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The best lakeside camping near Salem

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Find your next lakeside camping spot near Salem, where over 2,000 options put you close to the water. Pitch your tent along quiet shores, take a swim, or watch herons stalk the shallows. Prices dip as low as $28 a night, with an average stay running $69. Campfires are allowed, and you’ll find toilets and showers at most sites—nothing fancy, but they get the job done. You can hike forested trails, spot wildlife, or just lounge by the lake. For a spot that gets locals talking, check out Hill Springs Campground (48 reviews), RoNilaVon Farm (14 reviews), or Nighthawk Forest (9 reviews). You’ll be close enough to Salem for a resupply run, but far enough out for real peace and quiet.

86% (87)

Top-rated campgrounds

Cera Sports Park and Campground

1. Cera Sports Park and Campground

62%
(13)
41mi from Salem · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$75
 / night
Nighthawk Forest

2. Nighthawk Forest

100%
(16)
25mi from Salem · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night
Painter Creek Camp Resort

3. Painter Creek Camp Resort

79%
(7)
29mi from Salem · 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!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night
We are only 3 miles from Patoka lake where you can swim, hike, and launch or rent a boat.

4. Hill Springs Campground

100%
(68)
37mi from Salem · 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
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Little Cabin

5. Little Cabin

100%
(1)
34mi from Salem · 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!
Pets
from 
$40
 / night

Find your next lakeside camping spot near Salem, where over 2,000 options put you close to the water. Pitch your tent along quiet shores, take a swim, or watch herons stalk the shallows. Prices dip as low as $28 a night, with an average stay running $69. Campfires are allowed, and you’ll find toilets and showers at most sites—nothing fancy, but they get the job done. You can hike forested trails, spot wildlife, or just lounge by the lake. For a spot that gets locals talking, check out Hill Springs Campground (48 reviews), RoNilaVon Farm (14 reviews), or Nighthawk Forest (9 reviews). You’ll be close enough to Salem for a resupply run, but far enough out for real peace and quiet.

86% (87)

Top-rated campgrounds

Cera Sports Park and Campground

1. Cera Sports Park and Campground

62%
(13)
41mi from Salem · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$75
 / night
Nighthawk Forest

2. Nighthawk Forest

100%
(16)
25mi from Salem · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night
Painter Creek Camp Resort

3. Painter Creek Camp Resort

79%
(7)
29mi from Salem · 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!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night
We are only 3 miles from Patoka lake where you can swim, hike, and launch or rent a boat.

4. Hill Springs Campground

100%
(68)
37mi from Salem · 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
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Little Cabin

5. Little Cabin

100%
(1)
34mi from Salem · 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!
Pets
from 
$40
 / night

Public campgrounds near Salem

Jackson-Washington Campground

Jackson-Washington Campground

8.6mi from Salem · 48 sites · in Jackson-Washington State Forest
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area
100%
(6)

Starve Hollow State Recreation Area

15mi from Salem · 150 sites · Tents, RVs · in Starve Hollow State Recreation Area
Deam Lake State Recreation Area
100%
(3)

Deam Lake State Recreation Area

16mi from Salem · 215 sites · Tents, RVs · in Deam Lake State Recreation Area
Spring Mill Campground
100%
(2)

Spring Mill Campground

19mi from Salem · 224 sites · Tents, RVs · in Spring Mill State Park
Hardy Lake Campground

Hardy Lake Campground

24mi from Salem · 162 sites · Tents, RVs · in Hardy Lake
Patoka Lake Campground
100%
(1)

Patoka Lake Campground

33mi from Salem · 445 sites · Tents, RVs · in Patoka Lake
Martin Campground

Martin Campground

35mi from Salem · 26 sites · Tents, RVs · in Martin State Forest
Clean inviting campgrounds at Paynetown SRA on Monroe Lake. There are Modern toilets/showerhouse nearby.
92%
(8)

Monroe Lake Campground

38mi from Salem · 312 sites · Tents, RVs · in Monroe Lake
Yellowwood Campground
100%
(3)

Yellowwood Campground

42mi from Salem · 90 sites · Tents, RVs · in Yellowwood State Forest
Ferdinand Campground

Ferdinand Campground

43mi from Salem · 57 sites · in Ferdinand State Forest

Stories from the community

Cera Sports Park and Campground
M
Matias Ignacio
2 weeks ago
19 ft campervan
With pets
Weekend Trip to Cera Sports Park and Campground
Quiet and beautiful place. Kids friendly. Clean bathrooms.
See more
Woods camping location
J
Joshua
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
Weekend Trip to Hill Springs Campground
Great hosts with an excellent, secluded spot…totally recommend!
See more
Hill Springs Campground
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!
See more
Nighthawk Forest
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.
See more
Nighthawk Forest
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.
See more
Cera Sports Park and Campground
N
Neleta
July 2025
22 ft campervan
With pets
1 night at Cera Sports Park and Campground
Great location with lots to do. Would stay again if in the area. Bathrooms were clean.
See more
Hill Springs Campground
S
Scott
July 2025
Tent
1 night at Hill Springs Campground
I tent camped. It was quiet and clean. Easy to find. The property was properly maintained.
See more
Painter Creek Camp Resort
L
Liana
July 2025
30 ft travel trailer
With pets
Weekend Trip to Painter Creek Camp Resort
My husband and I loved our stay here! It was quiet, everyone was friendly, and there was so much there to keep us busy. One of our teenagers even stayed one night with us with their friend and loved it just as much! We are already thinking about staying seasonally. It’s just a short 30 minute drive from our house but made us feel like we were on a getaway.
See more
Cera Sports Park and Campground
T
Todd
June 2025
30 ft travel trailer
Weekend Trip to Cera Sports Park and Campground
Amazing campground. Amazing ball complex. We enjoyed camping on the water. And watching the ducks. And listening to the live music on Saturday night.
See more
Hill Springs Campground
L
Lars
June 2025
Tent
Weekend Trip to Hill Springs Campground
The site was beautiful. Every direction was picturesque. We just so happened to go camping here on a weekend with a heat advisory and the pavilion was a nice source of shade. There were a lot more houseflies than I thought there would be; especially around the pavilion, but the site is in the middle of a farm so it’s not entirely unexpected. I’d definitely come back to camp here in the fall/winter.
See more
Hill Springs Campground
A
Alek
June 2025
Tent
1 night at Hill Springs Campground
Absolutly beautiful property with plently of choices to camp. The host was communicative and accomedating to my circumstances. I would stay again if I was closer.
See more
Hill Springs Campground
B
Brian
May 2025
Tent
Weekend Trip to Hill Springs Campground
Bryan and Nicole were very accommodating, very nice experience
See more
Cera Sports Park and Campground
S
Shinieke
May 2025
Tent
3 nights at Cera Sports Park and Campground
The electricity and water was very handy the front desk at the store were very helpful and this is just a great place to stay the showers and the toilet was very clean the park was very clean
See more

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Jackson-Washington State Forest
Jackson-Washington State Forest
Little York, Indiana
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area
100%
(6)
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area
Vallonia, Indiana
Deam Lake State Recreation Area
100%
(3)
Deam Lake State Recreation Area
Borden, Indiana
Spring Mill State Park
100%
(2)
Spring Mill State Park
Mitchell, Indiana
Hardy Lake
Hardy Lake
Deputy, Indiana
Patoka Lake
100%
(1)
Patoka Lake
Birdseye, Indiana
Martin State Forest
Martin State Forest
Shoals, Indiana
Clean inviting campgrounds at Paynetown SRA on Monroe Lake. There are Modern toilets/showerhouse nearby.
92%
(8)
Monroe Lake
Smithville Sanders, Indiana
Yellowwood State Forest
100%
(3)
Yellowwood State Forest
Nashville, Indiana
Ferdinand State Forest
Ferdinand State Forest
Birdseye, Indiana
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Popular Salem trips

RV parks & camping
All
Cabins
Camping with fishing
Camping with wildlife watching
Camping with hiking
Mountainous camping
Camping with horseback riding

Top parks near Salem

Barren River Lake
Hamilton County State Fish & Wildlife Area
Kickapoo State Recreation Area
Nolin Lake State Park
Wayne National Forest
Chickasaw State Park
Bledsoe Creek Camping State Park
Cumberland Mountain State Park

Top cities near Salem

Indianapolis
Cincinnati
Louisville
Florence
Dalton
Columbus
St Louis
Chicago

Best camping near me

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