Camping sites near Salem, Indiana feature diverse topography with elevations ranging from 560 to 800 feet across Washington and Harrison counties. Most campgrounds sit within a mixed oak-hickory forest zone characteristic of southern Indiana, with limestone bedrock creating unique cave systems and water features. Winter camping remains available at most locations but temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March, requiring campers to plan for temperature fluctuations.
What to do
Boat on calm lakes: Hardy Lake at Shale Bluff Campground offers electric-motor-only boating on its 741-acre reservoir. "Kayaking was smooth. We enjoyed this camp," notes one visitor. The lake provides excellent fishing opportunities with multiple access points.
Cave exploration: Visit Marengo Cave near Salem to tour limestone caverns with guided tours. "I was really surprised that in my 30 years of living in Indiana, I had never been to Marengo Cave. It's both great for kids and adults... there are two different parts to explore: the dripslide caverns and the crystal palace cavern," a camper reports.
Hiking trails: Deam Lake State Recreation Area offers moderate hiking trails with lake views. A visitor mentions, "The Lake View trail was a good and tough hike. If you take young ones, be sure they will be self reliant. It can be very steep in some areas." Most trails range from 1-3 miles in length and connect directly to camping areas.
Historical sites: Explore pioneer history at Spring Mill State Park through its restored village. A visitor notes, "We will definitely visit Spring Mill again to take a cave tour by boat, and also visit the pioneer village." The pioneer village features working demonstrations during summer months.
What campers like
Lakefront campsites: At Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, waterfront sites provide direct lake access. A camper notes, "We stayed in site 21 which was right on the lake. All the lake front spots seem to have a good amount lakefront footage. We probably had at least 40 feet."
Fishing access: Buffalo Trace Park offers shoreline fishing with no motorized boats allowed. "Beautiful lake views. Staggered sites so everyone has space and views. The walk around the lake is lovely," mentions a visitor. The small lake supports bluegill, bass and catfish.
Clean facilities: Charlestown State Park maintains well-kept restrooms and concrete camping pads. "Campground was nice with concrete pads and full hookups. Campground was not heavily shaded, but we didn't mind that at all," reports one camper who spent five nights there.
Wildlife viewing: Hardy Lake features a unique raptor rehabilitation program. "This is a great State Park offering hiking, swimming, boating, skiing, camping, interpretive naturalist program and the only DNR property in the state of Indiana with a raptor rehabilitation program," shares a visitor.
What you should know
Site leveling required: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Buffalo Trace Park, a camper advises, "Make sure you have plenty of leveling blocks. We used all of ours and was not level."
Hookup locations: Delaney Creek Park has non-standard utility placement at some sites. One visitor cautions, "The electric and water hookups are not in standard locations for RV hookups. Make sure you bring an extension for your electric hookup, otherwise you might not be able to reach the post."
Lake conditions vary: Some lakes experience seasonal algae growth or weed issues. A camper at Buffalo Trace notes, "The lake was so shallow that it was hard to use my boat," while another mentions, "The lake is full of weeds making it hard to fish."
Booking challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. "If you want to rent one of the kayaks, get to the office right at 8 or they will be gone for the day," advises a Starve Hollow visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options: Delaney Creek Park offers family-friendly cabins. "Down in the hills and hollers, is this beautiful campground and park. This place is beautiful and breathtaking. Very clean and super friendly staff," a visitor comments about the overall experience.
Beach access: Many lakes feature designated swimming areas with varying amenities. At Starve Hollow, "The beach area was huge and there were a lot of playgrounds. Overall there was nothing bad to report," shares a camper.
Activity planning: Parks offer seasonal ranger programs. One Starve Hollow visitor recommends, "Don't forget to ask at the main gate if breakfast with the raptors will be happening if you are going to be there on a Saturday morning."
Cave tours for kids: Marengo Cave offers child-friendly tours. "A great stop to stay and check out the caves!" notes a family. The site also features gem mining and other activities designed specifically for children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA, choose sites based on size and power needs. "Sites are level, water is good, power is stable at 118 VAC. The sewer entry on our site is plain PVC so we had to use a foam doughnut to secure the elbow with 20' of hose," reports an RVer.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have steep entry roads. A camper at Delaney Creek warns, "The decent into this park is steep and the road is narrow. I think there is one section that is close to 8%, however it's short."
Wi-Fi availability: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "This campground offers high-speed Wi-Fi that actually works! The new owners upgraded last year and it's fabulous!" shares a KOA visitor, while at other parks cell service may be limited.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation. A visitor to Deam Lake notes, "Being the first weekend in April, the water wasn't turned on so there were no modern restrooms/shower houses available," highlighting the need to check which amenities remain operational during shoulder seasons.
