Southern Indiana State Parks

[Chris387]

My family and I are discussing a 4-5 day camping vacation this summer. We're looking for a place that's not too close to home, but not too far away either. What are some good state parks in Southern Indiana/Kentucky for family camping trip with biking, hiking trails, fishing, boating. Anyone have any favorite places to go?

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Check out Spring Mill Park near Mitchell. It's not real big, but I see campers coming and going in/out of there all season long.

 

[HICKMAN]

I like Spring Mill as well, but the Greene-Sullivan State Forest is Indiana's hidden gem.

Near Linton, IN.

 

[ctbreitwieser]

Ferdinand State Park is pretty nice for camping.

 

[Kernal1984]

Hardy lake has all of those things you mentioned
exit 34 on interstate 65

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

McCormick's Creek is beautiful!

So is Clifty Falls.

Both also happen to have State Parks Inns.

-J-

 

[atvdave]

Garden of the Gods in southern Ill. (but they do have strict gun laws).


Garden of the Gods - Southern Illinois - Shawnee Forest

 

[Pete]

Thumbs up to all of the above (that are in Indiana).

 

[Chris387]

My family probably wouldn't do primitive camping. But I might just have to take a weekend trip to that Green-Sullivan State Forest. Looks nice.

 

[atvdave]

My family probably wouldn't do primitive camping. But I might just have to take a weekend trip to that Green-Sullivan State Forest. Looks nice.

KY LBL has 100's of nice resort type places to stay...

Land Between The Lakes

 

[oldbikelvr]

Brown County State Park is nice as well, plus there is an indoor waterpark for the kids.

 

[PistolBob]

O'bannon Woods is really nice but no pool that I know of. We always hung out at Hardy Lake, Spring Mill, or McCormicks Creek....can't go wrong with either of those.

As for Illinois...if it was on fire, and I had a glass of water....I'd drink it.

 

[williamnewman1]

i say McCormicks as well , has a nice in and restaurant inside , yes though not really camping in my book , no boating but the entrance is a whole 1/2 mile from the spencer P/A site

 

[whackmaster66]

Starve Hollow just past Brownstown has all that u want ( hiking,biking,camping,fishing).. they also have an 150+ acre lake with a beach for the kiddos... Check it out. We go every yr. My family and friends love it...

 

[goinggreyfast]

In addition to the one's listed, you might consider either Turkey Run State Park or Racoon State Park near Rockville. I grew up camping at/near both and they are. Cataract also seems like a nice place, but I've never stayed there.

 

[ISP 5353]

All listed are pretty. Wife and I prefer the Hoosier National Forrest for hiking and camping.

 

[Chris387]

We've actually been to Turkey Run and Raccoon Lake several dozen times. We went last year during a bad storm. I don't know how fast the winds were, but before I abandoned my tent, I spent a fair amount of time lying in there with my hands up trying to keep the roof of my tent from coming down on my face.

 

[cjfarmer]

I love going to Patoka Reservoir. Lots to do up there.

 

[joe138]

O'Bannon State Park near Corydon is nice. We have been there several times and it is an under used state park. We have been the only campers in a section a few times in the middle of the summer. There is a nice pool that gets a lot of use. The park borders the Ohio river with some good views. Corydon is a neat town with some history. In KY Fort Knox is not very far away, but the Armor museum has been moved. The town of Leavenworth is also close with some good views of the Ohio River.

 

[jackadew]

For southern Indiana i would suggest Spring Mill for hiking, biking and camping...not so much for fishing or boating. They have a small lake with john boat rentals, but the lake is filled in pretty bad. The best thing about Spring Mill is its hiking, caves and a awesome Historical Village. Patoka is probably the best boating and fishing spot. This link may help. DNR: Parks & Reservoirs