Best Cabin Camping near Shoals, IN
Tent camping opportunities exist at several state parks within driving distance of Shoals, Indiana. "The campgrounds are all equipped with a nice fire pit, picnic table, lean to, and the availability of electric hookup," notes one visitor to Marengo Cave Campgrounds, which offers tent sites alongside its cabins. Spring Mill State Park Campground in Mitchell provides tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables under a wooded canopy. Hardin Ridge Recreation Area near Heltonville features walk-in tent sites that offer more privacy than the standard drive-up locations. Starve Hollow State Recreation Area in Vallonia has lakeside tent camping with electric hookups and nearby modern restrooms.
Options range from primitive tent sites to those with electrical connections. Most tent camping areas include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to water spigots, though placement varies by campground. Sycamore Springs Park receives praise for its tent sites: "We tent camped and it was fantastic. We were right at the lake edge," one camper reported. Yellowwood State Forest offers first-come, first-served tent camping with vault toilets and drinking water access. Reservations are recommended for state park campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays. According to a regular visitor to Yellowwood, "The only time we have ever seen the campground busy is over big holiday weekends like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and 4th of July. Otherwise use is light."
Most tent sites require campers to bring their own equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, cooking supplies, and food storage containers. Bathhouse facilities vary significantly between locations - Shakamak State Park features "KOA clean" bathrooms according to one review, while Yellowwood State Forest provides only vault toilets. Water access points are available throughout most campgrounds, though primitive sites may require walking to reach them. Small camp stores at Spring Mill, Lake Rudolph, and Marengo Cave sell basic supplies, firewood, and ice. The town of Odon, about 20 minutes from Crane MWR Campground, offers groceries and camping supplies. Bloomington, approximately 50 miles from some campgrounds, provides more extensive shopping options.