Best Tent Camping near Patoka Lake, IN

The tent camping area is sort of one big open space. If your looking for seclusion, and that back country feel, then this is not the place to be. Very good park overall and it is very well maintained. However, since it is a smaller park overall it has a tendency to be crowded and loud in the summer months. Price for tent camping was $7 a night last time I was there in October of 2017.

Bathrooms are a hike so plan ahead if you are tent camping.

West Boggs lake is near the heart of Indiana's Amish country. It has a great lake that has good fishing and the ability to put your boat out. Pets are welcome. They have sites for all forms of camping. We tent camped and had electric and water at site. Great place to ride you bike and visit others.

Campsites are all wooded and private. A beautiful area any time of year. Hosts are friendly and frequently make the rounds. This is our go to area. We like Bluegill loop for the playground and pond but white oak has a pond too. Lake Monroe access is a short drive or hike away. We camp in a pop up but have tent camped as well. For tent camping, check out the walk in sites, they're beautiful and very secluded. You can't go wrong with any of the sites at Hardin Ridge.

We tent camped and it was not a bad time. Very dead and very quiet, and we met a friendly raccoon.

We camp here every time we come to Indiana. We have camped there in a truck camper, and now we tent camp with our Jeep. The sites are large, and there are fire rings available. There are vault toilets and a fresh water pump not far from them. The only time this camp is full is when a trail ride is going on, then it fills up fast. It is only five miles from Paoli, and there is a Walmart there if you need supplies..

We love this area for roughing it. We usually choose a site far back into the wilderness area. The sites are primitive with no amenities. Tent camping only although there are both hike in and drive up sites in the wilderness area. Great place to get away from it all.

Located on Monroe lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing.
Lots of fun activities to do, and great hiking trails. Their mess hall is top notch. We have camped here in a cabin, and also tent camped.

Beautiful grounds and a great place to enjoy nature.

Great trials. Tent campsites were well spaced out. Bathrooms was a porta potty. Water was available at public playgrounds but did not see any near our campsite. New playground equipment for the kids.

It has nicely shaded, private tent sites! Great place for bike riding and, also very family friendly! The staff at the camp store/entrance and the campground hosts were so friendly and very helpful!! Plus, the bathrooms and shower houses were so clean!!

tgere are some really great tent sites at this campground. We always go to the walk in sites which are incredibly secluded and overlook down a ridge line. Close to lake Monroe with plenty to do. Could use some more trashcans and bathroom facilities.

Probably my favorite place to camp so far (newbie camper). We had a site within a short walk to the water. Our tent site was spacious. Vault toilets. Camp store. Playground, boating, fishing, and boat rentals. There is a lot to offer at the park itself and being a college town, quite a few great bars and restaurants.

My family enjoyed the campground a lot. We rented boats, hiked and swam. We stayed in site 54 and though we couldn’t see the lake we loved the privacy. We arrived on a Sunday and it cleared out nicely. I wouldn’t want to come on a weekend, too busy. A few to many RVs for my tent camping taste. The facilities were nice and clean. Some playgrounds were a bit dated, but kids still enjoyed them. Plenty of bugs, but not insufferable.

My wife and I went to Sycamore Springs Park a few weeks ago and stayed for 3 days. We tent camped and it was fantastic. 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. The park assigned campers to where they were distanced from each other due to COVID. The showers were the best I've seen, clean and strong pressure. It is also pet friendly. Our Golden loved the camp and the lake. I recommend this camp to all who want a quiet get away.

Paynetown boasts the second largest beach on Lake Monroe, and the primitive sites include a very nice shower house. If you are tent camping there aren't many places to tie a tarp, so bring a free standing tarp if you like to have some space out of the occasional rain. There is an interpretive Nature Center and another shower house by the beach, and ample parking for day use. Boat rentals are available as well. Expect to see Canadian geese as the resident scavenger here instead of the usual raccoons found at Indiana parks. Other notable birds to keep an eye out for include swifts, killdeers, turkey buzzards, bald eagles, golden eagles, and great blue herons. Fishing for small and largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and an assortment of bream is successful near the boat slips and along the shore.

We've tent camped here several times over the years. This was the first time in our new 30ft travel trailer. It's always been a busy place. The sites on the outer areas are not very level. Sites on the inner loops appear fairly level. Sites are packed in fairly tight. Not very difficult to get parked, however. Over the years the campers have always been very diverse. Typically lots of families with young kids, young adults acting like kids and older travelers. Families are pretty respectful. Lots to do, hike, fish, boat and hit the beach.

This is the campground we visit the most. There is always something to do. The beach, the trails, the geocaches on the trails, kayak and boat rentals, the activity center. There is something for everyone and enough to fill up your days. The activity center has programs all the time and there is always something going on there.

you have to reserve a spot early to get one with shade on busy weekends (we do non electric tent camping)

The older gentleman at check in is slow so expect to wait awhile to get in. They need more primitive sites.

I absolutely love camping here. I went for years with my family growing up in a pop up and pull behind. I recently went tent camping there and it was awesome as usual. Some of the trails are a little rough, as in could use some mulch or rock but other than that it was really nice. There is a lot of space between sites so you’re not on top of your neighbor. They have nice showers and bathrooms that are always clean. They have both sites with and without electricity. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. If you like boating you can boat or kayak here. They don’t have a beach but there is a pace near by that you can go to if you want to swim. I like camping there in early spring and late fall the best and for least amount of people.

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.

My Aunt loves their trips to Patoka Lake & I can relate as to why after this weekend. We went for a wedding at the marina & ended by a lovely cove. The sites all had close access to restroom facilities & they were expectantly clean. Everyone was very polite & having a great family time. We are planning our next trip in the very near future!