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Best Campgrounds near Shelbyville, IN

539 Reviews

Campgrounds around Shelbyville, Indiana feature a mix of private and public facilities within a 30-mile radius. Hidden Paradise Campground in nearby St. Paul offers riverside campsites with tent and RV options, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations. Several developed campgrounds like Indianapolis KOA in Greenfield, S and H Campground, and Johnson County Park provide varying levels of amenities for different camping styles. Most facilities in this region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with many offering dedicated cabin options for those seeking more comfortable accommodations without traditional camping equipment.

Camping availability near Shelbyville follows seasonal patterns, with most facilities operating from spring through fall. Indianapolis KOA operates from March 1 to November 15, while CERA Sports Corporation in Columbus runs from April 1 to October 31. Heflen Park has a shorter season, opening only from Memorial Day to September 30. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially for weekend stays and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity quickly. Water access represents a significant attraction in the area, but flooding can affect low-lying campsites during heavy rainfall periods. According to one visitor, "Johnson County Fairgrounds sits at a low elevation. Our site was 70% flooded... If we come back in the future will be on a full hookup on the hill."

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews across several facilities in the region. Hidden Paradise Campground's river access is particularly noted by visitors for swimming and kayaking opportunities, with one camper describing it as having "a quarry full to swim with an aqua playground... a creek to kayak or float and a clean campground!" Campsite spacing varies considerably between facilities, with some offering more privacy than others. S and H Campground provides numerous family-friendly amenities including a pool, miniature golf, and weekend entertainment, though reviewers mention sites can be close together. Several campgrounds in the area feature full hookup options for RVs, though electricity reliability may fluctuate during peak usage periods. Most facilities are family-oriented with playgrounds and recreational areas, making them suitable for campers of all ages and experience levels.

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Best Camping Sites Near Shelbyville, Indiana (120)

    1. Hidden Paradise Campground

    16 Reviews
    Waldron, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 525-6582

    "Staff is visible and seem to do a good job of maintaining order etc Road Noise: This campground is nicely nestled away from public roads. Through Traffic in campground: No issue."

    "This little road is quite narrow, has some pretty tight turns with trees on both sides and in the night it’s hard to tell where the rear end of your camper is on the turns where there are trees close to"

    2. Indianapolis KOA

    21 Reviews
    Lawrence, IN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 894-1397

    $60 - $80 / night

    "It’s very close to an interstate so it’s not exactly a picturesque setting. The pricing seems high for what it is. Walking distance to Mount Comfort RV Dealership."

    "Clean and friendly..easy access to the highway..a lot of transient sites..nice pool!"

    3. S and H Campground

    12 Reviews
    Greenfield, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 326-3208

    "Perfect distance from speedway."

    "My experience at this location has been fun and staff is helpful could be a little cleaner but would camp there again."

    4. Johnson County Park

    8 Reviews
    Nineveh, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 526-6809

    "The park is 622 acres that include two campgrounds, approximately 5 miles of hiking trails, equestrian school, 18 hole disc golf course, shelter houses, amphitheater, lakes, fishing and more."

    "We have camped here twice, we needed to be as close to Trafalgar Indiana as possible, not many camping options in the local area."

    5. Camp Atterbury Campground

    5 Reviews
    Nineveh, IN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 526-1128

    6. CERA Sports Corporation

    9 Reviews
    Columbus, IN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 377-5849

    $60 - $999 / night

    "Close to a bigger town, lots of food places and shopping close by. Our family loves this place."

    "Also can’t forget the lakeside bar with live music every weekend!"

    7. Heflen Park

    3 Reviews
    Edinburgh, IN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 526-4154

    8. Lake Haven Retreat

    7 Reviews
    Beech Grove, IN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (317) 783-5267

    "We attended a wedding at the Scottish Cathedral in the center of downtown Indy and from the campground, it was a nice drive into the city off the interstate that only took about 20 min."

    "Close to the city without being “in it”. We would stay here again."

    9. Woods Campground

    4 Reviews
    Greenfield, IN
    19 miles
    +1 (765) 565-6718

    "Wood’s Campground is located in Carthage,IN right off of Carthage Pike. Located 41 miles east of Indianapolis.

    I called to see if I needed to make reservations, and you do not."

    10. Irwin City Park

    1 Review
    Edinburgh, IN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 526-3535
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Showing results 1-10 of 120 campgrounds

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Recent Camping Photos near Shelbyville, IN

131 Photos of 120 Shelbyville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Shelbyville, IN

539 Reviews of 120 Shelbyville Campgrounds

  • Laura W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Summit Lake State Park Campground

    Summit lake state park

    Its an ok park. The water is shared with your neighbor, so be sure to have a lo g hose. The showers were sketchy. I wouldn't use them personally. Wecsaw a couple of unattended fires smoldering in empty campsites. And we paid for an overnight reservation. Came in around 5pm. They charged us $7 for day use. I dont think you should have to pay for day use ANYWHERE that you've paid an overnight reservation. We are through travelers and its just plain irritating to me.

  • 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.

  • David C.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mystic Waters Campground

    Great campground for RVs and cabins

    This is a great campground for RVs and cabins, but unfortunately not for tents as the highway 69 is too noisy. Also there are not a lot of trees.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Summit Lake State Park Campground

    Peaceful park and great hiking trails

    Although we only spent one night here during the week, the campground seemed very peaceful and quiet, even though there were quite a few campers. Sites 1 through 74 seem to be a lot more level and larger, but they were in a sort of an open area with very little shade. The rest of the sites were fairly unlevel, but were in shaded areas. I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop. We are a 30ft. Fifth wheel and it was pretty tight for us. Lots of trees. The showers were your typical camp showers not great but not horrible. There was a large lake that one could enjoy fishing on. Also some great hiking trails in the area.

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Raccoon Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

    the non-RV loop of the three camp areas (I think)

    Our third Indiana state park. Still impressed, they have all been friendly, well maintained with good, spread out sites and good signage everywhere (even the trails). All the rest rooms are spotlessly clean.
    We were there mid-week, so very few of the 480 (!) sites were occupied, except in Buffalo Ridge, the primary RV loop. There are three loops, Buffalo ridge (RV), Raccoon Ridge which is tent sites around the outside, with electric inside the loop. Which would be suitable for RVs. Many of the tent sites are split-level, meaning the fire pit and tent area is down a hill from where you park your car. We have a mini pop-up, and had no problem parking both it and car on the pad, and, these sites have two picnic tables, upper and lower. Check the photos when you reserve!
    We drove through Taylor ridge loop, and it's your best choice for getting away from it all. 
    The camp store is stocked with the basics, but has more souvenirs than food or camp needs. That's okay, as some of their goods are better quality than many other places.
    The park has a classic old CCC lodge (though you enter through the modern addition) so if you don't want to cook, eat at the restaurant (open till 8:PM), great food, generous portions. 
    The park also features an Olympic size pool (capacity 2,000). You cannot walk there from the campground unless you are very hardy and very determined. 
    You may think of Indiana as flat farmland, but this park is VERY hilly, with many scenic overlooks. It has two man-made lakes. Unsure about boating options on the larger one. 
    Another big feature are equestrian trails and a horse campground, see someone else's review for that.
    Nearby is the town of Nashville, which is full of art and craft galleries as well as multiple fudge shops, hand-made soaps, etc... Touristy but quaint. Was surprisingly crowded when we passed through on a Friday morning.   
    We are planning to go back to take advantage of all we missed in the area. Oh, I should point out that there are many private campgrounds nearby, it's a very popular  area.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Brown County-Nashville KOA

    KOA Brown County

    Very nice campground, full hookup up, helpful staff. Small pool with limited hours. Camp store. Very close to Brown County State Park and Nashville, IN. Lots of mature trees.

  • Ax H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Free camping

    Bunch of little spots along this road to pull into. Set up with rent and vehicle. Just trees knocking, bugs curling and frogs croaking. Did see a rattlesnake dead on the road. No toilet but good reception

  • Amber
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Heflen Park

    Heflin Park

    Very Quiet. You can float down the river. There's a kids playground. Blu Canoes right next door. Fast food not far off. The bugs are a little overwhelming. They spray tomorrow so it may be different.

Guide to Shelbyville

Camping near Shelbyville, Indiana, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to bustling campgrounds, there's something for everyone.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Clifty Falls State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The trails were really great! It was hot, but the wooded hiking trails helped keep us comfortable."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Paynetown Campground, you can enjoy fishing and kayaking. A camper shared, "Starve Hollow Lake SRA has full hookups at half the campground and electric water access on the other half."
  • Wildlife Watching: The Hueston Woods State Park Campground is known for its lush greenery and wildlife. One reviewer noted, "This place is off the beaten path...so serene and beautiful."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Hardin Ridge remarked, "Restrooms are clean. Well maintained facility."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites. A camper at Buffalo Ridge Campground said, "The woods surrounding the Buffalo Ridge campground is very peaceful."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One visitor at Starve Hollow State Rec Area stated, "Very friendly staff. Clean facilities."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Paynetown Campground noted, "This is known in Indiana as a party park. It's VERY noisy & busy on a summer weekend."
  • Site Conditions: Not all sites are level. A camper at Clifty Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "Limited level campground with full and electric hookups."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many popular sites fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Hueston Woods State Park Campground advised, "Book early for weekends which are almost non-existent during the summer."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. One parent at Taylor Ridge Campground said, "We had a blast. Rode horses, hiked, geocached, lots to do."
  • Plan Activities: Bring along games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. A camper at Summit Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "There is also a beach area for swimming."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outdoor activities. A visitor at White River Campground noted, "Setup was quick and easy on the large, level concrete pad."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Buffalo Ridge Campground advised, "Be sure to check pad size. Several sites have 20' or so."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Choose campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Starve Hollow State Rec Area said, "Electric sites near the lake with several waterfront sites."
  • Arrive Early: Get to the campground early to secure a good spot. A reviewer at Paynetown Campground mentioned, "We had site 137 which was a good site due to the fact we had no one on the left."

Camping near Shelbyville, Indiana, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Shelbyville, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Shelbyville, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 120 campgrounds and RV parks near Shelbyville, IN and 10 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Shelbyville, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shelbyville, IN is Hidden Paradise Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Shelbyville, IN.

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