Camping opportunities near Seymour extend into diverse terrain beyond the rolling hills mentioned in most guides. The area sits at elevations ranging from 550 to 900 feet, with limestone formations creating distinctive terrain features throughout nearby state forests. Late summer temperatures average 85°F with humidity levels often exceeding 70%, affecting camping comfort particularly at lower-elevation sites.
What to do
Water recreation access: Multiple lakes: Hardy Lake at Shale Bluff Campground offers diverse activities including paddling and fishing. "Kayaking was smooth. We enjoyed this camp," notes Rusty R., while another visitor mentions "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."
Wildlife viewing: Raptor program: Hardy Lake's unique bird of prey rehabilitation center draws many visitors. "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," advises Aleta C., providing specific timing for this educational program.
Hiking: Variable terrain: Jackson Washington State Forest offers more challenging trails than other nearby parks. "The property offers several stunning hiking trails and some are of the more challenging nature due to the elevation changes," notes one camper. Another mentions "I went hiking here and it was sort of rugged," highlighting the 16,500-acre forest's distinctive terrain.
What campers like
Free dispersed camping: Privacy: Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping provides no-cost alternatives to established campgrounds. "Multiple campsites in the area, I've stayed at two both of which were away from others, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn," writes Jeremy F. Another camper appreciated that "each site is fairly far apart. It's really quite only seen a handful of cars drive by and I've stayed here for 2 nights."
Lake views: Premium waterfront sites: Many campers value water proximity at Starve Hollow State Rec Area. "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," reports Martin M., giving specific measurements for site planning.
Shower facilities: Varying quality: Clean bathroom facilities receive consistent mentions in reviews. At Buffalo Ridge Campground, "Toilets and bathhouses of varying age and quality, though the ones we experienced were excellent!" While another camper specifically noted "Very nice and clean bathrooms/showers."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Fall crowds: Autumn brings significant visitor increases to the best places to camp near Seymour, Indiana. "The park is in close proximity to the artist village of Nashville, shopping, good dining and groceries. Autumn is the heavy tourist season with the changing of the leaves," notes a visitor to Buffalo Ridge Campground.
Weather impacts: Site flooding: Some campgrounds experience drainage issues after rain. At Starve Hollow, one camper noted "some campsites flood easy," suggesting site selection matters during wet periods.
COVID-19 policy enforcement: Different campgrounds handled pandemic protocols with varying strictness. One camper at Starve Hollow observed in 2020: "Since July 2020, the Governor of the State of Indiana has mandated face coverings in indoor areas and in outside spaces where social distancing is not possible (and signs are posted everywhere). During our three-day-stay, we did not see any DNR staff at the gatehouse, the campground store, or a conservation officer complying with wearing a mask."
Campground upgrades: Ongoing work: At Clifty Falls State Park, "a few sites were recently concreted, but many haven't seen gravel in years," indicating improvement efforts vary across parks.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Beach vs. pool: Several campgrounds near Seymour offer water recreation specifically designed for families. At CERA Sports Corporation, "Pool area is super nice with a waterslide, diving boards and a unique rock climbing wall in the deep end. My kids always look forward to this campground." This facility differs from lake beaches found at state parks.
Kid-focused activities: Programming variety: Scheduled activities enhance family camping experiences. "The naturalists hosted a very good talk on raptors, with a guest star, a bald eagle," noted one visitor to Hardy Lake's Shale Bluff Campground.
Weekend entertainment: Campground events: Many campgrounds offer structured weekend activities. "They offer activities on the weekends, especially for kids," notes a Shale Bluff Campground visitor, while a CERA visitor mentioned "We spent a week there and the kids never got bored. Everyone had a blast."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Bring blocks: Many campsites require additional equipment for proper RV setup. At Clifty Falls, "Site 22 was so sloped our red levelers barely made it work," highlighting the importance of leveling equipment at campgrounds near Seymour.
Electric options: Varied amperage: Most campgrounds offer multiple hookup configurations. At Berry Ridge Road, one camper noted "Some sites, at least one, could fit a pretty good sized camper," while another visitor to Starve Hollow detailed "The full hook-up sites are spacious with most offering a nice tree canopy. A large number of electric only sites are bordering the 145-acre Starve Hollow Lake."
Access restrictions: Vehicle clearance: Some access roads have specific limitations. At Buffalo Ridge, "The north entrance is through a covered bridge with a 9 foot clearance and 3 ton limit! Otherwise, use the easily accessible west entrance, just a few miles 'around the corner,'" providing critical routing information for larger RVs.
