Near West Baden Springs, dispersed camping options offer a more rustic experience than traditional glamping. Several campgrounds in this area of southern Indiana provide minimal facilities at lower costs. The region contains parts of the Hoosier National Forest where camping sites range from primitive to those with basic amenities.
What to do
Fishing and lake activities: Hoosier National Forest North Face Loop Campground offers access to both Indian and Celina lakes for fishing and non-motorized boating. "A lot of fisherman, kayakers and canoers but even with all the loading and unloading it was still very peaceful and low key," notes one visitor. Electric motors are permitted on both lakes.
Hiking trails: The Two Rivers Trail near North Face Loop provides a 15-mile technical route around both lakes. A camper explains, "We hiked extensively and though this is definitely not mountainous terrain it will give you a work out. A lot of cool rock formations and wild life to be seen." The area also features shorter interpretive trails with historical information.
Cave exploration: Marengo Cave Campgrounds offers two distinct cave tour options within walking distance of camping areas. According to a visitor, "The dripslide caverns and the crystal palace cavern. There are extra activities for the kids such as mining and a nice gift shop for any rock lover out there."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Indian-Celina Recreation Area provides privacy between campsites. "This was a very quiet campsite in southern Indiana. We had a hard time finding dispersed camping in the national Forest so we settled for this site," reports one camper. Another adds, "Each site was spacious and not jammed up against other sites."
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location of many campgrounds means minimal light pollution. One North Face Loop camper states, "It is so dark at night that you can see the stars!" making it an excellent destination for astronomy enthusiasts.
Clean facilities: Despite the rustic setting, many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. A camper at Indian-Celina Recreation Area noted, "Clean bathrooms with flush toilets and sinks which were nice," while another mentioned the "very clean" facilities despite being in a forested setting.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most glamping facilities near West Baden Springs operate seasonally. One camper at Newton-Stewart described it as a "Fisherman campground" with "Primitive. 45 spots." Facilities may be limited outside peak season.
Insects and wildlife: Ticks can be prevalent, especially in warmer months. "Bring your bug stuff!" warns one North Face Loop visitor who described the ticks as "swarming the objective from all sides." Another camper noted, "Tick were REALLY bad. Maybe the season, maybe the area, not sure."
Limited services: Many campgrounds have basic amenities only. At North Face Loop, "You need cash by the way, no card machines here. $5 and $1 bills will do you." Cell service can be spotty or nonexistent in some areas, with one camper noting "No cell service" at Marengo Cave.
Tips for camping with families
Scout-friendly locations: Youngs Creek Horse Camp offers educational opportunities and family-friendly amenities. A visitor noted, "Site accommodates both horse, drive-in and walk-in camping. There's a privy and water on site. Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables."
Educational activities: Several sites offer nature programs or historical information. At Youngs Creek Horse Camp, "There is a trail that loops back to the site for easy hiking access," providing opportunities for children to explore safely.
Spacing for larger groups: Many sites can accommodate multiple tents. One camper mentioned, "The sites are large, and there are fire rings available. There are vault toilets and a fresh water pump not far from them."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: O'Bannon Woods State Park Campground has varying site conditions. "Not all pads are level or very wide," reports one camper. "The sites have an asphalt pad that are mostly level. 50,30,20 amp service in one box. There was no water at the site though."
Utility hookup limitations: Many campgrounds have partial hookups only. An O'Bannon Woods camper noted, "Throughout the campground are potable water spigots that you can hook up to and add water to your tank. There is also no sewer hookup at the site."
Limited big rig access: Some campgrounds have restricted access for larger vehicles. A visitor to O'Bannon Woods mentioned, "The campground is at the back of the park so you do have about a 5 minute drive to get to the main highway." Check individual campground specifications before arrival with larger RVs.
