State Parks near Carmel, IN

Big Bone Lick State Park is a historical park situated near the stunning Ohio River. This unique park features swamps and forests and is well-known for its abundance of rare fossils. So many fossils have been discovered at this park that there's a museum dedicated to the prehistoric remains, with several exhibits explaining the origins of these extinct creatures. Camping at Big Bone Lick State Park is also easy due to the well-equipped campground, and with plenty to do in and around the campground, there's no better place to park your RV rental near the Ohio River.If you're looking for a peaceful getaway, you'll find an oasis at Big Bone Lick State Park. When you book an RV in …

Brown County State Park is by far the most popular getaway in Indiana for both Hoosiers and out-of-state visitors. Indiana’s largest state park, Brown County consists of nearly 16,000 acres of diverse landscape sandwiched between Bloomington, Indiana, and Columbus, Ohio. This convenient location is ideal for finding RV rentals in Brown County. Like so many other state parks in the country, this one also started as a Civilian Conservation Corps project to employ young men in the 1930s.Due to the makeup of the park, Brown County has earned the moniker of “Little Smokies.” Glaciers came to the end of the road here during the last ice age, and their journey formed moody ravines and rugged hills that …

One of the best places in Ohio for outdoor recreation is the 3,741-acre Caesar Creek State Park in the southwestern part of the state near Waynesville. The park also boasts a 2,830-acre lake that was created when the United States Army Corps of Engineers erected a dam in the 1970s. Water recreation at the park is a big draw for visitors, and many drive their RV to Caesar Creek State Park for camping and outdoor fun.Want to go camping at Caesar Creek State Park but don't have an RV? You can book an RV in Warren County and spend a few days exploring Ohio in your rental motorhome. Dayton is only about 40 minutes north of the park …

Charlestown State Park is located in southern Indiana on the Ohio River and Indiana - Kentucky border. The state park lies near the towns and cities of Louisville, KY, Cincinnati, OH, and Lexington, KY. Charlestown State Park began life as part of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant and was donated in separate parcels since 1993. Today the park consists of over five thousand acres, making it one the largest national parks in all of Indiana. The park consists of the ‘Fourteen Mile Creek,’ a tributary of the Ohio River, miles of hiking trails, and access to the Ohio River itself. All of these things, and much more, make Charlestown State Park the ideal place to take an …

With its beautiful waterfalls, rugged terrain, and ancient fossils, Clifty Falls State Park is one of the gems of the Indiana State Parks system. Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Indiana, around 47 miles from Louisville, Kentucky, the park is well worth checking out for a few days if you're looking for beautiful natural scenery with a difference.The park offers challenging hiking trails, plenty of delights to thrill and challenge amateur photographers, and the chance to get back to nature in peaceful surroundings. And with more than 160 sites to choose from in the Clifty Falls State Park campground, RV travelers are very well catered for.

Dayton, which happens to be the county seat of Montgomery County, is currently the sixth-largest city in Ohio. The city is located just a few miles away from Springfield and roughly an hour away from both Cincinnati and Columbus. The State of Ohio is popularly referred to as the birthplace of aviation, all thanks to Dayton. Dayton is the birthplace of a set of brothers who made a significant contribution to human history. Edgar and Wilbur Wright made history when they launched the first plane into a sustained flight in 1903. When you’re motorhome camping across Ohio, be sure to pass by the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park for some insight into early aviation.Situated right at the …

Situated in the central region of the Midwest, Indianapolis is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. Founded in 1816, the city replaced Corydon as the state capital in 1821. Did you know that Indianapolis is the largest American city not located on a navigable river? Enough with the facts, when you decide to camp in an RV near Indianapolis, you will pass by Fort Harrison State Park. Located to the northeastern part of town just next to Lawrence, IN, this state park sits on part of what used to be Fort Benjamin Harrison, a US Army Post dating back to the 1900s. The 18-hole golf course and hiking trails make Fort Harrison State Park the premier …

Illinois doesn’t have a lot in the way of rolling hills, making Fox Ridge State Park stand out among the other, flatter state parks. Like much of the rest of Illinois, the terrain at Fox Ridge was also formed by glaciers in the last ice age. It’s incredible to hike among the park’s many trails and imagine it covered in thousands of feet of ice. Native American tribes settled into the area in approximately the 17th century, and Europeans arrived soon after, using the river for trade and commerce.The Civilian Conservation Corps began construction of trails, picnic shelters, bathrooms, and a small lake in 1935 after nearby residents helped preserve the surrounding land. A few of these historic buildings …

Tucked away about halfway in-between the cities of Cincinnati, OH, and Louisville, KY is where you can find General Butler State Park. This state park is popular among city dwellers seeking a serene motorhome camping excursion away from the hassle and bustle of big city life. When state park RV camping at General Butler State Park, you’ll get access to loads of water-based as well as land-based activities. Culture seekers can check out a couple of towns in the area such as Madison, IN, Bedford, KY, and La Grange. Should you be looking to cross the Ohio River Scenic Byway off your bucket list, search for an RV in Carroll County and explore the region camping. …

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is in Vincennes, Indiana, near the banks of the Wabash River. It's a monument to a hero of the American Revolution. A colonel in the American Army, George Rogers Clark led his soldiers and a contingent of Illinois civilians into Fort Sackville in 1877. Today, you can visit the monument and retrace Clark's steps as he moved against the British.Before going to the monument, you should stop by the park's visitor center, which features exhibits and a short movie explaining the history of the site. There is a bookstore in the center selling souvenirs and gifts as well. The center is open during normal business hours. Once you've seen the park, there …

Tucked away on the rolling hills of southern Indiana, Hoosier National Forest is a popular getaway spot among the motorhome camping community in Indiana. Situated just north of Benton and a few miles to the west of Louisville, KY, the park is ideal for state park RV camping because of the numerous outdoor activities. The park isn’t only for outdoorsy folk. Culture seekers RV camping at Hoosier National Forest get to stay within proximity to the towns of Bloomington and Washington, IN.Hiking is the highlight at the expansive Hoosier National Forest. Horseback riding and biking are also very popular, especially during the warmer months. The charming rural communities and picturesque hills make for some incredible photo …

Perched in between Preble and Butler Counties of Southern Ohio lies Hueston Woods State Park. The sprawling park sits on a massive 3000-acre piece of land that features an enormous wealth of recreational activities. Located in College Corner, this state park has the towns of Oxford and Camden as its neighbors. Notable parks in the area include the Whitewater Memorial State Park in Liberty and the Mounds State Recreation Area in Brookville, IN. Don’t get left behind, search for an RV in Preble County and uncover the region’s best-kept secrets one campground at a time.Back in time around 1779 is when Matthew Hueston was serving with the legendary General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, Matthew observed that the area had …

Indian Lake State Park is located in central Ohio, between the towns and cities of Lima, Sidney, and Kenton. Named after several Native American tribes that called this area home, Indian Lake has long held a place in Ohio’s history. During the modern era, the lake was dammed, and in doing so, Indian Lake State Park has become one of the most frequented state parks in all of central Ohio.The crystal clear waters of Indian Lake are perfect for both fishing and boating. The woodlands of oak and wildlife-rich marshes surrounding Indian Lake State Park are also a hiker’s and birdwatcher’s dream come true. All of this and more makes Indian Lake State Park the ideal …

Situated deep in the heart of Indiana, approximately halfway in-between Indianapolis, IN, and Louisville, KY lies the charming town of Brownstown. Sitting just to the east of town is Jackson Washington State Forest. This stunning recreational area offers awesome hiking, picnicking, and boating opportunities to tent and motorhome camping enthusiasts. To get a feel of the authentic Indiana experience, search for an RV in Jackson County and embark on a memorable getaway.When camping with an RV at Jackson Washington State Forest, you’ll want to have a camera as the hiking trails offer breathtaking views of the region’s rolling hills. The forest has about five forest lakes, two of which are open to boating. The archery range provides a …

Renowned as one of the most scenic locations in western Ohio, John Bryan State Park is a tranquil and beautiful camping spot. Of course, there's a whole lot more to this 752-acre park, located in Yellow Springs, than just the scenery.While visitors are drawn to the park by its striking limestone gorge and its views of the Little Miami River, they love the destination for the wide range of recreational activities on offer. Canoeing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing are popular pastimes here, so you'll find plenty to do even if you're planning on staying for a few days or more.And with a peaceful wooded campground you can call home for a while, John Bryan …

Kickapoo State Park is located in eastern Illinois near the Indiana state line, just over an hour east of Decatur, an hour and a half west of Indianapolis, and a quick shout from Westville. Surrounded by 22 ponds, this park is popular for its water activities.In 1939, the land was purchased from a mining company, and all 1,290 acres of it was turned into a state park. A lot of the land has since been reclaimed by the lush and strong arm of nature, which resulted in most of the lakes being crystal clear. The rest of the 1,550-odd acres of the park was donated by local residents.This park has it all. There's no shortage …

Located north of Springfield, OH, and 45 minutes away from Dayton, OH, Kiser Lake State Park provides plenty of lush views of forests, wetlands, and crystal clear water. Hikers, boaters, anglers, and picnickers often enjoy a variety of landscapes. The 531-acre park was named after Kiser Lake that sits at the very heart of the park. Kiser Lake Wetlands State Nature Preserve is right next to it.A dam was built on Mosquito Creek back in 1840 to provide power to the mills. However, the mills shut down after a couple of years, and both the lake and dam were abandoned. John W. Kiser, the owner, gave away the land to the State of Ohio in 1932. The …

Located just outside Sidney, OH, and less than an hour away from Dayton, OH, Lake Loramie State Park attracts outdoor enthusiasts all year round. This 407-acre state park centers around Lake Loramie. The lake was created in 1845 as a water reservoir. It was named after Peter Loramie, the French-Canadian trader who built a trading post near the Loramie Creek back in 1769. The area officially became a state park in 1949, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources maintains it.Large glaciers that covered this part of the United States thousands of years ago shaped the terrain around Lake Loramie State Park. Wide grass plains, prairie, and farmland make the landscape of this state park quite exciting …

Lincoln Trail State Park features a combination of important U.S. history and beautiful Illinois countryside that anybody considering an RV rental near Terre Haute will love. This state park has historical significance as it features part of the trail Abraham Lincoln and his family used to travel from Kentucky to Illinois. Prior to Lincoln visiting the area, this region was settled by many native tribes, including Kickapoo and Miami Native Americans, until the late 1700s.As well as having an abundance of history, Lincoln Trail State Park is perfect for those looking for a peaceful vacation. When you book an RV in Clark County, you'll have access to the serene Lincoln Trail Lake, steep gorges, and lush pine forests. …