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Camping near Reelsville, IN
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Reelsville, Indiana provides access to several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Lieber State Recreation Area and Cecil M. Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area. These public recreation areas feature a mix of tent and RV camping options with varying levels of amenities. Most campgrounds in this region offer electric hookups, drinking water, and fire rings, while several also provide full hookup sites with sewer connections. The camping landscape includes both wooded sites with natural shade and more open areas designed primarily for RVs, giving campers choices based on their preferred camping style and equipment needs.
Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences in the Reelsville area, with most campgrounds operating year-round but offering reduced services during winter months. Summer weekends typically see higher occupancy rates, especially at waterfront sites near Cagles Mill Lake and Cecil M. Harden Lake. Reservations are recommended during peak season (May through September) and for holiday weekends. The terrain throughout the region features rolling hills and wooded areas, with some campgrounds situated along lakeshores. Cell service varies by location and carrier, with more remote areas experiencing limited connectivity. As one camper noted, "Lieber State Recreation Area is west down I70 from Indianapolis, 2 miles down RT243. We arrived to a very quiet campground with few campers. Our site was next to the showerhouse, in the trees and had an attached grass trail out the back."
Campgrounds in the Reelsville area receive positive reviews for their wooded settings and access to outdoor recreation. Turkey Run State Park Campground, though slightly farther away, stands out for its unique hiking experiences through sandstone ravines and along Sugar Creek. Campers frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere at most area campgrounds, with playgrounds and open spaces for children. Reviews indicate that sites along lake edges tend to be most popular, particularly at Lieber State Recreation Area. Privacy between campsites varies considerably, with some campgrounds offering more secluded options than others. Several visitors have noted issues with raccoons at some campgrounds, particularly at Turkey Run, where proper food storage is essential. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers appreciate the mix of natural settings and convenient amenities, with many mentioning the clean facilities and helpful staff at state-operated campgrounds.
Best Campgrounds near Reelsville (108)
1. Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
"Raccoon State Recreation Area | Cecil M Harden Lake is located in the heart of historic covered bridge country just 50 miles West of Indianapolis."
"There are multiple boat ramps for easy access to the water. I met a friend there who is a resident of Indianapolis and we had a great time on the water."
from $14 - $62 / night
Check Availability2. Sky Smith
"Cagles Mill Lake borders the southwestern side of the area. We arrived to a very quiet campground with few campers."
"Each campsite is spacious and has plenty of space away from your neighbors. There was plenty of shade even though our pad wasn't tucked back in the woods."
from $23 - $42 / night
Check Availability3. Turkey Run State Park Campground
"Turkey Run is arguably the most popular campground (and state park) in Indiana and has its pros and cons."
"Much enjoyed hiking some of the trails at Turkey Run State Park near Marshall, Indiana. This is Indiana's 2nd oldest state park, now 100 years old (1916-2016)."
from $20 - $52 / night
Check Availability4. Terre Haute Campground
"This campground is great proximity to I-70 for an easy on/off the interstate and just outside of downtown Terre Haute (approximately eight miles). The park is nice and shady with large trees."
"It was an interesting drive to the CG off I-70 through 2 traffic circles and into the CG as it's close to I-70 but not right off the highway. There was good signage to the CG."
from $40 - $999 / night
Check Availability5. Happy Campers Campground
"On a lake stocked with fish. Port-a-potty and shower house available."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability6. Cloverdale RV Park
"This easy-access-from-the-highway RV park is really nice. The spots are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING (no…seriously), the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific."
7. Cagles Mill Lake
"This wonderful hidden gem is 14 miles away from McCormick's Creek State Park. It is a DNR state operated and has some pretty cool fishing. It was family-approved by my kin."
from $10 - $30 / night
Check Availability8. Rockville Lake County Park
"Only sites are next to us. Woods behind and open grass and field in front of this site. Disc golf course is awesome, in the woods, up and down ravine. 18 holes plus practice basket."
"That spot has a trail behind it to go down to a little dock which seems like many other people may use the trail, so probably won't use that site when it gets busy."
from $25 / night
Check Availability9. Shades State Park Campground
"Canopied by the big beautiful Indiana trees. Close to some good hiking trails."
"Located north of turkey run state park shades offers all the hiking and scenic terrain with less amenities and less crowds. Sugar creek cuts through the ancient sandstone floor creating canyon walls."
from $14 - $25 / night
Check Availability10. Rattlesnake
Drive Time
- 27 min from Terre Haute, IN
- 49 min from Indianapolis, IN
- 52 min from Bloomington, IN
- 1 hr 21 min from Lafayette, IN
Recent Camping Photos near Reelsville, IN
212 Photos of 108 Reelsville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Happy Campers CampgroundJ
Sky SmithA
Misty Morning Campground
Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
Hawthorn County Park
Rockville Lake County Park
Terre Haute Campground
Peaceful Waters Campground
Mccormick's Creek State Park Campground
Lake Waveland Park
Turkey Run State Park Campground
Turkey Run Canoe & Camping
Recent Reviews near Reelsville, IN
645 Reviews of 108 Reelsville Campgrounds
LDS Sister H.
GuideFriends O' Mine Campground & Cabins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our First RV Home Has Been Such a Blessing!
My husband and I absolutely loved our first few months here at Friends O' Mine Campgrounds & Cabins as first-time RV owners with our Class A RV.
We downsized from our 5-bedroom home in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. We sold our home and I followed my Husband back here to Indiana after he received a wonderful career opportunity. My Husband is a Veteran, 🇺🇸 and after moving to Nashville, Indiana, we had immediately fallen in love with this small town - where we respected and admired the way Nashville reminds us of where we had just moved from in Missouri.
We stayed at Grand Wood Suites for six months, after paying for a hotel, all while continuously paying for our two large storage units, as well as our mortgage payment and then rent for most of the beginning of this year; so, we decided to downsize to save money to buy land sooner, instead of continuing to rent. 🏕️ We already loved camping - we started with a pop-up camper on the 🔝 of our Jeep and camped dozens of times, then traded up to a pop-up camper. So we used what we had in savings, bought our Class A RV, donated our pop-up camper, and came to Friends O' Mine - and it was the best decision!
From day one, the other campers have been so friendly, as are the nice employees and amazing owners. They truly make you feel like family. They set up weekly entertainment that brings the whole campground together around the campfire - there is a huge fire in the middle with six porch swings attached to a massive gazebo and veranda surrounding it. It's incredibly cozy and just inviting you to join in.
We've enjoyed live musical singers entertaining us around the campfire all evening, and we were invited to watch a documentary about a local racecar driver in their indoor recreational room, right next to the indoor laundry facilities.
There is also a subterranean pool that my Husband and I enjoyed swimming in almost every day during our first month here - it was very relaxing and refreshing!
One of our favorite parts has been our peaceful, nighttime walks around the large, well-stocked catch-and-release pond. My Husband and I hold hands together and walk around it at sunset almost every evening. It's so serene and calming to hear the sounds of the water and feel the beautiful Autumn breeze.
This has been a very relaxing, enjoyable, and heartwarming experience for us. If you are looking for a clean, friendly, peaceful, and welcoming place to stay - whether for a weekend or for a season - we cannot recommend Friends O' Mine Campgrounds & Cabins enough. We are so grateful we found it!
Kaley A.GuideBuffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
We absolutely LOVED this park! It was hands down our favorite of this year. We camped at site 100 and it has a neighbor on one side and behind while the other side was a huge open space. It is in the center of a loop. It was mostly level. There was some minor doming to the site but not bad at all. It was a busy camp ground but not as crowded (sites not on top of each other) as some I’ve been in. The outsides of the loops did have more space between and privacy but could be smaller or more sloped, it just really depended. The bathrooms and showers were cleaner than some of the other state parks we have been to, so much so my 11 year old son mentioned it. The park itself is absolutely gorgeous. The hiking trails (which is what we usually go for) were nice but I believe that the biking trails were actually more scenic than the hiking trails and a lot more rugged. We liked trail 8 starting from the west lookout tower and stopping at Hesitation Point for lunch/break/bathroom. Trail 6 was also a pretty, rugged, shorter trail. The Nature Center was also nicer than a lot of the others we have been to in the state. We did choose to do horseback riding at the stables. We showed up about 5 minutes after opening and were able to pay and told to come back in an hour and 45 minutes. That didn’t bother us since we had the time but if you are on a tighter schedule, the earlier the better. We also went into Nashville and it was a very cute town to visit. Well decorated for Halloween, very walkable, and a little something for almost everyone. Prices were about what I would expect for a tourist town but not terrible. I also have T-Mobile and had pretty good service almost everywhere in the park.
Greta H.
TravelerTerre Haute Campground
Such a fun magical spot with kiddos
We were only here for one night as we are passing through, however we loved this little spot. They have so much fun and activities for the kiddos in addition to a little ice cream parlor and pizza shop. We loved it!
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.
LegendBill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground
Fun Event Location
We stayed for the weekend during a Campout event. Lots of fun seeing all of our camping buddies. I don’t think we would camp here otherwise as it isn’t really our type of camping. Sites are close together, so don’t expect privacy. Porta potties had not been serviced from their previous event… needless to say, it was foul. The country music museum was pretty cool. The guide was very knowledgeable!
- TTanner P.Traveler
Hawthorne Park campground
Nice camp
A bunch of shade and nice staff
jennifer S.GuideLakeside Campground — Lincoln Trail State Park
Forested sites
Stayed at site 1 in lakeside campground with our 31' RV, Got here on Wednesday and left Friday morning. We were only ones in this campground. Other campground had visitors but not crowded at all. Hosts were super nice and helpful. The bathroom with flush toilets and showers was in the other campground. Short walk or bike ride away. Beautiful lake. We paddle boarded all Thursday afternoon. Only ones on the lake. All I can say is this lake is absolutely beautiful. Were heading west from Ohio and would highly recommend staying here.
- SkywaystoHighways.com Y.Legend
Shades State Park Campground
Nice, but….
Nice halfway point for our road trip to Door County. We stayed here the week after Labor Day. Not sure if park staff had enough time to clean the grounds after the busy holiday weekend… There was a disappointing amount of litter at our site. We had remove the various cans, plastic bottles and ice pack out of our fire ring and the surrounding wooded area was full of more of the same including a full trash bag of garbage. And speaking of full… the pit toilets…There’s a $15 out of state fee above the $25 p/night charge. There’s only one shower for the park so be prepared. The amount of gnats and mosquitoes had us running for cover. The staff we encountered here, we’re cordial and friendly.
- OOwen L.Scout
Hoosier Dispersed Camping
Ticks Ahoy !
This is not great camping . There are paved roads and private property all throughout the majority of the “National Forest” and “Wilderness”. People speed down these roads at 40mph in the middle of the night . The campsites are littered with glass and trash . As we were driving out , we passed a campfire that was not extinguished properly . It is clear that the local communities do not maintain or respect this land .
Also - there are ticks , beware
Guide to Reelsville
Camping options near Reelsville, Indiana range from densely wooded sites to open lakefront locations across several state recreation areas. The region features gently rolling hills with elevations between 600-850 feet above sea level, creating natural drainage that helps campsites dry quickly after rain. Summer temperatures typically reach 81-84°F in July and August, with overnight lows in the 60s, making tent camping comfortable with proper gear.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cecil M. Harden Lake at Raccoon State Recreation Area offers bank fishing and boat access. "This place is so beautiful! We stayed in the hideaway loop and it was perfect. Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right. The hiking trails were pretty, not very rugged. Scenery was nice on the trails," notes Stacey S.
Swimming options: Both lake beaches and pool facilities are available within a 30-minute drive. "I loved this camp ground, there was a beach which was nice and a building to get food. They have a basketball court, and a few trails. We stayed Thurs thru Sunday and had a very nice time," says Staci J. about Raccoon Lake.
Disc golf course: Rockville Lake County Park features an 18-hole course through wooded terrain. "Disc golf course is awesome, in the woods, up and down ravine. 18 holes plus practice basket. Hole 1 starts by primitive sites closer to beach. Ask for a disc golf map at gatehouse," explains Smeeta T.
Hiking trails: The region's hiking options include both easy nature walks and more challenging terrain. "Very flat and ideal for bike riding," notes Amy C. about Lieber State Recreation Area, while more challenging options exist at nearby state parks.
What campers like
Modern bathrooms: Several campgrounds receive positive comments for their facilities. "The bathrooms were super clean-ish but I couldn't get the showers to be not cold. The site was nice and level," reports Moriah C. about her stay at Lieber State Recreation Area.
Quiet camping experience: Weekday stays typically offer more solitude. "We arrived to a very quiet campground with few campers. Plenty of outdoor activities," notes Shirley M., who appreciated the peaceful environment at Lieber's Poplar Grove campground.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to observe local wildlife. "Be prepared for the Raccoons and tons of fun! Beautiful lake with several nearby places to rent boat's! Beautiful, peaceful campsites with a lot of shade!" warns Sharon T. about Cecil M. Harden Lake.
Social atmosphere: For those seeking community, certain campgrounds foster interaction. "Very social campground, but respectful and quiet after dark. Really enjoyed our summer evening there," reports Brett B. about his experience at Lieber State Recreation Area.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds and carriers. "We really enjoyed our visit to Raccoon Lake. Plenty of places to hike, awesome beach, clean restrooms. No cell service but who needs it!" mentions Joe M.
Limited privacy: Some campgrounds have minimal separation between sites. "Although our campsite was large, there was absolutely no privacy. It was as if we were camping in a field. The site was grassy and clean," notes Amy C. about her stay at Lieber State Recreation Area.
Water access issues: Not all campsites have convenient water connections. "Probably the most favorite site we have ever had.. but.. despite the fact that we chose our site based on being next to water.. they have the spickets hacked off. So you couldn't attach a hose," explains Shannon C.
Site unevenness: Turkey Run State Park Campground and others have variable terrain. "We took our van and stayed at Turkey Run for a three night weekend. We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167," advises Samantha S.
Tips for camping with families
Seasonal activities: Lieber State Recreation Area offers special events for children. "We love going to this park several times a year. We especially like camping in the fall for their Goblins weekend," shares Timothy B., mentioning their Halloween celebrations.
Beach preference: For families choosing between water recreation options. "The lake has absolutely no shade, so bring an umbrella. The pool was excellent! Skip the lake and enjoy the pool," recommends Amy C.
Playground access: Multiple playgrounds cater to different age groups. "This was my family's first time camping here and our first time using our camper. Very easy to park sites, from what I could tell. The park staff were super friendly and very helpful," notes Josh H. about his experience at Rockville Lake County Park.
Wildlife precautions: Proper food storage is essential. "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns Samantha S. about Turkey Run State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for level sites when booking. "Great place to camp, can be flooded at times, some of the sites have a huge inclines or declines, allot of sites reserved way in advanced. There is a few pull throughs, no water hook ups at site," advises Dave R. about Raccoon State Recreation Area.
Water hookup variations: Not all sites with "water" have direct connections. "Full hook up sites are very limited with minimal shade. Remainder of campground is nearly always shaded," explains Carey R. about Rockville Lake County Park.
Alternative options: For RVers seeking private campgrounds, Terre Haute Campground offers accessibility. "We stopped for one night on our trip from DC to southwestern CO. The area is clean, well-managed and has the look of a nice neighborhood of campers in the trees," reports Steve A.
Extension cords needed: Some campgrounds have shared utilities. "Sharing of water and electric between two sites, so come prepared with extensions for water and electric," suggests Smeeta T. based on her experience at Rockville Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Reelsville, IN?
What camping is available near Reelsville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Reelsville, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Reelsville, IN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Reelsville, IN?
Which is the most popular campground near Reelsville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Reelsville, IN is Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Reelsville, IN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Reelsville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Reelsville, IN.
What parks are near Reelsville, IN?
What parks are near Reelsville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Reelsville, IN that allow camping, notably Cecil M. Harden Lake and Monroe Lake.
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