Woodland camping options around Elizabeth, Indiana include established campgrounds within 40 miles of town. The region features rolling hills and limestone terrain with dramatic 300+ foot elevation changes along the Ohio River Valley. Night temperatures can drop 15-20 degrees lower than daytime highs even in summer, requiring campers to pack extra layers regardless of season.
What to do
Hiking trail system exploration: At O'Bannon Woods State Park, trails vary significantly in difficulty. "The kids love the pool and trails. The campground sites are spacious and lots of shade in the summer. Beautiful in the fall!" notes a visitor to O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground.
Cave tours and underground experiences: Marengo Cave offers guided cave experiences within walking distance of camping areas. "I was really surprised that in my 30 years of living in Indiana, I had never been to Marengo Cave. It's both great for kids and adults," according to a camper at Marengo Cave Campgrounds.
Water activities on multiple lakes: Kayaking and fishing opportunities abound at several locations. "Great camping prices went up just a little bit from $13 to $18 but it is primitive no electric and I'm being told that they are building horse Stables," reports a camper at Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground.
What campers like
Secluded woodland camping sites: Many campers appreciate the feeling of isolation despite proximity to urban areas. "Once you get to the top of the hill you are far removed from the noise, hustle and bustle of city/suburb living. The camp sites are all wooded and primative, preserving the peaceful serenity," mentions a visitor at Horine Reservation Camping at Jefferson County Memorial Forest.
Lake access and waterfront sites: Some campgrounds offer premium waterfront locations. "We stayed in site 21 which was right on the lake. All the lake front spots seem to have a good amount lakefront footage. We probably had at least 40 feet," shares a camper at Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground.
Proximity to historic sites: The region contains numerous historical attractions. "From here as a base we also spent half a day in Madison Indiana, (shopping, dining & winery) and biked the Ohio River Greenway path - nice 7 mile one way bike path from Jeffersonville to New Albany," notes a visitor to Charlestown State Park Campground.
What you should know
Airport noise affects some campgrounds: Several sites experience airplane traffic disruption. "This is a great little well-kept campground. Unfortunately it's in the departure path of Louisville's airport, so be prepared for once-a-minute takeoffs if the airport is using its southbound runways for departures. UPS releases about 100 planes from around 3-5am," warns a camper at Jefferson Memorial Forest.
Cell service varies significantly: Reception can be spotty in canyon areas and dense forest. "Cell service was OK. (T-Mobile 1-2 bars LTE and AT&T 1-3 bars)," reports a camper at O'Bannon Woods. Another camper at Marengo Cave notes, "No cell service."
Limited primitive camping options: True backcountry sites are scarce in the immediate area. "There are a lot of campsites for rv's and some for equine camping also. Showers and bathrooms are clean. Firewood available and plenty of fishing along Blue River. Not any primitive sites," shares a visitor at O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options vary by location: Some campgrounds have superior play areas for children. "The better playground is in loop A," notes a reviewer at O'Bannon Woods State Park. Another mentions that Otter Creek has "a ton of playgrounds."
Seasonal pool access: Swimming facilities operate on limited schedules. "Pool was very nice with a splash pad and two water slides (42" height requirement) and a small concession stand. Have to pay entry to the pool wether you're swimming or not," shares a visitor at O'Bannon Woods.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide programming for young campers. "We enjoyed the nature center, pioneer village, and one of the easy trails," reports a family staying at Clark State Forest.
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Many older campgrounds have shorter pads. "The sites were close to each other but provided plenty of space for the average sized rig. Many were longer than other KOAs, which enabled the tow vehicle and TT to be parked," notes a visitor to Louisville South KOA.
Hookup availability: Water and electrical access varies widely between campgrounds. "The sites have an asphalt pad that are mostly level. 50,30,20 amp service in one box. 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," reports an RVer at O'Bannon Woods.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require equipment for proper positioning. "Not all pads are level or very wide," cautions a camper at O'Bannon Woods, while another at Charlestown State Park appreciates that "all of the sites are paved and most of the full-hookup sites offer a lot of privacy."
