The best forest campgrounds near Decatur, Indiana

If you're looking for a camping adventure near Decatur, Indiana, Hipcamp has got you covered with over 330 options to choose from. With prices ranging from as low as $15 per night, you'll find the perfect camping spot to suit your budget. For those seeking top-rated campsites, check out Walnut Valley Realm (230 reviews), Heritage Farm Stay Adventure (196 reviews), and Blooming Bus Farms (82 reviews). Whether you're into wildlife watching, whitewater paddling, or wind sports, you'll have plenty of activities to keep you entertained. And with popular amenities like toilets, campfires, and trash facilities, your camping experience will be comfortable and convenient.

98% (237)

Top-rated campgrounds

If you're looking for a camping adventure near Decatur, Indiana, Hipcamp has got you covered with over 330 options to choose from. With prices ranging from as low as $15 per night, you'll find the perfect camping spot to suit your budget. For those seeking top-rated campsites, check out Walnut Valley Realm (230 reviews), Heritage Farm Stay Adventure (196 reviews), and Blooming Bus Farms (82 reviews). Whether you're into wildlife watching, whitewater paddling, or wind sports, you'll have plenty of activities to keep you entertained. And with popular amenities like toilets, campfires, and trash facilities, your camping experience will be comfortable and convenient.

98% (237)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. River Camp Fort Wayne

98%

(216)

16mi from Decatur · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Fort Wayne, IN

Each site is in a wooded, shaded area with a flat area on the ground to place a single large tent. Each site has its own fire ring and a small wooden table. There is wood on the ground you may use for firewood, and ample twigs etc on the ground for kindling (do not cut any trees or branches off trees). There is a covered firewood shed with dry firewood as well. There are maintained trails with river access for kayaks. There are 2 porta potties near the campsites with a handwashing station, that is open year round. There is a single bathroom with flush toilet and sink with running water that is a short walk away (open May-Oct depending on weather) There is an outdoor on-demand hot-water shower at bathroom, with a water hose available as well. On-demand hot water heaters provide hotter water at a low water pressure, and cooler water at full blast. We do provide a large trash bin near the porta potties for trash disposal. DO NOT throw trash into fire pits or burn barrels in the woods. Campsites are a short walk (100-200 feet) away from parking area (you CANNOT drive directly to or park at your campsite). Foster Park is a short bike ride away where you will find greenway trails that run throughout Fort Wayne (ride your bike to downtown!!) Our property backs up to the St Mary's River, bring you kayaks and fishing poles! (We reserve the right to assign you to a different (but equally beautiful) campsite in the case of property maintenance concerns, recent rain or weather conditions etc). All guests must be part of a registered group! Link to Trails Maps fwtrails.org Need to rent a bike or kayak: (we do not rent or provide kayaks, canoes or bikes onsite) fwoutfitters.com/#

2. The Fun Farm

97%

(55)

17mi from Decatur · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Fort Wayne, IN

Learn more about this land: Our location is also home to our fantasy destination, The Fun Farm. Not only is the scenery replete with natural beauty - the pond, the fields, the sledding hill, the nature trail through the forest - but also a setting to engage the imagination! Additional services may be arranged on-site. For example, who would you like to have breakfast with? A superhero? A princess? Or perhaps a souvenir caricature of you and your group is in order to commemorate the experience? Maybe an experiential art, dance, drama or music lesson? Guided tours of the grounds can also be arranged to learn more about the history of the farm and it's originality. If you're interested in a "day trip" or even a limited event, we have the facilities to accommodate your birthday or holiday, engage in art Classes, raise funds for your good cause or enjoy "something different" for this year's corporate party. We're also open to your ideas for a custom school, festival or carnival event. We can accommodate groups from 1 to 400 (maybe more, if we send a few enchanted creatures on vacation!) MORE NOTES ABOUT THE CAMPSITE: We're flexible with wherever you would like to pitch your tent, but the spots we have established are next to our cabin (where the lighting is best and the ground is flattest.) Parking is most easily found next to these sites as well (and the lighting is also excellent.) Also, in the near vicinity, a shared firepit is readily available and can accommodate at least 12 people. Check out the additional options (like firewood bundles) below and let us know how we can help you make great memories!

3. The Firefly Nest

100%

(11)

13mi from Decatur · 1 site · Lodging · Hoagland, IN

The property is a "Glamp Site" featuring an astral bell tent with a queen and 2 twin beds with a table. The site also includes 2 hammocks, a picnic table, firepit with wood, and full bathroom with flush toilet, and hot water shower. The location is about 800' into the woods on a narrow winding path. located just outside of Fort Wayne away from the hustle and bustle but close to activities and amenities!

4. Ouabache State Park

124 sites · Vera Cruz, Indiana

Discover Ouabache State Park's natural beauty and outdoor adventures.

Potable water

Toilets

Campfires

5. Salamonie River State Forest

36 sites · Mount Etna, Indiana

Discover the natural beauty of Salamonie River State Forest.

Potable water

Toilets

Campfires

6. Scott and Amy's Rural Respite

100%

(34)

48mi from Decatur · 21 sites · Tents, RVs · Botkins, OH

This 80 acre farmland has been in the family for 6 generations. Some of the land is still used for farming to this day. The old barn, built in the late 1800's still stands. Now there is also a motocross track on the property. The track is only open occasionally. Enjoy easy trails in the woods, feed fish in the pond, and if you would like to see our goats and chicken we can arrange a time to introduce you!

7. StarCountryAcres Wildlife Hab

100%

(5)

40mi from Decatur · 12 sites · Tents · Lafontaine, IN

Moved to Indiana from San Antonio Texas, This land has been occupied by my family for over 32 yrs. It's situated out in the country on 3 county line roads, access to StarCountryAcres by State Road 15 and State Road 9 3 country line roads,Grant,Wabash, Huntington Turn on 700 N 1200 S We have built this up to become a Wildlife Habitat Certified by the National Wildlife Federation. Learn more about this land: Bring your own tent (This is a tent only campground and Primitive) and enjoy the 5 acres of land that is Certified by the National Wildlife Federation. There are two Nearby Lakes, there is the Mississinewa Reservoir and the Salamone Reservoir, there are beaches to lay at and swimming allowed, both of these places are not far from StarCountryAcres Wildlife Habitat. Less than 25 miles. Bring a GPS to find these two lakes. If you love watching birds then this is the place to see them, bring your binoculars,scopes and camera's. In the summer you can enjoy the two big Montmorency Cherry Trees, pick and eat all you want.The cherries are all gone but its Blackberry time pick all you want Free.. There are also Raspberry Blackberry Bushes you can pick in mid July. Blackberry Season is over Campers can enjoy the Apple Trees and the Grapes when in season. Apple & Grape season is over Pear season is here, Pick all you want FREE. The pears are ready to eat as they are dropping to the ground What more can a camper want than Fresh berries to pick with your pancakes in the morning! Summer/Fall time only. There is now a 24x8 Screen house, it has a table and chairs and also a bench, on the other end of the screenhouse there is a POTTY. The screen house is for campers who want to eat and not have to worry about bugs buzzing around their food. We have tables and chairs in the screen house. WE ARE OPEN FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

8. Gravel's End

90%

(10)

46mi from Decatur · 1 site · RV · Muncie, IN

Bare-bones camping! This secluded spot allows dry camping in a beautiful 9-acre woods. A winding gravel drive takes you to the heart of the forest and away from civilization. Fully self-contained RVs/camper vans can park level and find a large clearing to enjoy the sounds and sites of native Hoosier flora and fauna. This is a single lane with no turn-around for lengthy vehicles. Our family’s desire is to eventually live on the site and some signs of development can be found, but our first priority is the tedious but rewarding task of removing the non-native species (Burning Bush, Winter Creeper, Asian Honeysuckle, Garlic Mustard, Multiflora Rose) to allow for the native woods and understory to thrive. We are a few years into this process and have already seen major gains in the health of the woods, thanks to the guidance we received from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Limited use of the site ensures the native animal presence is not overly disturbed and preserves a true experience for campers to enjoy. Fill your fresh water tank before arriving and dump your black water tank at a dump station when you’re done. Gray water may be dumped onsite ONLY if you are using earth friendly soaps/ cleaners. Pre-cut and dried firewood for your enjoyment can be arranged ahead of time for a fee. Kindling can be gathered in the cleared areas and along the trails, but we ask that you do not enter non-cleared areas of the woods as this is disruptive to the plant and animal life. There is a one party limit so you may enjoy your nature experience in privacy. With two connecting trails carefully carved into the woods, you are sure to spot signs of creatures like red squirrels, chipmunks, possum, rabbits, garter snakes, frogs, toads, and deer. This property is a bird watchers delight! In the past year, we have observed Blue Jays, Cardinals, Goldfinches, Carolina Wrens, Baltimore Orioles, Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, Sparrows, Tufted Titmice, Finches, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, and Pileated Woodpeckers. Black Vultures and Red-Tailed Hawks are a common sight, and you may hear Owls during your overnight stay. Despite the feeling of total privacy, this site is minutes from Muncie, a mid-sized city in Delaware county. Muncie is home to Ball State University, which hosts concerts, speakers, and other programs. Muncie boasts an active downtown with shops, restaurants and breweries. IU Ball Hospital, an award-winning medical facility, is a 15-minute drive. Ruoff Music Center, a beloved outdoor music venue that provides live entertainment throughout the concert season, is less than an hour from the site. Indianapolis, a little over an hour drive, offers vast entertainment opportunities.

9. Living Waters Resort

90%

(5)

47mi from Decatur · 40 sites · Tents · Farmland, IN

This property has everything you could possibly want. 4 acre private lake stocked for good fishing. Western portion of the property is surrounded by the White River stretching north. Sparrow creek borders the South edge of property. Several spots for camping under the trees near a full service bathhouse. For those that want to see the stars; you can set up north of Mills Lake and experience little to no light pollution! Fishing on Mills Lake does not require fishing permit. Large Pavillion for shelter/picnics/activities. Single Site is limited to 1 Tent up to 4 Adults. Conveniently located between Muncie and Winchester. Close enough for a short drive to the city and far enough to be in the serene country setting. Less than 2 miles from Winchester Speedway!

10. Salamonie Lake

333 sites · Mount Etna, Indiana

Salamonie Lake: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Campers Alike.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

11. Lake Loramie State Park

21 sites · Fort Loramie, Ohio

No kayak? No problem. Lake Loramie State Park provides rentals for everything from bikes to canoes, and you'll want to take advantage of it to get the most out of your stay. Paddle past patches of water lilies shaded by bald cypress trees, where the beauty here has long been preserved. Hikers will enjoy trekking over to Blackberry Island, where they can catch a glimpse of owls and woodpeckers nesting in their native habitat. A large variety of fish inhabiting the lake and seasonal hunting forays may also appeal to your wild side. Come winter, return for the cross country skiing tournament on the Little Turtle Trace trail, or bring a pair of skates and a sled for some awesome frosty activities. With ice boating available as well, you'll never want to be without a paddle here.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Camper favorites near Decatur

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Scott and Amy's Rural Respite

100%

(34)

48mi from Decatur · 21 sites · Tents, RVs · Botkins, OH

This 80 acre farmland has been in the family for 6 generations. Some of the land is still used for farming to this day. The old barn, built in the late 1800's still stands. Now there is also a motocross track on the property. The track is only open occasionally. Enjoy easy trails in the woods, feed fish in the pond, and if you would like to see our goats and chicken we can arrange a time to introduce you!

StarCountryAcres Wildlife Hab

100%

(5)

40mi from Decatur · 12 sites · Tents · Lafontaine, IN

Moved to Indiana from San Antonio Texas, This land has been occupied by my family for over 32 yrs. It's situated out in the country on 3 county line roads, access to StarCountryAcres by State Road 15 and State Road 9 3 country line roads,Grant,Wabash, Huntington Turn on 700 N 1200 S We have built this up to become a Wildlife Habitat Certified by the National Wildlife Federation. Learn more about this land: Bring your own tent (This is a tent only campground and Primitive) and enjoy the 5 acres of land that is Certified by the National Wildlife Federation. There are two Nearby Lakes, there is the Mississinewa Reservoir and the Salamone Reservoir, there are beaches to lay at and swimming allowed, both of these places are not far from StarCountryAcres Wildlife Habitat. Less than 25 miles. Bring a GPS to find these two lakes. If you love watching birds then this is the place to see them, bring your binoculars,scopes and camera's. In the summer you can enjoy the two big Montmorency Cherry Trees, pick and eat all you want.The cherries are all gone but its Blackberry time pick all you want Free.. There are also Raspberry Blackberry Bushes you can pick in mid July. Blackberry Season is over Campers can enjoy the Apple Trees and the Grapes when in season. Apple & Grape season is over Pear season is here, Pick all you want FREE. The pears are ready to eat as they are dropping to the ground What more can a camper want than Fresh berries to pick with your pancakes in the morning! Summer/Fall time only. There is now a 24x8 Screen house, it has a table and chairs and also a bench, on the other end of the screenhouse there is a POTTY. The screen house is for campers who want to eat and not have to worry about bugs buzzing around their food. We have tables and chairs in the screen house. WE ARE OPEN FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

Gravel's End

90%

(10)

46mi from Decatur · 1 site · RV · Muncie, IN

Bare-bones camping! This secluded spot allows dry camping in a beautiful 9-acre woods. A winding gravel drive takes you to the heart of the forest and away from civilization. Fully self-contained RVs/camper vans can park level and find a large clearing to enjoy the sounds and sites of native Hoosier flora and fauna. This is a single lane with no turn-around for lengthy vehicles. Our family’s desire is to eventually live on the site and some signs of development can be found, but our first priority is the tedious but rewarding task of removing the non-native species (Burning Bush, Winter Creeper, Asian Honeysuckle, Garlic Mustard, Multiflora Rose) to allow for the native woods and understory to thrive. We are a few years into this process and have already seen major gains in the health of the woods, thanks to the guidance we received from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Limited use of the site ensures the native animal presence is not overly disturbed and preserves a true experience for campers to enjoy. Fill your fresh water tank before arriving and dump your black water tank at a dump station when you’re done. Gray water may be dumped onsite ONLY if you are using earth friendly soaps/ cleaners. Pre-cut and dried firewood for your enjoyment can be arranged ahead of time for a fee. Kindling can be gathered in the cleared areas and along the trails, but we ask that you do not enter non-cleared areas of the woods as this is disruptive to the plant and animal life. There is a one party limit so you may enjoy your nature experience in privacy. With two connecting trails carefully carved into the woods, you are sure to spot signs of creatures like red squirrels, chipmunks, possum, rabbits, garter snakes, frogs, toads, and deer. This property is a bird watchers delight! In the past year, we have observed Blue Jays, Cardinals, Goldfinches, Carolina Wrens, Baltimore Orioles, Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, Sparrows, Tufted Titmice, Finches, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, and Pileated Woodpeckers. Black Vultures and Red-Tailed Hawks are a common sight, and you may hear Owls during your overnight stay. Despite the feeling of total privacy, this site is minutes from Muncie, a mid-sized city in Delaware county. Muncie is home to Ball State University, which hosts concerts, speakers, and other programs. Muncie boasts an active downtown with shops, restaurants and breweries. IU Ball Hospital, an award-winning medical facility, is a 15-minute drive. Ruoff Music Center, a beloved outdoor music venue that provides live entertainment throughout the concert season, is less than an hour from the site. Indianapolis, a little over an hour drive, offers vast entertainment opportunities.

Living Waters Resort

90%

(5)

47mi from Decatur · 40 sites · Tents · Farmland, IN

This property has everything you could possibly want. 4 acre private lake stocked for good fishing. Western portion of the property is surrounded by the White River stretching north. Sparrow creek borders the South edge of property. Several spots for camping under the trees near a full service bathhouse. For those that want to see the stars; you can set up north of Mills Lake and experience little to no light pollution! Fishing on Mills Lake does not require fishing permit. Large Pavillion for shelter/picnics/activities. Single Site is limited to 1 Tent up to 4 Adults. Conveniently located between Muncie and Winchester. Close enough for a short drive to the city and far enough to be in the serene country setting. Less than 2 miles from Winchester Speedway!

Public campgrounds near Decatur

Ouabache Campground

12mi from Decatur · 124 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ouabache State Park

Salamonie River Campground

36mi from Decatur · 36 sites · Tents, RVs · in Salamonie River State Forest

Salamonie Lake Campground

37mi from Decatur · 333 sites · Tents, RVs · in Salamonie Lake

Lake Loramie Campground

45mi from Decatur · 21 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Loramie State Park

Stories from the community

D

Danielle

2 weeks ago

36 ft Class A

1 night at The Fun Farm

First of all, the place was beautiful! The lights on the buildings were magical! Troy was nice enough to help us late at night for a place to pull through with my class A and car on dolly just for electricity! It was cold and we were driving til we found something! Big area to camp for tents or other RVs and only the 15 amp for plug in but a delightful place! Bring the kids just for the sights! Troy was so nice and hung out in the cold to help me park! Great with communication and a heart to help!

D

Dustin

November 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Scott and Amy's Rural Respite

Amazing hosts! A surprise blizzard rolled through, so I informed them I was going to hit a hotel, but didn't expect a refund, because these things happen. Refunded anyway! Super nice of them! Much respect.

T

Theodore

November 2025

1 night at River Camp Fort Wayne

Wonderful! This location is an amazing place to unwind and relax.

L

Lee Anne

November 2025

32 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at The Fun Farm

My dogs and I really enjoyed the peaceful area and hiking around the pond. It was a great place for us to decompress after a stressful day at the dog show.

T

Theodore

November 2025

Weekend Trip to River Camp Fort Wayne

Loved staying at this location! Nice lodging, beautiful area, a truly wonderful place to unwind!

S

Stephanie

November 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Firefly Nest

Just as cool as the pictures! Had a really nice weekend here, Tim really thought of everything for conveniences- the tent & amenities, bathroom, fire pit, seating, firewood. Would absolutely go again.

N

Nick

October 2025

1 night at River Camp Fort Wayne

I enjoyed exploring the property and the cabin was adequate for my needs.

J

Jennifer

October 2025

Weekend Trip to River Camp Fort Wayne

This was my first camping experience and I couldn't have picked a better place. The property is absolutely stunning! I can't wait to return in the summer, but I'm so glad we got to see the fall colors. Such a short walk to the river, which is just gorgeous. The cabin was perfect for us. The wood stove and water system were super easy to use and having a TV was a cherry on top! Lol. There were little touches everywhere of things that were either helpful or just plain charming. My main concern, being a first-timer was safety and that box was definitely checked. It's a perfect spot for a couple, a family with children or a group of college kids. We just left and I can't say enough. Thanks, Marla, for an amazing time!

Andrew

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Living Waters Resort

Absolutely what we were looking for. Beautiful property, sandwiched between a river and a stocked pond. Fairly quiet, very peaceful. Cindy is an amazing hostess. Super sweet and friendly. Lots of wildlife around. Everything from turkeys and hawks, to deer and coyotes. Definitely a great place to drop a tent, hang a hammock and relax. Thank you so much Cindy, we appreciate you!

N

Nicole

October 2025

4 nights at The Firefly Nest

Our 2nd stay was fantastic like our first! This time it was a bit chilly at night. A efficient space heater was supplied. It kept the tent toasty! We also noticed a update to the fire pit! It worked fabulously for our camp cooking needs as well as enjoyable warm campfire nights. The fall leaves were beautiful and still provided a private camp experience. Love the attention to detail provided by Tim (host). Thankful for great hosts willing to share their property for hipcamp customers!

R

Russell

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Living Waters Resort

Cindy was a gracious host. She actually walked me around the property to assist me in choosing a spot. She also provided a wagon to help haul my gear. Being able to walk up to the lake from my tent to fish was extremely convenient. I caught a few pan fish on some bee moths. Apparently there's some big cats in the lake. My goal was to relax and unplug and this property allowed me to do just that.

A

Aidan

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to River Camp Fort Wayne

Very nice woods and Marla and her husband were extremely nice. The Disc Golf is pretty fun too! Would defintly come back again.

K

Kydeem

October 2025

Weekend Trip to River Camp Fort Wayne

I loved the cabin at Marla's. It also has nice views, cool little trails and a nice place by the water to relax.

H

Haylea

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to River Camp Fort Wayne

We stayed in campsite one. It was really nice and not too far from the parking spots. The bathroom was also nice and not too far of a walk from the campsite. We will definitely be back again. We loved that they provided firewood! Just be prepared to carry your camping stuff to your site, they do have wagons but when we went everyone else had taken them already and kept them at their sites so we had nothing to use to haul our stuff to our site.

D

Deanna

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to River Camp Fort Wayne

Great time with our young kids! The river is beautiful

M

Mark

October 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at River Camp Fort Wayne

Even though it's in Fort Wayne. It was nice and secluded and peaceful.

S

Steven

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Firefly Nest

Great place. Clean and private. The site had everything. The welcome book with a list of things in the area was great

N

Neil

September 2025

Weekend Trip to River Camp Fort Wayne

The cabin had convenient access and parking, good amenities, and above all was cozy!

M

Martin

September 2025

Weekend Trip to River Camp Fort Wayne

This is the second time I have stayed at the cabin and both times have been an amazing experience! The amenities offered are amazing! I felt connected to the outdoors while still being able to enjoy the comforts of a clean and well supplied facility! A great way to get away for the weekend without all the hassles of traditional tent camping. A great way to dip your toe into camping before going all out into a tent.

S

Steve

September 2025

Tent

1 night at River Camp Fort Wayne

Great place. The owners are very nice people. I recommend going there.