Jackson-Washington State Forest connects to Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, providing nearly 19,000 acres of wooded terrain near Norman, Indiana. Most campgrounds in this region remain accessible from April through October, with primitive sites available year-round. The terrain features significant elevation changes, creating challenging hiking conditions unusual for the Midwest.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing opportunities: At Ransburg Scout Reservation, visitors access Monroe Lake's diverse water activities. "Located on Monroe lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing," notes one visitor who appreciated the range of boating options.
Hiking rugged trails: The trails at Jackson-Washington State Forest offer challenging terrain. "The property offers several stunning hiking trails and some are of the more challenging nature due to the elevation changes," explains a reviewer. Another camper confirms, "There are some awesome hiking trails here, they are very rugged for Indiana lots of hills."
Swimming and beach access: Many campgrounds maintain swimming areas for cooling off during summer months. "A large beach is available for swimming from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Restrooms, dressing facilities, showers, and food concessions are available to visitors," according to a Starve Hollow visitor.
What campers like
Lakefront camping sites: Many visitors praise the waterfront locations at Delaney Creek Park. "Down in the hills and hollers, is this beautiful campground and park. This place is beautiful and breathtaking," writes one camper. However, note that "Sites 12/13 do not have a view of the lake due to dense brush in front of it. All other lakefront sites have a view."
Modern glamping facilities: Luxury camping near Norman, Indiana includes upscale accommodations at several locations. One visitor to Brown County-Nashville KOA reported, "We stayed in the cabins for a couple days. The cabins were nice and clean, and equipped with a little fridge and microwave." These glamping options provide comfort while maintaining outdoor access.
Full hookup availability: Campers seeking more amenities appreciate the comprehensive utilities. "Our site was a pull through so very easy to set up. Was a full hook up site at that," notes a Yogi Bears at Lake Monroe reviewer. Another mentions, "Full hook-up or water and electric sites, sites are level. Tent sites available."
What you should know
Site leveling requirements: Many sites require significant leveling. At Delaney Creek Park, "Sites for RVs are concrete and you will need to level some on all of them." Another reviewer warns, "Also, every lot slopes down towards the lake. If you have levelers, should not be a problem, but be sure to bring extra, because it's a good 3" to 5"."
Boat rental timelines: Boats rent quickly at popular locations like Starve Hollow. "If you want to rent one of the kayaks, get to the office right at 8 or they will be gone for the day," advises one camper. Rental availability varies seasonally but typically runs mid-April through October.
Campground busyness: eXplore Brown County gets particularly busy on weekends. One camper warns, "The campground itself was decent but it was very noisy the holiday weekend I stayed. People were chopping wood at 4:30am one night. Late night partying and music followed up with early rising children."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Locations with multiple play areas keep children entertained. "They have a huge splash park, wading pool for toddlers, and a 4 foot pool besides tons of interactive activities for kids," writes a visitor to Yogi Bears at Lake Monroe. Another camper adds, "Great getaway for the family. We love this place and camp here 5+ times a year. It's clean and so much to do with kids."
Swimming beaches: Lake Monroe Village offers water access for families. "We keep our camper here full-time. Close to Lake Monroe. Nice pool. Great people," reports a regular visitor. Another mentions, "Great place for friends and families. Tons for both kids and adults."
Activity planning: Schedule outdoor activities in cooler morning hours during summer. "Wake early to see the sun rise over the lake," suggests a Starve Hollow visitor. Summer temperatures can exceed 90°F with high humidity, making afternoon breaks advisable.
Tips from RVers
Water and electric access: Check hookup locations before arrival. "The electric and water hookups are not in standard locations for RV hookups. Make sure you bring an extension for your electric hookup, otherwise you might not be able to reach the post," warns a Delaney Creek Park visitor.
Size limitations: Larger RVs face site restrictions at some campgrounds. "Keep in mind that a lot of the electric only sites are very tight with a lot of trees in the area. I can probably only get my 36 ft 5th wheel into a third of the sites," notes one camper about Starve Hollow's layout.
Dump station locations: Verify dump station availability and locations before booking. While Starve Hollow and several other campgrounds provide dump stations, Jackson-Washington State Forest and primitive camping areas typically lack this amenity.
