The Ohio River Valley region offers varied camping options near Rome, Indiana, a small unincorporated community in Perry County. Located about 40 miles east of Evansville at approximately 450 feet elevation, this area features humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F from June through August. Campsites along the Ohio River provide waterfront views while inland locations offer more wooded settings with greater shade coverage.
What to do
Water activities at Nolin Lake: Visitors at Wax - Nolin River Lake enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing during summer months. "Pack your yak, fishing gear and sunscreen cause it is the perfect water oriented campground," reports one camper, while another mentions "Sunset over the lake was spectacular and we loved watching all the birds here."
Holiday World access: Families camping at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph appreciate the proximity to the adjacent theme park. "We love coming here annually for Mother's Day weekend. This campground has a lot to offer but is focused for seasonal camping. A lot of amenities and the town is fun to sight see," notes one visitor. Another adds, "There is plenty to do here for the entire family... plus it has Holiday World right next door!"
Hiking options: The Shady Creek Trail at Moutardier Campground provides a two-mile route through forested terrain. "There is also a two mile hike that is in the campground called Shady Creek Trail. It looked like it had not been hiked in a while but it went through woods, small stream and had a cool rock formation at one part," according to a camper review.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Many reviewers praise the riverside camping at Horseshoe Bend RV Campground. "Great views of the Ohio River and an occasional barge," notes one camper. The level gravel sites accommodate large rigs and provide a front-row view of river traffic.
Clean facilities: Multiple reviews highlight well-maintained grounds at Dog Creek Campground. "A wonderful campground with electric, water, dump station. Nolan Lake is beautiful. Campground extremely well maintained, quiet," reports one visitor. Another notes "very clean bathrooms" and appreciates that "sites each have a fire ring, nice picnic table, and extra 'cooking' table."
Themed events: Halloween weekends receive particular praise at multiple campgrounds in the region. "We went to Lake Rudolph for their Halloweekends and it is a one of a kind experience. They have so many activities for the kids such as hayrides, a DJ, pumpkin carving, and so many other things throughout the day! It was so neat seeing the campsites and golf carts decorated and lit up at night," explains a seasonal visitor.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At many campgrounds, location within the park significantly impacts experience. At Brooks RV Park, visitors note "Nice sized sites, reasonable priced compared to the KOA, all good full hookups, nicely kept, and most importantly it is in a safe country setting surrounded by large trees and on a dead end road."
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, making water access desirable. "The water was warm and calm. It is off the beaten path and you are about 30 min from a grocery store, so make sure you stock up before you go," advises one Wax camper.
Reservation timing: Peak season weekends fill rapidly, particularly at themed events. Holiday weekends at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph should be booked 6-12 months in advance. One visitor noted, "We stayed from Friday-Monday and 10/10 recommend. We stayed in a tent camp site. Having electric and water was nice."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds offer recreational facilities designed for children. "Lake Rudolph is a fun park to visit, you can rent RVs if you don't have your own camper. They also have golf cart rental if you want to cruise around the park," notes one family.
Swimming access: During hot summer months, lake access provides cooling relief. At Dog Creek, one visitor reports, "Good for boaters as there is a nice sand bank to pull your boat up to," while another mentions the campground is "awesome" with a "lake perfect for swimming, boating, or kayaking."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Families enjoy bird watching at various campgrounds. At Wax campground, "Right from our camps we could see a trip of Redheaded Woodpeckers playing as well as a mama Northern Flicker feeding her babies. We even saw a giant Pileated Woodpecker!"
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require equipment for leveling. At Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph, "Our spot was great and didn't require much leveling. We did get a deluxe spot. However we only got the spot because at the others were sold out. Many of the other Spots were on hills and right on top of each other."
Site dimensions: RV campers should verify site sizes before booking. At Moutardier Campground, sites are "strategically stacked in each loop. Close but angled so you see a lot of your neighbors but a lot of scenery too." The concrete pads at several parks accommodate larger rigs, though turning radius varies by location.
Utility hookups: Full hookup availability differs between campgrounds. At Horseshoe Bend, "The campground was very clean and well maintained with gravel sites that were fairly level. Full hookups with 50 amp or 30 amp available. The sites could accommodate up to 5th wheel rigs."
