Camping options near Scottsburg, Indiana provide access to the rolling hills of southern Indiana. The region features several state forests and recreation areas within a 30-mile radius, with elevations ranging from 500 to 900 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers milder conditions with temperatures between 50-70°F.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation changes: Charlestown State Park Campground offers several challenging trails that feature significant elevation changes. "Spent 5 nights at Charlestown State Park in mid-September 2020. 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," shared one visitor.
Historical exploration: Visit the Rose Island ruins at Charlestown State Park Campground. "Rose Island is very cool- Haunting but sublime. The paved trail to see Rose Island is about 1/2 mile long hill that is very steep in parts," notes a camper. The trail takes you to the remains of a 1920s amusement park destroyed in a flood.
Outdoor archery practice: Jackson Washington State Forest maintains an archery range that receives positive reviews from visitors. "The archery range is great. We have been going here for a few years and it's never disappointing," commented one regular visitor. The range is typically open during daylight hours and provides targets at various distances.
What campers like
Secluded lake access: Hardy Lake State Recreation Area offers waterfront camping with direct boat access. "The Wooster Bay primitive area allows campers to moor their boats overnight. It has a very relaxed atmosphere," explains one visitor. The primitive area includes basic amenities while maintaining a quieter atmosphere compared to the electric campground.
Seasonal swimming options: O'Bannon Woods State Park maintains a swimming pool with additional water features. "Pool was very nice with a splash pad and two water slides (42" height requirement) and a small concession stand," notes a camper. The pool typically operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Varied accommodation choices: Delaney Creek Park provides multiple camping styles within one property. "Camp how you like, from Primitive to Glam-ping. Its at the start to a Fifty mile trail (Knobstone Trail) or you can do the Delaney Loop in about 6 hours," writes a visitor. The park offers both waterfront and wooded sites for different camping preferences.
What you should know
Seasonal access to amenities: Water access and some facilities at state parks operate on limited schedules. "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 visitor to Starve Hollow State Recreation Area.
Campsite elevation variations: Prepare for uneven terrain at many local campgrounds. "Sites for RVs are concrete and you will need to level some on all of them," notes a camper at Delaney Creek Park. Many sites throughout the region have slopes requiring additional leveling equipment.
Entrance fees beyond camping costs: Some parks charge daily entrance fees in addition to camping rates. A camper at Charlestown State Park Campground observed, "Be aware of an additional $9 fee at the gate besides the camp fee." These fees typically support park maintenance and conservation efforts.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: State parks in the region typically offer several play areas. "There are a lot of playgrounds. Campground roads and campsite were well labeled, clean and electric was in working order," reports a visitor to O'Bannon Woods State Park. Many playgrounds are located near shower houses for convenience.
Year-round education centers: Jefferson Memorial Forest provides nature programming throughout the year. "Lots of trails ranging from 1.5 to 13.0 miles through gorgeous mixed forest of old and new growth deciduous and coniferous hardwoods," notes a regular visitor. The education center offers wildlife displays and scheduled programs for children.
Beach areas for water play: Starve Hollow State Recreation Area maintains a designated swimming area. "The beach area was huge and there were a lot of playgrounds. Overall there was nothing bad to report," commented a camper. Swimming areas typically include roped-off sections for different age groups and abilities.
Tips from RVers
Utility hookup locations: Pay attention to the placement of hookups at each site. "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," advises a visitor to Delaney Creek Park.
Technical assistance availability: Some glamping locations in Scottsburg, Indiana provide on-site maintenance support. "They even have an on-site RV Tech that works for them who helped us fix our hot water heater. Very professional young man," reports a camper who appreciated this service during their stay.
Site dimensions for larger units: Many campgrounds have limited capacity for extended rigs. A visitor to General Butler State Park noted, "Heads up to check the map and Google Earth when booking. Some sites have a lot of room and others are super close to neighboring sites." Researching specific site dimensions before booking prevents arrival complications.
