Camping opportunities near Plainfield, Indiana range from primitive forest sites to full-service RV parks within a 45-mile radius. The region's rolling hills and limestone terrain create diverse camping environments with elevations between 700-950 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds remain open from March through October, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Hiking trails: Morgan-Monroe State Forest offers multiple trail options including two over 10 miles long. "There are a lot of trails to hike 2 of them are over 10 miles (lower gap and three lakes). The Tecumseh trail (40 miles) starts in Morgan Monroe State Forest passes through Yellowwood State Forest and ends in the Hoosier national Forest," notes a visitor to Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Canoeing and kayaking: Sugar Creek provides water recreation opportunities at Turkey Run State Park. "Sugar Creek is also great for floating with inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks," explains a camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground. The suspension footbridge across Sugar Creek offers scenic views of the waterway.
Swimming and water features: Several campgrounds offer swimming options during summer months. "The splash pad / water park was fun, but was not a pool. It only goes to 3 feet so if you want to swim this is not for you. The water was cold but my kiddos finally got in and had fun on the slides," reports a camper at Indianapolis KOA.
Biking routes: The region offers varied cycling terrain from paved paths to forest roads. "We were there for two nights. We were working and we were grateful StarLink worked well. Husband was able to take his gravel bike out for a nice ride after work and I got in a nice little walk," mentions a visitor to Lieber State Recreation Area.
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: The less developed campgrounds provide a quieter experience. "We stayed for 4 nights and it was very quiet and relaxing. We attended a wedding at the Scottish Cathedral in the center of downtown Indy and from the campground, it was a nice drive into the city off the interstate that only took about 20 min," shares a camper at Lake Haven Retreat.
Cabin accommodations: For those seeking camping comfort without tents, cabins provide solid alternatives. "Loved our cabin so cozy," notes a visitor to Indianapolis KOA. Cabin options range from basic structures to those with additional amenities.
Balance of nature and activities: Some parks successfully combine natural settings with family activities. "Balance between kid fun and peaceful nature is actually on point here. It was beautiful and peaceful but still a blast for kids with the water, playground, and even horses to view (not for riding)," explains a KOA visitor.
Secluded sites: Forest campgrounds offer more privacy than urban options. "This campground is decent if you get one of the few good spots. Many sites are small and can only accommodate a tent. Has water and vault toilets. This campground typically remains available as an overflow camping area but is still a good spot," says a camper at Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
What you should know
Self-registration process: Some state forest campgrounds require campers to handle their own registration. "When you arrive set up at your site. Then you will need to go WITH EXACT CHANGE to the sign in at the main building. It's easy, there is a little box on the side of the firewood shed. Make sure you take your tag to mark your site," advises a visitor to Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Site limitations: Many campgrounds have specific size constraints. "We are RV campers and there are only about 5 sites we could get in to. Our camper is about 25' and it was tight get in and out of the campground. If you have a small camper (15' or smaller) there would more sites," reports a Morgan-Monroe State Forest camper.
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary significantly between locations. "The bathroom was in serious need of some improvements! Old, dark, leaky pipes," reports a camper at Indiana State Fairgrounds Campground. Check recent reviews before booking if facility quality is important.
Site terrain: Some campgrounds feature uneven ground. "The site was huge but given the unevenness it would be difficult for tents," notes a visitor to Turkey Run State Park about site #35.
Tips for camping with families
Trail difficulty considerations: Assess hiking trails based on child abilities and equipment. "We hiked Trail 3 with our dog, but we cut off early before the ladders using Trail 10. Our dog did pretty well in the section of Trail 3 before the ladders, and be prepared to get wet," advises a visitor to Turkey Run State Park.
Activity timing strategies: Plan visits to popular attractions during off-peak times. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon. Saturday we rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground," recommends a Turkey Run camper.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites based on surrounding vegetation and location. "The open, grassy area sites don't offer any privacy. If that's what you're looking for, try to get a wooded site on the outsides that back up to woods. The majority of those have a decent number of trees separating you from the site next to you," suggests a Turkey Run visitor.
Communal fire options: Some campgrounds feature shared fire areas rather than individual fire rings. "Clean campground. They have fire rings but they're communal not at each site," notes a camper at Indy Lakes Campground.
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: Power availability varies widely across campgrounds. "We had 50amp service and measured 119vac with both a/c units running," reports a Lake Haven Retreat visitor, indicating stable electrical service.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some locations. "The site was very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," shares a Turkey Run camper.
Dump station access: Larger rigs may struggle with some facilities. "The dump station hose did not have a connection to allow me to flush the blackwater holding tank," notes a visitor to Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Urban connectivity: Some campgrounds offer good access to city attractions. "This campground id minutes away from Luca Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. For an urban campground, it is better than others. It isn't scenic but if you want a safe place to stay and enjoy the city, this fits the bill," explains a Lake Haven visitor.
