Smithville sits among the rolling hills of southern Indiana, between 640-710 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with moderate summer temperatures averaging in the 80s from June through August, making it suitable for camping from late spring through early fall. Most campgrounds in the area feature wooded settings with limestone outcroppings typical of this part of Indiana's geography.
What to do
Hiking trails with terrain variety: Cagles Mill Lake offers unique hiking experiences with dramatic elevation changes. "There are rapids by a huge ridge near the lake," notes Tiffany T., highlighting terrain features less commonly found in Indiana.
Mountain biking: Fowler County Park provides exceptional access to nearby biking trails. "This park is located about 1/4 mile from the entrance to Griffin Bike Park, and the mountain biking there is fantastic," explains Dave S., making it ideal for cyclists seeking adventure.
Fishing opportunities: Shakamak State Park Campground offers excellent angling options across its three lakes. "This is a fishing park. Boating with electric motors, so a quiet lake. Fishing was fair according to my fishing guy," reports Cynthia K., noting the peaceful environment created by the electric-motor-only policy.
Water recreation: Turkey Run State Park features multiple water activities beyond swimming. "Sugar Creek runs through the park for fishing and canoeing. The suspension footbridge across Sugar Creek is cool. Sugar Creek is also great for floating with inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks," shares Joel R., highlighting watercraft options.
What campers like
Shaded sites: Turkey Run State Park Campground provides excellent tree cover for comfort during hot months. "We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167," shares Samantha S., noting the importance of site selection for leveling.
Modern bathroom facilities: Raccoon State Recreation Area maintains clean facilities even during busy periods. "Bathroom facilities are very clean, new bike, walking, rollerblading path. Beach is large and clean," states Jill W., highlighting infrastructure quality beyond just the bathrooms.
Seasonal events: Lieber State Recreation Area Campground offers special themed weekends throughout the season. "We love going to this park several times a year. We especially like camping in the fall for their Goblins weekend," shares timothy B., pointing to organized activities that enhance the camping experience.
Spacious sites: Turkey Run's campground layout provides ample room at many sites. "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., describing the extra space available at select sites.
What you should know
Site levelness varies: Terre Haute Campground offers easier setup for larger rigs. "The campground was easy to find off I-70. If it is your first time, follow your GPS through two traffic circles then back around to the campground(CG)," advises MickandKarla W., noting navigation challenges for first-time visitors.
Overcrowding concerns: Fowler County Park can become congested during peak periods. "They packed the campers and tent within 10 to 15 feet if you were lucky of each other," reports Cora P., indicating the proximity of sites during busy times.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies widely across campgrounds near Smithville. "We were working and we were grateful StarLink worked well," notes Shirley M. at Lieber SRA, while other campgrounds report limited coverage: "Very quiet. Although we were there on a weekday. One downside was we had Verizon as a cell phone carrier and only had one bar," shares Lisa M.
Lake conditions: Some water bodies experience seasonal algae growth. "Mind you, we have a tent. The host asked where our Rv was, and I clearly marked that I had a tent. We woke up the following morning to find the lake is actually a large pond, 10 ft deep that is stocked every 2 years," explains Cora P., describing unexpected conditions at Fowler County Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Fowler County Park provides multiple play areas for children. "Nice bathhouses. 'Beach' open 12-6. Also have a Pioneer Village and nice playgrounds. Great place for fishing, picnicking, canoeing/kayaking," describes Laura C., detailing the variety of family-friendly amenities.
Pet friendly camping options: Many campgrounds near Smithville accommodate four-legged family members with varied rules. "We hiked Trail 3 with our dog, but we cut off early before the ladders using Trail 10. Our dog did pretty well in the section of Trail 3 before the ladders, and be prepared to get wet," shares Samantha S., offering practical advice for hiking with pets at Turkey Run.
Wildlife management: Raccoons are common visitors at campsites throughout the region. "We did have several nighttime visits from a couple large raccoon families, but it became a game for the kids as they watched for them," notes DevinandKalah H., describing how wildlife encounters can become part of the camping experience at Shakamak State Park.
Timing for trail use: Popular hiking areas become crowded on weekends. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon," advises Samantha S., suggesting a strategy for enjoying natural areas with fewer people.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Happy Campers Campground offers full-service sites with well-positioned utilities. "5 full hook-up sites, 1 primitive site, and one primitive cabin. On a lake stocked with fish," notes Randy M., describing the limited but well-equipped RV options.
Power access: Turkey Run State Park provides multiple electric options. "All sites are electric at Turkey Run. $23 per night. The campground is located in a mature tree woods, do some sites are not as level as others," explains Joel R., highlighting both the amenities and potential challenges.
Extension cord needs: Plan for potential distance to power boxes at some campgrounds. "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 Cynthia K. about Shakamak State Park, providing practical setup advice.
EV charging capabilities: Some campgrounds can accommodate electric vehicle charging needs. "Sites tried from all concrete to a dusty dirt and rock tent area, and all had old wood picnic tables. While the hiking was incredible, the maps of the trails were poor and not up to date," shares leif D., noting that Turkey Run's electrical infrastructure supported charging his EV.
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