Jeffersonville campsites sit along the Ohio River Valley where Indiana meets Kentucky, providing access to diverse terrain including forested hills, limestone formations, and river valleys. The area combines developed state park campgrounds with more primitive backcountry sites. Winter camping is available but typically sees reduced amenities from November through March, with many campgrounds winterizing water systems.
What to do
Trail hiking with elevation gain: Charlestown State Park offers trail systems rated from easy to rugged. One visitor described Trail 6 as having "waterfalls" while another noted most trails have "pretty rugged and all had elevation changes for a good hiking challenge." Some trails connect, allowing hikers to create longer routes.
Historic exploration: Rose Island at Charlestown State Park features remnants of an early 1900s amusement park. A camper described it as "haunting but sublime" with "a paved trail to see Rose Island about 1/2 mile long hill that is very steep in parts."
Water recreation: Deam Lake provides no-wake boating with electric motors only. The lake is "perfect to kayak for a beginner bc no wake zone," according to one visitor. Fishing for bluegill is common, with one camper reporting, "Caught some bluegills."
Urban cycling: Several campgrounds provide access to the Ohio River Greenway path, a paved 7-mile trail connecting river communities. The path includes "a bike/pedestrian bridge across the Ohio River to the trail which runs along the river on the Louisville side."
What campers like
Secluded forest settings: Jefferson Memorial Forest offers primitive camping in wooded areas, providing a natural retreat. A camper noted, "You are literally ten minutes from anything you want or need. Once you get to the top of the hill you are far removed from the noise, hustle and bustle of city/suburb living."
Concrete pad sites: Several campers appreciate the level, solid surfaces at some campgrounds. At Charlestown State Park, one visitor noted "concrete pads and full hookups" and that the "campground is very large and very well kept."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. At Brooks RV Park, a camper described it as "clean park" with "the manager Annie was very helpful," while another called it "a hard to find gem in Louisville."
Waterfront sites: Deam Lake features shoreline camping access. According to a visitor, the area is "very family-friendly and fun. There are horse trails, a beach, and great water for swimming/kayaking/canoeing."
What you should know
Train noise impacts: Several campgrounds near railroad tracks experience nighttime train traffic. At Louisville North Campground, a camper warned, "The trains. All night, every night. I'm a heavy sleeper and it sounded like the trains were going to crash into our RV."
Airport flight patterns: Campgrounds south of Louisville may experience airport noise. At Louisville South KOA, a visitor noted, "The platz liegt in der Einflugschneise des Flughafens. Auch die ganze Nacht hört man Fluglärm" (The site is in the flight path of the airport with noise all night).
Seasonal water issues: Facilities may have limited water availability in colder months. A Deam Lake camper reported, "Being the first weekend in April, the water wasn't turned on so there were no modern restrooms/shower houses available."
Gate fees separate from camping fees: Some parks charge entrance fees beyond camping costs. A Charlestown visitor advised, "Be aware of an additional $9 fee at the gate besides the camp fee."
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options for non-tent campers: Deam Lake offers cabin accommodations with modern features. A family reported, "We stayed in the Cardinal Cabin. Tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink."
Playground accessibility: Clifty Falls State Park offers recreation areas for children, though one camper noted the "campground playground is small, not much to write home about. Nice flat paved loops and sites that are good for biking."
Wildlife awareness: Children should be supervised around campgrounds due to local wildlife. One camper advised to "hide your trash as wildlife is very brave to get up close and personal with your things."
Pool facilities: Several state parks offer swimming pools during summer months. A Clifty Falls visitor mentioned "a very nice pool located close to the campground" with "a walking trail to the pool from the electric loop."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require significant leveling. At Clifty Falls, a camper reported, "Site 22 was so sloped our red levelers barely made it work. Site needed gravel, it was mostly sticky dirt that got tracked into our travel trailer."
Navigational skills required: Some RV parks have tight maneuvering areas. One Louisville North camper stated, "Someone else said that you have to be skilled to drive here..and they were right! We have a 41' Class A towing and I don't think we would fit of any bigger."
Non-traditional RV restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific rules about camper types. A camper at Louisville South KOA reported being turned away because their "professionally converted 12'x6' RV trailer" did not "come from a factory with AC or septic."
Site width variations: RV sites at some campgrounds have limited space. A Louisville North visitor noted, "I could sit on my picnic table facing my camper and lean against my neighbors RV," while another added, "When people say tight, they mean it here."
