Editor’s Note: The following comes from the travel site Islands.com, and features what writer Jonathan Houston considers the best Indiana State Parks for RV camping, based on a traveler’s preferences. The full article can be found here.
From the shores of Lake Michigan to the Kentucky border, Indiana’s state parks are consistently well-rated and accommodating for RV travelers. Most of the parks on this list offer more than 100 RV-compatible sites with hookups, so you have plenty of options when booking a night, weekend, or week-long stay.
5. Best Big Park – Brown County State Park, Nashville, Ind.
While Nashville, Tennessee, is notable for being the capital of country music, the Nashville in Indiana is known for being the gateway to Brown County State Park. The city also has antique shops and a charming downtown, just in case you want to explore it and the park. However, what really sets Brown County apart from other Indiana state parks is that it’s the largest of the bunch, meaning it has the most hiking trails, equestrian trails, and RV sites. If you’re looking for a park with plenty of room to stretch your legs, this is it.
4. Best Lake Access – Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton
For most visitors, looking at the dunes and chilling by the lake would be enough reason to visit this park. However, if you’re looking to get your blood pumping, you can take on the 3 Dune Challenge, a 1.5-mile hike up the three tallest dunes in the park. But don’t let the relatively short distance fool you; climbing up a sand dune is tough work, and your legs will feel it afterward. According to the state park website, the total climb is 552 vertical feet, or the equivalent of a roughly 50-story building. Then, if you ever get tired of the scenery, you can head into Chesterton, the “gateway to the dunes,” and an artsy town with a vibrant downtown market.
3. Best for History Buffs – Mounds State Park, Anderson
While natural scenery is certainly one reason to choose a state park for RV camping, Mounds State Park in Anderson is perfect if you’re hoping to learn more about Native American history. Overall, the park is home to 10 unique mounds, which are estimated to date back to around 160 BCE. The park is also home to the Bronnenberg House. The Bronnenbergs were local settlers who recognized the cultural and historical value of the mounds and fought to preserve them, so you can learn more about the family and their contributions to Indiana history during your stay.
2. Least Crowded – Tippecanoe River State Park, Winemac
Situated about two hours north of Indy is our pick for the best state park for avoiding crowds, Tippecanoe River State Park. According to data released by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Tippecanoe River is one of the least-visited parks in the system, with just over 147,000 visitors for the 2023/2024 fiscal year. For comparison, Turkey Run received over 870,000 visitors, while Brown County hosted over 1.5 million. While other parks technically had fewer people, including Trine State Recreation Area and Falls of the Ohio State Park, they don’t offer RV camping, so we couldn’t include them in this list.
1. Most Well-Reviewed — Turkey Run State Park, Marshall
Our final best Indiana state park for RV camping is also the most well-reviewed locale, Turkey Run. With over 7,700 Google reviews and an average of 4.8 stars at the time of this writing, it’s clear that residents and visitors love the majesty and beauty of this park, regardless of how they experience it. Best of all, Turkey Run is practically next to another great park, Shades State Park. So, depending on your travel plans, you can incorporate both spots into the same trip and get a nice twofer.
