7 Most Beautiful Campgrounds in Indiana

Indiana is known for basketball, covered bridges, and the location of Abraham Lincoln’s childhood home. But did you know, the Hoosier State is also home to beautiful campgrounds? 

These state & federally operated parks are the pride of locals and the joy of tourists.

Standard camping rates for state parks range between $12 for primitive camping to $44 for holiday weekends with full hookups. 

There is also a daily entrance fee at most parks. State Park passes can be purchased for residents $50/non-resident $70. 

Here’s the seven most beautiful campgrounds in Indiana.

Prophetstown State Park

• Address: 5545 Swisher Road, West Lafayette, IN, 47906   
• Phone: 756-567-4919  

History buffs, this is the park for you. 

Explore The Farm at Prophetstown and a Native American Village to dig into the area’s rich history and the previous inhabitants. 

With 110 sites, 55 with full hookups, this campground has 30- and 20-amp service, a fire ring, and picnic table at each site. The facilities include a dump station, showers, trash, and water.

There are many hiking trails in the park ranging from 2 miles to 5 miles.

Although bordered by the Wabash and Tippecanoe Rivers, swimming and wading are prohibited within the park. There is an aquatics center/water park ($5/pp) located on the property, but it’s closed for the 2020 summer.

You’ll love this campground for the cleanliness and excellent amenities. Each site has some privacy, and the park is pet friendly.

Tippecanoe River State Park

• Address: 4200 US-35, Winamac, IN, 46996  
• Phone: 574-946-3213

Tippecanoe River State Park is known for its water access to the Tippecanoe River for boating, kayaking, and fishing. However, swimming is prohibited. 

There are 23 miles of hiking and equestrian trails nearby. This park has 168 campsites comprising a mixture of 50-amp service to partial hookups, and each site has a picnic table. There are cabins, restrooms, a dump station, showers, and trash services. Pets are welcome. 

Keep in mind; the internet is not great. An RV or vehicle cell booster will help you gain a robust signal.

You’ll love this campground for the wooded level sites and the ability to accommodate larger rigs. 

Dunewood Campground – Indiana Dunes State Park

• Address: 1600 N. 25 E., Chesterton, IN 46304   
• Phone: 219-926-1952

Dunewood Campground is on the shores of Lake Michigan. The 140 sites all have 50-amp service with concrete pads, and separated from the lake by 200-foot dunes. There is room for all sized RVs. 

There are picnic areas, a guarded swimming beach, 16 miles of hiking trails and a nature center. Dunewood Campground is an excellent place for birding.

Pets are welcome at the campground, but not on the swimming beach. The facilities include a dump station, restrooms, trash area, general store and showers. The internet is okay.

You’ll love this campground for access to Lake Michigan and the J.D. Marshall Underwater Preserve, as well as the natural dunes.

Shakamak State Park

• Address: 6265 W. State Road 48, Jasonville, IN, 47438  
• Phone: 812-665-2158

Shakamak State Park is an excellent campground for family fun. With a waterpark, including a water slide, the whole family will enjoy cooling off. 

There are three connected, man-made lakes for fishing and boating. Group campsites and cabins are available. 

Check out the nature center, rent paddle boats, or hike on one of the many trails. Eight of the sites are full hookups, and 114 are electric only. There is also a dump station and a camp store for when you run out of marshmallows.

You will love this campground for the lakes and aquapark. It is also close to recreation areas, wildlife areas, and state forests.

Versailles State Park

• Address: 1387 US 50 East, Versailles, IN, 47042   
• Phone: 812-689-6424

Versailles State Park has 226 sites of various pad compositions. Each site contains a picnic table and a fire ring. 

There is a great outdoor swimming pool!

Although there is water access for boating and fishing, swimming is not allowed. Hiking and equestrian trails surround the park. The campground has a dump station, showers, trash, restrooms, and water spigots. Pets are welcome.

You’ll love this park for the seasonal nature center, excellent AT&T service, and Civil War and Civil Conservation Corps history. There are also scheduled festivals and concerts on the property.

Saddle Lake Recreation Area

• Address: Old State Rd 37, Tell City, IN, 47586   
• Phone: 812-547-7051 

Camping is $5 per night with self-service pay stations at the campground.

Saddle Lake Recreation Area is a great place to hear yourself think in the forest. This primitive campground has 13 sites. 

The property offers a hiking trail around the lake and a boat ramp. Each site has a campfire grill for fires. There is one vault toilet.

Most of the campground is geared toward tent camping, but smaller units will fit in the sites. The campground is pet friendly. For internet service, T-Mobile is the way to go here.

You will love this recreation area for the quiet solitude, wildlife watching, and great fishing.

Blackwell Horsecamp 

• Address: Tower Ridge Road, Heltonville, IN, 47436   
• Phone: 866-275-5987   

This free campground in the center of Indiana is a great boondocking site for those willing to go without creature comforts. 

The campground is a huge field suitable for all sized rigs. Campsites are not marked – you can choose the space that fits best. It’s an equestrian camp, so there are lots of horses. 

There are three vault toilets spread through the property. 

It’s reported that cell service is mediocre (another good spot to have a cell booster).

You’ll love this free campsite for the ability to spread out from other campers, a large pavilion for group gatherings, and all of the horses.

Discover the Most Beautiful Free Camping in America

To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).

You should give it a try!

As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.

Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site! 

We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: