Camping options near Smithville, Indiana include a mix of primitive forest sites and developed grounds with electric hookups. Elevation varies between 600-900 feet across the region, creating diverse terrain for different camping experiences. State forests and recreation areas typically experience summer daytime temperatures in the 80s with evening lows in the 60s, while spring and fall bring mild days and cooler nights that can drop into the 40s.
What to do
Canoe or tube on Sugar Creek: Turkey Run State Park offers multiple watercraft options for visitors. "Sugar Creek is also great for floating with inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks. The suspension footbridge across Sugar Creek is cool," notes Joel R. about Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Cycling on flat terrain: The level topography around certain lakes makes biking accessible for all skill levels. "Very flat and ideal for bike riding," reports Amy C. about Lieber State Recreation Area, while another camper mentions, "Stayed at Poplar Grove. Great sites. Lots of activities for families. The beach was fun."
Fish at stocked lakes: Multiple parks feature managed fishing waters with various species. "This is a fishing park. Boating with electric motors, so a quiet lake. Fishing was fair according to my fishing guy," writes Cynthia K. about Shakamak State Park Campground, which features three lakes spanning about 400 acres.
What campers like
Shade coverage: Tree canopy provides natural cooling during hot summer months. "The sites are all flat- ALL FLAT!!! No inclined sites at all! Unheard of in an Indiana State Park, but there you go," notes a visitor to Shakamak State Park, highlighting both the levelness and wooded nature of sites.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive frequent positive mentions. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," reports Samantha S. at Turkey Run State Park, while another camper notes, "The bathrooms/showers are KOA clean. Also unheard of in an Indiana State Park."
Fishing access: Many campgrounds offer direct water access from sites. "Can fish right out your 'back door'. Very clean showers. Not much in the way of shade on campsites," reports Wes G. about Fowler County Park, which features lakeside camping options for $12 per night at primitive sites.
What you should know
Cell service variability: Coverage fluctuates significantly across campgrounds. "We were there for two nights. We were working and we were grateful StarLink worked well," mentions Shirley M. about Lieber State Recreation Area Campground, while another camper notes, "ZERO cell phone coverage" at the same location.
Site unevenness: Many campgrounds feature sloping terrain requiring leveling equipment. "The site was very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," reports Michelle M. about Turkey Run State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons frequently visit campsites throughout the region. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns a camper at Turkey Run State Park, while another visitor to Raccoon Lake notes, "We did have several nighttime visits from a couple large raccoon families."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several parks offer both pool and lake swimming. "The pool was excellent! Skip the lake and enjoy the pool," recommends Amy C. about Lieber State Recreation Area, while another camper at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area notes, "I loved this camp ground, there was a beach which was nice and a building to get food."
Organized activities: Seasonal programming provides structured entertainment. "We love going to this park several times a year. We especially like camping in the fall for their Goblins weekend," shares Timothy B. about Lieber State Recreation Area's Halloween events.
Space consideration: Site selection impacts children's play areas. "We had site 94, which was right next to the bathhouse. It had almost a whole extra campsite's worth of space next to it for my kids to run around," notes Kaley A. about Turkey Run State Park.
Tips for RVers
Hookup availability: Water and electric options vary significantly between parks. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon," advises a camper at Turkey Run State Park about timing your stay to avoid weekend crowds.
Site access challenges: Tree placement can complicate parking at some locations. "Some of the other sites in this CG, not so much, so look up and watch your turn into the pull-throughs," warns MickandKarla W. about Terre Haute Campground, noting potential overhead clearance issues.
Extension cord needs: Electric box placement sometimes requires additional equipment. "Bring an extension cord if you're in a pull through. If you want your door facing the fire pit - the electric box is in an awkward place," advises a camper at Turkey Run State Park regarding equipment planning.
