EVANSVILLE, Ind. — With gas prices hovering around $5 per gallon, a long drive for vacation might not be possible for many people this summer.
However, if you are interested in something closer to home, Indiana is full of great camping areas that might be closer.
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Southern Indiana camping
Spring Mill State Park
This state park in Lawrence County has camp sites to suit everyone, whether you are bringing an RV or trailer, prefer water and electricity or just want to go primitive. Spring Mill offers cave tours, an old growth woods, a pioneer village, a 74-room lodge with dining, picnic grounds, a swimming pool near the campground, a nature center, playgrounds and a museum dedicated to Hoosier astronaut Virgil I. ‘Gus’ Grissom.
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Hoosier National Forest
Located in South-Central Indiana, Hoosier National Forest has more than 204,000 acres and offers opportunities for a variety of camping preferences, hiking, horse back riding, biking and more.
Buffalo Trace Park
This unique park in Palmyra, is operated by Harrison County Parks. Buffalo Trace Park offers everything you can find in a state or national park. There are cabins, modern and primitive camp sites, swimming, fishing, boating, shelter houses, a walking trail and more.
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Central Indiana state parks
Shades State Park
Located near Crawfordsville, about an hour west of Indianapolis, Shades State Park is known for its hiking and canoeing opportunities. It offers camping, a nature preserve, scenic Sugar Creek and more.
Turkey Run State Park
Sugar Creek also runs through popular Turkey Run State Park in Parke County has hiking, fishing, a swimming pool, nature center, historic sites, canoeing, kayaking, an inn and cabins, RV rentals and camping.
Northern Indiana has Dunes, Pokagon
Indiana Dunes State Park
Indiana Dunes offers over 2,000 acres of sandy dunes and scenery on the Lake Michigan shore. Its campground is less than a mile from the lake beach and a short walk from the South Shore Rail Station. Every site has electric hookups, with access to modern restrooms and shower houses.
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Pokagon State Park
Since it is located in Northern Indiana’s lake country area, it might not be surprising that Pokagon State Park has more lakes than any other state park, including the 1,000-acre Lake James. It offers opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, hiking, camping and picnics. There is also an inn and cabin rentals.
Mark Wilson covers education and environment at the Courier & Press. Contact him at mark.wilson@courierpress.com.
