Lake Camping Near Bedford, Indiana, US: 12 Best Lake Campsites 2026

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to resource for camping adventures in the United States! If you're looking for a camping experience near Bedford, Indiana with a scenic lake, we've got you covered. With over 145 options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. And with prices starting as low as $10 per night, camping doesn't have to break the bank. Looking for recommendations? Check out top-rated campsites like Happy Campers Campground (48 reviews), Sherfick Farms (39 reviews), and Lake View camping (31 reviews). Plus, you'll find popular amenities like toilets, showers, and trash facilities, as well as exciting activities such as whitewater paddling, biking, and wind sports. So pack your gear and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors!

88% (123)

Top-rated campgrounds

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to resource for camping adventures in the United States! If you're looking for a camping experience near Bedford, Indiana with a scenic lake, we've got you covered. With over 145 options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. And with prices starting as low as $10 per night, camping doesn't have to break the bank. Looking for recommendations? Check out top-rated campsites like Happy Campers Campground (48 reviews), Sherfick Farms (39 reviews), and Lake View camping (31 reviews). Plus, you'll find popular amenities like toilets, showers, and trash facilities, as well as exciting activities such as whitewater paddling, biking, and wind sports. So pack your gear and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors!

88% (123)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Dirt Weapon Ranch

98%

(41)

34mi from Bedford · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Gosport, IN

Come and enjoy our private 90-acre retreat, perfect for any outdoor enthusiast. Nestled in an arch of the White River, this secluded sanctuary boasts two private lakes, offering opportunities for swimming, hiking, fishing, and relaxation. Conveniently located within a short driving distance to Indy, Bloomington, and Southern Indiana, you'll find yourself immersed in nature while still having access to nearby urban amenities. We offer five powered campsites and numerous options for primitive camping lakeside or riverside. Please note that there are no direct water hookups, so be sure to bring your own water for your stay.

2. Hill Springs Campground

100%

(68)

33mi from Bedford · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · Dubois, IN

Hill Springs Campground is nestled on our 120-acre family farm, and we’re proud to be the third generation to care for this little piece of paradise. Tucked away in the heart of 'God’s country,' our campground offers peace and quiet, miles from the nearest town. The rolling hills provide hay for our cows and wood for the stove, and we take great pride in sharing this beautiful spot with you. Each site offers the chance to unwind by the pond, pick wild blackberries, or hike through our woods. Fire pits are available at all sites. Our sites are simple—no water, electricity, or internet—but generators are welcome, and we provide a toilet on-site. Please remember to pack out all your trash, including cigarette butts. For a glimpse of what to expect, check out a few videos of the campground on our Facebook page, 'hillspringcampground.' We’re also close to plenty of activities: Patoka Lake is just 3 miles away, with 8,800 acres of water, 26,000 sq. feet of land, and a variety of outdoor fun—boating, fishing, hiking, and even a winery. Historic French Lick and West Baden are 16 miles away, offering everything from casinos to a scenic railway, golf courses, a spa, a wildlife park, and the stunning West Baden Springs Hotel, known as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World.' The city of Jasper is 14 miles away, with a charming riverwalk, museums, parks, and food trucks to explore. The small town of Dubois is just 4.5 miles away, with local taverns, a gas station, and a True Value store. At Hill Springs, you can be as close or as far away from the action as you want to be. We’re excited to share this experience with you and welcome your feedback as we start this journey with Hipcamp. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! Bryan and Nicole

3. Cera Sports Park and Campground

62%

(13)

42mi from Bedford · 301 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Columbus, IN

With 326 campsites, CERA offers plenty of camping spots. 252 sites are full-service sites with water, 30 & 50 amp electric, and sewer hookups. Check out our campground map below to see which sites will suit your stay! CERA offers six camping cabins of various sizes. All cabins sit on lakefront lots amid the trees. Bathhouse facilities are located within 100 feet directly behind the cabins. Our camping cabins are a great option for enjoying the outdoors without having to pitch a tent or pull a camper. There are three shower houses available and a centrally located dump station.

4. Spring Mill State Park

100%

(2)

224 sites · Mitchell, Indiana

See how pioneers lived and learn about outer space at this southern Indiana park.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

5. Monroe Lake

92%

(8)

312 sites · Smithville Sanders, Indiana

At Monroe Lake, your trip will be about as deluxe as a state park stay gets. Lounge your days away at the Fourwinds Resort & Marina, where the crisp linens and mini-fridges will spoil you into oblivion. Even if you're looking to rough it a little on the campgrounds, you'll still have access to a vast array of activities. Two different beaches perfect for swimming, boat rentals, and several beautiful hiking trails highlight the natural beauty in the area. Whether you're on the hunt for waterfowl or want to waterski on the gorgeous sparkling waters, your favorite outdoor activity is likely found here. Did we mention there's a Marina called The Pleasure Craft? Just soak that in for a minute. No more information needed.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

6. Nighthawk Forest

100%

(16)

27mi from Bedford · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Paoli, IN

Nestled deep in Hoosier National Forest and just a short drive from Paoli and French Lick, Indiana, Nighthawk Forest offers a secluded and pristine outdoor experience for all camping enthusiasts! Situated on 65 hilly and wooded acres, Nighthawk Forest features well-groomed tent pads, water and electric hookups for RVs and even vintage campers. Enjoy breathtaking walks in the woods, go fishing in our pond, and set up your camp chairs under the incredible night sky and marvel under the majesty of the Milky Way! Take a hike or a mountain bike ride on the Springs Valley Trail down to Tucker Lake. Come see what it’s like to be treated like family at Nighthawk Forest Campground. For more camping options - including group reservations - please call 812-203-0200.

7. Painter Creek Camp Resort

79%

(7)

29mi from Bedford · 2 sites · RVs · French Lick, IN

Tucked back off of State Rd 145 in French Lick, IN our property offers year-round camping & full 50-amp hook ups available on all sites. A covered outdoor lounge, and a basketball court are available for guests to use, as well as seasonal bathhouse and laundry facility ($4 a load). We are only 1 mile from the Painter Creek Boat Ramp, and within a 15 min drive to Patoka Lake State Park, The French Lick-West Baden Resort, and The Pete Dye Golf Course!

8. Little Cabin

100%

(1)

47mi from Bedford · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · North Vernon, IN

Welcome to Little Cabin, where you're invited to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the countryside. Nestled on 25 acres adorned with a tranquil pond, our location offers ample space for your tent or RV. Situated just 30 minutes from Madison, Indiana, and a mere three miles from Stream Cliff, we provide convenient access to nearby attractions. Additionally, our proximity to Louisville, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis, approximately an hour from each, makes us an ideal retreat. There are a couple of important details to note: 1. Please be aware that we have honey bees onsite. 2. We have two cats and a dog which roam around 3. Regrettably, we do not offer hookups or restroom facilities. We look forward to hosting your stay at Little Cabin!

9. Martin State Forest

26 sites · Shoals, Indiana

Discover the natural splendor of Martin State Forest and its myriad of outdoor activities.

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

10. Starve Hollow State Recreation Area

100%

(6)

150 sites · Vallonia, Indiana

Discover the natural charm of Starve Hollow State Recreation Area.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Campfires

11. Yellowwood State Forest

100%

(3)

90 sites · Nashville, Indiana

Discover the natural splendor of Yellowwood State Forest and its myriad outdoor activities.

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

12. Jackson-Washington State Forest

48 sites · Little York, Indiana

Discover the rugged beauty of Jackson-Washington State Forest.

Campfires

Toilets

Picnic table

13. Morgan Monroe State Forest

67%

(3)

35 sites · Painted Hills, Indiana

Discover the natural splendor of Morgan Monroe State Forest.

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

14. Patoka Lake

100%

(1)

445 sites · Birdseye, Indiana

Discover plenty to do on the water at Indiana's second-largest lake.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

15. Hardy Lake

162 sites · Deputy, Indiana

Discover Hardy Lake's serene waters and vibrant wildlife.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

16. Deam Lake State Recreation Area

100%

(3)

215 sites · Borden, Indiana

Find your lake life vibes in southern Indiana.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Bedford

100%

(2)

Spring Mill Campground

10mi from Bedford · 224 sites · Tents, RVs · in Spring Mill State Park

92%

(8)

Monroe Lake Campground

16mi from Bedford · 312 sites · Tents, RVs · in Monroe Lake

Martin Campground

17mi from Bedford · 26 sites · Tents, RVs · in Martin State Forest

100%

(6)

Starve Hollow State Recreation Area

22mi from Bedford · 150 sites · Tents, RVs · in Starve Hollow State Recreation Area

100%

(3)

Yellowwood Campground

24mi from Bedford · 90 sites · Tents, RVs · in Yellowwood State Forest

Jackson-Washington Campground

27mi from Bedford · 48 sites · in Jackson-Washington State Forest

Mason Ridge Campground

32mi from Bedford · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · in Morgan Monroe State Forest

100%

(1)

Scout Ridge Youth Tent Campground

33mi from Bedford · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Morgan Monroe State Forest

100%

(1)

Oak Ridge Campground

33mi from Bedford · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Morgan Monroe State Forest

100%

(1)

Patoka Lake Campground

34mi from Bedford · 445 sites · Tents, RVs · in Patoka Lake

Hardy Lake Campground

43mi from Bedford · 162 sites · Tents, RVs · in Hardy Lake

100%

(3)

Deam Lake State Recreation Area

43mi from Bedford · 215 sites · Tents, RVs · in Deam Lake State Recreation Area

Stories from the community

M

Matias Ignacio

November 2025

19 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cera Sports Park and Campground

Quiet and beautiful place. Kids friendly. Clean bathrooms.

J

Joshua

November 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Hill Springs Campground

Great hosts with an excellent, secluded spot…totally recommend!

Z

Zack

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Dirt Weapon Ranch

Great place to pitch a tent. I would go back. View was great.

J

October 2025

45 ft travel trailer

3 nights at Dirt Weapon Ranch

Pros: RV electric hookups. Clean onsite bathroom with running water, sink, flushing toilet and shower. Nice well maintained camping sites (tent and RV). Plenty of land to roam and enjoy nature. Beautiful views of the lakes, nature and wildlife. Cons: Limited number of firepits. All 5 RV sites share one firepit. Not a real issue if you're the only one there but not great if there are other groups booked on site. Some of the camping sites have firepits but not all of them. Lakes have some junk in them, tires, etc. There is overflow from the river so when it floods the river flows into the lakes and it brings along the trash with it. It wasn't too bad but does give you pause when considering swimming or fishing. Overall: We had a great trip and will book here again. The pro's outweigh the cons and it was a lot of fun getting away for a weekend with friends.

s

sophia

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Hill Springs Campground

This was a lovely camping spot! The views are gorgeous. The signage and directions to the site are easy to follow. Hosts were communicative and friendly. We love a secluded campsite and this felt like we were surrounded by nothing but trees and rolling farmland. The site was large with plenty of room for our tent and vehicles. We loved watching the sunset here! 10/10 recommend and would love to visit again!

A

Alexander

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Dirt Weapon Ranch

I love this place, very quiet, spacious, good place to fish and enjoy nature, the owner always responded quickly to any questions and always willing to help, in short I would live here without problems, we will definitely return to this place soon

A

Alexander

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Dirt Weapon Ranch

the place is beautiful, it's quiet, we loved it, we would definitely go back!

J

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Dirt Weapon Ranch

Me and the wife, as well as our two children, had a wonderful time! We caught a lot of fish, and my son caught one of his biggest fish yet out of one of the two ponds! My daughter is soon to be 4, and the grass and property were very well maintained as well as the roads being very easy to navigate! We stayed for 3 days and two nights and had wished we had longer to stay. You're close to two town where you can pick up any warm food if you didn't bring anything like that or any supplies you may need. The bathroom and shower was a very nice addition that we don't always find at every hipcamp. The wildlife in the area is plentiful! Both nights we had deer behind our tent, and one night even had one close enough to hear it make it's snort/blow sound and my family loved that. We will definitely be back anytime we want to camp in that area. The pond by the beach is super clean, and would be great swimming in the summer!

Z

Ziv

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Dirt Weapon Ranch

Very cool place, private and convenient. I highly recommend

T

Tim

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Dirt Weapon Ranch

Loved how quiet and private this site felt! I would definitely come back and recommended this to anyone looking for a clean, beautiful and easy place to camp!

M

Micaela

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Dirt Weapon Ranch

Beautiful land. We stayed during a hot October weekend and there were no other campers, so it felt private. Loved being able to cool down in the lake and watch all of the fish splashing out of the water. Plus, this time of year there's not too many mosquitos. There is a communal restroom at the end of the drive with interior and exterior showers. Someone elsewhere out in the woods enjoyed their own weekend, which we could hear. It wasn't an issue for us, but I can understand if that would be a consideration for someone looking for something truly secluded. The long gravel drive was fun to drive down and didn't pose an issue for my tiny 2wd sedan. Thanks for the relaxing stay!

Jenny

October 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Dirt Weapon Ranch

Stayed one night after exploring the Redbird State Recreation area and headed east. What a beautiful evening listening to the crickets and frogs and the birds in the morning. We booked the primitive lake site 1 but the host reached out to share we were the only reservation for the night so could camp wherever worked best. Went for a morning walk before hitting the road again and enjoyed seeing deer. Would definitely stay here again if ever back in this direction.

T

Thawng

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Dirt Weapon Ranch

It was a very nice spot. I love that it wasn’t crowded and it almost felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. Has an easy access to the river and ponds.

R

Rob

September 2025

14 ft toy hauler

3 nights at Nighthawk Forest

🤩 wow! This camp offers a quiet location in the middle of Hoosier National Forest. Several easy to use pull through sites. The deck platform is a very nice touch in front of our camper! Plenty of water spigots around. Hot showers and fire wood onsite. What more could you ask for? The host was very attentive and checked on us daily.

J

JimandCathleen

September 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Nighthawk Forest

Lovely place. Had it to ourselves. Quiet. Bathroom clean. Running water. Great night sky.

R

Russell

September 2025

Tent

2 nights at Dirt Weapon Ranch

Awesome property. The host was very responsive. Very nice property with bathrooms and water available. Very nice primitive camp sites available with views of the pond. I woke to a nice surprise of juvenile bald eagles getting in some practice. Huge bonus for a bird lover like myself. I really enjoyed this property.

J

Joshua

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Dirt Weapon Ranch

Jonathan & Nicole were extremely responsive and helpful hosts that made sure I was taken care of. Beautiful lake-side private campgrounds left us feeling extremely safe!