Best Campgrounds near Scottsburg, IN

Campgrounds around Scottsburg, Indiana feature a mix of established and primitive camping options, with several concentrated near Hardy Lake State Recreation Area. Wooster Campground at Hardy Lake offers both tent sites and RV hookups with lake access, while Shale Bluff Campground provides 150 electric sites with boat-in accessibility. Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA accommodates tents, RVs, and cabins with glamping options on 84 sites. Jackson Washington State Forest, located approximately 15 miles northwest of Scottsburg, provides more rustic camping experiences with limited amenities but access to forest trails.

Most campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, though facilities and services may be reduced during winter months. "This is a State Recreational Area in Southern Indiana by Scottsburg. It's small. The smallest reservoir the state manages, but it's a nice place to camp & boat," notes one camper about Hardy Lake. Water access represents a key feature of the region's camping, with multiple boat launches available at Hardy Lake and fishing opportunities throughout the area. Road conditions generally remain accessible for standard vehicles, with some campgrounds like Raintree Lake KOA specifically designed to accommodate larger RVs up to 55 feet in length with pull-through sites.

The waterfront camping areas receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with particular emphasis on the quality of lake access. Campers highlight the fishing opportunities, with one noting "fishing was fun" even when catches were limited. Sites at Hardy Lake's Shale Bluff campground provide varying levels of shade and privacy, with some campers recommending specific sites like "122" for its seclusion and partial lake views. Several reviews mention clean facilities and regular maintenance as standout features of the state-managed properties. Seasonal activities enhance the camping experience, with events like "Raptor Days" at Hardy Lake providing educational opportunities. Family-friendly amenities appear throughout the region's campgrounds, with Raintree Lake KOA offering amenities including a saltwater pool, mini-golf, and various yard games according to recent visitor reports.

Best Camping Sites Near Scottsburg, Indiana (121)

    1. Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Deputy, IN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 794-3800

    $23 / night

    "This is a State Recreational Area in Southern Indiana by Scottsburg. It's small. The smallest reservoir the state manages, but it's a nice place to camp & boat."

    "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."

    2. Charlestown State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Charlestown, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 256-5600

    $23 - $30 / night

    "We biked throughout the park and hiked 4 of the trails, 3 of which were pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge. "

    "It's a fairly new park on the site that used to be the Indiana Ammunition Plant. Good-sized sites with a very helpful staff. I hiked trail 2 and found the waterfall and several other gorgeous views."

    3. Clifty Falls State Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Madison, IN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 273-8885

    $16 - $25 / night

    "If you live outside of Indiana you have to pay a $9 entrance fee on top of the campground reservation fee, which makes for a pricey weekend trip for those on a budget."

    "No sewer or water hookup as you would expect at most Indiana State Parks. The sites are extremely spacious and plenty of sites with shade."

    4. Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA

    9 Reviews
    Scottsburg, IN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 752-4062

    $45 - $125 / night

    "https://jellystoneraintreelake.com/      4577 IN-56, Scottsburg, IN 47170   +18127524062"

    "The lake is GORGEOUS. Sites have mature trees, variety of singing birds. Really nice stay here as we were passing through."

    5. Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground

    25 Reviews
    Vallonia, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 358-3464

    $23 - $52 / night

    "There are lakeside camping lots. Also there are larger full hookup lots away from the lake"

    "Starve Hollow State Recreation Area is 280 acres that are adjacent to Jackson-Washington State Forest (18,000 acres)."

    6. Deam Lake State Recreation Area Campground

    18 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 246-5421

    $23 - $64 / night

    "I used this location as my FOB for a weekend of hiking in southern Indiana. The campground was nice."

    "Great sites close to the lake"

    8. Delaney Creek Park

    7 Reviews
    Vallonia, IN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 883-5101

    "There is a dump station at the exit. The only negative comment about this park is, every lot slopes down towards the lake."

    "Its at the start to a Fifty mile trail ( Knobstone Trail) or you can do the Delaney Loop in about 6 hours. ( 7.5 miles and 2000 ft elevation change ) a good challenge for all ages. trail is well marked"

    9. Jackson Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 294-4306

    "there’s parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. there are campsites along the trail just have to find them"

    10. Jackson Washington State Forest

    6 Reviews
    Brownstown, IN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 358-2160

    $13 / night

    "There are some awesome hiking trails here, they are very rugged for Indiana lots of hills. J-W offers some real pretty views."

    "The campsite was right near the lake which provided a perfect view. There was a picnic table and fire ring for only 13 dollars."

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Recent Reviews near Scottsburg, IN

732 Reviews of 121 Scottsburg Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Louisville North Campground

    Koa Jeff

    Friendly . Shower was dirty water never got hot. The woman told us we couldn't hook up our water cuz it wasn't pressure at site. That we needed go buy a px to put on water hookup . Which I never have to have at other sites. It cost more than motel does..

  • J
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping

    Disbursed camping at its Indiana best

    Free disbursed camping at its best in Indiana. Not another soul camped within earshot. Clean site. Gravel pad for vehicle. Green grass for tent. 14 day limit. No reservations needed or available. Just show up and camp if a site is open. This site was very well marked.

  • Jon R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Nighthawk Forest

    Nighthawk Forrest Sept 2024

    Great little campground with accessible trails and small pond. I had a primitive site with pad. Nestled in the trees gave off nice shade. They have showers and ice available (but didn’t know about the ice until I was checking out). About 15 minutes from Patoka Lake. I would recommend this campground if in the area.

  • Dave C.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Follow The River RV Resort

    Don't ask for a refund if you can't park there!

    The manager at this RV park assaulted me and snatched my iPhone out of my hand! Are you kidding me?? The video was edited(shortened) because these review sites won't allow anything more than 30 seconds. BUT what was said by both of us beforehand and afterwards doesn't matter. The fact is she's supposed to be the professional and she not only called me a"d*ck" and an"a**hole", but she proceeded to violently take my phone out of my hand and refused to give it back. I ultimately talked her into giving it back but WHO DOES THIS? She later actually punched me in the face. Yeah! Right in the face. But unfortunately, the video started and when she got on me, I guess I accidentally hit the stop button I was so scared. What was I scared of? Because, in the professions I've had, you learn that people are capable of anything. I didn't know if she was armed. I know I wasn't. I called 911 and am going to pursue the prosecution of her for assaulting a person over 60 yrs old, which is a felony. These types of animals do not need to be on our streets much less managing a nice RV park. This all came about because the sewer pipe on my motorhome is only 5" off the ground when parked. The lot she gave me has a sewer inlet pipe that sits over a foot off the ground meaning the feces would have to flow uphill to work. When I pointed this out, this manager said,"that's your problem, you'll have to figure it out". When I asked for a refund, she said no way and started in on my calling me vulger names(she did this several times). What professional person dealing with the public does this? She also refused to move me to another site saying she doesn't have any, but anyone can look around and see the park is not even half full- so, that's a lie. Annndddd, there's more! But I'll be posting every day on this site(and many others), so I’ll address more tomorrow and in the coming days and weeks.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground

    Festival Fun!

    We stayed here for the 1st Annual HikerFest and had a blast! 106 of our little Hikers took up the majority of the park. The full-timers that stay here for the season were very kind and cordial; freely giving of advice on local attractions to see and things to do during our stay. The museum was really interesting! They gave a great tour with lots of stories about country legends. The bath house was clean and tidy. The showers were ok. Porta-potties throughout the campground, not so much… Campsites are close together and without privacy, some more level than others. Try to grab a spot near the trees for a bit of shade. Great music. Awesome weekend!

  • Kyle H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Scottsburg/Raintree Lake KOA

    Great Campground

    Quick two night stay for us but although our first time here was short we will certainly be back. Campground is clean and very well maintained. Owners are very involved and run things very thoughtfully.

    They were able to accommodate our 44ft 5th wheel and navigating to the site was simple. Can’t wait to come back and visit.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping

    Camping area

    National forest area with 3ish campsites one of which can accommodate a vehicle. Wooded so no solar or starlink. Small lake nearby with what looks like some trails.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Taylor Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    Nice Trails & Big Campsites

    I had a great time camping here. The spots in Taylor ridge were mostly well-spaced and felt pretty private. The pit toilets were clean and the showers were nice. Busy campground but it was very quiet still. 262 was the biggest and most private site I saw when walking around. 260 is a pull through site.

  • Patrick T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Hones Pointe Campground

    Amazing camp site

    Wonderful campsite. They put a lot of time and thought into this property. It’s truly incredible.


Guide to Scottsburg

Camping near Scottsburg, Indiana, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Clifty Falls State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The trails were really great! The wooded hiking trails helped keep us comfortable."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Patoka Lake Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A camper shared, "This campground is by far cheaper than the other DNR sites and way better."
  • Wildlife Watching: Big Bone Lick State Park Campground is known for its bison prairie. One reviewer noted, "A well-groomed campground surrounded by a museum, bison prairie, hiking trails & other outdoor activities."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Charlestown State Park Campground. A visitor remarked, "Clean and quiet. Very nice park. Clean restrooms and showers."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground. One camper said, "Plenty of room for camper and car, big grass area and nice bathhouse."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpful staff at Hardin Ridge. A review stated, "Staff are very friendly and helpful."

What you should know:

  • Busy Weekends: Expect crowds during summer weekends at Paynetown Campground. One camper noted, "This is known in Indiana as a party park. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend."
  • Leveling Issues: Some sites may require leveling, especially at Clifty Falls State Park Campground. A visitor mentioned, "Most of the sites will require some extra leveling."
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service at many campgrounds. A camper at Buffalo Ridge Campground said, "Pay attention to your campsite for slope and camper accessibility."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Charlestown State Park Campground has great trails and playgrounds, as one parent noted, "My children loved all the playgrounds around the state park."
  • Plan for Wildlife: Keep food secured to avoid raccoon visits, especially at Taylorsville Lake State Park Campground. A camper warned, "Put ALL your food away! These raccoons are bold and abundant."
  • Check Amenities: Make sure the campground has clean bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Starve Hollow State Rec Area mentioned, "The bathrooms and showers were clean."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for level sites to avoid issues with your RV. A camper at Paynetown Campground noted, "The sites on the outer areas are not very level."
  • Electric Hookups: Ensure your site has electric hookups, especially at Hardin Ridge. One reviewer said, "There are 4 loops with 30 & 50 amp."
  • Dump Station Access: Be aware of the dump station's location and accessibility. A camper at Patoka Lake Campground mentioned, "4 dump stations at exit but still lines due to sheer number of sites."

Camping near Scottsburg, Indiana, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Scottsburg, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Scottsburg, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 121 campgrounds and RV parks near Scottsburg, IN and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Scottsburg, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Scottsburg, IN is Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Scottsburg, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Scottsburg, IN.

What parks are near Scottsburg, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Scottsburg, IN that allow camping, notably Hoosier National Forest and Monroe Lake.