Indiana entered the Union in 1816 and is also known as the Hoosier State. Over 6.6 million people live in Indiana, with the largest cities being Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Carmel, and Bloomington.

The state maintains 4.7 million acres of forestland (over 20% of the state) and 4.6 million acres of timberland, which makes it an ideal location for anyone looking to enjoy nature. And enjoy the nature they do!

In fact, 70% of people who visit Indiana’s state parks participate in hiking, while 52% participate in camping. Tent camping is particularly popular with 51% of park visitors participating in this form of camping, and 98% said they would recommend visiting these parks to others.

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In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most highly rated campgrounds in Indiana, many of which are located inside these glorious state parks.

Eby’s Pines RV Park & Campground

Phone: 574-848-4583
Address: 14583 IN-120, Bristol, IN 46507
Activities:

Swimming,
Camp store,
Indoor roller rink,
Laser tag,
Snowmobile trails,
Hiking trails,
Fishing pond and river,
Game room,
Sport courts,
Playground,
Scheduled activities,
Shelter houses for rent,
Catering available.

Eby’s is a family owned and operated campground that has been in business since 1968. Camping is allowed here on a seasonal, monthly, weekly, or daily basis. RV and tent camping is permitted.

Cabins are available for rent. RV sites and some tent sites come with full hook-ups and primitive sites are available for tents. This campground is sprawled out across a large field, dotted with trees and surrounded by a river and forest.

This is an ideal campground for families looking to do simple, modern camping. Pets are allowed in this campground and there is a swimming pool on site, which makes this an ideal spot for a family camping getaway.

Shipshewana North Park Amish Log Cabin Lodging & Campground

Phone: 260-768-7770
Address: 5970 IN-5, Shipshewana, IN 46565
Activities:

Florida room,
Red barn conference center,
Ice cream and frozen custard stand,
Flea market nearby,
Blue Gate theatre nearby,
Millers Buggy Line Tours nearby.

Shipshewana North campground is located 3 miles north of the Town of Shipshewana. The campground is surrounded by pine forests and features an Amish theme throughout.

The campground features sites with full hook ups and permits RV and tent camping with cabins available for rent. Shipshewana offers 55 campsites and modernized rest facilities are available. The town of Shipshewana has only 670 residents, but it receives over 2 million tourists each year who come to enjoy all that “Shipshe” has to offer, including its rich Amish culture, the largest flea market in the Midwest, and it’s plethora of hand-crafted goods.

Shipshewana North campground is the ideal choice for antique and craft lovers who are looking to enjoy the classic feel and serenity of small-town America.

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Monroe Lake (Paynetown Campground)

Phone: 812-837-9546
Address: 4850 S. State Rd. 466, Bloomington, IN 47401
Activities:

Biking,
Bird watching,
Boating,
Fishing,
Hiking,
Horseshoes,
Jet Skiing,
Playgrounds
Sailboarding,
Swimming,
Water skiing.

Monroe Lake is the largest lake in Indiana. Nearby the campground, situated on the lake, is a resort that provides a marina, hotel, restaurant, and bar.

This is a man-made lake created in 1965 and spans 10,750 acres of water. Thousands of acres of state and federal forested land surrounds the lake.

Tent, RV, and trailer camping is permitted. Previously known as the “dead sea” due to limited fish populations, Monroe Lake is now flourishing with healthy populations of crappie, lunker bass, and big catfish. Walleye and bluegill can also be found in this lake.

Boat rentals are available, as well as places for dock fishing. Monroe Lake is the perfect camping destination for any nature lover!

Dunewood Campground

Phone: 219-395-1882
Address: 645 Broadway Avenue, Beverly Shores, IN 4630
Activities:

Beaches nearby,
Educational displays and videos,
Bookstore,
Visitor center,
Hiking trails,
Birding.

Dunewood campground is located in the Indiana Dunes National Park. The park features beaches, rugged dunes, forests, and wetlands. The 15,000 acre park is one of the most biologically diverse parks in the U.S., home to over 1,100 native plant species.

One of the most wonderful aspects of the Indiana Dunes National Park is that it rests on 15 miles of pristine Michigan Lake shoreline. The campground is open April 1st through November 1st and features 67 campsites. RV and tent camping is available, however, none of the campsites features electric or water hookups.

A handful of sites are wheelchair accessible. Ample restrooms and showers are provided on-site, as well as a dumping station for trailers. The Town of Beverly Shores features a gas station, shopping, and railroad station with passenger service that connects with Chicago and South Bend.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Phone: 765-737-6585
Address: 5964 IN-109, Knightstown, IN 4614
Activities:

Themed weekends,
Daily activities,
Crafts,
Swimming pool,
Games,
Yogi Meet&Greet,
Jump Pad,
Playgrounds,
Basketball and Volleyball Court,
Horseshoes,
Fishing,
Paddle Boating,
Pedal Karts,
Wagon Rides,
Bingo,
Dancing.

Jellystone is a family-centric campground that features a wide range of activities and attractions for kids and families.

The campground is set across many acres of well-maintained lawn space and concrete roads. All activity spaces and facilities are in great shape and the whole campground aligns with a rustic, wilderness, Yogi Bear theme.

Cabin and camping trailers are available for rent. There are a number of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts scattered throughout the midwest. The chain of resorts was originally founded in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1969 and today, each location is run as a franchise.

Brown County State Park

Phone: 812-988-6406
Address: 1801 Indiana 46 East, Nashville, IN 47448
Activities:

Outdoor swimming pool,
Park Events: Smokey Safety Day, Snake Fest, Nature Fest, Brown County Survivor, Wildflower Meadow Workday, Sunset Nature Ride, Halloween in the Hills.
Dining facilities,
Conference facilities,
Indoor Water Park,
Hiking,
Mountain biking trails,
Interpretive services,
Saddle barn/guided horse rides,
Horse trails.

This campground features a historic covered bridge and amazing natural scenery that is especially awesome in the fall months.

The campground is surrounded by 16,000 acres of rugged wilderness, full of hills, ridges, and ravines; this is one of the most beautiful glacial parks in the United States. Nearby, the Town of Nashville, Indiana supplies unique shopping experiences, dining locations, local arts and crafts, historical activities, entertainment venues, and various outdoor exploration and adventure activities.

The campground at Brown County State Park supports TV, trailer, tend, and equestrian camping. There is also a lodge in the park which offers motel rooms and cabins for rent.

Potato Creek State Park

Phone: 574-656-8186
Address: 25601 IN-4, North Liberty, IN 46554
Activities:

Park Events: Help Feed the Birds, Yoga on the Beach, Women’s Learn to Kayak Fish, Osprey Observation, Cemetery Tour, Eagle Hike, Hike the Bluebird Trail, Owl Prowl, Worster Lake Evening Paddle Adventure, and Star Party.
Worster Lake,
Nature observation and center,
Biking trails,
Boat launch,
Horse trails,
Fish cleaning station,
Playground,
Canoe, paddleboat, rowboat, kayak, and bicycle rentals,
Swimming beach,
On-site store.

Potato Creek is located in north-central Indiana and offers activities year-round. Natural scenery includes 327-acres of lake, old fields, woods, prairies, and wetlands. The nearest major city is South Bend, which is 12 miles away.

This campground features nicely decorated cabins, horse camping, and electric sites. Recreation buildings are available for rent. Tent and trailer camping is allowed with reservations recommended.

Supplies and souvenirs can be purchased at the park store spring thru fall. Potato Creek is the perfect camping destination for anyone who loves horses or wants to bring their own horses on their nature adventure.

Ouabache State Park

Phone: 260-824-0926
Address: 4930 IN-201, Bluffton, IN 4671
Activities:

Fishing and boating,
Nature center,
Gathering spaces,
Beach,
Hiking,
Biking trails,
Tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts,
Playgrounds.

Quabache (pronounced “Wabash”) supports tent camping, RV, and trailer camping. Some sites have full hookups and are wheelchair accessible.

Surrounded by a state park, the campground is less than a mile away from the nearest town, which has antique stores, museums, arts, churches, dining, and a medical clinic. Within 10 miles of the campground, there is golfing, a gas station, and a grocery store.

One of the defining features of this state park is the Wabash River (correctly spelled as written), which runs straight through the park. This river is ideal for fishing. Additionally, a 100 foot fire tower is open to the public for amazing scenic views.

The park is located 30 miles south of Fort Wayne, so this is a great option for anyone looking to camp far away from any major city.

Conclusion

As you can see, Indiana is a state that is not only rich in nature, it’s also rich in exciting camping getaways that have something for everyone. For families who want a camping experience filled with water sports, look no farther than Monroe Lake.

If it’s a family-friendly equestrian experience you’re after, Brown County State Park is the one for you! If you’re looking for enriching nature-filled experiences, Potato Creek has what you need!

If you want the ultimate beach vacation, head to Dunewood Campground and bask in those 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline! Of course, the classic Yogi Bear Jellystone experience is always the perfect go-to for anyone camping with young kids.

Eby’s Pines can’t be beat for RV camping, Ouabache is where you’ll want to head for amazing scenic views and photography opportunities, and last but not least, Shipshewana is sure to charm the heart of any antiques lover.

No matter who you are, Indiana has a campground for you! So what are you waiting for? Grab the family, pack the bags, and hit the road; Indiana is calling you for a great adventure!

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