Camping is the ultimate get-away-from-it-all experience. Combine that with stunning, natural scenery that only Southern Indiana can deliver, and you’ll have a memorable, relaxing, and soul-restoring camping trip! Enjoy an adventurous weekend of hiking and biking, or a quiet day in nature and around the campfire. Either way, we look forward to sharing our forests, parks, and outdoor adventures with you in down home Southern Indiana. for the best camping spots in Southern Indiana?
Below you will find some of the leading camping sites in Southern Indiana. Some are deeply nestled in the wilderness among our gentle rolling hills and waterways, while others are in our outstanding parks offering a long list of amenities.
Buffalo Trace Park, Palmyra
Buffalo Trace Park is loaded with activities. With tennis and basketball courts, volleyball pits, swimming, ball diamonds, disc golf, trails, playgrounds, corn hole, horseshoes, boating, and even a petting zoo, your camping trip will be as fun-filled as you want it to be. From primitive sites to cabins, your idea of roughing-it is covered.
Spring Mill State Park, Mitchell
The Spring Mill State Park is a unique blend of nature and history. The water flowing from cave springs led to the founding of an industrial village in the early 1800s. Pioneers used this water source to run several gristmills and other manufacturing mills. One of the Gristmills remains today along with a restored, interpretive pioneer village ready to explore. Along with glorious scenic camping, local astronaut’s (Gus) Grissom Memorial museum, a Twin Caves Boat Tour and nature center provide plenty of activities. The rugged and easy trails that wind through the park provide nature hikes, just right for you.
Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph, Santa Claus
With close proximity to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, this camping resort has something for everyone in your family. There’s lots of camping options from air-conditioned, fully stocked cabins to primitive campsites. Family fun is front-and-center with lake access, a large outdoor pool, a splash park with slides, parks, and activity center.
Patoka Lake Marina and Lodging, Birdseye
Patoka Lake is a sprawling and sparkling lake covering 8,800 acres. Including the surrounding park, the over 26,000 acres of land and water spreads across three counties. In addition to typical camping sites, Patoka Lake offers houseboats, unique floating cabins on the lake, and cabins on land too. Bring your boat or rent one of theirs. The views here are truly breath-taking.
Wilstem Ranch, Paoli
Who says you can’t camp with elephants, giraffes, kangaroos, bears, and sloths in Indiana? At Wilstem Ranch you can! Rent one of their cabins. Then, head out to the drive-through-safari or make an appointment to give an elephant a bath. Unique adventures and animal encounters await you at Wilstem Ranch.
Harmonie State Park, New Harmony
On the banks of the Wabash, camping, cabins, shady picnic areas, dramatic ravines, and gorgeous landscapes await you at Harmonie State Park. Biking, hiking, and bridle trails provide miles of adventure. The on-site fishing and boating will show you the very best scenery along the Wabash River.
Charlestown State Park, Charlestown
Charlestown State Park is a hikers’ paradise with scenic vistas along the Fourteenmile Creek valley and the Ohio River. Here, elevation changes of over 200 feet provide rugged hills and deep ravines. The unique topography offers up Devonian fossil outcrops and sinkholes. Camping options include primitive and full hookup sites.
New Vision RV Park, Oaktown
With RV and primitive camping sites, New Vision’s amenities include playgrounds, basketball, horseshoes, and a fishing pond. You’ll enjoy a peaceful and relaxing stay at New Vision RV Park.
Hoosier National Forest, Tell City
Spanning 60,240 acres, this huge forest includes lakes, sandy beaches, boat launches, hiking, biking, bridle trails, and kayaking. Choose your camping experience from cabins to primitive. Adventures are endless with beach days and swimming, climbing, fishing, hunting, and enjoying nature in every way imaginable.
Camping in Down Home Southern Indiana brings you close to major waterways surrounded by stunning hills and landscapes. In between, you’ll find charming towns where folks will welcome you like old friends. Which camping destination will you visit? Once you adventured at one of these spots, let us know by posting on Facebook and tag us @SouthernIndiana! We’d love to hear from you!