The best campgrounds near Van Bibber Lake, Indiana with swimming

If you’re after swimming spots around Van Bibber Lake, you’ve got over 770 campsites to choose from—each one primed for a dip. Most sites run about $46 a night, with some as low as $25. You’ll find everything from lakeside clearings to shaded woodland pitches. Top picks like Happy Campers Campground (109 reviews) keep swimmers happy with easy water access, while Shalamar Farm (81 reviews) and Overland Camping at The 1938 Barn (51 reviews) draw regulars for their mellow waterfronts. Most sites welcome pets, allow campfires, and have showers—pack your towel and grab your friends. Fishing and horseback riding round out the scene if you want to dry off for a bit. Locals know: get an early start to claim the best shoreline, and never underestimate how quickly the sun sets behind those trees.

98% (266)

Top-rated campgrounds near Van Bibber Lake

If you’re after swimming spots around Van Bibber Lake, you’ve got over 770 campsites to choose from—each one primed for a dip. Most sites run about $46 a night, with some as low as $25. You’ll find everything from lakeside clearings to shaded woodland pitches. Top picks like Happy Campers Campground (109 reviews) keep swimmers happy with easy water access, while Shalamar Farm (81 reviews) and Overland Camping at The 1938 Barn (51 reviews) draw regulars for their mellow waterfronts. Most sites welcome pets, allow campfires, and have showers—pack your towel and grab your friends. Fishing and horseback riding round out the scene if you want to dry off for a bit. Locals know: get an early start to claim the best shoreline, and never underestimate how quickly the sun sets behind those trees.

98% (266)

Top-rated campgrounds near Van Bibber Lake

1. Happy Campers Campground

99%

(191)

17mi from Van Bibber Lake · 7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

We look forward to hosting you at Happy Campers Campground! We have 5 full hook up RV sites 50 and 30 amp, free wifi, fishing, swimming and an 1.5 acre pond. Our property also has fire rings and picnic tables available for our campers. We have a dry cabin also available. We have trash bens available. Seasonal shower house and porta pottys. Please specify RV or tent site when you are booking! Open now.

2. Overland Camping at The 1938 Barn

95%

(69)

9.3mi from Van Bibber Lake · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

Large secluded cove near our barn and garden. Watch the sun come up from the orchard. There is 1 electrical plug so not all 3 spaces have electric but you can run a cord. There is also a single water spigot to share as well. There are 2 houses somewhat visible through the trees but no direct line of sight and otherwise private. We have 2 dogs, Whiskey and Barb, Whiskey will usually keep her space but bark, if you ignore her she will be friendly, acts mean but never bites. Barbara is a Jack Russell. She will jump in the truck if you don't tell her not to and will happily run off with snacks. We ask you please don't feed them as it will teach them to come for food and some people don't appreciate the dogs..  This is a farm so you may see and smell animals. Depending on when you book you may even be somewhat near animals. Be aware of this and be ready to keep dogs contained. We typically run pigs in the woods around the cove but we move them regularly and keep the smell to a minimum by doing so.

3. Shalamar Farm

100%

(126)

29mi from Van Bibber Lake · 3 sites · RVs

BEST IN STATE 2025, hosted over 240 rigs since 2020! Private home with 13 acres built in 2018 with maintained lawn, shade trees, quiet and peaceful setting. Accept long term renters and traveling professionals. Eleven miles to LP1 (North Eli Lilly site) and 4 miles to Leap (Foundry). Welcome to Shalamar Farm, our second time around! SHADE TREE: full hook ups, pull thru, rig must be less than 30 feet. NORTH: full hook ups, back in, rig must be less than 35'. SOUTH: full hook ups, back in, rig must be less than 45'. BOOKED UNTIL 8-2027 HOSPITALS: Lebanon 7 miles, Crawfordsville 19 miles, Zionsville 20 miles, Westfield 25 miles, Indianapolis (86th Street area) 26 miles, Carmel 31 miles. Do not feed our friendly pets, George our 20 yo horse and Lowell our 7 yo cat. Eastern time zone.

4. Shades State Park

94%

(8)

106 sites · Alamo, Indiana

A shady retreat for hikers, campers, and canoeists just outside the city.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

5. Turkey Run State Park

94%

(25)

211 sites · Marshall, Indiana

Hike through history at this well-appointed state park.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

6. McCormicks Creek State Park

100%

(5)

233 sites · Spencer, Indiana

Welcome to Indiana’s first state park, camping mecca since 1916.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

7. Shakamak State Park

100%

(1)

207 sites · Coalmont, Indiana

Discover Shakamak State Park's serene lakes and lush campgrounds.

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Public campgrounds near Van Bibber Lake

94%

(8)

Shades Campground

16mi from Van Bibber Lake · 106 sites · Tents, RVs · in Shades State Park

94%

(25)

Turkey Run Campground

18mi from Van Bibber Lake · 211 sites · Tents, RVs · in Turkey Run State Park

100%

(5)

McCormicks Creek Campground

32mi from Van Bibber Lake · 233 sites · Tents, RVs · in McCormicks Creek State Park

100%

(1)

Shakamak Campground

42mi from Van Bibber Lake · 207 sites · Tents, RVs · in Shakamak State Park

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

A

Amber

October 2025

Tent

3 nights at Overland Camping at The 1938 Barn

This hipcamp was great!!! Beautiful property it was exactly as described. We met the owners they were super friendly! Baby pigs were born while we were there adding an even better experience. Also in a perfect spot to visit the covered bridge festival! Definitely recommend

K

Kevin

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Happy Campers Campground

Dwight and Happy Camper is friendly and hospitable. The cabin a clean, quant and quiet getaway with tons of charm. We have been to the cabin a few times and enjoy fishing in the pond and fire pit. If you’re looking for Hoosier corn fields with the sounds of chicken and ducks in the background, check it out. Would recommend. Kevin and Michelle

Heather

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Happy Campers Campground

Where to start with this review?? The directions to get there were easy to navigate, and communication with Dwight was super easy. The location was absolutely beautiful, and serene. The cabin was super comfortable. The site had many amenities that our children loved. The adults favorite was the firepit, the kids loved the access to the boat and the rocking chairs on the porch. Watching the ducks and rooster and making up stories of their antics was a close 2nd. We were only there for a couple of days but we are excited to come back next year.

K

Kevin

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Happy Campers Campground

This is such a cool campground! The cabin is perfect, and we loved that there weren't hundreds of other campers. This is small campground that obviously focuses on customer service. Dwight is a top-notch host. I highly recommend the cabin and this campground.

charmaine

September 2025

29 ft travel trailer

With pets

9 nights at Shalamar Farm

It's great place to relax and enjoy being with the ones you love ! Lowell the orange cat is the best! The host are very welcoming too 😁

Sandy

September 2025

26 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Shalamar Farm

We loved camping at Steve and Linda’s farm! It was so peaceful and quiet. They were truly wonderful hosts and we loved meeting the 4 legged hosts too—Lowell (kitty) and George (horse)! Close to restaurants and we loved walking and biking the BIG 4 trail! Perfect escape from hustle and bustle!

A

Alexander

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Overland Camping at The 1938 Barn

A good place, quiet, spacious, very beautiful turkeys

A

Alexander

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Overland Camping at The 1938 Barn

Good place , a pretty quiet place , we recommend it!!

J

James

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Happy Campers Campground

I absolutely loved camping on Dwight’s land. Dwight and his wife are absolutely amazing people. They were very helpful with everything his wife even offered us life jackets and floaties so that we could go swimming in the pond and on a very hot day it was very helpful. I honestly would live there if I could haha. I would HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dwight and Happy Campers as a place for a peaceful getaway,and I definitely will be back very soon

I

Isaac

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Happy Campers Campground

Very peaceful and quiet place to get away from the noise and enjoy a nice cabin along with A fire pit and swimming in the pond. the hosts were very helpful and friendly. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys the countryside.

j

jerika

March 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Happy Campers Campground

my family & i loved Dwight's place! we booked the day of & were greeted when we arrived to the cabin on the property. cabin was very clean & oh so cozy w. a beautiful view of the pond on site. my son did some pretty good fishing, room to walk the dog around & probably the cleanest outhouse i've been in to date! thanks so much for having us.. can't wait to come back!