Dispersed camping around Terre Haute, Indiana provides alternatives to established campgrounds. Located in west-central Indiana, the area sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with warm, humid summers where temperatures often reach into the 80s. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with fall bringing colorful foliage and moderate temperatures in the 60s.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Thousand Trails Horseshoe Lakes, visitors can enjoy fishing in multiple lakes. "The park is very large, has many activities such as swimming, fishing, arcades, cornhole, volleyball. You will need a vehicle to travel to activities because they are far away," notes one camper.
Hiking trails: Shakamak State Park Campground offers seven hiking trails through wooded areas. "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," explains one visitor who stayed at the park.
Water recreation: Swimming and boating are popular at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area. A camper mentions, "I loved this camp ground, there was a beach which was nice and a building to get food. They have a basketball court, and a few trails."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the cleanliness at Terre Haute Campground. "The area is clean, well-managed and has the look of a nice neighborhood of campers in the trees. Lots of kids and activities. The staff we interacted with were very friendly," according to one review.
Level campsites: At Shakamak State Park, the unusual terrain stands out. "The sites are great- wooded. This is a well established campground. The sites are all flat- ALL FLAT!!! No inclined sites at all! Unheard of in an Indiana State Park, but there you go," one camper observed.
Cell service: Technology connectivity varies by location. At Terre Haute Campground, "We got 4 bars each on Verizon and T-Mobile. There are mature trees in this CG, but you should not have a problem getting a satellite signal. We got a lot of OTA channels as the CG does not have cable."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many rv campgrounds near Terre Haute, Indiana operate from spring through fall. Shakamak State Park Campground notes its season runs "All year," while Happy Campers Campground operates seasonally.
Proximity to amenities: Hawthorn County Park provides convenient access to nearby services. "This is a Great Park, my wife and I camp here all the time. Large sites, because they are very wooded lots of shade, not far from downtown, also close to shopping (i.e. Walmart, Meijer)," shares one regular visitor.
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife at several campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Horseshoe Lakes, tent campers should note: "tent camping is forced onto gravel or next to a septic tank hose from a neighboring RV."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Cloverdale RV Park receives high marks from families. "Adorable little hideaway. Hosts were super! Campground is peaceful and scenic. Water had a funny smell, however. But, would stay again for sure," notes one family that visited.
Playgrounds available: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. A visitor to Hawthorn County Park mentioned: "Generally well kept. Two large lakes on the property for fishing. A handful of trails that are easy to moderate."
Swimming options: Both natural and constructed swimming areas exist at several parks. At Shakamak State Park, "There's no beach, but they have an enormous pool. It has slides & everything."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV sites vary considerably between parks. At Fowler County Park, "a lot of the sites are right on the water or really close to it. There is a nice beach. We stayed in July and the water was really warm."
Utility hookup placement: At Terre Haute Campground, visitors note practical considerations: "No issues with utilities as they are smartly placed on the pad and work to include decent water pressure. The Wifi was above average for this type of private CG."
Clearance awareness: Trees can present challenges at some parks. One RVer at Terre Haute Campground advised, "For site 47, watch the tree to the right as you turn in as we brushed our awning."
