Best Camping near Paragon, IN

Are you in need of a campground near Paragon, IN? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Paragon is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Indiana camping adventure.

Best Camping Sites Near Paragon, IN (116)

    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground

    1. Paynetown Campground

    29 Reviews
    99 Photos
    183 Saves
    Clear Creek, Indiana

    This recreation area is part of Monroe Lake

    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Market
    • Trash
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lieber State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Lieber State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Lieber State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Lieber State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Lieber State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Lieber State Recreation Area

    3. Lieber State Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    75 Photos
    124 Saves
    Cloverdale, Indiana
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $16 - $32 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Ridge

    5. Hardin Ridge

    25 Reviews
    61 Photos
    210 Saves
    Heltonville, Indiana

    Overview

    Hardin Ridge is a 1,200-acre recreational complex located on the shores of Monroe Reservoir in Hooiser National Forest. The complex includes six shady campground loops, two picnic areas with shelters, and two rental cabins. The area offers something for everyone, with activities like camping, picnicking, boat launching, swimming, nature walks, and interpretive programs offered in a forested environment.

    Recreation

    A 300-foot swimming beach on Lake Monroe offers a place for children to play and swimmers to sunbathe and enjoy the water. The beach offers a combination of sand and sun, with a shady grass-covered hillside above. There are no lifeguards on duty. No glass containers or pets are allowed in the beach area. The Hardin Ridge Trail is a 2-mile hiking and bicycle trail that runs from the day use area to the various campground loops. This trail roughly follows the main campground road and provides a safe surface for families to hike or bike, as well as a scenic overlook. Fishing is allowed anywhere along the lakeshore within the recreational complex, but several quiet inlets provide secluded fishing holes along the lake's banks. Popular catches include blue gill, striped bass, large mouth bass and crappie. On the Ted T. Turtle interpretive trail, visitors can travel 1.2 miles through a scenic hardwood forest, along a small creek and down to Lake Monroe and back. On the trail, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the history, geology, and wildlife common to southern Indiana. For visitors interested in boating, the lake has a 3-lane launch ramp that is open year-round. A 75 vehicle/trailer parking area is also available as well as a fully accessible loading dock provided at the boat ramp.

    Natural Features

    Monroe Reservoir spans 10,750-acres and is the largest lake in Indiana. There is an overlook on Hardin Ridge Road that is spectacular in any season and gives visitors a high vantage point of the lake, colorful marinas across the water and a vast expanse of forest. The entire area is forested with hardwoods and is well-shaded to give visitors the feel of being in the deep woods. In spring, the dogwoods and redbuds bring bright color to the forest and in fall, the foliage offers colors in vibrant hues of yellow, orange and red.

    Nearby Attractions

    Special Places on the Hoosier National Forest Brooks Cabin Buffalo Trace Carnes Mill Site Clover Lick Barrens Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower Initial Point Lick Creek African American Settlement The Jacob Rickenbaugh Homestead Wesley Chapel Gulf

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $50 - $55 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    7. Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    21 Reviews
    32 Photos
    1 Save
    Heltonville, Indiana

    Overview

    The camp is located along Tower Ridge Road in the center of the Charles Deam Wilderness area, approximately one mile from Highway 446. The camp also is a trailhead for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system.____

    Recreation

    Blackwell is a campground for all types of users. It provides access to the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Trail system with approximately 35 miles of trails. The nearby Hickory Ridge Trail system is also available.

    Facilities

    Blackwell is a campground for all types of users. It provides access to the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Trail system with approximately 35 miles of trails. The nearby Hickory Ridge Trail system is also available.

    Natural Features

    The camp is a large grassy area with gravel parking areas on the east and west end. The trailheads are located on the east and west ends of the camp by the parking areas.__

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Equestrian
    Camper-submitted photo from Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Run State Park Campground — Turkey Run State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Run State Park Campground — Turkey Run State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Run State Park Campground — Turkey Run State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Run State Park Campground — Turkey Run State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Run State Park Campground — Turkey Run State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Run State Park Campground — Turkey Run State Park

    9. Turkey Run State Park Campground — Turkey Run State Park

    66 Reviews
    240 Photos
    372 Saves
    Marshall, Indiana

    As Indiana’s second state park, Turkey Run Campground was established in 1916. The story behind its name suggests that local hunters would find herds of wild turkeys gathering in the area’s narrow canyon bottoms—called “runs”—and funnel them out for easy harvesting. The area’s natural history goes back a little father—upwards of 600 million years. It was around this time that the sandstone and coal deposits seen in the park were being formed and compacted in a vast, swampy plain. Fast-forward several million years, and Ice Age meltwaters cut and scoured the creeks, canyons, and potholes seen today. Some of the glacial erratics (boulders) seen in the park are actually pieces of bedrock that were transported from as far north as Canada. Visitors to Turkey Run can explore these unique canyons, enjoy the park’s natural scenery, fish and paddle in Sugar Creek, and see several historic sites.

    Located 10 miles north of Rockville, and 70 miles west of Indianapolis, Turkey Run State Park is year-round nature and recreation area covering nearly 2,400 acres along Sugar Creek. The campground at Turkey Run features more than 200 tent and RV sites with electrical hookups, picnic tables and fire pits with cooking grills; some sites are ADA accessible. Most sites are back-in and can accommodate vehicles/trailers up to 45 feet; a few pull-throughs can accommodate larger. All sites have access to drinking water, flush and vault restrooms, and showers; two dump stations are available onsite. There are also two primitive tent camping areas for youth groups, several cabins for rent, and the historic Turkey Run Inn, which offers 61 lodge rooms, a dining room, and meeting spaces. Dogs are permitted in the park, but must remain leashed. Campsites raters are $23–$33/night; other accommodations range from $67–$110/night; reservations accepted.

    Besides exploring Turkey Run’s canyon runs, the park offers a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, and sports courts. The park’s nature center showcases a variety of exhibits and interactive activities to educate visitors about the park’s geology, flora and fauna. Park naturalists offer guided hikes and nature walks, animal talks and campfire programs. Swimming is not permitted in Sugar Creek, but anglers can fish for bass and bluegill, and paddlers can head out in canoes and kayaks. Swimmers are invited to enjoy the park’s Olympic-sized swimming pool for cooling off during the warmer months. The park also offers hayrides and guided horseback rides. For a blast from the past, visitors can also tour the historic Lusk Home. Built in 1841, this restored European home displays a lifestyle from a bygone era. Watch out for the resident raccoons.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest

    10. Oak Ridge Morgan-Monroe State Forest

    7 Reviews
    29 Photos
    75 Saves
    Martinsville, Indiana
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)

    $25 - $55 / night

Showing results 1-10 of 116 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Paragon

Recent Reviews in Paragon

726 Reviews of 116 Paragon Campgrounds


  • Amanda D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Nov. 13, 2024

    Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    Brown County State Park stay

    The site we stayed in was lovely. It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view. Driving through the campground it looks like there are some sites pretty close together but ours wasn’t too bad. I would say pay particular attention to the size of the site you’re booking as some were pretty small. Also, some sites were fairly sloped as well. This site was a slight slope and overall I would book it again. We have a full size truck with a small travel trailer that fit perfectly. Camp store was stocked nicely. Staff was friendly. The campground itself was very quiet and you could enjoy being out in nature. The site was walking distance from showers/bathroom. The park as a whole is beautiful and there’s a trailhead that’s walking distance from the campsite that leads down a beautiful trail to a lake.

  • Betsy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
    Nov. 1, 2024

    Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    Large, open, and very clean

    Open areas with pit toilets and water available. Shade and sunny locations. Pick a spot and set up with hammock-large rvs spots. No fee, no reservations, no problems. Officers from federal, state, and local patrol. Cell service by various providers is 1-2 bars. Highly recommend.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Johnson County Fairgrounds
    Oct. 20, 2024

    Johnson County Fairgrounds

    Not the Best

    We followed our RV GPS into the quaint city of Franklin and turned right off of Jefferson Street onto Fairgrounds Street that leads a short distance to the gate. Waze wanted us to continue on King Street coming in from I-65, but there is a sign that says no trucks and the street is not RV friendly. Our RV GPS had us going the right direction to get to Jefferson Street. As we had made reservations on the day of arrival we were texted by the fairgrounds camp host asking for an estimated arrival time. The camp host site is right at the entrance of the campground (CG) area. As they only take cash or check, we paid the host upon arrival and the host walked us over to show us the site they selected for us. Upon arriving at back-in site 34 with FHUs and 50 AMP, we asked if we could change to the adjacent 30 AMP area, so we could have some space and yard. The camp host said that due to the age of the wiring they do not allow 50 to 30 AMP adapters. However, a 5th wheel came in a day later and hooked into 30 AMP with an adapter. The CG has poor site and utility placement with multiple sites sharing water. The sites back up to each other and the utilities are down the middle. There isn't dedicated site utilities like the majority of CGs, you just pick the water and electric that happens to be open and is closest to you. There are no picnic tables nor fire pits. Be sure to have plenty of water hose(we needed 50’) to reach a spigot. Our area had full timers and short stayers. There was another site area across the field that was either long term or seasonal with decent spacing but we weren't offered any of the empty 50 AMP spots and no one else was put in that area. Wifi was very useable for checking mail, Facebook, and such. Water pressure was good. We got 3 bars on Verizon. With an unobstructed view of the northern sky we used our Starlink. There’s plenty of area to walk your dog inside the fenced fairground areas. The next time we are in the area, we’ll pass on this CG.

  • Noah Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Charles C. Deam Wilderness
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Charles C. Deam Wilderness

    Great for casual/experienced camping and hiking

    A staple of our state here in Indiana. Unfortunately due to some storm damage, trails were rerouted or straight up inaccessible.

    Great places to find and set up camp. We even discovered a few extra hidden sites just by being forced off trails due to the damage.

    Every dispersed camper should add the hikes to the lake to their checklist.

  • Sara W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Prairie Creek
    Oct. 4, 2024

    Prairie Creek

    Prairie creek

    Men's and women's shower house playground few trails rv tent and camper electric a few primitive sites 2 sites r 50 Amp I think the rest r 30 Amp water gets wonderfully hot Verizon works can have door dash and amazon delivered

  • patti J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Heartland Resort
    Sep. 7, 2024

    Heartland Resort

    Staff were helpful

    This would most likely be a last resort for us.  Went to our campsite only to find someone else using it.  Not what you need after driving 400-500 miles.  Had to go back to the office and ultimately took a different site after dirty looks from the poachers.

    Then the staff told us there was music that night after we told them we just wanted a peaceful nights sleep so we moved to another site further away from the jam session. Whew a lot of work to be here.  Cannot recall being impresses with the bathrooms/showers.

  • kenneth D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Weary Traveler
    Aug. 29, 2024

    Weary Traveler

    Great for a quick stop

    This park is great for a one night stay while getting to your destination. Strong WiFi, complete hookups, all pull throughs and easy access!

  • Joel K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Shades State Park Campground
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Shades State Park Campground

    Nice campground, but not perfect

    Stayed here recently and overall the trip was a 10, but as for the campground itself there are somethings that could definitely be better.

    First, for all intents and purposes the sites are not marked.  At some point years ago they stencil painted the numbers both on the concrete parking block and on the ground near the entry pad for each site, but obviously over time most of these are worn away.  It's very difficult to find your actual site, even during the day when it's not busy.  At night, or with a campground full of people - not a chance.   Even more perplexing is why it's still like this when it's so easy to fix.

    Second, on the back loop, where we were, almost every car we saw was going the wrong way around the loop.  I've never seen this before and wasn't just one car.  There is a sign at the start of the loop indicating it's one direction, so not sure why this happens.

    Third, they have a camp store at the entry to the family campground, but it was never open in the time we were there, which was Friday / Saturday / Sunday, during the summer, so not sure what the situation was.

    Fourth, while the campground does have functional flush bathroom and shower, they only have one, and the rest are pit toilets, so depending on how far your site is from the building, it could be a very long walk, especially at night.

    The front gate to the park did have covered firewood, but the hours of the gate operation were not clear.  The sites themselves were fine, but not particularly deep, and some are basically completely exposed to all the foot and vehicle traffic going to the toilets, the dumpsters, or just driving around, so basically zero privacy.

    We did drive into Crawfordsville, which took about 20 minutes, and it was very nice with a local college (Wabash) and plenty of retail options to restock, grab a cold beverage, or refill the tank before driving home. 

    Would I stay here again, yes 100%, but be prepared and plan ahead.  Would I recommend this to others?  Meh.

  • James P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Crawfordsville KOA
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Crawfordsville KOA

    Nice KOA

    Shade, grass, and gravel sites. A lot better than most KOAs. They ask that you not put outdoor rugs on grass; no problem as grass is nice. Sites 1-10 are your best bet for Starlink if that’s what you have; best opening through tree canopy of the northern sky. Pet friendly; counted three cats and a dog in the office when I checked in. Was given the option of choosing my site out of the seven available for my reservation. A mix of long term residents and travelers; some of the long term resident sites were a little junky.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Terre Haute Campground
    Jul. 24, 2024

    Terre Haute Campground

    Well Run Campground

    The campground was easy to find off I-70. If it is your first time, follow your GPS through two traffic circles then back around to the campground(CG). Check-in was super fast and we were escorted to pull through site 48 with FHUs. As we've stayed here before, We liked this site as there are trees but they won’t get in the way of parking maneuvers. Some of the other sites in this CG, not so much, so look up and watch your turn into the pull-throughs. No issues with utilities as they are smartly placed on the pad and work to include decent water pressure. The Wifi was above average for this type of private CG, but there were not many people here near the end of April. Water pressure is decent and we got 3 bars on Verizon. Along with saying hi to the goats again, this CG was once again a good choice.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Washington State Forest
    Jul. 21, 2024

    Jackson Washington State Forest

    Great primitive campground

    Spacious sites. Beautiful forest. Quiet, but only 5 minutes small town with gas stations, grocery, etc. Not many amenities. Only pit toilets and water spigots. Firewood was not available during our visit. No reservations. First come first serve, but even on a "busy" Saturday in July less than 1/3 of the sites were full. Two "loops" one in a pine forest below the small lake and one at the lake/up the hill. Multiple playgrounds. Great trails to hike. Cool CCC construction. Highly recommend.

  • Josie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest
    Jul. 12, 2024

    Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

    Spacious Camping

    We really liked the set up of this campsite. The fire rings were spread apart amidst a green hill. There was some shade available around the edges. Plenty of room to spread out from your neighbors; it wasn’t too busy when we were there (a Thursday). Camp accesses two trailheads directly. There were two bathrooms, a place for garbage, and potable water. Screech owls and active birds made it an exciting evening.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Buckwood
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Camp Buckwood

    Very Nice and Freindly

    Stayed two nights, tent camping. It was a great time meeting new people and exploring the surrounding area.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hills Camp Resort
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Hickory Hills Camp Resort

    Perfect RV Resort south of Indianapolis

    We were so fortunate to have found The Retreat at Hickory Hills and stay there for a month! There’s two pools, a pickle ball court, a basketball half court, farm animals, golf cart trails, kayak/canoe/row boats, exploring creeks, fishing, a dog park, several playgrounds, Gaga ball, tether ball, volleyball, frisbee golf and several weekend activities for everyone. Saturday mornings were our favorite where we could get biscuits and gravy, coffee and the kids had craft time. It’s definitely worth bringing mountain bikes or renting their golf carts to explore their golf cart trails! We went out on these several times and it never got old! Staff and campers were welcoming and friendly. We still haven’t stopped talking about how CLEAN they keep everything. The sites were large and they’re still expanding and adding more sites. There’s a seasonal campers area and an overnight or monthly area. We stayed in the overnight/monthly area. It was peaceful and relaxing throughout the week and lively during the weekend. It was a wonderful balance!! We’ll definitely be back.

  • Jacob A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Shakamak State Park — Shakamak Prairie Nature Preserve
    Jul. 4, 2024

    Shakamak State Park — Shakamak Prairie Nature Preserve

    One of our favorite parks!

    We have been coming here every year since 2016. Most of the sites are shady. Our favorite site is 72. It is close to a water hookup if you need to top off your fresh water tank, shady, and not too close to other sites. They added a new shower house close by in 2022 or 2023.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 3, 2024

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Secluded in the woods

    Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far. There was no traffic or other people in site. I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times. I have lived in Indiana for ever and have made many trips this way, but I never knew sites like this existed.

  • Cynthia K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
    Jun. 28, 2024

    Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    Meh

     First off- Brown County is a lovely park. This review is only for the campground. 

    The only time we ever camped here was in 2003 when we had 3 kids & a popup. New to the park I thought the Racoon Ridge Loop looked good & picked site 121. Bad mistake! We stayed 3 nights & every night we had a weird thing happen. The worst was the bat that found it's way into the popup one night. None of it was in any way Brown County's fault, but we never went back. 

    We were staying at Paynetown recently & decided to visit Brown County & the campground. The mirror tag helped with this. We visited on a Saturday morning in late June. The whole campground was full & it was jumpin'!

     We skipped Buffalo Ridge. Raccoon Ridge is the smallest loop. Close sites. Our former site 121 has a pit toilet right next to it now. There's several sites along the main road, also very close to each other & right on the road.

     I thought that Taylor Ridge was the best loop based on my memories from 2003. It's really a long warren of close sites, some with terrible inclines.

     I was able to write down a few sites I thought would work- Sites with no one close by: 193/194/266. 

    265 was the only pull thru I saw, but there may be others. 

    End of loop: 317/318 

    Ridge view from your site: 310/311/312/313/314 

    Random sites that looked ok: 179/188/215/223/225/242/259/260/265/277/280/287/422- these sites are just what I eyeballed while the husband was cruising down the main road. 

    We decided we were never going to camp here again. The sites are too close together. There's too many people crammed in a small space. If you go be aware that summer weekends & leaf peeper season will be very busy. The middle of the week or shoulder season would probably be your best bet for a more relaxing experience.

  • Cynthia K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowwood State Forest
    Jun. 27, 2024

    Yellowwood State Forest

    Just did a drive thru

     This is a State Forest campground near Nashville, Indiana. Primitive camping. Pit toilets only. This is by Yellowwood Lake, so boating & fishing opportunities. 

    All these sites are first come, first serve. No reservations. 

    There's a Forest Office with area information & a small display. 

    There's several trails of varying length. 

    Believe it or not- gold panning is a thing here! You need a permit.

    They rent boats at the Forest Office. Electric motor only.

     There's several camping loops. There's a horse camp also. 

    The boat ramp is near the horse camp loop.

     We didn't go down the Red Pine Loop, but did check out White Oak/Redbud& Black Gum.

     Hickory loop is right off the road & the sites are visible from the road. They looked nicely spaced.

    White oak loop had several nice sites. Redbud is close to a building they call a camp store. It may have been many years ago, but not open now.

     Several picnic spots by the lake. The best site in Redbud would be 39. Large site with some shade. I would also say 38, but site 37 is directly behind it. This is the camp host spot, so occupied. These sites are near the pit toilets.

    The best spot in Black Gum would be site 75. Large site at the end of the loop & right by the lake.

     If you go back to Hwy 46 where the road split on your way in, follow the sign to the dam. Just a large earthen dam, but there's trail heads here. There's the Scarce O' Fat Trail which has been mentioned on the Facebook Indiana Hiking page.

    $13 per night regular camping.$16 per night for horseman's.

  • Cynthia K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hardin Ridge
    Jun. 25, 2024

    Hardin Ridge

    National Forest

     We did a drive through to check out the campground. It was $8 for day use, self pay.

    This is a beautiful campground. There's 4 loops with 30 & 50 amp. 2 loops with no electric.

     Well spaced all tucked into the trees on a ridge. Also some carry in sites.

     If we tented camped still I'd be in heaven! 

    You can reserve sites, or some are first come first served.

    Shower/restroom with pit toilets scattered around. 

    3 trails. A beach, picnic areas& a boat launch. 

    This seems less popular than Paynetown, but a lot quieter!!

  • Cynthia K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Paynetown Campground
    Jun. 25, 2024

    Paynetown Campground

    Crazy busy on a summer weekend

     This is a SRA on the shores of Lake Monroe by Bloomington Indiana. This is a boating/fishing park. We went on a hot weekend the 4rth weekend in June & it was completely full. 

    There's only 3 short trails. The longest is 1.25 miles. Not a hiking park. 

    There's a visitor center off State Road 446. This is NOT a nature center! Just a place to pick up some information. 

    The marina & boat launch get the most use. There's also a beach. 

    There's a large Class B campground closer to the marina. There's some pit toilets & one flush toilet building. No showers. No electricity.

     There's a large dump station. 

    The electric campground has 227 sites. 3 are handicap accessible. There's also 27 pull throughs. Many have lake access due to camper made trails to the lake.

    We had site 137 which was a good site due to the fact we had no one on the left. There was a woods view.

    Many of these sites have a bad incline & people were putting their rigs sideways on the site close to the road. Our site was no exception, but we were able to make it work. This site also had afternoon sun.

     Restrooms/showers were state park clean. I was impressed with the hard working staff trying their best to give us a clean bathroom!

     The best sites in the campground are 171/172& 153/154. These have a lot of sun, but a stellar view of the lake. 

    132-137 have a trail to the lake. Very bad inclines though. 

    120-124 have trails to the lake & are in the woods. 

    103 is a large site& fairly even with lots of shade. 

    The sites from 180-227 are asphalt with concrete pads. The rest of the campground is gravel. 

    There's 4 carry in campsites for tents that looked very nice. Campsites in the E area have access to a sandy peninsula that was very popular for swimmers. 

    This is known in Indiana as a party park. There's some truth to that. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend. If you like a quieter experience come Monday through Wed. or wait until the off season.

  • Matt M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Indiana State Fairgrounds Campground
    Jun. 25, 2024

    Indiana State Fairgrounds Campground

    Not what we were expecting!

    We traveled to Indianapolis for the Olympic Swimming Time Trials. Stayed here 2 nights with our 2 grand-daughters. The area we stayed was directly adjacent to a bike path. It was separated by a fence and there was a gate right next to our site. The gate was locked however the gates were far enough apart that someone could get between them. Our first night, someone actually did this and walked right behind our site.

    The shower house was in serious need of some improvements! Old, dark, leaky pipes. 

    The area was OVERLY well lit, to the point we were hanging sleeping bags over the windows to try and make it somewhat dark inside the camper! 

    Getting to the sites took some figuring out also. We entered at the main gate to the fairgrounds and there were no signs directing us to the sites. Had to use GPS with satellite view to figure our way there. 

    For comparison, we've stayed at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and this is a night and day difference. Iowa Fairgrounds sites are $20 less per night, very nice shower facilities and plenty of room between sites. 

    We would stay here again but we'd need to exhaust all other options first.

    BTW, the price listed is wrong. We paid $50/night.



Guide to Paragon

Camping near Paragon, Indiana, offers a variety of beautiful spots to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly campground or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: Many campgrounds, like Turkey Run State Park Campground, have trails that lead to stunning views and unique features. One reviewer mentioned, "From the back of the campground, you can access Trail 7, a moderate level trail that leads unexpectedly to a small stream running past a recessed cave."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A visitor shared, "Starve Hollow Lake SRA has full hookups at half the campground and electric water access on the other half."
  • Exploring Nature: Spring Mill State Park Campground offers a pioneer village and hiking trails. One camper noted, "The pioneer village is beautiful and really something to see with staff playing as villagers of the period."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area stated, "The bathhouse is clean, plenty of showers, flush toilets."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds, such as Hardin Ridge, have spacious sites that provide privacy. A visitor mentioned, "Beautiful spacious sites. Spread out with plenty of room between sites."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Terre Haute Campground are great for families. One reviewer said, "Lots of free activities for kids. Friendly and helpful staff."

What you should know

  • Site Conditions: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. A camper at Spring Mill State Park Campground mentioned, "It is mostly uneven and the shaded loop is very unlevel."
  • Busy Weekends: Expect crowds during peak times. A visitor at Paynetown Campground noted, "This campground is known in Indiana as a party park. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for raccoons and other wildlife. One camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground warned, "The raccoons definitely are active so make sure you lock it all up at night."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Buffalo Ridge Campground, which offers plenty of activities. A reviewer said, "There are lots of amenities that can suit any age of visitor."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep kids entertained. One camper at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area mentioned, "Great areas to walk your dog."
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids happy with snacks and games for downtime. A visitor at Starve Hollow State Recreation Area shared, "The campground was clean and well-cared for and everything was as advertised."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Accessibility: Make sure your RV can fit in the site. A reviewer at Terre Haute Campground noted, "Most sites are gravel. The campground had WIFI that was fast enough to stream."
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: Some sites may have inclines. A camper at Paynetown Campground advised, "People were complaining on Facebook that the site descriptions have the inclines wrong."
  • Utilize Dump Stations: Make sure to use the dump stations available at campgrounds like Hardin Ridge. A visitor mentioned, "The restrooms are clean. Well maintained facility."

Camping near Paragon, Indiana, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Paragon, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Paragon, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 116 campgrounds and RV parks near Paragon, IN and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Paragon, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Paragon, IN is Paynetown Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Paragon, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Paragon, IN.

  • What parks are near Paragon, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Paragon, IN that allow camping, notably Monroe Lake and Cecil M. Harden Lake.