Patoka Lake campsites span a 26,000-acre area with 8,800 acres of water surface. The lake maintains a maximum depth of 52 feet, creating diverse shoreline camping environments. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-40°F while summer temperatures regularly exceed 85°F with high humidity, affecting camping comfort throughout different seasons.
What to do
Boat rental access: Multiple boat access points serve various campgrounds at Patoka Lake, allowing for water recreation. At Patoka Lake Campground, campers appreciate the proximity to water activities: "Our campsite had Great Lake views and a nice path to get down to the lake. Bathrooms and showers were clean."
Creek swimming spots: Smaller waterways provide alternatives to lake swimming during busy periods. Visitors at Sycamore Springs Park note: "So much to do with the kids, from swimming in the creek, fishing, campfires, s'mores, fresh black topped roads, and such friendly staff."
Disc golf course: The 18-hole course near Newton Stewart Recreation Area provides outdoor recreation even when water activities aren't ideal. One camper at Indian-Celina Recreation Area mentioned, "This was a very quiet campsite in southern Indiana... Clean bathrooms with flush toilets and sinks which were nice."
What campers like
Floating cabins: Specialized accommodation options directly on the water provide unique experiences. As one visitor noted at Patoka Lake Campground: "A large group of us rented two of the floating cabins and it was a blast. Plenty of space for sleeping with a kitchen and modern facilities."
Camp store supplies: The well-stocked stores save travelers from long drives for forgotten items. According to a camper: "Camp store was WELL stocked with an assortment of items from milk and bread to cake mix."
Primitive sites for seclusion: Dispersed sites offer quieter alternatives to developed campgrounds. At Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed, a visitor shared: "This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. However, if you are camping in a self-contained SMALL vehicle, this is quiet, secluded, and beautiful."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely throughout the Patoka Lake region, affecting communication and navigation. One camper reported: "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)."
Weather impacts: The region experiences rapid weather changes that affect camping conditions. At Spring Mill State Park Campground, a visitor shared: "We unfortunately had poor weather during our stay and had to leave early because of the threat of thunderstorms and tornadoes/damaging winds."
Seasonal crowding: Campsite availability varies dramatically by season and day of week. A camper observed: "Camped Monday thru Friday, quite until Thursday. Filled up and noisy."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature multiple play areas spread throughout the property. At Sycamore Springs Park, a visitor noted: "Tons of playgrounds too spread throughout the campground."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs provide structured learning activities for children. A visitor to Youngs Creek Horse Camp shared: "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."
Halloween events: Seasonal activities create memorable experiences during fall camping trips. A camper at Lake Rudolph reported: "We went to Lake Rudolph for their Halloweekends and it is a one of a kind experience. They have so many activities for the kids such as hayrides, a DJ, pumpkin carving, and so many other things throughout the day!"
Tips from RVers
Dump station lines: Plan for potential delays when exiting campgrounds with many RVs. One RVer mentioned: "4 dump stations at exit but still lines due to shear number of sites but things moved quickly."
Limited level sites: Many areas require significant leveling equipment for RVs. A camper observed: "Roads and grounds are in good shape. Tons of sites and all different types (secluded, group, field, lake access, lake view, etc.) Sites were clean and in working order with 30A service."
Water fill planning: RVers need to plan water access before arriving at sites. According to one visitor: "We camped the first full week of April. Only waterfill location was at the camp store."
