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.
"YC horse camp is well laid out and fairly spacious, apparently only for the random hikers and hunters. I stayed at here for a couple of days, planning on a longer visit, and wasn't dissatisfied."
"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."
$20 - $40 / night
"Spring Mill State park is a little piece of history that is in the heart of southern Indiana. Here you will find a working frontier village."
"Open space, close to facilities and water pump, Ground was mostly flat, slightly shady in the afternoon, and very peaceful."
$22 - $496 / night
"Horse people love it also. The campground is near the trail to the old abandoned bridge which is well worth the hike. The fire tower has a commanding view."
"Several trails in walking, horse or bike riding distance. Some direct access from the campground.
You can set up here and have plenty to do without ever leaving the park."
"There are two lakes, Indian and Celina , in the immediate area, electric motors only, which just adds to my liking it;)."
"My husband and I have been to Lake Celina for a day hike before, so when planning where to go for a weekend of car camping choosing this place was a no brainer."
"Jackpine Loop is the largest of the campground loops at Tipsaw Lake Recreation area Hoosier National Forest.
The entire Tipsaw area seems to be oriented toward family and group camping."
"Wildlife is everywhere, as it is not unusual to have a Momma deer and her little one walk through the woods by your campsite or down by the boat launc, often followed by a turkey or two."
"We arrived near dusk on a Friday. The entrance is clearly marked and road is gravel but well maintained. The site is open space with soft, well maintained grass and no muddy areas."
"Close to town but also right off some amazing trails! Sometimes the horse trailers get loud with generators but it is a horse camp ground!"
$30 - $69 / night
"There are horse trails, a beach, and great water for swimming/kayaking/canoeing. It is pet friendly as well. The bath house in our area was older but fairly clean."
"Horse camping so was cool to see the horses. A beach location and a few fishing spots.
The lake doesn’t allow non electric motors so waters were calm. Caught some bluegills."
"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."
"I had the awesome experience to hammock camp on the Patton cave trail, along the creek that winds the length of that trail. It was a strenuous hike to pack in/out of, but was beautiful scenery."
$20 / night
$12 - $22 / night
"Very popular campsite for the surrounding area. Otter Creek runs through the Outdoor recreation area. Lots of hiking, biking and horse trails. Great opportunities for fishing also abound."
"Beautiful trails for hiking, great creek for swimming, close to Louisville."
TravelerI had been planning a trip to Youngs Creek for over a month and was happy to finally get there. YC horse camp is well laid out and fairly spacious, apparently only for the random hikers and hunters. I stayed at here for a couple of days, planning on a longer visit, and wasn't dissatisfied. It sports a good-sized pavilion and well-maintained his and hers vault toilets. The camp sites were generous in size with gravel parking, fairly level pads, picnic tables, and a fire ring. The only downside, besides the lack of horses, was an access road to adjacent to the camping area that is well used through the evening.
I'll be making a return in the spring to watch for the return of the equestrians.
TravelerA 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.
TravelerThe park is well kept and organized. There are a ton of sites to visit and see. If you like hiking or mountain biking this is for you! Horse people love it also. The campground is near the trail to the old abandoned bridge which is well worth the hike. The fire tower has a commanding view. If you are not enjoying this park, not much else in Indiana will make you happy. Extra points: experienced cavers will enjoy the number of caves. These are by permit only however and novice non cavers should take a proper class and go with experts. There are multiple show caves in the area you can get a basic tour of also.
TravelerWe arrived near dusk on a Friday. The entrance is clearly marked and road is gravel but well maintained. The site is open space with soft, well maintained grass and no muddy areas. There are no marked sites but there is plenty of room for all types of campers. And there all types of campers there. Of 20 or so campers I saw horse trailers, couple of large RVs, teardrops, tent camping and vehicle camping. There are plenty of fire circles. The vault toilets are super clean and you don’t have to waste time flushing. Bonus - Cell phone reception was good! This is a horse camp where you’re welcome to stay without horses… so for etiquette’s sake please leave the spots with corrals and hitch rails for the horse campers! All in all this was a perfect location, extremely well maintained, not crowded with all types of campers peacefully coexisting.
ScoutNo set camp spots but great to set up and have no light pollution! Close to town but also right off some amazing trails! Sometimes the horse trailers get loud with generators but it is a horse camp ground!
GuideSite accommodates both horse, drive in and walk-in camping. There’s a privy and water on site. Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables. There is a trail that loops back to the site for easy hiking access.
RangerEnded up staying on the horse site post-labor day when there were only other tent campers. Site is a wide open and well-groomed, with trails just a short walk (or ride) away.
Toilets and covered picnic tables nearby.
ScoutThe area is nice and is taken care off. The camp is free and has a 14 day limit. the campground is loop with male and female outhouses and they are kept up nicely. there is also a dumpster at near the entrance of the camp. this is also a horse camp so there are some horse feces around so you have to watch for that. you do not have to have a reservation, i believe it’s just first come first serve. some areas have fire pits, some don’t; you can make one though from rocks. the nearest city is Bloomington which is about 15 miles from camp.
LegendNice campground, needs some structural updates. Mostly shaded spots. Not all pads are level or very wide. Some of the tent sites are a challenge to get to and use. Minus a star due to no hot water, I would have been happy with warm but no luck.
Several trails in walking, horse or bike riding distance. Some direct access from the campground.
You can set up here and have plenty to do without ever leaving the park.
Corydon is within half an hour, Louisville about an hour.
Horse camping near Patoka Lake in Indiana offers a unique blend of scenic trails and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Patoka Lake is Youngs Creek Horse Camp with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Patoka Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
