Camping sites near Henderson, Kentucky range from secluded lakeside spots to family-focused county parks with recreational amenities. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 380-420 feet above sea level, providing relatively flat terrain for easier site setup. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer more moderate conditions in the 60-75°F range.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Lake Mauzy East in nearby Morganfield, campers can enjoy lakefront camping with excellent fishing access. "Super quiet, tons of birds, and we saw snake mounds but not yet seen one...birds and butterflies and owls...OH MY," notes one visitor who appreciated the wildlife viewing opportunities.
Swimming and water recreation: Scales Lake Park in Boonville offers a lake with swimming beach, water slide and diving boards. "Beautiful lake front for swimming with water slide and diving boards. There is a boat ramp for fishing boats and kayaks," reports a camper who enjoyed the water amenities.
Trail exploration: Take advantage of the hiking opportunities at nearby parks. "The trails are nice, there is only one that allows dogs," notes one visitor to John James Audubon State Park Campground, providing important information for campers traveling with pets.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful settings available at certain campgrounds. At Vanderburgh 4H Campground in Evansville, one camper noted, "Was looking for a quiet area, and not some drive-through campsite, this fit the bill. Great groundskeepers, good trail for dogs, nice view of the pond from the main RV area."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance is frequently mentioned in positive reviews. A visitor to Harmonie State Park Campground shared, "Harmonie State Park is a nice campground. It has 200 sites, electric only, 5 bath houses and 2 pit toilets... Most campsites are big and spacious, with several loops that allow campers to face one another."
Family-friendly amenities: Parents appreciate campgrounds with activities for children. "This campground is very well kept. There are paved roads the kids can bike on as well as mountain bike trails. Very nice swimming pool," reported one family who stayed at Harmonie State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds have limited availability during certain times of year. For example, Harmonie State Park Campground hosts "a big Halloween event in the fall," according to one camper, making it particularly busy during October weekends.
Wildlife awareness: Be prepared for encounters with local fauna. At Lake Mauzy East, campers report seeing various wildlife. One visitor mentioned, "Been traveling 150 days, 23 states plus DC... Super quiet, tons of birds, and we saw snake mounds but not yet seen one."
Site spacing varies: Miles Landing Campground in Elberfield offers "very spacious sites far enough apart that you had room to spread out," according to a Labor Day weekend visitor, while other campgrounds in the region have more compact layouts.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds near Henderson feature play areas for children. At Scales Lake Park, one camper mentioned, "There were 2 playgrounds, little petting zoo for kids. Beach area with small fee."
Consider activity variety: Burdette Park in Evansville offers multiple recreation options. "Love Burdette. They have everything to keep your family entertained. A pool, mini golf, hiking cabins and so much more," notes a frequent visitor.
Check for holiday events: Some parks offer special weekend activities. At Harmonie State Park Campground, a camper reported, "We stayed the weekend before Halloween. We missed reserving the weekend they have the campground trick or treating, which was the weekend before, but this was just as fun. They had a trunk or treat in the pool parking lot."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Diamond Lake Resort Campground in Owensboro provides complete services but with some tradeoffs. "This is a resort not a get away from it all camping. It is well maintained, friendly staff, lots to do for kids. Sites are close, as in any resort style campground. Full hook ups, good cell service, WiFi is an additional cost," explains one RVer.
Site spacing: Consider how much room you need for your rig and setup. At Vanderburgh 4H Campground, "The sites are level. The connections are easy to access," according to one camper, making it suitable for larger vehicles.
Reservation timing: Plan ahead for popular weekends. One visitor to Harmonie State Park Campground advised, "We missed reserving the weekend they have the campground trick or treating, which was the weekend before, but this was just as fun... Apparently that weekend has to be reserved the day reservations open for it."
