Pendleton offers numerous camping opportunities within 30 miles of Indianapolis, with sites ranging from lakefront locations to wooded retreats. The area maintains average summer temperatures between 75-85°F from June through August, creating favorable conditions for outdoor recreation. Terrain features gently rolling hills with elevations between 800-900 feet above sea level throughout most camping areas.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: White River Campground connects to extensive trail networks suitable for all skill levels. According to David R., "This is a great campsite attached to a wonderful park with great trails." The adjacent Koteewi Park offers additional outdoor activities beyond hiking.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide lake and river access for anglers. Indy Lakes Campground centers its operations around fishing, with one visitor noting that while the "lakes are more like ponds," they're designed specifically for fishing enthusiasts with dedicated shore areas.
Water recreation: Hidden Paradise Campground features both river and quarry swimming options. A visitor explains, "A quarry full to swim with an aqua playground, with use of free life preservers, a creek to kayak or float and a clean campground!" Rental equipment is available for those without personal watercraft.
Special events: Spring Valley Camp Grounds hosts concerts throughout the camping season. As Erin S. mentions, "Really friendly staff. Love when they put concerts on. Love the swimming pool." The entertainment schedule typically runs from May through September.
Nearby attractions: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to Indianapolis attractions. As one visitor explains about Indianapolis KOA, it offers "20 minutes to downtown attractions," making it a practical base camp for exploring the city.
What campers like
Clean facilities: White River Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. According to Jeremiah G., "Bathrooms are decent. Playground is newly remodeled. Laundry onsite, wood for sale, and some wifi." Another camper, Anthony C., notes it's "always clean and very friendly staff."
Spacious sites: Multiple campgrounds offer room to spread out. Kristen S. says about White River Campground, "The sites are spacious, the water, sewer, and electric are good. All sites are paved, grounds are great to walk, campground people are nice."
Water features: Many campers appreciate the swimming and floating options during summer months. Christopher N. comments about Mystic Waters Campground: "Lake at the campground is great to float around in on a hot summer day." Similarly, Shane H. enjoys the "great spots up against the river" at White River Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds, pools, and organized activities make several campgrounds appealing for families. At Cornerstone Campground, Trevor N. found "tons of stuff for kids to do. Everyone was friendly. Facilities were well kept and very clean."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Caitlin W. advises about White River Campground: "Fills up fast, so make your reservation. It's small but one of my favorites."
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to major roads. David C. notes that at Mystic Waters Campground, "unfortunately not for tents as the highway 69 is too noisy. Also there are not a lot of trees."
Seasonal operation: Most glamping close to Pendleton, Indiana operates between April and October. Indianapolis KOA specifies a season from "March 1 to November 15," while Kamp Modoc runs from "April 15 to October 15."
Cost considerations: Premium amenities often come with additional fees. Lindsay K. found Hidden Paradise Campground "extremely overpriced" at "$48 per night" plus "$10-$15 per day per person" for quarry swimming access and "$100 per day" for golf cart rentals.
Wi-Fi limitations: Internet connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. One visitor to Indianapolis KOA reported "Wi-fi worked," while Jeremiah G. found at White River Campground that "wifi only reaches in sections A-B even though it's advertised as reaching the entire camp."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Multiple campgrounds offer kid-friendly swimming areas. Megan T. shares that Indianapolis KOA has a "splash pad / water park" that "only goes to 3 feet," noting "it was cold but my kiddos finally got in and had fun on the slides."
Activities beyond swimming: Look for campgrounds with diverse entertainment options. Amy H. found Kamp Modoc offered "many activities put on by the campground" during Memorial Day weekend, making it enjoyable "even though it was chilly and rainy."
Safety considerations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Hidden Paradise Campground, a visitor cautions that the quarry has "no lifeguard on duty, so be careful," though they do provide life preservers.
Convenience to attractions: Consider proximity to other activities. According to a Debbie S., Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort "was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum."
Tips from RVers
Site conditions: Many campgrounds provide level, paved sites for easy setup. Kathleen at Cornerstone Campground notes, "Lots are level and include a picnic table and fire pit, with nice space between sites."
Accessibility information: Different sections of campgrounds often have varying hookup options. Jeremiah G. explains that White River Campground is "divided up into A-B-C sections. A is accessible. B is full hookup with sewer and C is water/elec only and tent camping."
First-timer friendly: Some campgrounds cater well to newcomers. Marc and Patti B. shared about Hidden Paradise Campground: "It was our first night in our brand new RV. Our first RV. Wendy was awesome! She helped with the reservation, she greeted us when we arrived, she even called to make sure we were doing ok driving it the first day."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds can be difficult to navigate after dark. Douglas T. found at Hidden Paradise Campground that "site numbers were hard to see unless you walked up to each site with a flashlight" and "there should be a better way" to navigate in the dark.
