Tent camping near Plainfield, Indiana offers access to both forested settings and lakefront experiences. The region sits at approximately 800 feet above sea level with hardwood forests defining much of the camping terrain. Seasonal temperatures range dramatically from summer highs in the 90s to winter camping requiring cold-weather gear, with most campgrounds maintaining open access from April through October.
What to do
Hiking along Three Lakes Trail: At Morgan-Monroe State Forest, visitors can access multiple trail systems including longer routes. As camper Ron H. notes, "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."
Lake activities with boat access: Riddle Point Park on Lake Lemon provides water access for tent campers. Nearby at Ransburg Scout Reservation, water activities abound: "Located on Monroe lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing," shares camper Margo B.
Wildlife observation throughout seasons: The area hosts diverse wildlife year-round. At Berry Ridge Road camping, one visitor recounted, "I assumed it was a pack of cayotes and they would leave once I started banging on stuff and primally yelling. Very spooky!" Tent campers frequently report deer sightings across multiple campgrounds, particularly during dawn and dusk hours.
What campers like
Privacy between tent sites: At Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping, the space between campsites is substantial. Camper Amber R. appreciated that her site was "Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far. There was no traffic or other people in site." Another camper, jacob, noted "mostly hills tons of camp spots sometimes half mile or more apart."
Water features and fishing access: Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort offers convenient lake access for tent campers. As Debbie S. shares, "This was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum. The lake is fabulous."
Natural features for exploration: The Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers unique geological attractions. Sarah R. discovered "The cave is amazing, and if you're interested in backwoods camping, there are an abundance of spaces to do so... I walked the creek for hours just looking at all the rocks on the sandbars. I have never encountered so many geodes in my life."
What you should know
Terrain challenges for tent placement: Many sites require careful selection for tent placement. At Morgan-Monroe State Forest, camper rickie F. mentioned being "slightly disappointed by the site selections being mostly on a slant, but we did find one on the overfill site that suited our needs."
Limited amenities at dispersed sites: Dispersed camping requires self-sufficiency. At Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping, camper Steven G. found "a quiet little lake/big pond in the Hoosier National Forest with a few spots to camp... On the weekends, the activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting."
Weather preparation needed: The region experiences significant seasonal variation. For Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Sarah R. warns, "The only negative was that we came after a lot of rain. So everything is permanently wet and mosquitos/ticks abounded."
Exact payment requirements: Several locations require precise payment methods. Rob R. advises Morgan-Monroe visitors, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly fishing opportunities: Pine Lake provides accessible fishing for younger campers, though Debbie S. cautions "there didn't seem to be too many fish available for catching!! Pretty place and fun for a laid back place to stay."
Playground access for children: Lake Waveland Park offers additional amenities for families. Nicole B. notes the campground has both "primitive and modern" options, and "They do have a beach. A few cabins for rent. Fireworks in July and Halloween for the whole family in October."
Youth-oriented programs: Ransburg Scout Reservation provides structured activities for families with children. Na J. observed, "Our Boy Scout troop enjoyed visiting this location. It was well maintained and the staff was helpful... The climbing wall was nice."
Off-peak visits recommended: Weekend crowds affect family camping experiences. At Sundance Lake, Steven G. observed "On the weekends, the activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting," suggesting weekday visits might better suit families with children.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations for RVs: Many campgrounds near Plainfield have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Don N. shares his experience: "My wife and were at site 15 from 09/02/21- 09/06/21 camping in a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108 TB. This park is not for large rigs, but we had no trouble fitting into our small camper."
Limited hookup availability: Full hookups are scarce in the region. Ron H. describes Morgan-Monroe as "not real RV friendly" explaining "If you have a small camper (15' or smaller) there would more sites. There is a dump station, but I barely got in to dump."
Gravel road access concerns: Accessing dispersed sites can challenge RVers. Amber R. reports about Berry Ridge Road, "Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far... I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times."
