The best camping near Jackson-Washington State Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Jackson-Washington State Forest adventure.

Discover the rugged beauty of Jackson-Washington State Forest.

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Community favorites near Jackson-Washington State Forest

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Jackson-Washington State Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Jackson-Washington State Forest

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Hones Pointe

22 sites · RVs, Tents47 acres · Pendleton, KY

Hones Pointe was established in 1988. It was built by four insurance agents to elude our sales managers in a unique natural setting. Over the years, we have planted many different varieties of trees and perennials to observe. Also evidence exists of this area being an Indian camp long ago as suggested by arrowheads and an old handmade rock wall. Primitive camping where you can pick your own scenic spot. We will furnish picnic table, fire ring, garbage can, and charcoal grill during your campout.Welcome!

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Happy Hollow Homestead

24 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents30 acres · Marengo, IN

We now have 3 buildings for rent. The Cozy Camping Cottage, the Camping Cabin and the newest addition is our A-frame which is the most secluded spot on the land. - Voted best Hipcamp in Indiana to visit for 6 years. - Listed on Rachael Ray Magazine's "8 of America's Coolest Campgrounds" We offer a "Camping Cabin", The "Cozy Camping Cottage" or tent camping in Black Walnut Grove, in an open field, in the woods, or a shady grove. We like to interact with people or you can keep to yourself and have a quiet getaway in the woods. Sorry, but the tree house isn't available to rent since it is my home. I may rent it out in the future. Also in progress is the "Dome" We are on a solar powered, off the grid 30 acre homestead that has 24 acres of wooded land and 6 acres of groomed land. Come explore our land and relax in the "Tree Web", see the 2 story tree house that I live in, have fun on the tire swing, or just sit and enjoy all that nature has to offer. You can explore our interesting topography that has close to 100 foot of elevation changes, our (mostly) dry creek system that starts with 2 springs that drain into 3 sinkholes or walk 3 miles of trails (if you follow each trail from end to end). We love groups - Host your event here or have a group gathering with all your friends and family. We have spaces large enough to host hundreds of people. We welcome pets for camping, but no pets allow in the Camping Cabin. Also be aware that we have 2 friendly dogs on the land that roam freely. - 3.5 miles to Marengo Cave - 7 miles to the Blue River (canoes, rafting and swimming) - 30 minutes to Patoka Lake - 37 miles west of Louisville - 13 miles north of Interstate 64

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Camp Escape

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Louisville, KY

15 acres with a barn and creek. Our property also boarders the Jefferson County Forestry and is close to Tom Wallace Park. This 5 acres is a corner lot next to railroad tracks so there are two roads on two sides. This is a very rural type area yet still in the city so you will hear and see a combination of city/country things. We are very close to Fort Knox and Knob Creek gun range. You will most likely encounter wildlife, hear gunfire, hear cars and the train go by, you will probably see and hear us and the neighbors on tractors and trucks. This is a working farm among other farming type residents. This is a space for someone to camp with their personal camping equipment. There is no water, no shower, no electric or anything else besides a fire pit. You need to bring your own supplies. We border the Jefferson County Forestry with an entrance about 1 mile away. We are about 30 mins away from downtown, but just 5 mins from a Kroger, Walmart, and a dozen different restaurants. We are also about 15 mins from Fort Knox. There is a shared porta potty onsite.

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Nightfall Farm

2 sites · Lodging129 acres · Crothersville, IN

We're bringing my family farm back to life. My parents farmed here until the 1980's, but couldn't make a profit with corn and soybeans. My husband, Nate, and I moved home in 2014, and started turning the fields into pastures. Today, we run Nightfall Farm, raise animals with respect, and sell pasture-raised meat locally. Come wander the 125 acres of woods, wetlands, and farm. Check out the animals in our pastures, and walk along the Muscatatuck River. Enjoy a quiet fire. Hear the roar of frogs calling in Spring. Chase fireflies. Behold a family farm coming back to life.

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Cedar Trail

2 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Columbus, IN

Welcome to our charming rural RV campsite! Grocery store & dining are 10 minutes away from the site. Gas station & interstate are 6 minutes from the site. Hiking is 8 minutes from the site. We offer two back-in spaces available—one to the west and one to the east of a new barn, ready for you to back in. With 50 and 30 amp hookups and serene surroundings, it's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature's beauty.

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Cabins at Guthrie Meadows

4 sites · Lodging133 acres · Bedford, IN

Our cabins sits on 100 acres. Our cabins have AC/Heat. A dry sink are in each cabin are provided. Roast hotdogs over your private fire pit as a fire pit is just outside the cabin along with private picnic table. We have a shower bathroom house. You provide your own towel, and soap products. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash and under your control at all times. Privy's are found just outside the cabin. We have miles of hiking trails and several spring fed creeks so take your hiking boots off and wade in the clean cool water. Stars are in abundance at Guthrie Meadows so star gazing is a must!

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Buck Creek Sanctuary

20 sites · RVs, Tents58 acres · Elizabeth, IN

Welcome to Buck Creek Sanctuary, a 58-acre botanical, wildlife and human sanctuary located near Elizabeth, Indiana. A place where people can connect with nature, each other, and themselves. “There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places” -Wendell Berry Buck Creek Sanctuary is a place to return to the sacred. Buck Creek Sanctuary is designed to help bring the scared back into our everyday lives Ken’s guiding truth is that we are part of nature and must find our part to play within it by honoring all things as being sacred. He dedicates his life to personal growth, consciousness raising, health, and healing of the planet. He wants to share Buck Creek Sanctuary with others to allow them to connect with nature and the sacredness of all things.

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Laurita's Casa Vieja

9 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Bloomington, IN

The farm is located 15 minutes west of Indiana Universities Memorial Stadium. The property is nice and private. The farm adjoins the 75 acre Stranger Hills Organic farm, the oldest organic farm in Indiana. Our 1899 Farmhouse is the only residence on the entire farm. There is a 3000 acre farm to our south. The area is quiet and very private. The campsites are in a grassy walnut grove by a small creek that runs along the eastern border of the property. We have a white deer creek cabin tent on a platform there and 3 or 4 nice level campsites to the north. There is a shaded RV site at the top of a small hill with 30 amp service. We can accommodate a large RV on packed gravel with 50 amp service. the farm is located 15 minutes east of McCormicks Creek State Park. There is a composting toilet and an on demand hot shower in a small building adjacent to the campsites. There is a YMCA about five minutes East of the property. \\\

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Lost River Hostel

18 sites · Lodging31 acres · West Baden Springs, IN

The Lost River Hostel is a nonprofit arts and cultural center located on a 29+ acre hillside in West Baden Springs, Indiana overlooking a section of the Lost River valley. Lost River Hostel strives to build and maintain an extraordinary space fueled by a constant cycle of generosity and creativity. We hope everyone who stays here will go back into the world refreshed and rejuvenated – wanting to be better people and do great things. Everything we do here is driven by our mission statement: "To provide a sandbox for exploration of goals and growth through nature and human connection." We accomplish this by providing a distraction-free, reflective space that is welcoming of people from all backgrounds and beliefs. A communal dinner with gratitude circle is included in every stay. We also host workshops and events related to music, writing, yoga, organic gardening, cooking, and environmental sustainability.

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Full hookup RV Fairy land because of all the little Christmas lights that come on every night

77 sites · RVs10 acres · Brooks, KY

Learn more about this land: Beautifully landscaped, super safe, all full hook up RV Park located along Brooks Run Creek! The only park in Louisville Kentucky with creek front and or concrete pad sites. We are conveniently located just 1.8 miles from I-65 at the Brooks exit 121 just 3 miles south of the Louisville's outer loop for easy access to all Louisville, KY has to offer . Far enough away from the Freeway so there is no road noise. There are 2 nice golf courses within 3 miles. South Park Country Club and The Crossings Golf Course is adjacent to the park. We are located near shopping, restaurants, Churchill Downs, Downtown Louisville, the bourbon distillery trail, and many other attractions. Many are under 8 miles away. Come visit us! Daily rates for full hookup starting at $55 a night, weekly starting at $245-$330 and monthly rates start at $495-$925 for the creek front with concrete pad sites. We are the only RV Park in the Louisville area offering all full hookup creek front and concrete pad sites! We also offer over-sized, pull through sites, and a combo of creek front concrete pad, oversized, hill side, and pull through sites. (All rates include tax and electric except our monthly). All sites include water, sewer, dumpster service on lot 62, lawn care and monitored security cameras in beautiful and very safe park. All sites are 50 amp, and we have 50 to 30 amp adapters for sale for a $25 fee. Currently there is limited Wi-Fi available through the park but especially near the office on lot 50, if you need it, ask the Manager to put you near it because we are trying to provide a radiation free area for our Manager and guests. Enjoy the beautiful new landscaping in this Resort like RV Park with twinkly lights that come on throughout the night and we have a beautiful winding creek with creek front sites. The park has paved roads, concrete pads. This is a big rig park that can handle coaches as large as 50 feet. Because we are conveniently located in the greater Louisville metropolitan area, please know there is a nearby train track that comes by a few times a day, but you get use to it, and we are only 8 miles from the Louisville International airport, but there is no freeway noise which can be very loud. We do not have bath or shower houses, or a pool, but we do have laundry facilities on site. There are showers within 2 miles at the Pilot gas station on I-65. We strive to offer excellent customer service, so please feel free to call if you have any issues! We have an on-site Assistant Manager. Annie is located on lot 12a, and you can reach her after you arrive by calling (502) 276-6090, or look for Annie working in the park. For long term RV guests, we require RVs to be 10 years or newer. We do give variances to some Airstream and restored classic RVs with a picture pre-approval by Management plus there is a free application see our website for an application on the banner.

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Sleeping Bear Retreat

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · French Lick, IN

Sleeping Bear Retreat is located on over 60 beautifully wooded acres in scenic French Lick, Indiana. Whether you are looking for a quiet weekend getaway, a low cost family vacation, or a group stay, we are the place for you. We are pet friendly, as long as the pet is friendly, and on a leash.

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Flat Rock River Relaxing View

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Flat Rock, IN

RVs only - No tents allowed. The property is situated on Flat Rock River, offering a serene and relaxing river view from the deck. Guests can enjoy swimming in the water on hot days and take their kayak or canoe for a leisurely paddle. Please note that only RV parking, access to the river deck, and enjoyment of the yard are permitted, as the property is only .4 acre in size.

The best camping near Jackson-Washington State Forest 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.