The 23 Best Campgrounds in Indiana – Top-Rated & Hidden Gems

Few states are as amazingly beautiful (and seemingly remote) as Indiana. Sure, when folks think of all the best places to go hiking, fishing, or camping, they might immediately think of somewhere like Colorado, which is understandable… if not a little short-sighted. Did you know that Indiana is an awesome place for all of those things and more? Take, for example, the best campgrounds in Indiana: there are literally hundreds of top-rated ones to pick from thanks to just how awesome the Hoosier State really is when you get up close and personal.

With 24 incredible state parks (including such incredible gems as Shades State Park, McCormick’s Creek State Park, Patoka Lake State Park, and Clifty Falls State Park, to name just a few), one to-die-for National Park, and numerous designated dark-sky areas, the best places to camp in Indiana are plenty no matter what you’re hoping to get out of the experience. Check out this epic, comprehensive list of all the best places to camp in Indiana, from parks and forests and waterfalls to ravines and lakes and everything in between. After all is said and done, you’ll probably have many new favorite camping spots in Indiana! What would YOU call the best campgrounds in Indiana? Let us know!

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Best State Park Campgrounds in Indiana 

Many of the best campgrounds in Indiana – and best campgrounds just about anywhere in the United States – are within its state and/or National parks. There are numerous awesome state parks in Indiana that are worth it just for camping alone – not to even mention the incredible wonders held within each and every one. Every Indiana state park has camping options, but these five take the cake for THE best campgrounds in Indiana:

Dunewood Campground, 645 Broadway, Beverly Shores, IN 46301, USA

U.S. Department of the Interior/Flickr

• Location: Indiana Dunes National Park
• Popularity: Very popular
• Park Info: Indiana’s first-ever National Park offers up some truly awe-inspiring camping in lush, beautiful landscapes. The park itself runs along about 20 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. This beautiful park is a must-visit.
• Price: $25 per night Camping Fee, $25 per vehicle entry fee into Indiana Dunes NP

Few National Parks are as beloved – and yet somehow tragically underrated – as Indiana Dunes National Park. Situated right alongside beautiful Lake Michigan, the dunes you’ll find here are unlike anything else in the Hoosier State and the lake quite literally looks like the sea. What better way to enjoy this than by staying a while? There are a couple of campgrounds in the park, but the favorite (and most famous) by far is Dunewood Campground. Tap that link to book your campsite in advance; there are 66 sites available, and the grounds are open from April 1st until October 31st. Campers will absolutely love this park, the campgrounds, and just about everything else. If you look up "the best campgrounds in Indiana" just about anywhere, this one is going to be at - or close to - the top.

Take a relaxing drive around Dunewood Campground in this wonderful 4K video:

Turkey Run State Park Campground, 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA

Tom Gill/Flickr

• Location: Turkey Run State Park
• Popularity: Very popular
• Park Info: The first parcel of land that would become Turkey Run State Park was purchased in 1916. In 2019, it was finally added to the National Register of Historic Places. The park attracts about 700,000 visitors each and every year, give or take a couple thousand.
• Price: $7 in-state entry fee, $9 out-of-state entry fee. Campsite prices vary; Class A Electric sites are $23 Sunday to Wednesday, $30 Thursday to Saturday, and $33 on holiday weekends. Youth tent camps are $20 minimum every time. Rates differ in the winter, so call (765) 597-2635 for rates outside of April to November.

If you were to ask any handful of locals which Indiana state parks they thought to be the most beautiful, it’s almost certain that at least a few of them will come up with Turkey Run State Park first. And, wouldn’t you know, camping at Turkey Run State Park is a beloved Hoosier pastime. This incredible state park is basically the Indiana version of the Grand Canyon and every fairy-tale forest you’ve ever dreamed of combined into one incredible experience. Camping here is a surreal experience that you won’t soon forget, but like Dunewood Campground, it’s quite popular – so be ready to make new friends! Each and every recreation area in Indiana is a delight in its own way, and this one is no different. There are several reasons this one makes it so high on the list of the best campgrounds in Indiana - it's an amazing place unlike any other in the entire state.

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Campground Charlestown State Park, Charlestown, IN 47111, USA

Zak Biggs/AllTrails

• Location: Charlestown State Park
• Popularity: Popular
• Park Info: Once upon a time, this area was an undeveloped Indiana Army ammunition plant. At 5100 acres in size, it’s Indiana’s third-largest state park, and with its amazing vistas and stunning hiking trails, it’s hard to see why this park isn’t just a little more popular. Oh, and did we mention the remains of the abandoned amusement park? Because there’s the remains of an abandoned amusement park.
• Price: Park season is year-round, and different types of campsites have different fees. Shelters are $35 - $55 nightly/daily, full hookup sites are $19- $44 nightly/daily, and electric sites are $16 - $30 nightly/daily. Charlestown State Park has a $7 in-state entry fee and a $9 out-of-state entry fee.

Camping at Charlestown State Park is a delight. The entire park is a delight, and getting to wake up here is just the icing on the cake! With 188 campsites to choose from available to book online up to six months in advance, there’s nothing you’ll be left to want for when you arrive (unless, of course, you forget the fixin’s for the s’mores). Campsite types include electric, full hookup, and a couple of outdoor shelters as well. Don’t forget to meander around Rose Island, the aforementioned abandoned amusement park right here in Charlestown. Fans of hiking will be happy to hear that there is more than 13 amazing miles of trails to choose from... why not try ‘em all? This is one truly unique campground in Indiana that urbexers will love, too.

O'Bannon Woods State Park, 7234 Old Forest Rd, Corydon, IN 47112, USA

slerkins/TripAdvisor

• Location: O’Bannon Woods State Park
• Popularity: Popular
• Park Info: A long time ago, this beautiful place was known as Wyandotte Woods State Recreation Area. It borders the Ohio River, and was at one time one of the only African-American Civilian Conservation Corps units in existence. Do know that the old Stagestop Campground is closed until further notice; instead, you can book a campsite at Campgrounds A, B, C, or D depending on your needs.
• Price: Electric campsites start at $16 and can range from there. Full hookups start at $30. Electric sites start at $23, and non-electric sites start at $16. Primitive campsites start at $12. There’s also a Group Campsite option that sleeps up to 124 that starts at $248 (and is perfect for school groups, family reunions, and more). O’Bannon Woods State Park also charges a $7 in-state visitor entry fee and a $9 out-of-state visitor entry fee.

It’s hard to understate the majesty of O’Bannon Woods State Park. It’s an awesome place to visit and stay a while, with 281 electric campsites and 47 non-electric sites available to reserve. As mentioned above, the rates for each type of campsite vary from season to season, so always be sure to visit the O’Bannon Woods State Park campsite booking page well ahead of time to plan your trip.

Versailles State Park, 1387 US-50, Versailles, IN 47042, USA

iris Almeida/Google Local

• Location: Versailles State Park
• Popularity: Popular
• Park Info: Versailles State Park is a beautiful Indiana state park located in the gorgeous rolling hills of the southeastern part of the state. It is Indiana’s second-largest state park and is steeped in Civil War history; long, long ago, this place was an ancient sea, as evidenced by an interesting and unique fossil record in the region. There’s a pristine lake, many miles of awesome hiking and horseback riding trails, and, of course, excellent camping opportunities.
• Price: As with most Indiana state parks, Versailles State Park has an in-state entry fee of $7.00 and an out-of-state entry fee of $9. As for the campground, there are over 200 campsites spread across three campgrounds: A, B, and C. Full hookups start at $30. Electric sites start at $23, and non-electric sites start at $16. Primitive campsites start at $12.

Versailles State Park is probably the least-bustling of all the options on this list. It’s beautiful, and very peaceful – the perfect place to go camping for those who are interested in a more low-key experience. Of course, on holidays and weekends, this place can still get going – so be prepared to make lots of new friends (and bring all your current ones, too). This is probably one of the best campgrounds in Indiana for being a social butterfly!

Best Beach Camping in Indiana

Who says you need to be in a coastal state to enjoy some awesome beach camping? We sure don’t; turns out, Indiana is home to a number of gorgeous, pristine freshwater beaches – some of which can quite literally pass as the ocean itself. There are several locations where you can camp on the beach in Indiana – or near the beach – and we can’t get enough of them. Here are some of the best beach campgrounds in Indiana:

Sandy Beach Campground, -1898, 1840 Campbell Dr, Vevay, IN 47043, USA

Amanda Aulby/ Google Local

• Location: Vevay
• Popularity: Somewhat popular
• Park Info: You’ll find Vevay’s most-beloved sandy beach (and the campground that’s settled on it) at Sandy Beach Campground, a little slice of heaven with a reasonable name. Folks often drive from all over Indiana to experience this one... as long as they know it exists. You’d be surprised at just how overlooked Sandy Beach Campground is, especially considering it's easily one of the best campgrounds in Indiana!

Often overlooked in favor of better-known parks, Sandy Beach Campground is an amazing place to call your home away from home. There’s a pristine lake that sparkles in the sunlight (and the moonlight, when the conditions are right) and a boat launch for those who want to get on the water. Sink your toes in the warm, white-fawn sand and listen to the sounds of the water. Go canoeing in the early morning (and if you’ve never been canoeing, hey, what a place to start!). Do yoga waterside. This getaway is perfect for some inner peace, especially if you show up early or on a weekday.

Miami State Recreation Area, E 500 S, Peru, IN 46970, USA

Cynthia K/TripAdvisor

• Location: Mississinewa Lake, Peru
• Popularity: Popular
• Park Info: Experience Mississinewa Lake like never before at the Miami State Recreation Area. Miami State Recreation Area is absolutely gorgeous, and it’s filled top-to-bottom with some truly amazing camping and hiking. It’s especially beautiful in the summer when things are lush and in the fall when the colors are as vibrant as ever. Beach opens Memorial Day weekend and closes following Labor Day weekend.
• Price: Non-electric sites are $22. Full hookups are $44, and electric sites are $16. Rent-a-camp cabins are $60. Access to the recreation area itself is free.

With more than 85 amazing lakes in Indiana to choose from, one might get a little overwhelmed at first. So, why not start – or finish – with one of the best beaches in Indiana? Miami State Recreation Area is nestled right alongside beautiful Mississinewa Lake, a 3,210-acre reservoir, is not great for swimming thanks to blue-green algae present in the region; it is, however, open for boating – and few things are as awesome as catching the sunrise (or sunset) on the water. No tents and no air conditioners, please. The camping experience here is amazing - the swimming one, well, not as much, so be careful and have fun.

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Hardin Ridge Recreation Area, 6464 Hardin Ridge Rd, Heltonville, IN 47436, USA

Hardin Ridge Recreation Area/Facebook

• Location: Hardin Ridge Recreation Area
• Popularity: Somewhat popular
• Park Info: The jaw-droppingly lovely Hardin Ridge Campground is located within the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area alongside beautiful Monroe Lake. It’s got six campground loops, a swimming beach, shelters, picnic tables and more.
• Price: Required from April 15th until October 31st, day use passes are $5 per vehicle. Walk-to and primitive sites are $21 per night. Electric sites are $28 per night, electric and water sites are $32 a night, double sites with electric are $44 a night, and cabins are $55 a night. Cabins can be reserved from May 15th to September 15th. They are available first-come, first-served at the gate from April 15th to May 14th, and from September 16th to October 15th.

If you ask anyone in Bloomington what their favorite place to go camping nearby is and many of them will likely mention the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area first. Lake Monroe is gorgeous and when the water’s nice – which is most of the year, except for winter – it’s a little bit of paradise right here in the Midwest. Best of all, you can camp at the lakeside! Who says you need the ocean? We sure don’t, and if you do, allow Lake Monroe to change that for you. It’s a treat! This is one of those amazingly classic family-friendly Indiana campgrounds that gets mentioned in just about every list for lots of reasons.

Best No-Reservation Camping in Indiana

Not the type to worry about reservations? Bored and looking for an awesome last-minute place to go camping in the Hoosier State? No worries – there are plenty of campgrounds in Indiana that don’t require any reservations! This does, of course, mean that these campsites and campgrounds are all first-come, first-served, so get here early (and during the week) for the best chances of scoring a great spot.

Maine's Pond, Hoosier National Forest, Freetown, IN 47235, USA

Lance F/Google Local

• Location: Brown County State Park
• Popularity: Popular
• Park Info: Brown County State Park is known as one of, if not THE, most beautiful places in the Hoosier State. It makes sense, then, that there are numerous opportunities for camping within its borders. Some campgrounds require reservations and have fees, but the campsites next to Maines Pond don’t. You’ll have to try and beat others to the punch, though – this is a popular campground thanks to its location (and its being free).

Nestled within the Hoosier National Forest, Maines Pond is surrounded by stunning grasslands, brush, thickets, and more. Nature lovers will adore this one, as it’s a very popular site for birding enthusiasts to watch the local critters. Except for fishermen, this is a day use area and is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and it's open all year ‘round. The nearest town is the small town of Houston, Indiana.

Mitchell Creek Road, Mitchell Creek Rd, Johnson Township, IN, USA

Sycamore Springs Park/Facebook

• Location: Sycamore Springs Park
• Popularity: Semi-popular

This is one of Indiana’s best-kept secrets: a gorgeous, forested dispersed camping site with several wonderful spots, excellent forest views, and great wildlife viewing and birdwatching opportunities. You can tent and/or RV camp here – and best of all, it’s free! As always, though, this campground – and other no-reservation campgrounds – is first-come, first-served, so be ready to arrive nice and early (and/or during the week). The campground is open from April through October; this is one utterly incredible camping trip the entire family will adore. You won't find this spot listed in any official guides to the best campgrounds in Indiana, but rest assured it's a good one.

Top Glamping in Indiana

Have you ever heard of “glamping” before? If not, in a nutshell, it’s camping with a glamorous twist, usually in a yurt, a treehouse, a tiny home, or any other unconventional place to sleep (that isn’t a hotel, motel, or actual home). It’s all the rage right now, and Indiana is an amazing state to take part in this relatively new hobby in! Check out some of the best places for awesome glamping in Indiana. 

Mary Rose Herbfarm, 23112 Cattail Rd, Bristow, IN 47515, USA

Mary Rose Herb Farm & Retreat/Facebook

• Location: Bristow
• Popularity: Somewhat popular
• Price: Varies, but typically starts around $90 per night

We’re not sure there’s a more unique place in Indiana to rest your head. Situated on an actual working herb farm in the middle of paradise, the Mary Rose experience is a yurt glamping adventure you’ll never forget. The farm’s been at it for more than two decades, so you know they’re doing everything right – they've had plenty of time to perfect things, and it shows. There are two yurts available, both of which have two double beds. This is, without a doubt, one of the most pleasant places you’ll ever spend the night. There are the best campgrounds in Indiana... and then there are the best GLAMPgrounds.

Madison, IN, USA

Cabin on the Ridge/Airbnb

• Location: Madison
• Popularity: Somewhat popular
• Price: Varies, but typically starts at around $100 per night

If you’d told us 20 years ago that tiny homes and tiny cabins would be all the rage in the future (whenever that might be), we probably wouldn’t have believed you. It’s true, though: tiny homes and tiny accommodations in general make up a large portion of glamping sites you’ll find, especially in Indiana. There are a LOT of adorable accommodations in the Hoosier State, but this absolutely ADORABLE tiny cabin in Madison is probably our favorite. Best of all, it’s nestled in the heart of Amish country, so there are plenty of wonderful things to do nearby without going terribly far.

Remington, IN 47977, USA

Caboose Lake Campground, Inc/Facebook

• Location: Remington
• Popularity: Somewhat popular
• Park Info: This little slice of paradise is a hunk of privately-owned land situated around a gorgeous, blue-green lake perfect for swimming and other waterfront shenanigans. The park offers boat rentals, paddleboats, playgrounds, sporting areas, and so much more – it's a whole glamping resort!
• Price: Varies, but usually starts around $60 per night, up to two adults and four kids. Additional adults are $8 per night.

Another yurt campground/glampground that’s 100% worth mentioning, Caboose Lake is a private paradise that requires a two-night minimum stay on the weekends; one-night reservations are available from Sunday through Thursday. Be sure to bring your own linens and remember that no pets are permitted on the property. Holiday weekends require a three-night minimum stay. The amenities at this park are plenty and you’ll probably never want to leave (and we don’t blame you).

Antler Log Cabins Vacation Rentals, 8747 E State Rd 45, Unionville, IN 47468, USA

Antler Log Cabins/Facebook

• Location: Nashville
• Popularity: Popular
• Price: Varies; call 812-339-6547 for the most up-to-date rates and reservations.

If you’re looking for the perfect romantic escape from reality, Anter Log Cabins has everything you need. With several absolutely gorgeous, luxurious cabins to pick from, these not-a-hotel, not-a-resort diamonds in the rough are the very definition of an idyllic glamping experience. The cabins are located within stunning Brown County, and no matter if you’re just visiting or you’ve lived in Indiana your entire life, these cabins will show you a side of the Hoosier State not often seen by anyone. It’s a tranquil, beautiful place to call home... at least for a little while.

Poland, IN 47868, USA

Glamping - Firepit, Carpet, Electric, Frig, Fans/Airbnb

• Location: Poland
• Popularity: Somewhat popular
• Price: Varies, but starts at about $40 per night

Did you know you can spend the night in Poland... Indiana? Yep. Okay, sorry, we’ll show ourselves out, but first: check out this amazing glampground with no added cleaning fees (which is very rare on Airbnb and VRBO these days). Situated on 50 gorgeous, forested acres, this little runaway hideout is perfect for a romantic getaway for two or a self-care adventure for one. The bed is a queen-sized air mattress with linens provided; there is also a mini fridge, a sink, a coffee maker, and more. Glamping: it’s all the fun of camping, but way more glamorous. Oh, and it’s affordable, too!

Best RV Camping Sites in Indiana

What’s just one step above glamping but one step below staying in a hotel room instead? An RV, of course – though some might be able to successfully argue that RV camping is a form of glamping. Honestly, we can see both sides of the idea, but we digress: let’s check out some of the best RV campgrounds in Indiana. If you’d like to indulge in any of these but you find yourself without an RV, worry not: you can snatch a rental up with our friends at RVShare.   

Twin Mills Campground, 1675 IN-120, Howe, IN 46746, USA

Twin Mills Camping Resort (1675 W. SR 120, Howe, IN)/Facebook

• Location: Howe
• Popularity: Very popular
• Park Info:This privately-owned park is a blast and half, and it’s packed each and every year with families who came here once and immediately decided to never go anywhere else. The facilities are excellent, with a swimming pool, huge movie screen, trails, sports courts, and so much more. This is glamping cranked up to 11.
• Price: Varies depending on many factors, but tent campsites start at around $50 and if goes up (and in some cases, down) from there. Visit the official website for the most up-to-date rates.

Tucked in gorgeous northern Indiana is Twin Mills Campground, an amazing experience unlike any other. This awesome little piece of paradise is very popular, so you’ll definitely want to book in advance. When you get here, you’ll know immediately just why it’s so beloved: there are hundreds of amazing amenities, and the whole place is truly more like a small community than an average campground. There's a nice, sandy swimming beach here, a swimming pool, and so much more. It’s an experience for the entire family!

Hidden Paradise Campground, 802 E Jefferson St, St Paul, IN 47272, USA

Hidden Paradise Campground/Facebook

• Location: St. Paul
• Popularity: Popular
• Park Info: There’s a reason this park is called Hidden Paradise – it's legitimately both. It’s a privately-owned hidden gem that’s outrageously popular among locals thanks to its sheer awesomeness. It’s situated around Dream Lake, which is deep enough for SCUBA diving (which some folks most certainly take part in here). It’s 80 acres of pure perfection with so much jam-packed into it to do that you’ll never want to go home. It’s okay. This is your home now.
• Price: Monthly rates start at $975. RV sites range from $16 to $60 per day. Cabins are $125 to $150 per day. Quarry swimming passes range from $5 to $20 depending on the number of days and ages of swimmers. Call 765-525-6582 for the most up-to-date rates.

With almost 200 awesome RV campsites to book (which we strongly recommend you book well ahead of time), this awesome campground really does live up to the “paradise” part of the name. Even still, we’ve saved the best part for last: hidden away at Hidden Paradise Campground is an awesome, inflatable water playground complete with a trampoline, slides, and so much more. It’s a blast for kids, and adults who still act like kids (guilty). Oh, and if you decide to SCUBA dive, you’ll find all sorts of fascinating things at the bottom of the lake. Looking for a positively epic camping trip? Look no further than this amazing little slice of paradise in the form of an RV park. This isn't just one of the best campgrounds in Indiana... it's one of the best campgrounds in the entire Midwest!

Follow the River RV Resort, 12273 Markland Town Rd, Florence, IN 47020, USA

HRTravelers/TripAdvisor

• Location: Florence
• Popularity: Very Popular
• Park Info: Like the other RV resorts in this list, this is a privately-owned RV resort situated in beautiful Florence, Indiana. It’s open year-round, though water get shut off during the winter months for obvious reasons. Park begins taking reservations on January 1st for the entirety of the next year.
• Price: Rates remain the same year-round. They range from $53 to $63, plus tax, per night; weekly rates start at $289 and monthly rates start at $759 plus tax.

Follow The River is one of the most popular RV resorts in Indiana. It’s jam-packed with an enormous laundry list of amazing amenities, from a clean swimming pool to a stocked-up clubhouse complete with snacks and other goodies. There’s a catch-and-release lake on the grounds (no swimming, please), a volleyball court, trails, a dog park, and a lot more – we suppose you’ll just have to check it out for yourself to see it all, because there’s plenty more. This is one of those awesome places the kids will beg you to keep coming back to.

IB Crow Campground and RV Resort, 2882 NW Shafer Dr, Monticello, IN 47960, USA

Indiana Beach Amusement & Water Park Resort/Facebook

• Location: Monticello
• Popularity: Very popular
• Park Info: This campground is adjacent to all the best shenanigans at Indiana Beach Amusement Park and Water Park Resort. It’s every bit as fun as it sounds, and you can choose to camp in a tent, cabin, or, of course, an RV. There are three playgrounds, a couple of swimming pools, and SO much more. You – nor anyone you bring – will never want to leave.
• Price: Varies depending on needs and number of guests. Visit the official website or call (574) 583-4141 for the most up-to-date rates for your party’s specific needs.

Oh, boy – we're not even sure where to start with this one. If you’re on the hunt for the single most epic place to park your RV for a while, look no further than IB Crow Campground at Indiana Beach. For those who don’t live here, Indiana Beach is the single greatest amusement park in the Midwest located right on the pristine Lake Shafer, which is crystal-clear and nice and chilled all summer long. Camping here is fun – but it’s even more fun when you factor in the literal roller coasters that are just a stone’s throw away.

S&H Campground, Buck Creek Township, IN 46140, USA

S&H Campground/Facebook

• Location: Greenfield
• Popularity: Popular
• Park Info: Located just 20 minutes from Indy, this little park is a total gem with so many things to do jam-packed onto the grounds that you’ll definitely need more than one night to do it all. It opened in 1968 and is still going strong – probably because if something’s not broken, there’s no need to fix it. With an amazing plethora of other options like kiddie rides, a café and concession stand, and so much more, it’s hard to see why someone wouldn’t want to just kind of live here.
• Price: Rates vary depending on type of campsite and length of stay with a three-night-stay minimum on holiday weekends; campsites range from $50 to $85 nightly, $325 to $450 weekly, and $620 to $1570 monthly. Call 317-326-3208 for the most current rates.

With 250 RV campsites and 100 tent sites available, S&H Campground is a haven for all who love the great outdoors as well as making new friends. There’s literally always something going on, be it a seasonal event, live music, or any other amount of fun stuff; you – nor anyone else in your party – will never get bored. With Wi-Fi, onsite laundry services, a game room, a drive-in movie theatre, activity center, fishing lake, and so much more, we don’t even know what the best part is. It’s ALL the best part.

Best Primitive Tent Camping in Indiana

Sometimes all we need in this life is a nice, easy place to sleep that’s simple and low-tech – somewhere we can do the old-fashioned, timeless pleasures of setting up a tent and enjoying the great outdoors without, say, electricity, hookups, or other modern conveniences. We found some of the greatest places to camp for free in Indiana as well as some of the downright best campgrounds in Indiana for primitive camping, such as:  

Pokagon State Park campground gatehouse, Unnamed Road, Fremont, IN 46737, USA

Pokagon State Park/Facebook

• Location: Angola
• Popularity: Very popular
• Park Info: Pokagon State Park is an absolutely beautiful little respite from the real world that has numerous dispersed campsites scattered all over the park. You just need to find one that’s not taken yet!
• Price: Pokagon State Park charges an entry fee of $7 for in-state visitors and $9 for out-of-state visitors. Non-electric tent sites cost anywhere from $10 to $25 to reserve, should you choose to do it that way. Most dispersed campsites cost nothing, but double-check first.

Campground #2 at Pokagon State Park is an amazing place for anyone looking to go camping sans any electric hookups or fancy amenities. This is the perfect place to pitch a tent and rough it (for up to 14 days at a time). Dispersed camping is legal on public lands in Indiana, so find yourself a good spot nice and early (campsites are first-come, first-served) and set up. Pokagon State Park offers all sorts of amazing things to see and do, including one of the single most pristine lakes in Indiana.

Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area, St Croix, IN 47576, USA

John Whitten/AllTrails

• Location: Hoosier National Forest
• Popularity: Semi-Popular
• Cost: Free

Fun fact: dispersed, primitive camping is perfectly legal on public lands in Indiana, and Hoosier National Forest is filled with amazing spots to discover. Tipsaw Lake is an amazing place to pitch a tent all year long, and it’s one of the lesser-known spots on this list – so you might just get it all to yourself if you’re lucky. There are numerous trails, a boat launch on the lake, and lots more to keep you occupied while you’re here. Like anywhere in the Hoosier National Forest, stays are limited to 14 consecutive days. State forests are the same. Sometimes the best campgrounds in Indiana aren't actually campgrounds at all!

Scales Lake Park, 800 W Tennyson Rd, Boonville, IN 47601, USA

Scales Lake Park/Facebook

• Location: Warrick County
• Popularity: Popular
• Park Info: Scales Lake Park is a beloved recreation area among locals. It’s pristine and offers many amazing opportunities for outdoor adventure, from hiking trails to mountain biking trails, sandy beaches, and all sorts of other delights. You’ll never want to leave, which makes camping here all the sweeter.
• Price: On the weekends, primitive campsites cost $25. From Sunday through Wednesday, primitive sites are $20. Payment is due when reservations are made.

Situated alongside a gorgeous 66-acre lake, this wonderful camping area is perfect for those who just want to pitch a tent and not worry about much else. There are lots of options for this place, so if you decide against primitive camping, no worries – there are still plenty of choices to be made. This is an awesome lake for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and more.

Summary

All in all, Indiana is an absolutely amazing place for all things camping (and all things outdoors). This list is just a few of the best campgrounds in Indiana… in reality, there are so many more that we simply cannot list them all in one reasonable-length article. Ultimately, the most accurate list of the best campgrounds in Indiana is up to you – what are your top picks for the all-time best campgrounds in Indiana? Let us know!