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.
$45 - $101 / night
"Concrete level sites. Pond to fish in and huge dog run, but not to close to a large number of sites. Definitely will be back. "
"33’ Class C - Pull Through Lot
Our family enjoyed the amenities and the easy “special entrance” shuttle to holiday world. Super easy and fun."
$37 / night
"The campground was very clean and well maintained with gravel sites that were fairly level. Full hookups with 50 amp or 30 amp available. The sites could accommodate up to 5th wheel rigs."
"We were right at the lake edge. The campsite had electric but no water, but the water was just across the road at a shelter."
"I've been to Sycamore Springs for 2 Girl Scout campouts and one family/friends overnight."
$12 - $32 / night
"Great access to water. 30 and 50 amp hookups. Bathhouses clean and easy access to fishing, local attractions and if you do need something the staff was eager and fast to get the problem fixed."
"There was a water filling station at the entrance along with a dump site. Sites have a fire pit and picnic table. While there are trails in the area, they don’t offer a trail map."
$21 - $44 / night
"Has a big fire ring and a picnic table. This site is pretty level. Check out Hemlock Cliffs in the area. Amazing landscape on a one mile loop."
"Four lakes within a short drive of each other. Celina, Indian, Tipasaw and Saddle. Very good fishing. Red ear, blue gill, bass and catfish are the catch of the day."
"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."
"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."
ScoutWe stayed a few nights at this campground in October. The campground is made for smaller sizes but we were able to negotiate the main ring road with our 37' travel trailer. The spot that we had reserved was in an area were we could not get into but we went to the gatehouse and they gave us another spot that was on the main ring road that we were able to park in with no issues. Cell service was great with Verizon and AT&T service. The lake was beautiful and the park was well maintained. Wished the beach, paddle boats, and petting zoo was open... Still had a great time. We will surely come back next year when everything is open!! Had 30 and 50 amp service with water hookups and a dump station at the exit. Make sure you have plenty of leveling blocks. We used all of ours and was not level.
LegendTipsaw Recreation Area Hoosier National Forest is the place to visit if you have a large group or family event planned.
We had a good time doing basic camping activities while here, nothing flashy just fun water sports, campfire activities and hiking. ( no signal so appreciate the quiet :)
5 camping areas which are mostly group based and reservable. Catbrier Loop is the more wide open campground with large RV sites, a pit toilet, pavilion and small field for group events and a path to the beach. Goldenrod (camping side by side) and Primrose (camping around the loop)offer more shade and area to spread out with pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Dogwood has double RV sites and some singles, and you feel more “in the woods” with full canopy coverage. A showerhouse and pit toilet, picnic tables and fire pits. The largest area is Jackpine Loop, good shade, showerhouse and more privacy.
The beach area on Tipsaw Lake is very family oriented, nice bathhouse facility, small picnic pavilions on cement walkways and a nice beach with play area for the kids. We did not visit the beach because dogs are not allowed. Adjacent is the boat ramp which is ramp, dock, pit toilet and parking. The dogs had fun here playing in the water along the ramp, not much shore to speak of.
The Tipsaw Lake Trail is 5.9 miles of technical rolling hills with complete tree coverage. We hiked it and I noticed that it is a little overgrown but overall a nice trail. With all the rain the trail was muddy and several of the small streams still had water in them. Ticks are bad with the rain and overgrowth so apply your bug spray liberally!
In addition to the recreation area there is the Mogan Trailhead in the area which is shared with horses. A zip line Eagles Wing and Citgo gas station. Tell City to the south has the usual stores and fast food for any needed amenities, the ranger station is also located there but closed on the weekends.
I spoke with several of the camp hosts and they were very informative about the area and took good care of their areas. They also have the firewood if you need some.
GuidePaynetown SRA is right on Lake Monroe about 10 minutes from Bloomington, IN. Campsites have a gravel parking pad, picnic table, fire-ring, and electrical hookups. Restrooms & showers were about average... not great/not bad. A private company rents kayaks, jet skis, boats, and paddleboards from the camp-store in the SRA. There are beaches, a nature center, & playgrounds, so it seems very family friendly. There's a cool little pizza place right down the road too. This is the perfect place to camp for a weekend of fun on Lake Monroe. It's also only about 20 minutes from Lake Lemon.
RangerThis campground is very family-friendly and fun. 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. We felt like there was good spacing between the sites, and we weren’t too close to our neighbors. Beautiful in the Fall!
ScoutStarve Hollow offers camping from full hookup, electric only (by the lake), tent camping, and cabins. The lake has a swimming area (no lifeguards), playgrounds, and bathhouse. The lake allows boats with electric trolling motor only.
We stayed in the full hookup section (camping facilities: electric, sewer, and water hookup as well as fire ring, picnic table, and parking spur at each site. Modern restrooms/showers(wheelchair accessible) are available nearby. 53 sites available, sites 222, 232, and 234 are wheelchair accessible). The bathhouse was clean (even though it rained most of the weekend). these sites are a good size and able to get any size Trailer or RV into these sites. There is mostly grass on most of the sites in this area.
The campground also offers electric only sites (camping facilities: electric hookup, fire ring, picnic table and parking spur at each site. Drinking water is available in area. Modern restrooms/showers(wheelchair accessible) are available nearby. Dumping station is available. There are 87 sites available. Sites 28, 44, 65, 75 and 90 are wheelchair accessible). They have about 20 sites that back up right to the lake allowing fishing from your campsite. Keep in mind that a lot of the electric only sites are very tight with a lot of trees in the area. I can probably only get my 36 ft 5th wheel into a third of the sites, but there are many of sites that had shorter units on them.
Cabins: Starve Hollow has 13 rent-a-camp cabins available March-Nov.(closed Dec.-Feb.)(NOTE: Local sales only during off season/winter months, contact property for details). Each cabin has a front porch with a swing, outside electric outlet and front porch light. Inside there are two small rooms each providing a ceiling fan with light, a heating/cooling unit and electrical outlets. The front room offers a small table with bench seats, corner shelf, chair, rocking chair, and a loft. The back room offers a bunk bed(single) and a double bed(NO LINENS or MATTRESS PROVIDED). Air mattress recommended.
Fishing/Boating Starve-Hollow Lake has three boat ramps to choose from, one at the dam and two in the electric campground. Kayak, rowboat and canoe rental is available. A valid Indiana fishing license is required. Rowboat and canoe rental is available from mid April through October. Starve-Hollow Lake is a trolling motor only lake. For campers a fish cleaning station is available.
Swimming A large beach is available for swimming from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Restrooms, dressing facilities, showers, and food concessions are available to visitors. Wheelchair ramps allow access to beach and concession area.
Picnicking There are picnic areas and picnic shelters that can be reserved. Both shelters can be accessed by wheelchair. The East shelter has an electrical outlet. Picnic tables and grills are located at the picnic sites. A wheelchair accessible playground, basketball goals, softball fields, horseshoe pits and a sand volleyball court are located on or near the swimming beach.
Hiking Trails Starve Hollow has several hiking trails to explore that total approximately 11 miles.
GuideHow this place doesn't have their permit revoked is beyond me. It's ran like a truck stop. It's NOT family friendly. They are NOT pet friendly.
LegendLincoln State Park in Southern Indiana. About as far South as you can go! (In Indiana!). We did a weekend visit.
150 electric sites. There's 30 & 50 Amp sites with water at each site!
6 handicap sites. There are NO pull through sites.
The best sites are by Lake Lincoln- 40 & 41. 39 is ok, but all 3 of these sites are in the sun most of the day. Also, 40 & 41 are not ON the lake. Trail 1 & a wide grassy area are before the water. The only advantage IMO is an unobstructed view of the water & a short walk to the lake.
The sites seemed short, but people were able to park very large rigs in them. Check the site dimensions before booking or call the office to make sure you'll fit.
There's a large primitive campground. They have a modern bath house with showers. Some cabins.
There's 2 bath houses in the electric side with flush toilets & showers. Very clean for a state park!
A double dump station.
6 trails from easy to moderate. The longest is 3.7 miles.
Boating & fishing are popular, but electric motor only. There's boat rental.
There's a beach, but closed after Labor Day. The camp store is in the pavilion by the beach & has limited hours after Labor Day.
There's a small nature center.
Lots of history in the park & in the area. Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is directly across the road from the state park
. Santa Claus Indiana& Holiday World are nearby.
GuideWith COVID, it seems that everyone...and then more people are going camping. It's a bittersweet type of situation. Nevertheless, it's been very hard to find decent camping in Indiana that isn't packed in like sardines, while also trying to escape the city and get into nature - not around more people.
Luckily, a friend and I came here last October and this place was great. We got a non electric site and were in the middle of the sites. We had a great lake view and were very happy with our setup. It was a pull-through site, although not all are like that. We were able to set up in no time.
We had lots of space, away from our neighbors. The campstore had wood and random items that you might need should you forget. We were just steps away from the lake and enjoyed walking down there every morning. There aren't the best hiking trails around, so you'll need to drive to the nearby Brown County or National Forest to hike on trails that are actually worth the time.
I will add that the setup is a bit odd for non-electric. You basically had to pull up to the gatehouse, get your reservation info, then do a U-turn and go back out past the campstore in order to get to your campground. Very odd setup to say the least.
TravelerIf you are wanting sewer, this park is very limited for 45’ Motorhomes. The available sites with sewer are all back in that are not very level and many are tight for Big Rigs including large trailers.
Discover the charm of RV camping near Patoka Lake in Indiana, where scenic views and well-equipped campgrounds await outdoor enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Patoka Lake modern campground for RVs?
Patoka Lake modern campgrounds offer comprehensive amenities for RV campers. Sites typically include electric hookups (both 30 and 50 amp options), water connections, and access to dump stations. Most modern sites feature level gravel pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Campground facilities generally include clean shower houses and restrooms, playgrounds, and easy lake access. For a full-service experience, Painter Creek RV Park near French Lick offers big-rig-friendly sites with full hookups. Seasonal amenities may include camp stores, boat rentals, swimming areas, and hiking trails connecting to the broader Patoka Lake recreation area.
Are there resort-style accommodations for RVs at Patoka Lake?
Yes, resort-style RV accommodations are available near Patoka Lake. Wildridge RV Resort offers upscale amenities specifically designed for RV travelers seeking a more luxurious experience. For those wanting additional comfort options, Sycamore Springs Park near English provides big-rig-friendly sites with water and electric hookups in a resort-like setting. These locations typically offer full hookups, concrete pads, WiFi access, community gathering spaces, and organized activities. Many resort-style accommodations around Patoka Lake also feature dedicated recreation areas, boat launches, and proximity to local attractions like French Lick.
Where are the best RV campgrounds at Patoka Lake, Indiana?
Patoka Lake offers several excellent RV camping options. Horseshoe Bend RV Campground provides direct lake access with full hookup sites suitable for RVs of various sizes. For those seeking a quieter experience, Indian-Celina Recreation Area near Bristow offers lakeside camping with water and toilet facilities. Both locations provide convenient access to Patoka Lake's recreational opportunities. Most campgrounds around Patoka Lake require reservations, especially during peak summer months, so booking in advance is recommended.
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