- Jackson-Washington State Forest
The best camping in Jackson-Washington State Forest, IN
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Charles
2 weeks ago
Weekend Trip to Cabins at Guthrie Meadows
Great experience. Beautiful place. Hope to stay there again…soon.
Charlie
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Jessi
2 weeks ago
Tent
Group trip
This was my second stay & again, we had an amazing private stay at Hidden Valley once again! Will be back!
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Jessica
2 weeks ago
With kids
This is our second time here and my goodness, it’s perfect. My daughter loves hiking on the property and petting the horses. It has everything you NEED and the warm shelter after a rainy hike at McCormicks Creek State Park is always what we need. Can’t wait to come back again. Our little dude with Cerebral Palsy could absolutely love this property too.
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Matthew
3 weeks ago
Tent
I had a great experience. I stayed at Holmes Hideaway site and it was beautiful - on the river with seclusion, fire pits, and plenty of tree cover. I went in mid-november and it was not crowded. Everything done through the app and I was left alone. It was a fun weekend.
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Jen
3 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
Kerry was a phenomenal host with prompt details messages about local hikes and cave expeditions. He was patience with our staggered arrival. The creativity that goes into how the land is cultivated is clear.
The suspended string platform was so zen being surrounded by a perfect autumn mosaic.
The puppies and pigs on the property were so friendly and polite.
We will be back!
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Liv
November 2025
With pets
We stayed in one of the tiny glamping cabins and absolutely loved it. It is a simple little wooden box with a full-size bed you crawl into, and it ended up being the perfect cozy nest for the night. There was enough room to sit up, stash our gear, and our dog fit comfortably with us. It was a cold night, but our sleeping bags plus the structure kept us warm, and the sound of rain on the tin roof was unreal.
Check-in was easy and the cabin was simple to find. It was clean in that ideal glamping way: not spotless, just naturally rustic and comfortable.
The location is incredibly quiet and peaceful. We heard the occasional bit of road noise from a distant back country road, but nothing distracting. The sites are spaced far apart, so everything feels private.
The host was wonderful. They gave us plenty of space but were also happy to chat with my husband about permaculture and building ponds.
My favorite part of the stay was climbing into the web at night to look at the stars. It felt magical. The outhouse was also surprisingly nice, which was a great little bonus.
Would absolutely come back. This place just has something special! ✨
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Ed
November 2025
Tent
Clean quiet and family friendly. Open areas and the river await adventure by all ages. Roving herd of sheep goats, donkey and mini horse add to the whimsy. Steve and his son Bradley are excellent hosts and I will return.
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Michael
November 2025
16 ft car
Beautiful setting, clean facilities with lots of access to the little Kentucky River
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ED
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Happy Hollow Homestead
I was for years trying to sleep in a cottage like that and it finally happened. It was a pretty unique cottage, but the experience was good. Very happy with the place all around. Would recommend to others who like something different!. Great host, helpful and respectful.
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Caleb
November 2025
Tent
With kids
Beautiful and peaceful location. The kids loved running around and playing on the huge field and along the riverbank. The large pavilion with electric comes in handy for blowing up mattresses and the porta-pot style toilet was the cleanest I've ever seen! This was our second time staying here and look forward to staying again.
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Zach
November 2025
Tent
With kids
Love this area. We have now camped here 4 times and have not had a single complaint. The hosts are very welcoming and even take our kids for rides on their golf cart. This trip was our second annual camping trip with high school friends and bringing all of our kids together to play is awesome. Three of the campsites border a nice 2 acre or greater size yard and the kids play until they are so tired or it’s time for s’mores. We are already talking about another trip this summer.
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Susan
October 2025
30 ft Class C
With pets
Amber is the sweetest! Nice site and area. Very understanding and professional
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chris
October 2025
Tent
Very nice couple and great secluded campsite. Would go again
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Timothy
October 2025
Tent
Kerry was kind, helpful, and the communication was great! This was a beautiful and comfortable environment. We felt safe and welcomed here. The land is beautiful and there is plenty to explore. At night the stars really stand out, great place to sit out by the campfire. You might get so lucky to have a visit from Jersey (the neighborhood dog) who was very friendly and not at all aggressive.
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Riley
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Happy Hollow Homestead
We had an amazing experience staying at the cozy camping cottage at Happy Hollow Homestead! My favorite part was the tree web - there's something magical and therapeutic about being midair and surrounded by trees. We also enjoyed everything else at the homestead, from the friendly animals, the outdoor shower, to the natural surroundings. Kerry has been a fantastic host and responsive throughout booking and our stay. 10/10 would recommend!
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Ben
October 2025
Tent
With kids
Awesome hosts. Loved the view of the river and the hospitality. We will definitely be back in the summer.
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Nikhil Kumar
October 2025
Group trip
I loved the cabin so much that we plan to come here next season as well
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Shelley
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Sleeping Bear Retreat
I loved camping here. The teepees are such a great retreat, I chose one with power which was a luxury. Enjoyed cooking over a fire with my own picnic table nearby. Even set up my hammock behind the teepee with some well placed trees. The bathrooms were very well maintained and even had an outdoor sink to wash hands and a separate large sink to clean dishes. The grounds are lovely and I will definitely be back to camp again.
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Steven
October 2025
Tent
With kids
Amazingly kind host, definitely a great spot. Bathrooms were super clean and had a nightlight in it and wash station. Easy access to the river and very peaceful out there. You rarely ever heard any other noises other than the occasional flight over.
Most of the sites are not private, there’s just one private site. So if you want the privacy, make sure you request that one set back off in another field close to the creek or check its availability.
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Samantha
October 2025
1 night at Happy Hollow Homestead
The cozy cottage was perfect for a chilly evening. Kerry was a fantastic host and has some epic land. We will definitely be back to explore and see what else he has built on the land. If the maple syrup is available you should definitely indulge! Big plus that all the dogs on the property were so sweet.
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Stay at a public campground in Jackson-Washington State Forest
Top-rated campgrounds
The best camping in Jackson-Washington State Forest, IN guide
Overview
About
Hikers. We found the perfect spot for you. Jackson-Washington State Forest encompasses 18,000 acres of gorgeous. The sights to be seen on the trails are unmatched by neighboring parks. The hiking action is available to all levels—the rugged mountain women, the men with grizzly beards and a John-Muir-attitude, and to those simply seeking mellow hike-through forests and breathtaking views of the lake. Mountain biking and 13.9 miles of horse trails are also on the list of YES. Whichever trail you trek, be sure to remember that bright orange is the new black, for during hunting season you'll want to stand out as “human” and not “dinner.” Speaking of hunting, it's welcome with a valid permit, and an archery range within the park will test your bow skillz. Jackson-Washington hosts three picnic shelters for guests. Some are for individual groups and others can host your next blow-out celebration. It’s a holiday somewhere, right? Come for the day or crash for a few nights beneath the starlit sky. Primitive camping is available beneath eastern white pines or beside the still waters of the lake. We did the diggin’, now all you have to do is show up and wander happily.
Notable campgrounds
- Knob Lake Campground: Nestled by the water, this site offers picturesque camping amid hardwoods and white pines.
- Youth Tent Campground: Ideal for groups and scouts, located near the forest office and the start of Trail 3.
- Backcountry Camping: For a true wilderness experience, venture along the backcountry hiking trail in Washington County.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Book early, especially for peak seasons, to secure your ideal campsite.
- Weekdays often have more availability than weekends, so consider a mid-week stay.
- Keep an eye on cancellations for last-minute opportunities.
- Explore nearby camping options if your preferred site is booked.
When to go
The best time to visit Jackson-Washington State Forest is from April to October, when all facilities are open and the weather is favorable for outdoor activities. Winter brings closures, such as Skyline Drive, making some areas less accessible.
Know before you go
- Wear bright clothing during hunting seasons for safety.
- Check trail status with the forest office before hiking.
- Remember, swimming is not permitted in the forest lakes.
- Firewood is available for campers at the forest office during business hours.
- All boats on forest lakes require an annual lake use permit.
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