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Camping near Spencer, IN

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    Camping areas around Spencer, Indiana feature a mix of state recreational lands and forest campgrounds with varying levels of development. Owen Putnam State Forest provides basic tent and RV sites with minimal amenities, while Lieber State Recreation Area offers more developed facilities including electric hookups, showers, and water access. McCormick's Creek State Park, Indiana's first state park, provides numerous camping options with well-maintained trails and natural features. Several campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with a few locations like Cagles Mill Lake also offering cabin rentals and glamping opportunities.

    Access to campsites in the Spencer region varies seasonally, with most facilities operating year-round but experiencing different conditions. The area's campgrounds provide varying levels of amenities—from primitive sites with no utilities to full-service campgrounds with electric, water, and sewer hookups. Owen Putnam State Forest offers more rustic experiences with limited facilities, while nearby state recreation areas provide modern amenities including shower buildings and dump stations. Hickory Hills Camp Resort operates seasonally from April to October, offering a different schedule than the state-managed properties. One camper noted, "We stay over Memorial weekend. Campground is very hilly. Loop B sites are very uneven. If you have a trailer I suggest the A loop or definitely have enough equipment to make you level."

    The most highly rated camping experiences in the region combine natural settings with reasonable amenities. McCormick's Creek State Park receives particularly strong reviews for its hiking opportunities, waterfall, and clean facilities. Several visitors mention the park's trails as highlights, with multiple hiking options for different skill levels accessing features like Wolf Cave, sinkholes, and the park's namesake waterfall. Campers frequently comment on site spacing and privacy, with primitive areas generally offering more seclusion than electric sites. As one reviewer mentioned about McCormick's Creek, "If you want to feel like you're alone in the woods, you won't like most of the electric sites. Sites 190-202 have no electricity, but most are fairly private/secluded." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, swimming options, and interpretive programs enhance the camping experience at several locations near Spencer.

    Best Campgrounds near Spencer (123)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Sky Smith

      4.0(21)15mi from Spencer206 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $20 - $35 / night

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      2. Paynetown Campground

      4.6(29)23mi from Spencer312 sitesRVs, Tents

      "It's a bittersweet type of situation."

      "This is one of the largest campgrounds in all of Indiana. It includes hundreds of campsites. This includes RV hookups, standard campsites, and primitive campsites."

      from $20 - $45 / night

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      3. Cagles Mill Lake

      5.0(3)10mi from SpencerRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $10 - $30 / night

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      4. Owen Putnam State Forest

      3.5(2)4mi from SpencerRVs, Tents

      "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."

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      5. Hardin Ridge

      4.5(26)26mi from Spencer208 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $24 - $64 / night

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      6. Rattlesnake

      3.5(2)9mi from SpencerTents
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      7. Shakamak State Park Campground

      4.5(24)26mi from Spencer217 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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. "

      from $20 - $1200 / night

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      8. Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest

      4.1(9)19mi from SpencerTents

      "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."

      from $25 - $55 / night

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      9. Hickory Hills Camp Resort

      5.0(1)10mi from SpencerRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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"

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      10. Yellowwood State Forest

      4.3(15)24mi from Spencer1 siteRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $225 / night

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    Recent Camping Photos near Spencer, IN

    214 Photos of 123 Spencer Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Spencer, IN

    727 Reviews of 123 Spencer Campgrounds

    • Kaley A.
      Oct. 17, 2026

      Buffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park

      We absolutely LOVED this park! It was hands down our favorite of this year. We camped at site 100 and it has a neighbor on one side and behind while the other side was a huge open space. It is in the center of a loop. It was mostly level. There was some minor doming to the site but not bad at all. It was a busy camp ground but not as crowded (sites not on top of each other) as some I’ve been in. The outsides of the loops did have more space between and privacy but could be smaller or more sloped, it just really depended. The bathrooms and showers were cleaner than some of the other state parks we have been to, so much so my 11 year old son mentioned it. The park itself is absolutely gorgeous. The hiking trails (which is what we usually go for) were nice but I believe that the biking trails were actually more scenic than the hiking trails and a lot more rugged. We liked trail 8 starting from the west lookout tower and stopping at Hesitation Point for lunch/break/bathroom. Trail 6 was also a pretty, rugged, shorter trail. The Nature Center was also nicer than a lot of the others we have been to in the state. We did choose to do horseback riding at the stables. We showed up about 5 minutes after opening and were able to pay and told to come back in an hour and 45 minutes. That didn’t bother us since we had the time but if you are on a tighter schedule, the earlier the better. We also went into Nashville and it was a very cute town to visit. Well decorated for Halloween, very walkable, and a little something for almost everyone. Prices were about what I would expect for a tourist town but not terrible. I also have T-Mobile and had pretty good service almost everywhere in the park.

    • JThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 15, 2026

      Ogala Horse Camp

      Little loop pull off with a stone fire pit in the middle. Walking trail goes down to a swampy pond.

    • Mark T.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 8, 2026

      Irwin City Park

      Nice little city park/campgound

      Clean paved sites, rigs under 35 feet will fit. Water and electricity 50/30 (water is in the ground.

    • Greta H.
      Sep. 25, 2026

      Terre Haute Campground

      Such a fun magical spot with kiddos

      We were only here for one night as we are passing through, however we loved this little spot. They have so much fun and activities for the kiddos in addition to a little ice cream parlor and pizza shop. We loved it!

    • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 22, 2026

      Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground

      Fun Event Location

      We stayed for the weekend during a Campout event. Lots of fun seeing all of our camping buddies. I don’t think we would camp here otherwise as it isn’t really our type of camping. Sites are close together, so don’t expect privacy. Porta potties had not been serviced from their previous event… needless to say, it was foul. The country music museum was pretty cool. The guide was very knowledgeable!

    • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 12, 2026

      Shades State Park Campground

      Nice, but….

      Nice halfway point for our road trip to Door County. We stayed here the week after Labor Day. Not sure if park staff had enough time to clean the grounds after the busy holiday weekend… There was a disappointing amount of litter at our site. We had remove the various cans, plastic bottles and ice pack out of our fire ring and the surrounding wooded area was full of more of the same including a full trash bag of garbage. And speaking of full… the pit toilets…There’s a $15 out of state fee above the $25 p/night charge. There’s only one shower for the park so be prepared. The amount of gnats and mosquitoes had us running for cover. The staff we encountered here, we’re cordial and friendly.

    • Jason The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 6, 2026

      Camp Atterbury Campground

      Host is great, park is nice, MWR needs help

      Great place to stay. Full hook ups, about 90 percent level sites. 33 RV sites and 3 or 4 primitive camp sites. The main bathhouse is pretty clean, included laundry, and a great host and hostess (Mark and Denise). The only bad is the price hikes here. One would think MWR would throw money towards some things...like a dog park, some leveling, lights at the kids playground, and MWR sponsored and paid for holiday parties/outings for vets, retirees, and all the active here on base. But nope, just collecting revenue without any beanies. Anyway, the host keeps it grounded.

    • OThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 9, 2026

      Hoosier Dispersed Camping

      Ticks Ahoy !

      This is not great camping . There are paved roads and private property all throughout the majority of the “National Forest” and “Wilderness”. People speed down these roads at 40mph in the middle of the night . The campsites are littered with glass and trash . As we were driving out , we passed a campfire that was not extinguished properly . It is clear that the local communities do not maintain or respect this land .

      Also - there are ticks , beware

    Guide to Spencer

    Camping opportunities near Spencer, Indiana include a mix of state forests and recreational areas situated in the rolling hills of south-central Indiana. The region sits at elevations between 600-900 feet, creating varied terrain for hiking and camping experiences. Weather in the area follows typical Midwestern patterns with hot, humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall particularly popular for overnight stays at campsites near Spencer.

    What to do

    Fishing opportunities: Cagles Mill Lake at Lieber State Recreation Area provides multiple options for anglers. "Loving Lieber. Great sites. Lots of activities for families. The beach was fun. Very social campground, but respectful and quiet after dark. Really enjoyed our summer evening there," notes Brett B.

    Halloween events: Several campgrounds host special seasonal events in fall. At Lieber State Recreation Area, campers can enjoy their Halloween-themed weekend. "We love going to this park several times a year. We especially like camping in the fall for their Goblins weekend," shares Timothy B.

    Water activities: Paynetown Campground offers comprehensive lake access for multiple water sports. "This lake is huge and alot of fun. There are beaches everywhere besides the designated one so it's easy to swim with your dogs or find private spots," explains Rebecca J. Boat, kayak and canoe rentals are available for those without personal watercraft.

    What campers like

    Secluded sites: Morgan-Monroe State Forest provides more primitive camping options with greater privacy. "My favorite forest with traditional camping, backwoods camping, and a wonderful secret pioneer cabin for rent. This is the best camping within an hour on Indianapolis," writes Sars C.

    Diverse campground layouts: Many campers appreciate the variety of site arrangements available in the region. At Hardin Ridge, "The grounds are kept very clean, as well as the shower rooms, bathrooms, and vault toilets. There are many electric, some electric/water, and a few full hook up. Water spigots are heavily spread throughout each loop."

    Multiple lakes and water features: The Yellowwood State Forest area contains a 133-acre lake with surrounding forest. "Very beautiful yet primitive campground. All the campgrounds are numbered and have their own names. Think there are 80 sites in total... There is a picnicing area for day use only right off the water which is beautiful," shares Sammii D.

    What you should know

    Reservation policies vary significantly: Many sites require early booking while others operate on first-come systems. "The only spots you can reserve are non electric which is what we got and still had a nice time in our pop up camper..The camp ground does have electric sites but it's first come first serve!!!" explains a camper at Hardin Ridge.

    Site leveling challenges: Terrain in the region can create issues for RVs and trailers. At Shakamak State Park Campground, campers note the opposite: "The sites are all flat- ALL FLAT!!! No inclined sites at all! Unheard of in an Indiana State Park, but there you go."

    Limited amenities at forest sites: State forests typically offer more basic facilities than state parks. At Owen Putnam State Forest, "I have camped here many times over 20yrs. There are 3 campgrounds on property... There is water available (not at camp sites). The trails are mainly for horse riding, so they are pretty muddy."

    Tips for camping with families

    Activity centers: Many campgrounds offer scheduled programming for children. At Paynetown, "The activity center has programs all the time and there is always something going on there. You have to reserve a spot early to get one with shade on busy weekends (we do non electric tent camping)."

    Swimming options: Hickory Hills Camp Resort provides multiple water-based recreation options. "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, volleyball, frisbee golf and several weekend activities for everyone."

    Budget-friendly options: State forests near Spencer offer more affordable camping. At Yellowwood State Forest, primitive sites cost "$13 per night. There are several potable water stations and pit toilets throughout the campgrounds and one dump station located in Red Bud."

    Tips from RVers

    Accessibility considerations: Site access varies significantly across the region. At Yellowwood State Forest, an RVer notes it's "perfect for tent camping or smaller units; we would not recommend for larger units as most sites are small and unlevel and may challenge your maneuvering skills!"

    Extension cord needs: When setting up at certain campsites, plan for electrical connections to be located away from optimal parking. At Shakamak State Park, "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."

    Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have different operational schedules throughout the year. Hickory Hills Camp Resort operates from April to October, while other state facilities maintain year-round availability with varying levels of services during winter months.

    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.

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