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.
"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."
"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."
from $8 / night
"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. "
GuideQuiet clean campground, 8 sites, one water spigot, pit toilets, hiking and biking, 9 miles to Garden of the Gods. Campground is right next to road. Local traffic is minimal, most sites will accommodate 30ft trailer or motor home.
ScoutThe site would not let us book a reservation. I called and spoke to someone in the main office. She said Tent sites were available and since the site was not working to check in with security when we got there. I asked how late they would be there, she said all night. We got there at 5 pm. No one was camping office. Plenty of tent sites available. We called explained the call from earlier. The lady transferred us to the security line. I then reexplained everything. The security officer told us to come back tomorrow when the office opened there was nothing we could do tonight. He told us we couldn’t stay the night even though we were told earlier we could. Very disappointed by the management of this place.
GuideVery small, maybe 10-12 sites that are first come first serve. $10 per night as of September 2026. Solid Verizon cell coverage. Very quiet.
GuideNice quiet wooded campground. We were only here 1 night, but it was very enjoyable. Very large campground with shaded & sunny spots, mostly level, showers & bathrooms were clean, but no locks on the doors in women's & no doors in the men's, only curtains. Double lane dump station well laid out & good water pressure. We were here 2nd week in September on a Friday so it was not crowded, but I suspect during the summer it would be. The mosquitoes were bad so be prepared. All in all we would stay again.
ScoutVery family oriented place to camp and adventure with the kiddos
GuideThe campground is convenient to the interstate but not close enough to be noisy & is a short drive to Evansville. It has well maintained restrooms & easily accessible sites around a big loop. It looks like it would be a great event camping spot.
GuideVery nice park with great trails and cute animals in the included petting zoo! I don’t have kids but there were a couple playgrounds I saw. The 2 downsides were I went second week of August and it was 93 degrees but they had just closed the beach area and pool so no swimming. I had taken my paddleboard but had not read all the rules and regulations and no Paddleboard’s are allowed on the lake because swimming outside the beach area is not allowed. I stayed at a primitive site in my van so even though it was crazy hot I still had a great spot by the water-109. Would recommend this park
ScoutTook a road trip in are RV over the summer last year and stumbled across this place they had it all water hookup waste hook up and were very reasonable on price definitely recommend
TravelerLevel gravel sites, site 17 needs extra long electric cord, extremely well cared for park with helpful hosts. Very clean bathroom, shower and laundry facilities, decorated with homey touches. Firewood and ice available at campground. Some road and train noise, but park itself was quiet.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near New Harmony, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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