Glamping near Sulphur, Indiana offers diverse terrain options within the Hoosier National Forest, where limestone formations and two separate lakes create distinct camping experiences. The area sits at elevations ranging from 400-900 feet with multiple watersheds feeding the Ohio River. Most campgrounds maintain primitive facilities with vault toilets and potable water spigots, though amenities vary by location.
What to do
Hiking trail networks: Youngs Creek Horse Camp connects to trail systems suitable for day hikes. "The trail loops back to the site for easy hiking access," notes David M., while another visitor mentioned, "We really enjoyed the hiking at this site. The trails were long, but not too difficult, but slightly overgrown."
Fishing opportunities: Celina Recreation Area offers both shore and boat fishing on its electric-motor-only lake. "The lake is good size, you could paddle to an area and disperse camp to fish or just enjoy the area," shares Shelly S. The parking area includes "a handicap accessible small fishing pier that can be reached directly from the handicap parking spot."
Organized recreation: Beyond nature activities, some locations offer structured entertainment. At Sleeping Bear Retreat, "they have disc golf, huge chess, and paintball," according to Alyssa S., providing alternatives during rainy weather or for families seeking variety.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The campgrounds offer generous spacing between campsites. At Indian-Celina Recreation Area, "Each site was spacious and not jammed up against other sites. It is very family oriented with plenty of friendly campers," reports Nancy R. Another reviewer mentioned, "Most of the sites are rather private from each other."
Clean facilities: Despite being in remote locations, maintenance remains a priority. At O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground, visitors appreciate "clean restrooms" and note that "the sites have an asphalt pad that are mostly level." Donald S. adds that the park offers "several shaded sites with electric and water hookups" and "a great nature center with ranger tours."
Secluded atmosphere: The area provides peaceful camping experiences away from crowds. At Hoosier National Forest North Face Loop Campground, Rica Z. explains, "We got that in #7 camp in north loop. We felt like we own the place!" Another camper described it as "clean, quiet, uncrowded" with a "friendly manager."
What you should know
Limited services: Most campgrounds have basic amenities only. At Hoosier National Forest South Slope Loop Campground, despite being the more developed option, visitors still need to come prepared as services are limited. As Shelly S. notes, "The RV friendly campground with electrical hookups for your toys. You give up some privacy and quiet to have your electric."
Seasonal considerations: The camping season varies by location. Several campgrounds operate year-round, while others close seasonally. According to Russell, Hoosier National Forest offers "nice facilities" with "camping spots not on top of each other," but availability depends on the time of year.
Wildlife awareness: Ticks are notably prevalent in warmer months. Shelly S. warns, "Take your bug spray or you may be nothing but a dried out husk by the end of your visit, ticks are horrible right now!" Planning for insect protection is essential from spring through fall.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Plan water recreation for kids during hot months. "If you like boating you can boat or kayak here. They don't have a beach but there is a place near by that you can go to if you want to swim," shares Catie F. from Celina Recreation Area.
Bathroom facilities: Check bathroom types when booking with children. Marengo Cave Campgrounds provides "heated, extremely clean [bathhouses] with flush toilets, and continual hot water," according to Sarah S., making it ideal for families with young children needing regular bathroom access.
Educational opportunities: Take advantage of nature centers and guided programs. At O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground, there's "a great nature center with ranger tours" and the park "has just about everything in one little nook, from fishing swimming and kayaking on Blue River," as Justin B. describes.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your loop carefully for the right balance of amenities and privacy. In the Indian-Celina area, "North is Basic and South is RV with electric hook up," explains Shelly S., noting that "North sites were further apart offering the most privacy and quiet."
Hookup limitations: Most campgrounds have electric but limited water and sewer connections. At O'Bannon Woods, Derek J. warns there was "no water at the site" but "throughout the campground are potable water spigots that you can hook up to and add water to your tank."
Road conditions: Interior campground roads can be challenging. When visiting Lake Rudolph, one camper mentioned "driving in and out was a bit challenging mainly because a lot of people parked their vehicles/golf carts at the edge of the road or partly on it."
