Join the fun near Patoka Lake. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Patoka Lake. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
With 26,000 acres of land and water, Patoka Lake campground is a fine example of lake ecology. An 8,800-acre lake provides habitat for freshwater jellyfish and bald eagle nesting sites. River otters and osprey were reintroduced at Patoka by the DNR.
Camping:
-Electric / 455 sites
-Primitive / 45 sites
-Dumping Station
$33 / night
Immerse yourself in the magic of America's Christmas Hometown with a stay at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph, formerly known as Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort. Nestled in the breathtaking beauty of southern Indiana, our resort offers a range of unforgettable camping and lodging experiences that cater to families of all sizes.
Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph, a two-time National RV Park of the Year, is nestled in the captivating town of Santa Claus. Discover spacious RV and tent sites, charming vacation rentals, and breathtaking scenery.
Experience an extraordinary stay with incredible amenities and activities. Dive into Santa's SplashDown WaterPark, make a splash at Blitzen Bay pool, and enjoy miniature golf. Treat yourself at our snack bar, let your furry friends play in the dog park, and embrace outdoor adventures like fishing, paddle boating, and scenic trails. Explore Santa Claus' magical attractions, including Santa's Candy Castle and the Santa Claus Christmas Store, with Holiday World Theme Park nearby.
Create cherished memories and embrace the joy and wonder of Santa Claus at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph. Your adventure awaits!
$45 - $101 / night
The Indian-Celina Lake Recreation Area is a tranquil getaway in the midst of the Hoosier National Forest. Both the Celina and Indian Lakes are within the area, offering camping, boating, fishing and hiking, as well as tours of a historic site.
Indian and Celina lakes are two of four fishing lakes along Highway 37. The lakes offer many miles of shoreline and coves for fishing for pan fish. Boat ramps are open year-round, and an accessible fishing pier is available on Celina Lake. Anglers can expect a variety of catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. The sandstone block, historic Rickenbaugh House was built in 1874 and is open to visitors periodically throughout the year. The home and adjacent historic cemetery are popular among visitors. A variety of hiking trails exist within the area, including the relatively easy, 1 mile Rickenbaugh Interpretive Trail, which is located behind the historic Rickenbaugh House. The Two Lakes Loop National Recreation Trail encircles both Indian and Celina lakes and winds through many acres of natural and peaceful forests. The trail is 16 miles, but can encompass multiple, shorter day hikes.
Indian and Celina lakes are two of four fishing lakes along Highway 37. The lakes offer many miles of shoreline and coves for fishing for pan fish. Boat ramps are open year-round, and an accessible fishing pier is available on Celina Lake. Anglers can expect a variety of catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. The sandstone block, historic Rickenbaugh House was built in 1874 and is open to visitors periodically throughout the year. The home and adjacent historic cemetery are popular among visitors. A variety of hiking trails exist within the area, including the relatively easy, 1 mile Rickenbaugh Interpretive Trail, which is located behind the historic Rickenbaugh House. The Two Lakes Loop National Recreation Trail encircles both Indian and Celina lakes and winds through many acres of natural and peaceful forests. The trail is 16 miles, but can encompass multiple, shorter day hikes.
The area is located in south-central Indiana, in a dense hardwood and pine forest, on 152-acre Indian and 164-acre Celina lakes. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area.
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 __
$35 / night
Sycamore Springs’ 250 acres are home to 10 shelter houses, numerous playgrounds, fishing ponds, a softball field, basketball court, wedding chapel, 35 tent camping sites and 64 RV camping sites. As a bonus, firewood is free for campers. Sycamore Springs is family friendly (alcohol is not allowed) and offers sites for all types of camping. Water views are available and there are fire pits on all sites. Camping cabins are offered at a discounted rate during the week, and the fully furnished House of Annie & Bud also awaits.
$20 - $45 / night
A primitive campground with vault toilets, hitching racks, and a picnic shelter is available. Around 12 and half miles of trails are available for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.
The Youngs Creek Campground provides access to the 12.7-mile Youngs Creek multiple use trail for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.____
The Youngs Creek Campground provides access to the 12.7-mile Youngs Creek multiple use trail for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.____
Shady trails, scenic hardwood forests and a variety of terrain
The Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area is located on the shores of its namesake lake in south-central Indiana's Hoosier National Forest. It offers camping, picnic areas, boating, swimming, hiking, biking and educational programs. Visitors enjoy the scenic views of the forest and all it has to offer.
Boating, fishing and swimming in the lake are popular activities. Electric motors are allowed, and fishing for pan fish is considered excellent. The boat ramp and parking area is open year-round. A beautiful swimming beach with playground equipment and a modern bathhouse is also available. The beach offers a combination of sand and sun or a shady, grass-covered hillside. A 5.9-mile trail for hiking and mountain biking runs from the day-use area around the lake. The trail includes scenic overlooks of the lake and valley and traverses a variety of forest types. A trail permit is available for purchase and is required for mountain bikers age 17 and older.
Boating, fishing and swimming in the lake are popular activities. Electric motors are allowed, and fishing for pan fish is considered excellent. The boat ramp and parking area is open year-round. A beautiful swimming beach with playground equipment and a modern bathhouse is also available. The beach offers a combination of sand and sun or a shady, grass-covered hillside. A 5.9-mile trail for hiking and mountain biking runs from the day-use area around the lake. The trail includes scenic overlooks of the lake and valley and traverses a variety of forest types. A trail permit is available for purchase and is required for mountain bikers age 17 and older.
The campground is adjacent to 131-acre Tipsaw Lake, in a hardwood and pine forest. Situated at an elevation of 380 feet, the campground is composed of five loops that offer dozens of campsites. Some sites are shaded and the roads are paved.
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 __
$47 - $70 / night
$27 / night
With 26,000 acres of land and water, Patoka Lake campground is a fine example of lake ecology. An 8,800-acre lake provides habitat for freshwater jellyfish and bald eagle nesting sites. River otters and osprey were reintroduced at Patoka by the DNR.
Camping:
-Electric / 455 sites
-Primitive / 45 sites
-Dumping Station
$33 / night
Immerse yourself in the magic of America's Christmas Hometown with a stay at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph, formerly known as Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort. Nestled in the breathtaking beauty of southern Indiana, our resort offers a range of unforgettable camping and lodging experiences that cater to families of all sizes.
Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph, a two-time National RV Park of the Year, is nestled in the captivating town of Santa Claus. Discover spacious RV and tent sites, charming vacation rentals, and breathtaking scenery.
Experience an extraordinary stay with incredible amenities and activities. Dive into Santa's SplashDown WaterPark, make a splash at Blitzen Bay pool, and enjoy miniature golf. Treat yourself at our snack bar, let your furry friends play in the dog park, and embrace outdoor adventures like fishing, paddle boating, and scenic trails. Explore Santa Claus' magical attractions, including Santa's Candy Castle and the Santa Claus Christmas Store, with Holiday World Theme Park nearby.
Create cherished memories and embrace the joy and wonder of Santa Claus at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph. Your adventure awaits!
$45 - $101 / night
The Indian-Celina Lake Recreation Area is a tranquil getaway in the midst of the Hoosier National Forest. Both the Celina and Indian Lakes are within the area, offering camping, boating, fishing and hiking, as well as tours of a historic site.
Indian and Celina lakes are two of four fishing lakes along Highway 37. The lakes offer many miles of shoreline and coves for fishing for pan fish. Boat ramps are open year-round, and an accessible fishing pier is available on Celina Lake. Anglers can expect a variety of catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. The sandstone block, historic Rickenbaugh House was built in 1874 and is open to visitors periodically throughout the year. The home and adjacent historic cemetery are popular among visitors. A variety of hiking trails exist within the area, including the relatively easy, 1 mile Rickenbaugh Interpretive Trail, which is located behind the historic Rickenbaugh House. The Two Lakes Loop National Recreation Trail encircles both Indian and Celina lakes and winds through many acres of natural and peaceful forests. The trail is 16 miles, but can encompass multiple, shorter day hikes.
Indian and Celina lakes are two of four fishing lakes along Highway 37. The lakes offer many miles of shoreline and coves for fishing for pan fish. Boat ramps are open year-round, and an accessible fishing pier is available on Celina Lake. Anglers can expect a variety of catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. The sandstone block, historic Rickenbaugh House was built in 1874 and is open to visitors periodically throughout the year. The home and adjacent historic cemetery are popular among visitors. A variety of hiking trails exist within the area, including the relatively easy, 1 mile Rickenbaugh Interpretive Trail, which is located behind the historic Rickenbaugh House. The Two Lakes Loop National Recreation Trail encircles both Indian and Celina lakes and winds through many acres of natural and peaceful forests. The trail is 16 miles, but can encompass multiple, shorter day hikes.
The area is located in south-central Indiana, in a dense hardwood and pine forest, on 152-acre Indian and 164-acre Celina lakes. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area.
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 __
$35 / night
Sycamore Springs’ 250 acres are home to 10 shelter houses, numerous playgrounds, fishing ponds, a softball field, basketball court, wedding chapel, 35 tent camping sites and 64 RV camping sites. As a bonus, firewood is free for campers. Sycamore Springs is family friendly (alcohol is not allowed) and offers sites for all types of camping. Water views are available and there are fire pits on all sites. Camping cabins are offered at a discounted rate during the week, and the fully furnished House of Annie & Bud also awaits.
$20 - $45 / night
Quiet. Friendly helpful staf.
Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph View all Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph 4.2(1.2K) OVERVIEW PRICES REVIEWS PHOTOS BY OWNER ABOUT Google review summary 5 4 3 2 1 4.2(1,185) Reviews All cabin184 golf cart167 water slides45 mattress41+6 Sort by Most relevant Newest Highest Lowest ron james 11 reviews Vacation| Family I have shared with the management at sun outdoors and they have ignored my message. Unit cabin 518 was ant infested and dirty. But the dangerous impact on our health was BLACK MOLD. We all experienced breathing, headaches and other issues… More Stephanie S Local Guide·167 reviews·4193 photos a week ago NEW Our first trip here. We absolutely loved it. All of the staff is very friendly. The park is very clean and we looked out with good neighbors. Golf carts are available to rent and they have golf cart light parades a few… More Video 1 in review by Stephanie S Photo 2 in review by Stephanie S Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph(Owner) a week ago Stephanie, thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay and all the amenities our park has to offer. We can't wait to welcome you back for another fantastic visit! Ryan Levasseur Local Guide·19 reviews·12 photos 4 days ago NEW It's so rare to find a place that you wish you would have booked one more night.… More Photo 1 in review by Ryan Levasseur Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph(Owner) 3 days ago Hi Ryan, thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a great time during your mini vacation at our campground. It's fantastic to know that you enjoyed the nostalgia, amenities, and activities we offer. We hope to welcome you back soon! Shelbey Sledge 1 review a month ago We stayed from Friday-Monday and 10/10 recommend. We stayed in a tent camp site. Having electric and water was nice. The bathrooms near 119K were personal bathrooms with a shower, toilet, and sink. So much better than a community bathroom.… More Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph(Owner) a month ago Shelbey, thank you for sharing such a detailed review of your experience at our campsite! We are thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time and enjoyed the amenities provided. Your feedback about the lack of hanging space is duly noted, and we will look into improving that aspect. ron james 11 reviews Vacation| Family I have shared with the management at sun outdoors and they have ignored my message. Unit cabin 518 was ant infested and dirty. But the dangerous impact on our health was BLACK MOLD. We all experienced breathing, headaches and other issues but they will not respond I am now on the March for safety and action. I will post on every social media method possible. I asked for their legal contact but they have chosen to ignore. I was handed a spray can for ants and spiders with the message this has a bad smell. Other posts will give more gruesome details Rooms: 1/5| Service: 1/5| Location: 3/5
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.
This is a great family campground with excellent amenities, clean sites and grounds, beautiful surroundings, multiple cabins, pavilions, and a welcoming host office. We would love to visit and stay again. Do not let the short rural entry drive deter you. Yes it's hilly and curvy but take it slow and careful I promise it's worth it. Free firewood is just a bonus. Get a shady spot and enjoy the stay.
We went up in June 2024. There are several spots that are in the shade, but some of them are permanent campers. There is a fishing lake and a small river to fish in or wade and swim in. There is a miniature village for the kids along with 20 playgrounds in the campground. Golf carts are available to rent, and I feel are a necessity to get around this large park. There are also large fields to play in. Didn’t use the bath house. The general store has ice and a few souvenirs. There is cell service (AT&T and Verizon) There is also free wood. They have really cool spiral steps that lead up to a walk bridge. They also have a donkey and goats to pet. Altogether a really nice and clean park. Will definitely go again.
Had the typical state park experience. Bathrooms are decent, a little dated but oh well. The weekends in the middle middle of the season are typically busy. Plan your site well, many lack a level spot for tents and have a lot of slope near the pull off.
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.
The bathrooms are dirty, showers are full of hair, the toilets are dirty, staff can be rude, not a lot to do besides walk/drive around, not a very fun park if u was to bring ur kids to it, there’s not much to see. I wouldn’t waste ur take time comming here and instead go to a better park that’s much better
Besides picking the only weekend where the camp had plumbing issues… my 4 year old daughter and I loved this place. This was my first time camping in Indiana and it did not let me down! The rangers were very nice and was pleased to answer any of my questions, the lake and bathrooms were clean and the place was nice and quiet. I’ll be back again.
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!!
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.
This is the third time we have stayed here.
I have tried to contact corporate and been ignored.. We stayed at the Rudolph campsite in Santa Claus Indiana like I stated before we would like a refund for one night and one night of the golf cart as we wound up leaving. the toilet seat was cracked, which pinched me and one of my Children left marks, there were also mouse droppings in the drawer where the silverware was and stains on the sheets. I have pictures of all this and since nobody has contacting us, I will give it until Monday morning and then I will have my attorney contact them with all the pictures since they don’t want to do anything about this and then I will also be posting with the Better Business Bureau and attaching all the pictures.
We timed this 0ne Right! Found Hoosier National Park website wasn't available, we arrived seeking 1st come 1st served... and got it! 👍 Thank You, LORD!
We are group camp from lds church I needs 3 days over there
nice camping here,but they have small area ,i see racoon,cath meow lol but they attack
The chorus frog do roar through the night. 100% worth it, make sure to bring bug spray, and travel carefully up the roads. Lots of wildlife, and kind people.
We tent camped and it was not a bad time. Very dead and very quiet, and we met a friendly raccoon.
This was a repeat visit. Just as perfect as the first time. Lake was beautiful and staff are always so helpful. They even have an on-site RV Tech that works for them who helped us fix our hot water heater. Very professional young man. We also enjoyed live music at the pavilion, and PIZZA from their new café, it was fabulous. They even have Boba tea.
The Peninsula Trail and Grub Ridge trails both have marked campsites that are very far apart and totally private. These are dispersed/primitive sites with a fire ring only. Very remote feeling (except you CAN hear any loud cars/motorcycles at night from the main road over the lake). Light pollution is pretty low however, so good stargazing.
Trails are in good shape and the Penninsuala trail is pretty easy. Grub Ridge trail gets moderate the further west you take it. CAmpsites 10,11,12,13 are very accessible with a short hike and are fantastic spots.
Lakeside spots are great also if you hike farther, but as others have said, drunk boaters tend to stop along the shore even though they are not supposed to. A few years ago boat access was limited to non-motoroized but not sure it is being enforced very well.
All the same, the Deam Wilderness area is Indianas best for backpacking and backcountry camping.
Down tower ridge road, to the east, just past the tower - turn right and the road there has lots of drive-in sites as well. These fill up fast on the weekends.
We stayed here on a guys trip in April 2024. It was easy to find, had a self-serve pay tube, and since it's a primitive campground they had no electricity, showers or flush toilets (but they did have decent pit toilets). It rained quite a bit the few days prior to us arriving so some of the fire pits at the sites had standing water. You cannot make reservations so plan accordingly, but when we arrived Friday afternoon we were the only people there. There is no camp host and they do not provide firewood onsite. We had a hard time finding any in Tell City but finally got some at Tractor Supply. We also found a bunch at the host at the Tipsaw Campground a short drive away. We were at site 19 and pitched 3 tents, and it was tight quarters but doable. The trails were very nice, but the rain that occurred prior to our arrival made for several soft spots and some "fun" creek crossings. We also encountered several ticks, so plan accordingly. Generally I would not hesitate to go back here.
This place is deluxe. Sites are spacious. Good space between campsites. Restrooms are clean. Well maintained facility
Staff are very friendly and helpful
In January we found a couple of available sites at Spring Mill when trying to plan where we'd go for the eclipse, so we took them and then started looking at what the park had to offer. We started to really look forward to the park as much as the eclipse. The park lived up to expectations. We were able to do a lot of hiking. Our dog was welcome in most areas of the park (pioneer village being the only significant exception). They were planning for a ton of folks to be there for the eclipse, but the numbers were lower than expected. We had the perfect spot for viewing it right across the lane from our campsite, so it didn't really matter how many people came into the park for it.
The only possible negative was that our site wasn't very level for our pop up. We had our leveler with us, so it didn't matter. My wife and I decided that the eclipse was simply the cherry on top of a very good sundae. We loved the park and will likely return again.
We stayed at Miles Landing the weekend leading up to the Solar Eclipse in April 2024. Everyone was pleasant. Managment provided viewing glasses and arranged for a food truck.
Spot has a creek and is flat enough for a tent mostly just a single person spot no toilets. Road south coming in was destroyed some time ago have to w yer from east or west road.
Good spot to get some quiet time to learn/hone skills or for some good quality time with the family while being plugged into nature and unplugged from their electronics
Patoka Lake has become our go-to campground for many reasons. The nature center is a delightful feature, offering a serene escape into the beauty of the surrounding area. The spacious campsites add to the allure, providing ample room for relaxation and enjoyment. It's worth noting that there are no water hookups, so remember to fill your tank before arriving at your site. During our visit over fall break, the Halloween festivities and trick-or-treating added an extra layer of fun to our experience. We also had the pleasure of exploring the local winery and brewery, which were a big hit with our group. The abundance of activities at this state park ensures there's never a dull moment. However, it's important to exercise caution due to the high volume of boats in and out of the campground. Parents with small children should be especially vigilant, as vehicles towing trailers with boats are constantly coming and going. Despite this, our love for Patoka Lake remains unwavering. It's truly a special place that we look forward to returning to time and time again.
Camping near Patoka Lake, Indiana, offers a mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful scenery and various campgrounds, it’s a great spot for families, friends, and solo adventurers alike.
Camping near Patoka Lake, Indiana, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With plenty of activities, clean facilities, and family-friendly options, it’s a spot worth exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Patoka Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, Patoka Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 101 campgrounds and RV parks near Patoka Lake and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Patoka Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Patoka Lake is Patoka Lake Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 35 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Patoka Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Patoka Lake.
What parks are near Patoka Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Patoka Lake that allow camping, notably Hoosier National Forest and Monroe Lake.
