The Hoosier National Forest surrounding Paoli, Indiana sits at elevations between 500-800 feet, creating diverse terrain with limestone caves, ravines, and sinkholes throughout the region. Camping spots near Paoli, Indiana are distributed across multiple recreation areas within a 30-mile radius. Cell service can vary significantly by location, with many primitive sites offering minimal connectivity.
What to do
Creek exploration: At Happy Hollow Homestead, visitors can access natural water features on the property. "We saw a beautiful creek with waterfall, bee hives and sinkholes. Kerry had interesting stories to tell about the property," reports one camper who toured the grounds.
Cave adventures: The Marengo Cave Campgrounds offers immediate access to guided cave experiences. "The dripslide caverns and the crystal palace cavern. There are extra activities for the kids such as mining and a nice gift shop for any rock lover out there," notes a visitor who discovered the national landmark.
Water recreation: Boating and fishing opportunities abound at larger lakes in the region. One camper at Newton Stewart State Rec Area observed, "Patoka Lake and nearby Newton Stewart State Recreation Area provide opportunities for fishing, swimming, and boating with electric motors only."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Youngs Creek Horse Camp receives praise for its generous camping areas. "Site accommodates both horse, drive in and walk-in camping. There's a privy and water on site. Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables," explains one visitor who appreciates the layout.
Scenic night skies: Campers at Sleeping Bear Retreat enjoy exceptional stargazing opportunities. "It is so dark at night that you can see the stars! Biggest lots too, you can fit like 10 tents and still have space to move!!" reports an enthusiastic tent camper.
Fresh water availability: Access to drinking water varies across campgrounds. A camper at Shirley Creek noted, "There is no fresh water (for human consumption unless you treat or boil) on the site," highlighting the need to prepare accordingly when selecting primitive sites.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many facilities change availability throughout the year. A camper at Patoka Lake Campground observed, "Only waterfill location was at the camp store. Shower house was open and warm water was available," during an April visit, indicating limited services in shoulder seasons.
Wildlife encounters: Local fauna may visit campsites, particularly at dusk and dawn. One Patoka Lake camper reported, "We did have a skunk visit us one evening but we didn't have any issues we just kept the dog inside," demonstrating the importance of securing food and pet supplies.
Varying campground rules: Policies differ between locations, particularly regarding alcohol. Sycamore Springs Park prohibits alcohol to maintain a family-friendly environment, while other locations permit responsible consumption.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sycamore Springs Park stands out for its family facilities. "So much to do with the kids, from swimming in the creek, fishing, campfires, s'mores, fresh black topped roads, and such friendly staff. Clean bathrooms and showers, and beautiful places to visit also. Tons of playgrounds too spread throughout the campground," shares a satisfied family visitor.
Nature center programs: Some parks offer educational activities for children. At Spring Mill State Park, one camper reported, "They had a Smokey the Bear program for the kids and some really fun activities at the nature center while we were there."
Kid-friendly hiking: Select trails appropriate for younger explorers. A family who visited Spring Mill State Park shared, "We also went for a hike to see Donaldson cave and the kids absolutely loved it! It was beautiful, and the highlight of the trip."
Tips from RVers
Dump station timing: Plan for potential waits when exiting busier campgrounds. A reviewer at Patoka Lake noted, "4 dump stations at exit but still lines due to shear number of sites but things moved quickly."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant adjustment for comfortable setup. One Spring Mill State Park visitor cautioned, "The site we where at was heavily sloped, the only flat part was where they put the fire pit at. When we looked at the other site most of the shaded sites that had some privacy where also heavily sloped."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely throughout the region. According to a Patoka Lake camper, "Cell service was poor. (T-Mobile 0-1 bar LTE, AT&T 1-2 bars LTE, but NO internet service when things get busy Thursday to Sunday afternoon)," suggesting visitors should prepare for limited connectivity, especially during peak periods.
