Renting an RV in Indiana

Indiana is often called “the Crossroads of America,” and for good reason. Major east-west and north-south highways converge in the heart of the state, giving RV campers a unique opportunity to make it to every corner with ease.

But Indiana has another title: “The Heartland.” Everywhere you go in the Hoosier state, that heart is sure to follow, with locals eager to share everything their state has to offer—and that’s a lot! Where else in the Midwest can you go for an RV trip that takes you from a beach in the morning to a hidden cave by nightfall?

Let’s take a look at everything that makes RV camping in Indiana an absolute must.

Why Renting an RV in Indiana Is the Way to Go

Indiana offers campers the best of both worlds, with world-class attractions located in cities and towns just a stone’s throw away from caves, cliffs, waterfalls, beaches, and plenty of other natural splendor.
Rent an RV

Renting an RV in Indiana transforms your camping experience from a tent and a campfire into an entire area ripe for exploration. Whether you’re looking to check out local museums with the whole family or broaden your horizons deeper into the natural destinations surrounding the state’s many campsites, a rented RV gives you the comfort and the capability to enjoy everything the Hoosier state has to offer.

10 Memorable Places to See in Indiana in Your Rental RV

When people from outside the state think of Indiana, they might picture a buzzing race track or sprawling cornfields, but as the saying goes, “There’s more than corn in Indiana.” In reality, the state covers a uniquely diverse collection of natural environments and urban attractions. Hit the beach, check out a world-class museum downtown, or get lost in a cave—Indiana’s got it all.

1. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Located just north of downtown in Indianapolis, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (CMI) is the largest children’s museum in the world at over 480,000 square feet of fun for all ages. Families could easily spend more than one-day exploring CMI’s indoor and outdoor exhibits, including the Dinosphere, the Treasures of the Earth exhibit, and an always-changing Take Me There series that gives kids a closer look at life in countries around the world. With the outdoor Sports Legends Experience, sports fans can take a look at the storied history of sports in Indiana and abroad and get some hands-on experience playing soccer, basketball, and many other sports.

The CMI currently requires advance tickets due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, so be sure to plan ahead and choose a day that will fit into your family’s RV trip. You can choose from the standard admission to view all of the museum’s permanent exhibits or add on traveling exhibits like the Hot Wheels Race to Win challenge. There’s free parking—even surface lots perfect for the RV crowd.

Learn more about the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

2. Marengo Cave

Marengo Cave, located at the edge of the Hoosier National Forest in Marengo, IN, is touted as the state’s most-visited natural attraction. The cave was discovered by two local children in 1883 and has been open for public tours ever since. The main attraction is the cave itself, which offers two walking tours. The first, shorter tour takes you through the Crystal Palace, which is full of formations and flowstone deposits. The longer 60-minute tour through the Dripstone Trail winds over groundwater and through totem stalagmites and soda straw formations.

Outside the cave, though, is enough to see and do to make Marengo Cave a must for anybody taking an RV camping trip in Indiana. There’s pedal karting, gemstone mining, and other interactive attractions to fill your day, and when the sun sets, you can pull into your on-site RV camping. RV sites come complete with 50-amp electric hookups, fire pits, grills, picnic tables, and nearby shower and restroom facilities.

Learn more about Marengo Cave.

3. Turkey Run State Park

Perhaps no other destination in Central Indiana capture’s the state’s karst topography than Turkey Run State Park. This massive park is a nature-lover’s dream, with a little something for everybody. Hiking trails for every skill level take campers through winding creeks that have carved breathtaking ravines into the hilly countryside. Sandstone gorges show the slow work of water over millions of years. Bridle trails can give you a view of the land from horseback, Sugar Creek offers prime canoeing along three routes, and old-growth forests provide climbing challenges for thrill-seekers.

Turkey Run features 213 Class A campsites complete with electric hookups, so there’s plenty of room to stay on-site in the comfort of your rented RV. If you need a break from nature, the Turkey Run Inn features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an arcade, a gift shop, and a full-service restaurant known for its comfort food and all-you-can-eat buffet.

Learn more about Turkey Run State Park.

4. Cataract Falls State Recreation Area

The Cataract Falls State Recreation Area in Spencer, IN is part of the larger Cagles Mill Lake area. The Cataract Falls, which comprise the largest waterfall in the state of Indiana, is a rare pre-glacial formation, making this one of the oldest natural features in Indiana. Today, Mill Creek (of which the falls are a part) feeds into Indiana’s oldest flood control reservoir, Cagles Mill Lake.

For campers, that means a destination with not only the beautiful falls themselves but also a nearby lake for aquatic fun. Cataract Falls SRA also offers 115 Class A sites with electric hookups, perfect for the RV renter. Combined with the  

Learn more about Cataract Falls State Recreation Area

5. Indiana Dunes State Park

Did you know that Indiana has a massive state park filled with forests, marshes—and a world-class beach? Indiana Dunes State Park rests just under the finger of Lake Michigan and offers one of the most unique camping experiences in the Midwest. On one side of the towering sand dunes lies the public beach, with acres of sand and shoreline to enjoy and a welcome center with indoor dining. On the other is over 2,100 acres of primitive forest and an RV-friendly campsite 140 electric sites. At the top? A breathtaking view of Lake Michigan where, on a clear day, those with a sharp eye can spot the Chicago skyline on the horizon.

Across those 2,100 acres are plenty of outdoor experiences to enjoy, with hiking trails, a nature center, and even cross-country skiing in the winter months. With your rented RV, you’ll have the best experience of the Dunes and access to neighboring towns like Chesterton and Michigan City, which offer a true beach town vibe like nowhere else in Indiana.

Learn more about Indiana Dunes State Park.

6. Brown County State Park

The largest state park in Indiana by far, Brown County State Park is a sprawling natural area surrounded by quaint towns. With over 100 miles of trails, including hiking trails, mountain bike trails, and even horse trails, Brown County is the perfect spot for those looking to truly get away into nature. Two lakes make for excellent fishing and even ice fishing. Brown County also has the unique privilege of being the first forest in the United States to reach warm enough weather to tap maple trees, which is celebrated with an annual Maple Syrup Festival in spring.

Bring your rented RV in for a stay at one of the park’s 401 electric campsites, and check out the nature center and Olympic swimming pool for some relaxation alongside your woodland treks. Just outside the main gate, Nashville, Indiana is a storied town with breweries, restaurants, shopping, and even a historical village that captures the lives of early European settlers who used the area’s Salt Creek in their fur trapping business. With your RV, you can also check out the nearby town of Story, Indiana, and its historic Story Inn.

Learn more about Brown County State Park.

7. Clifty Falls State Park

While it may be hard for today’s camper to picture any part of Indiana deep at the bottom of the ocean, the marine fossils that line Clifty Creek’s bed tell the story of an ancient Indiana just beneath the surface. At the heart of Clifty Creek lies the Clifty Falls themselves, a remarkable series of waterfalls cascading down stratified layers of limestone. This unique state park has 106 Class A sites perfect for housing your rented RV for days of breathtaking hiking adventures.

Clifty Falls State Park is located in historical Madison, Indiana, which offers historical attractions like the Lanier State Historic Site that offers a glimpse into frontier-Indiana. According to the Indiana DNR, spring and winter are the best times to get a glimpse of the falls, which become rushing rapids after springtime rainfall then freeze into a natural glasswork come the cold.

Learn more about Clifty Falls State Park.

8. Hemlock Cliffs Falls

Deep in the Hoosier National Forest (more on that below!) lies Hemlock Cliffs, a unique rock formation dug into sandstone overhangs and deep ravines. A two-hour leisurely hike takes campers around a one-mile loop complete with seasonal waterfalls and plenty of opportunity for climbing (where permitted).

The area’s box canyon formation made it a perfect place for the area’s native peoples, who according to archaeological evidence called Hemlock Cliffs home as far back as 10,000 years ago. That same formation keeps the climate down among the cliffs cool year-round, which makes this destination a must for anybody camping in the Hoosier National Forest.

Learn more about Hemlock Cliffs Falls.

9. Hoosier National Forest

Spanning nine counties and over half of all public forests in Indiana, the Hoosier National Forest represents the largest swath of federally managed land in the state. With so much land in play, it’s maybe easier to imagine the Hoosier National Forest as a hub for many destinations that will appeal to the RV-going crowd. With hundreds of campsites at five different recreation areas, there’s a place for every camper that will fit into every Indiana RV road trip.

Visitors to the Hoosier National Forest can expect opportunities for swimming, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, day hiking, and even walk-in camping (if you’re feeling like venturing out from the RV for a night!). The United States Forest Service has also identified 16 “special places” within the greater forest, including an ancient buffalo herding path, Sundance Lake with its fishing piers, cave and karst topography tours, and an established Orienteering Area for outdoors enthusiasts and scouts to brush up on their skills

Learn more about Hoosier National Forest.

10. Chain O’ Lakes State Park

Perhaps no other park in Indiana is so aptly named as Chain O’ Lakes State Park, built around nine connecting lakes in Albion, Indiana. Surrounded by 23 miles of hiking trails, the lakes themselves offer the aquatically-inclined every manner of water fun, from fishing on the electric-motor-only lakes to canoe and kayak rentals on the other lakes to beach access for a relaxing day by the water.

If fishing is your forte, the area is also complete with plenty of fish cleaning stations so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor with the whole family. The park boasts 331 electric sites and even four canoe camping sites for the more adventurous to seek out. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, the hiking trails that wind through the park’s glacial kettle lakes make this a spot that’s not to be missed.

Learn more about Chain O’ Lakes State Park.

Campgrounds and RV Parks in Indiana

In addition to the campgrounds located throughout the many destinations listed above, Indiana is home to a large number of RV parks and resorts well worth the trip, including:

Elkhart Campground in Elkhart, Indiana. Touted as the RV Capital of the World,” Elkhart is home to the planet’s largest manufacturers of recreational vehicles anywhere. Set up camp just down the road from major RV manufacturers and servicers—perfect to keep that RV in great working order! Located a stone’s throw from Notre Dame University on one side and Amish country on the other, this is truly a unique RV destination.

Indiana Beach Campground in Monticello, Indiana. This resort, located on the shores of Lake Shaffer, offers mini-golf, boat launches, and even free cable—all on-site. Though the nearby Indiana Beach Amusement Park has shifted hands in recent years, staying at this campground puts you within arm’s reach of coasters, games, and plenty of fun for the whole family.

Lake Rudolph Campground in Santa Claus, Indiana. You read that right—a lake named for a reindeer in a town named for the big guy himself. Santa Claus is home to Indiana’s premier amusement park, Holiday Park and Splashin’ Safari. Stay here for on-site fun and free shuttles over to the amusement park running all day.

There are plenty of campgrounds and campsites throughout the entire state of Indiana, and no matter where you go, you should be able to find a campsite that is open to RVs. Check out the list of Good Sam campgrounds here to find a place to park your RV.

Things to Note About Camping in Indiana

Keep in mind that Indiana is a “tall state.” Destinations in the north can get quite cold in the winter months, and also experience the full brunt of lake effect snow from Lake Michigan.

That means bitter cold and snow that can leave inexperienced RV drivers with a major challenge. That said, spring and autumn are temperate throughout Indiana, with attractions in the southern part of the state offering warmer camping into late October. October, as it so happens, also offers the best time of year to view the changing leaves in forested areas like Brown County State Park.

Before you go, make sure to do plenty of research about your destination’s location within the state. There’s a big climate difference between Indiana Dunes State Park and Brown County State Park, for example, and it’s important to do some local research and ask park rangers for their insights into what your experience will be during your visit.

Dry Camping or Boondocking in Indiana

Indiana offers plenty of opportunities for boondocking—RV camping that’s outside of an established campground. You won’t get an electric or water hookup, but if you’re planning an RV road trip through Indiana, you will never be short of places to set up camp for the night.

Start by looking into any of the destinations listed above that offer bridle trails; these parks typically also offer horse camps that are technically free to use and may be accessible to RVs. Hoosier National Forest has many such locations spread throughout the area.

Additionally, RV campers should look up French Lick’s Shirley Creek Camp, the town of Logansport, and Hickory Ridge Camp in Norman Station as good locations for dry camping.