Best Areas to Go Camping Around Bloomington, Indiana

Bloomington, Indiana, is a camper’s paradise. It offers many options for campers to enjoy and have fun. You can do primitive camping or bring your RV; you will have a perfect spot. Whether you prefer a camping site by the water or a forest with tall trees, Bloomington has your back. 

After all the hustle and bustle of a week’s tasks and duties, sometimes we need a diversion and an adventure. We need to relax and be close to nature once in a while. Going camping is one of the many activities to do during holidays or vacations.

Looking to spend your weekend at a campground; we have gathered a list of campsites in Bloomington, Indiana. 

Campgrounds in Bloomington, Indiana

It’s time you appreciate and be amazed by nature. Enjoy the adventure and activities while staying in one of these campsites. Here are the campgrounds around Bloomington.

Jellystone Park at Lake Monroe

This campsite is known to campers who love to camp with the whole family, especially their kids. Situated near Lake Monroe, Jellystone Park offers spots for pull-through RVs. They also provide space for campers who prefer traditional camping with tents. Rental cabins are available in the park too.

Jellystone Park provides a lot of amenities that family and friends can enjoy. Included in your stay are the following: Yogi Bear’s Water Zone, playground, wagon rides, kid’s pool with splash area, outdoor pool, walking trails and scenic waterfall, sports area, and visits with Yogi Bear, Boo Boo and Cindy Bear. Kids and adults will have a fun and unforgettable experience here.

Paynetown State Recreational Area 

A father and his kids near a body of water

Paynetown SRA is a state-governed area located northeast of Lake Monroe. This beautiful place is available for campers to enjoy. Paynetown also offers electric and non-electric spots for camping. Pets are allowed in this area; owners can visit with their pets. And because it is along Lake Monroe, visitors can also enjoy the lake and the amenities that come with it.

Guests are required to pay an entrance fee.

Lake Monroe Village

Lake Monroe Village offers rental cabins and RV spots that guests could use. And there are other amenities offered: boat rental, an outdoor pool, volleyball and basketball courts, and a playground for kids. Friendly and approachable staff with smiles are always at your service. 

The fully furnished rental cabins are spacious and equipped with kitchens and bedrooms. The RV sites have full hookups and 30-50 amp electricity. Guests will have a great time, especially at night during the campfire.

Primitive camping is also available for guests seeking an extra adventurous escapade.

Blackwell Horse Camp

The camp is down Tower Ridge Road and in Charles C. Deam Wilderness within Hoosier National Park. It has a wide space for horseback riding enthusiasts to enjoy. This camp is for horses and equestrians who want to spend the night here. However, campers and backpackers are also welcome if they prefer primitive camping. 

Blackwell Horse Camp has a large field and can accommodate 50-70 trailer trucks. If you love hiking, this place is perfect for you. And after the hike, you can find your camp spot and enjoy the night in the forest.

Monroe Causeway Campground

A couple hiking

This campground is near Lake Monroe Cutright boat ramp and offers fishing and other water adventures. It is an RV campsite with electricity, sewage hookups, and water. Pet owners will be delighted to know that they can come with their pets. Guests will enjoy the lake view while relaxing. 

Visitors can enjoy nature trail hiking and explore the place. This place is a perfect getaway for families and friends.

Campsites Outside Bloomington 

If you want to try camping outside Bloomington, here is a list of the following campsites you could enjoy. Guests can do primitive camping or have their RVs with them.

Hardin Ridge Recreation Area

Hardin Ridge Recreation Area is in Heltonville, Indiana. This amazing place is on the lakeside of Lake Monroe and in the Hoosier National Forest. It is more than 1,000 acres of land with activities to do. Hardin Ridge Recreation Area is a perfect site for family and friends to escape the chaos of the city.

Activities here include swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, and many more. Visitors can rent watercraft to enjoy and have fun in the water.

McCormick’s Creek State Park

McCormick’s Creek is the oldest state park in Indiana. It is in Spencer, Indiana, 14 miles west of Bloomington. It has more than 10 miles of hiking trail for visitors to explore. Visitors who love horseback riding can utilize Saddle Barn with guided trail rides.

This place offers electric, non-electric camping, rental cabins, and an inn. An Olympic-sized swimming pool is available for visitors to enjoy. Guests will not run out of things to do here.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest

A man camping in the woods with his Siberian husky dog

Morgan-Monroe State Park has 24,000 acres of land. It is in Martinsville, Indiana, in Morgan and Monroe County. The forest includes several steep ridges and valleys. For people with Indiana fishing licenses, three lakes (Bryant Creek Lake, Cherry Lake, and Prather Lake) are permitted for fishing and boating. However, swimming is prohibited.

Primitive camping is available at Morgan-Monroe State Forest. Campers need to register for camping fees at the forest office. Campgrounds in the forest are Mason Ridge Campground, Oak Ridge Campground, and Scout Ridge Youth Tent Campground.

Yellowwood State Forest

Yellowwood State Forest is in Nashville, Indiana. It has around 2,000 acres of land, and Yellowwood Lake has 133 acres for fishing. However, one has to have an Indiana fishing license to fish in the lake. The state does not allow swimming in the lake.

This state forest provides primitive camping. One must pay for a camping fee if you want to utilize the campground. There are 80 identified campsites within the Yellowwood State Forest and along Yellowwood Lake.

In conclusion, camping around and outside Bloomington, Indiana, is an activity for anyone who wants to spend their free time with nature. And a perfect distraction from work and obligations. There are amenities and activities that you can enjoy, whether you’re alone or with family and friends. You will have lasting memories to treasure.