoteness appeals to many campers. "Lake mauzy is very quiet. No hookups but if you want to boondocks this is a great place," writes Tammy. Similarly, Jeremy G. chose Camp Cadiz Campground specifically because "Cadiz was spacious, quiet, and the other campers wanted to camp not party."

Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "We saw snake mounds but not yet seen one...birds and butterflies and owls," reports one Lake Mauzy East visitor. Tower Rock campers frequently spot river wildlife and migratory birds along the Ohio River shoreline.

What you should know

Limited amenities: Most tent campsites around New Harmony have basic facilities. "There is a vault toilet but otherwise pick your area and settle in," notes Shelly S. about Tower Rock. Camp Cadiz offers "potable water from a spigot and lots of kindling around to get fires going. No showers," according to Hannah F.

Cell service variations: Connectivity depends highly on elevation and location. At Saline County, Don N. notes: "The only drawback is that we had no cell service, although a quick trip to the ridge behind the campsite (1-2 minute drive)" restores service. Higher elevation sites typically offer better connectivity than waterfront locations.

Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds close seasonally due to flooding. Tower Rock "may be closed during flood seasons" according to reviewer J C., while others might remain open year-round but experience seasonal crowding. "Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey," warns Art S. about spring conditions.

Tips for camping with families

Supply planning: The remote location requires preparation. "Fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill," advises Shelly S. about camping in Shawnee National Forest areas. However, Richy R. notes that from Lake Mauzy East, "Walmart is just a 12-minute drive away for any last-minute supplies."

Activity options: Families can combine camping with educational experiences. "We also hiked Garden of the Gods and Burden Falls in the Shawnee National Forest. The hikes were great," shares Don N. about their family trip with grandchildren to Saline County State Conservation Area.

Site selection strategy: Choosing the right location within a campground matters for families. "If you come here, we suggest taking the site that is furthest from the road... They had shade as well as sun and no dust," recommends Art S. for avoiding the dust from passing vehicles at Camp Cadiz.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most tent campsites near New Harmony can accommodate small to medium RVs but have limitations. Christopher H. notes about Tower Rock: "I believe there are 4 sites with tables and fire pits. There is a pit toilet, but no water." Larger RVs may need to stick to more developed campgrounds like Saline County State Conservation Area.

Boondocking preparation: No electric hookups means planning for self-sufficiency. "No hookups but if you want to boondocks this is a great place," explains Tammy about Lake Mauzy East. Water access points for refilling are limited to specific locations, so bring adequate containers.

Parking logistics: RV campers should arrive early to secure suitable spots. "We drove in through Shawnee national forest. The road went through some small towns with gas and food but not much else," notes Art S. about the route to Tower Rock, highlighting the limited resources once you've committed to a location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near New Harmony, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near New Harmony, IN is Lake Mauzy East with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near New Harmony, IN?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near New Harmony, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.