1. Indiana Dunes National Park
For the closest camping to Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is the place to stay. The park is in the northern most part of Indiana with 3 miles along the shore of Lake Michigan. The giant sand dunes are one of the major attractions with some of the dunes getting to be 200 feet! You can climb to the top of the dunes to get an amazing view of the lake. There is even a “3-Dune Challenge” where you can earn bragging rights from running the 1.5 mile loop up and down 3 of the major dunes. If lying on the beach with a cool beverage is more your style there is a swimming beach to spend the day in the sun. The campground has 140 sites, all with electric, picnic tables and fire pits. Everything you need is right on-site, including restrooms, a bathhouse, convenience store, water and a fun playground for the kids. The campground is set back from the lake but is less than a mile from the beach. As you can imagine the campground fills up fast, especially in the summer, so make your reservations early!
2. Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph Campground
For a fun filled family camping trip stay at the Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph Campground. It is located right next door to the Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari amusement park in Santa Claus, Indiana (yes, that’s the town’s real name!). You can double your fun by staying at Sun Outdoors which has it’s own water park, large swimming pool, kiddie pool, miniature golf and a sport court. The campground has a variety of campsites for RV’s and tents as well as cabin, cottage and RV rentals. Campsites have full hookups, picnic table and fire rings. After all of the waterpark fun you can rent a boat to go out on the lake to enjoy a little nature. You can rent a kayak, paddle boat or row boat to try your hand at fishing. The lake is stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish so there is a good chance you will catch a little something to fry up for dinner. So much to do all in one camping trip!
3. Clifty Falls State Park Campground
Clifty Falls State Park is located near Madison, IN on the border of Indiana and Kentucky. The beautiful waterfalls are the highlight of the park but there are also miles of hiking trails, fossil hunting, and a swimming pool/waterslide (it is closed this summer, but plan for next year!). There are four main waterfalls spread out on a four mile hiking trail with a long, 600 foot tunnel used by the railroad years ago. If you hike to all four you can stop by the nature center to get a “Four Falls Challenge” sticker! The campground is located right by the Ohio river, so bring your fishing gear. The largest Blue Catfish ever caught in Indiana was pulled from the Ohio River. In 1999, Bruce Midkiff caught a 106 pounder, now that is a big catfish! There are 106 electric campsites and 63 non-electric, all with picnic tables and fire rings. Hike down to the river and keep your eye out for some of the wildlife like, wild turkeys, white-tail deer and red-shouldered hawks. Definitely one of the best places to camp in Indiana this summer!
4. Brown County State Park
The largest park in Indiana is Brown County State Park. The area is sometimes referred to as the “Little Smokies” because it shares similar characteristics with the Great Smokey Mountains. The park has miles of hiking trails and overlooks, including a 90 foot fire tower. Look for Northern cardinals, juncos, blue jays and hawks. If you stop by the nature center you can see a timber rattlesnake, which is one of the four kinds of venomous snakes you can find in Indiana. You probably won’t see one in the park because they are very rare and considered endangered within the state. The park is also known for its extensive mountain biking trails and horseback riding trails. There is even a separate campground for horseback riders. The several campgrounds in the park can accommodate RV’s, tents and horse boarding. There is also a large lodge with a water park which is a fun option for families!
5. Patoka Lake Modern Campground
Patoka Lake is the second largest lake in Indiana, located just west of the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana. The 8,800 acre lake is home to bluegills, striped bass, sunfish and walleye. Surprisingly these fish share the lake with freshwater jellyfish! Did you know jellyfish can live in lakes? These freshwater jellies are only the size of a quarter, very small compared to some of the massive jellyfish you find in the ocean. You can swim, boat, kayak and stand-up paddle board on the lake with lots of different alcoves to explore. The campground has 443 electric sites and 82 primitive sites to choose from. There are a couple of marinas on-site and a boat ramp, so bring your boat or rent one to spend some quality time on the lake. Then head back to your campsite for a campfire and s’mores. Another one of the best places to camp in Indiana this summer!
