Are you in need of a campground near Spencer, IN? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Spencer is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Spencer, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$19 - $32 / night
"Cagles Mill Lake borders the southwestern side of the area.
We arrived to a very quiet campground with few campers."
"Each campsite is spacious and has plenty of space away from your neighbors. There was plenty of shade even though our pad wasn't tucked back in the woods."
$19 - $32 / night
"It's a bittersweet type of situation."
"Paynetown boasts the second largest beach on Lake Monroe, and the primitive sites include a very nice shower house."
$10 - $30 / night
"This wonderful hidden gem is 14 miles away from McCormick's Creek State Park. It is a DNR state operated and has some pretty cool fishing. It was family-approved by my kin."
"One is a separate horse camp, it was fun to see so many horses on the trails and talk to the riders. They do some forestry work but it wasn’t loud."
$19 - $1200 / night
"This is just a beautiful Indiana State Park located near the small community of Jasonville, Indiana which offers simple dining, grocery store, hardware store and fuel."
"There's 7 hiking trails. All are nice walks in the woods. All were muddy in sections. There's an old coal mine on Trail 2. Blocked off for safety. "
$21 - $55 / night
"This campground is nestled on a ridge above Indiana's Lake Monroe."
"Hardin Ridge is a fantastic place to camp, and is very close to lake Monroe. But it's also quite a ways away from any stores in case you forget anything."
$25 - $55 / night
"This is probably the best state forest in the state of Indiana. The property is well maintained. There is a new visitors center built a few years ago."
"Site 13 has a little trail that goes down to a large flooded sinkhole behind the campsite. There were lots of tree frogs singing because of the proximity to water."
"There’s two pools, a pickle ball court, a basketball half court, farm animals, golf cart trails, kayak/canoe/row boats, exploring creeks, fishing, a dog park, several playgrounds, Gaga ball, tether ball"
$225 / night
"Peaceful little place but unfortunately it rained but we made the best of it, there’s some secluded spots where you can stay away from others or stay in the more general areas, nice lake to fish and we"
"Drive up, select your site, and then go to the park office to pay using a self-pay envelope. Bring exact change(cash). Current prices are listed on the Indiana DNR website."
RangerWe stayed here for the 1st Annual HikerFest and had a blast! 106 of our little Hikers took up the majority of the park. The full-timers that stay here for the season were very kind and cordial; freely giving of advice on local attractions to see and things to do during our stay. The museum was really interesting! They gave a great tour with lots of stories about country legends. The bath house was clean and tidy. The showers were ok. Porta-potties throughout the campground, not so much… Campsites are close together and without privacy, some more level than others. Try to grab a spot near the trees for a bit of shade. Great music. Awesome weekend!
LegendThis is a primitive state park near Turkey Run State Park In Midwestern Indiana. First named The Shades Of Death State Park.
The gatehouse is your only source of information. There's no nature center or visitor center. Get a park map! They do charge admission.
This is a hikers park & it has some of the most rugged trails in Indiana. The Pine Hills Nature Preserve is maintained by the park. There's a parking area available to hike to the trailhead inside Shades. The Devils Backbone is a popular trail, but definitely on the rugged side. If you take small children(I wouldn't!) watch them carefully.
Trail 1 is.75M, but considered rugged. It has a lot of scenic views & a unique waterfall. Trails 4 & 5 have ladders.
Deers Mill Covered Bridge is on the property & there's a canoe launch. This is not a drive through bridge. The picnic area is a drive thru loop & is very nice. There's also a couple of shelters. The pond looked pretty scummy & my husband wouldn't fish in it.
The campground is primitive camping- nonelectric. Water is available. There is a dump station. There is trail access if you don't want to drive. There's one modern showerhouse & several pit toilets. Choose your site carefully! Whitetail Loop has the showers & toilets. We did a drive thru & most all the sites looked very nice. There were mostly tents with a few popups. This wouldn't be a campground I would choose if I had a big rig.
TravelerNational forest area with 3ish campsites one of which can accommodate a vehicle. Wooded so no solar or starlink. Small lake nearby with what looks like some trails.
LegendTurkey Run State Park. Arguably one of the top 5 state parks in Indiana.
Lots of hiking opportunities, including the fabulous Trail 3 which should be a National Trail IMO. Go hike early before 10 am. This area gets crazy busy after that.
Nice nature center.
2 covered bridges.
A swimming pool in season.
A historic inn with a restaurant. You can rent cabins also.
The Lusk home has tours every Saturday in season.
The campground is a mile or so west of the entrance to the park.
Electric only. 270 sites. Water is available.
There's modern bath houses with hot showers.
We were site 218, which is technically the Turkey Hollow area. The bath house there was clean. We liked our loop for spacious sites( for a state park).
The Twin Oaks loop seemed denser.
There's a double dump near the exit. There's also one dump at the end of a loop by site 60. We were happy the other 4 campers trying to dump forgot about it!
Trail 7 access is also at the end by site 44. It's not marked on the map.
The camp store has the usual camping supplies & gift items. Ice & wood.
We enjoyed our weekend here! Even though it rained Saturday.
GuideI 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.
RangerMost of the spaces that had both water and electric were mostly in the sun. But all the other spaces had plenty of shade and trees around them. Our space was spot on level and nice area around each space to where you didn’t feel like you were camped on top of other people. The showers were adequate. Great hiking trails in the area. 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.
TravelerThis was an amazing campground! There were amazing trails and a cave, as well as Pioneer Village which was so fascinating and well run. Our campsite wasn't far from the bathrooms and showers house which were pretty clean. We were near water as well. Our campsite was on a small hill so it was well distanced from all the other campers, which was nice and peaceful.
There was a sweet place where you could get ice cream down the road from Spring Mill called Dairy Bell. Spring Mill wasn't far from the town were there was a Walmart, Rural King, and several more stores.
Very pretty and nice campground!
TravelerWe had a nice site that was evenly spaced from the other campsites by trees and was nice and close to water, the bathrooms, and the shower houses, which were very clean! The camp store was nice and the paddle boats were fun! The pool was only opened on the weekends in August which was disappointing but there was a large fishing dock and many boating opportunities. Very nice camping spot, but in August beware of the bugs!
TravelerVery nice campground! It was close by Turkey Run State Park, which had amazing trails, that are pictured below. (We definitely recommend Trail 3!) The campground itself was very nice and clean, as well as shaded and pretty. We were camping in August, so it wasn't very busy and we got peace. There were many fun things to do in Turkey Run, although the pool was closed in August. There was also a fun little ice cream place and store in downtown Marshall!
Great place overall!
Camping near Spencer, Indiana, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Spencer, Indiana, offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature walks to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Spencer, Indiana?
The best campgrounds near Spencer include Mccormick's Creek State Park Campground, Indiana's first state park with stunning canyon views and waterfalls. Just a short drive away, Lieber State Recreation Area Campground offers peaceful sites bordered by Cagles Mill Lake with attached gravel pads and nice shower facilities. Other excellent options include Owen Putnam State Forest for a more rustic experience and Hickory Hills Camp Resort for those seeking additional amenities. All provide great access to southern Indiana's natural beauty while being conveniently located near Spencer.
What amenities are available at Spencer, Indiana camping facilities?
Camping facilities near Spencer offer varied amenities to suit different preferences. Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park provides electric hookups, water fill stations throughout, nice bath houses, and asphalt pads. For a more rustic experience, Yellowwood State Forest offers 79 primitive campsites with basic facilities. Many area campgrounds include shower houses, flush toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Some facilities maintain year-round camping with reduced winter services, including heated bath houses during off-season. Reservable sites are common at state parks, while more primitive options exist for those seeking a simpler camping experience.
What outdoor activities can I enjoy while camping near Spencer, Indiana?
The Spencer area offers abundant outdoor activities for campers. At Charles C. Deam Wilderness, you can enjoy hiking through pristine wilderness with numerous trails and dispersed camping opportunities. Paynetown Campground provides access to water recreation on Monroe Lake. The region features excellent hiking with varied and challenging trails, stunning waterfalls, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Mountain biking enthusiasts will find nearly 30 miles of trails in Brown County State Park with connections to surrounding forests. During fall, the rolling hills showcase spectacular leaf color displays. Many parks also offer nature programs, bird watching opportunities, and scenic vistas perfect for photography.
Keep Exploring
