state parks with well wooded campsites?

[Cameramonkey]

FINALLY getting the family into camping. Kids are getting their feet wet by sleeping in the back yard first for a couple nights. Next step is a state park. Eventually I hope to get them out primitive dispersed camping in HNF, around Lake Monroe, etc. Because other than no pit toilet or water source, that is exactly what she wants in a campsite. Baby steps I guess.

Mrs. Monkey doesnt want an open prairie style like Lieber or Prophetstown with a smattering of trees so that you have to bring your own shade. She wants something more wooded, possibly with some trees between campsites. She was spoiled by a campground where each campsite was bush hogged out of a wooded lot and you had 3-6' of underbrush and mature trees between campsites. This is one of them. Literally.

Any suggestions for shaded state park tent campgrounds in central or southern IN?

 

[BigRed]

I seem to recall some options like what you describe around Shades. I do know there is some decent primative camping there.

Enjoy the "baby steps".

Used to do backyard tent stuff with the youngins years ago. All these years later they are out hiking and camping trails many never see.

You're doing good, Dad!!!

 

[dekeshooter]

Shades State Park. Nicely wooded sites, and decent spacing between sites for a state park.

 

[BigRed]

This brings back one of my favorite memories from a camp with the youngest at Shades.

We had gone to bed and I was sleeping like a rock when she woke up because there was something ouside the tent.

She was young...and was worried it was a bear.

"No bears around here....sounds like a coon."

"Can we see?"

"You have to be quiet."

So we moved around and pulled a flap slowly....and there was one of the biggest coons I've seen. Park coons eat well.

We spent the next 15 minutes or so watching it try to get into a secured cooler, forage, etc.

Just a big ol coon....but that evening still comes up in conversation from time to time all these years later.

There is much value in introducing kids to such things.

 

[Ruger_Ronin]

FINALLY getting the family into camping. Kids are getting their feet wet by sleeping in the back yard first for a couple nights. Next step is a state park. Eventually I hope to get them out primitive dispersed camping in HNF, around Lake Monroe, etc. Because other than no pit toilet or water source, that is exactly what she wants in a campsite. Baby steps I guess.

Mrs. Monkey doesnt want an open prairie style like Lieber or Prophetstown with a smattering of trees so that you have to bring your own shade. She wants something more wooded, possibly with some trees between campsites. She was spoiled by a campground where each campsite was bush hogged out of a wooded lot and you had 3-6' of underbrush and mature trees between campsites. This is one of them. Literally.

Any suggestions for shaded state park tent campgrounds in central or southern IN?

Jackson-Washington State Forest

Official Jackson-Washington State Forest page from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division

www.in.gov

Most sites are heavily wooded. Here's a pic of our site weekend before this past.

 

[bdybdall]

Whitewater State Park has a few campsites that are well wooded, most have some shade but not a lot.

 

[natdscott]

Recommend Shades.

 

[johntheplinker]

Ferdinand State Forest used to have some nice camping spots that were well wooded.

 

[rockhopper46038]

If you pick the right sites Summit Lake has spots with trees in and between campsites. Just don’t pick the front sites in Loop A.

Brown County Taylor Ridge is pretty wooded.

 

[foszoe]

Shakamak

 

[joe138]

Another recommendation for Jackson-Wash. Mostly wooded sites, usually not over crowded and several good trails. By the way, is this site #46? If so, it is our favorite spot in the camp ground.

Jackson-Washington State Forest

Official Jackson-Washington State Forest page from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division

www.in.gov

Most sites are heavily wooded. Here's a pic of our site weekend before this past.

 

[Ruger_Ronin]

Another recommendation for Jackson-Wash. Mostly wooded sites, usually not over crowded and several good trails. By the way, is this site #46? If so, it is our favorite spot in the camp ground.

It is. 46 is the bees pajamas

 

[Bigtanker]

IIRC, Turkey Run has some pretty heavy wooded sites.

(But that was a long time ago and I was drunk the WHOLE time........















........... Good Times!)

 

[PappyD]

Take a look at Starve Hollow State Park. Southwest of Seymour. Most of the sites are shaded and there is a nice beach for the kiddos. If you have kayaks/canoes some of the sites are right on the lake.

Little bit of a drive from Indy but worth it.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Take a look at Starve Hollow State Park. Southwest of Seymour. Most of the sites are shaded and there is a nice beach for the kiddos. If you have kayaks/canoes some of the sites are right on the lake.

Little bit of a drive from Indy but worth it.

Ive also got a 12' rowboat with motors. So that might be interesting as it can be beached easily.

 

[Ruger_Ronin]

I second Starve Hallow as well. Good fishing.

Be careful when you book a site. Starve H. gets busy with the campers around holidays and October is a madhouse of people

 

[thompal]

McCormick's Creek as some nice wooded campsites.

 

[foszoe]

IIRC, Turkey Run has some pretty heavy wooded sites.

(But that was a long time ago and I was drunk the WHOLE time........















........... Good Times!)

If choosing between Turkey Run and Shades and if I really wanted primitive camping, go to Shades. Turkey Run is very nice but its also very popular. Shades is a hidden gem 9 miles away.

 

[dnurk]

Hardin Ridge is excellent and almost completely wooded. Also has a swimming beach for Monroe and I believe a small boat launch.

you can check out the map of campsites and if you turn on the satellite layer you’ll see how they’re spaced and how wooded it is.

Hardin Ridge, Hoosier National Forest - Recreation.gov

Explore Hardin Ridge in Hoosier National Forest, Indiana with Recreation.gov. Hardin Ridge is a 1,200-acre recreational complex located on the shores of Monroe Reservoir in Hooiser National Forest. The complex includes six shady campgroun

www.recreation.gov

 

[dnurk]

ETA there are rv compatible pull in sites but also short “walk to” tent only sites that would likely be just what you’re looking for. At the URL I linked you can filter by “walk to” and see those. Many are first come first serve as well.