Johnson County Park in Nineveh, Indiana focuses primarily on equestrian activities and RV camping. The park spans 622 acres of former military training grounds approximately 60 minutes south of Zionsville. Seasonal weather varies from hot, humid summers to cold winters with occasional snowfall. Camping options include 58 RV sites with electric and water hookups on level gravel pads.
What to do
Trail riding: Access several miles of designated horse trails that wind through forested sections of Johnson County Park. "The Park came about because the Property was Part of huge Military Camp developed for WWII. There were 10 Army Divisions that trained here over the years," notes reviewer Nomon K.
Fishing and boating: Visit Westwood Park for a quiet lake experience about 75 minutes from Zionsville. "The lake is nice. Lots of small bass. If you have a boat, trolling motors only. Bank fishing is limited from what I walked but plenty of places you can fish," shares Stephen H.
Hiking and canoeing: Explore the unique terrain at Turkey Run State Park, which offers challenging trails through box canyons and stream beds. "We hiked Trail 3 with our dog, but we cut off early before the ladders using Trail 10. Our dog did pretty well in the section of Trail 3 before the ladders, and be prepared to get wet," advises Samantha S.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: At Turkey Run State Park Campground, campers appreciate secluded options. "We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167. The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," reports Samantha S.
Quiet camping near water: Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort provides a peaceful lakefront setting close to Indianapolis. "This was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum. The lake is fabulous... Pretty place and fun for a laid back place to stay," according to Debbie S.
Clean facilities: Many equestrian campgrounds near Zionsville, Indiana maintain well-kept amenities. Johnson County Park receives praise for its upkeep: "Nice but bare bones former military campground. We have camped here twice, we needed to be as close to Trafalgar Indiana as possible, not many camping options in the local area," notes Jerry D.
What you should know
Reservation policies vary: Westwood Park operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance bookings. "While that can be a good thing at times, if you want to weekend camp, you better plan on setting up your site on Wednesday or Thursday. Always call ahead before heading that way to see if they have sites available," recommends Kelly H.
Tent camping restrictions: Some parks have specific equipment limitations. At Johnson County Park: "They used to have awesome tent camping sites, but they stopped allowing tent camping. RV/camper's are the only thing they allow now," warns Chris W.
Military proximity: Be prepared for occasional noise at Johnson County Park. "The park is located in close proximity to an active reserve military base that from time to time has exercises with air traffic and the sounds of shells and artillery fire," mentions Stephen & Theresa B.
Tips for camping with families
Crowded weekends: Plan your visit to popular parks accordingly. At Turkey Run Canoe & Camping: "We went during a really busy time which was expected for the popularity of the park! That being said it did seem a little tight in certain area we were in but we drove around and rest of campground looked awesome!" reports Gabe C.
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secured at all times in horse campgrounds near Zionsville. At Turkey Run State Park, one camper cautions: "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything."
Playground options: Johnson County Park offers a playground for children near the campground, providing entertainment when not exploring the trails. "The campground is family oriented and has a camp host on site for any assistance," according to reviewers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Turkey Run Canoe & Camping, consider your placement carefully. "The sites are difficult to get into and although they allow one car on the site there is barely room for that one car. The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service," warns Scott B.
Electrical hookups: Many equestrian-focused campgrounds offer varied electric options. At Turkey Run State Park Campground, a camper notes: "All except the 'youth sites' had 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my EV without issue."
Water access: Check each park's specific amenities. At Johnson County Park, sites include water hookups, but Westwood Park requires planning: "There is portable water at the entrance but the road coming and going to the campsite is only wide enough for one rig and you will block traffic while you are filling up."
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