The best river, stream, or creek camping near Oakland City

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In Oakland City, camping along the river means lazy mornings with mist on the water and the low hum of wildlife as your background noise. With over 680 riverside options, you can pitch your tent right by the bank, close enough to dip your toes in before breakfast. Average nightly rates sit around $35, but you’ll find spots for as little as $15 if you’re quick. Campfires are allowed, and most sites offer showers and toilets—no need to rough it more than you want. Bring your fishing rod, hiking boots, or just a swimsuit and a towel. If you want tried-and-true, check out Fairhaven Farm Campground (39 reviews), Little Blue Horse Camp (37 reviews), or Lost River Hostel (19 reviews). You’ll meet locals on the trails and get a real sense of Indiana’s quieter side.

99% (111) 14 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Oakland City

Fairhaven Farm Campground

1. Fairhaven Farm Campground

94%
(51)
47mi from Oakland City · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
Until 2019, this farm was in the same family since 1889. It has been a working farm since that time. In 2019, our family purchased the farm and continue to operate it much the same way. Our family is devoted to history and preserving the essence of the past. You may very well see us pull up in one of our antique cars to greet you! Our neighbors are friendly and many are also small farmers. You can't see their farms from camp, but don't be surprised to hear roosters crowing, cattle mooing, and donkeys braying in the distance. Our farm is surrounded by the Hoosier National Forest, so you'll see and hear plenty of wildlife too. At various times during the summer, you may find wild blackberries, elderberries, and black raspberries growing right in camp!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night
Hohl Farms

2. Hohl Farms

100%
(8)
24mi from Oakland City · 1 site · Tent, RV
Row crop and livestock farm located in the hills of southern Indiana. The farm is 5 minutes from Interstate 64. 30 amp and 50 amp hookups available. Pasture pork and Angus cattle are next to the campsite. Located on a rural country road by crop fields, woods and pasture. Large accommodations are available as the crops are harvested and fields are barren.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Nighthawk Forest

3. Nighthawk Forest

100%
(16)
45mi from Oakland City · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Pike State Forest

4. Pike State Forest

100%
(1)
36 sites · Winslow, Indiana
Discover the natural splendor of Pike State Forest.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
Beall Woods State Park

5. Beall Woods State Park

16 sites · Keensburg, Illinois
Unbelievably tall trees, winding trails, and an abundance of history is what you’ll find at Beall Woods. The last untouched timber east of the Mississippi is found here, so prepare to gawk at the over 100 ft trees. When you are finally able to pull yourself away from trees, enjoy a picnic, fish for a bit, or hike the trails. The visitor’s center is the perfect starting point: make sure to check out the educational programs they offer to give your brain an exercise!
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
Little Blue Horse Camp

6. Little Blue Horse Camp

100%
(48)
48mi from Oakland City · 1 site · Tent
Enjoy some serenity in our little piece of heaven on the Little Blue River. A unique retreat, with access to the river, areas to explore, rock features, water falls and a ton of nature. We ask that you respect all the surrounding wildlife and plant life-- we are also a preservation space. Learn more about this land: Enjoy sleeping and waking to the serene sounds of the lazy Little Blue River and enjoy comforts of a cozy campground, nestled on private land in the Hoosier National Forest.
Campfires
Toilets
Potable water
from 
$29
 / night
Backer Half Hundred Acres

7. Backer Half Hundred Acres

100%
(7)
34mi from Oakland City · 5 sites · Lodging
Great piece of secluded land with a cool fire pit and some great walking trails. Chairs and fire tools available. We have 62 acres in total, with a homemade suspension bridge, a tree house, chickens, goats, and a friendly dog. A small spring-fed stream runs right by camp. Plenty of nature to see and enjoy out here.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$80
 / night
John James Audubon State Park

8. John James Audubon State Park

87 sites · Henderson, Kentucky
Discover John James Audubon State Park's natural beauty and wildlife.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Red Hills State Park

9. Red Hills State Park

30 sites · Sumner, Illinois
A small, intimate gem of a park with a lovely little lake known for largemouth bass bank fishing.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Patoka Lake

10. 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
Greene-Sullivan State Forest

11. Greene-Sullivan State Forest

3 sites · Dugger, Indiana
Discover the serene beauty of Greene-Sullivan State Forest and its myriad of lakes.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water

In Oakland City, camping along the river means lazy mornings with mist on the water and the low hum of wildlife as your background noise. With over 680 riverside options, you can pitch your tent right by the bank, close enough to dip your toes in before breakfast. Average nightly rates sit around $35, but you’ll find spots for as little as $15 if you’re quick. Campfires are allowed, and most sites offer showers and toilets—no need to rough it more than you want. Bring your fishing rod, hiking boots, or just a swimsuit and a towel. If you want tried-and-true, check out Fairhaven Farm Campground (39 reviews), Little Blue Horse Camp (37 reviews), or Lost River Hostel (19 reviews). You’ll meet locals on the trails and get a real sense of Indiana’s quieter side.

99% (111) 14 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Oakland City

Fairhaven Farm Campground

1. Fairhaven Farm Campground

94%
(51)
47mi from Oakland City · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
Until 2019, this farm was in the same family since 1889. It has been a working farm since that time. In 2019, our family purchased the farm and continue to operate it much the same way. Our family is devoted to history and preserving the essence of the past. You may very well see us pull up in one of our antique cars to greet you! Our neighbors are friendly and many are also small farmers. You can't see their farms from camp, but don't be surprised to hear roosters crowing, cattle mooing, and donkeys braying in the distance. Our farm is surrounded by the Hoosier National Forest, so you'll see and hear plenty of wildlife too. At various times during the summer, you may find wild blackberries, elderberries, and black raspberries growing right in camp!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night
Hohl Farms

2. Hohl Farms

100%
(8)
24mi from Oakland City · 1 site · Tent, RV
Row crop and livestock farm located in the hills of southern Indiana. The farm is 5 minutes from Interstate 64. 30 amp and 50 amp hookups available. Pasture pork and Angus cattle are next to the campsite. Located on a rural country road by crop fields, woods and pasture. Large accommodations are available as the crops are harvested and fields are barren.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Nighthawk Forest

3. Nighthawk Forest

100%
(16)
45mi from Oakland City · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Pike State Forest

4. Pike State Forest

100%
(1)
36 sites · Winslow, Indiana
Discover the natural splendor of Pike State Forest.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
Beall Woods State Park

5. Beall Woods State Park

16 sites · Keensburg, Illinois
Unbelievably tall trees, winding trails, and an abundance of history is what you’ll find at Beall Woods. The last untouched timber east of the Mississippi is found here, so prepare to gawk at the over 100 ft trees. When you are finally able to pull yourself away from trees, enjoy a picnic, fish for a bit, or hike the trails. The visitor’s center is the perfect starting point: make sure to check out the educational programs they offer to give your brain an exercise!
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
Little Blue Horse Camp

6. Little Blue Horse Camp

100%
(48)
48mi from Oakland City · 1 site · Tent
Enjoy some serenity in our little piece of heaven on the Little Blue River. A unique retreat, with access to the river, areas to explore, rock features, water falls and a ton of nature. We ask that you respect all the surrounding wildlife and plant life-- we are also a preservation space. Learn more about this land: Enjoy sleeping and waking to the serene sounds of the lazy Little Blue River and enjoy comforts of a cozy campground, nestled on private land in the Hoosier National Forest.
Campfires
Toilets
Potable water
from 
$29
 / night
Backer Half Hundred Acres

7. Backer Half Hundred Acres

100%
(7)
34mi from Oakland City · 5 sites · Lodging
Great piece of secluded land with a cool fire pit and some great walking trails. Chairs and fire tools available. We have 62 acres in total, with a homemade suspension bridge, a tree house, chickens, goats, and a friendly dog. A small spring-fed stream runs right by camp. Plenty of nature to see and enjoy out here.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$80
 / night
John James Audubon State Park

8. John James Audubon State Park

87 sites · Henderson, Kentucky
Discover John James Audubon State Park's natural beauty and wildlife.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Red Hills State Park

9. Red Hills State Park

30 sites · Sumner, Illinois
A small, intimate gem of a park with a lovely little lake known for largemouth bass bank fishing.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Patoka Lake

10. 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
Greene-Sullivan State Forest

11. Greene-Sullivan State Forest

3 sites · Dugger, Indiana
Discover the serene beauty of Greene-Sullivan State Forest and its myriad of lakes.
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field