Discover the best campgrounds near Madison, Indiana with wildlife watching

United States
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Indiana
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Madison

98% (1092 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Madison

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campgrounds near Madison with wildlife watching

97%

(686)

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!

Carriage House Farm

4 sites · RVs, Tents300 acres · North Bend, OH

We are an Ohio Century Farm located in historic North Bend, Ohio. Single-family owned since 1855, our farm is located only 20 minutes outside of downtown Cincinnati but feels as if you are in the country side. Our campsites are located within a easy 5 minute walk of our on-farm distillery, winery, market, and food truck. Part of our 300 acre property is part of the conservation easement that makes up the "Oxbow," a migratory bird and waterfowl area that is popular among birdwatchers in the spring and autumn seasons. We have a large eagle population along with a host of other raptors.

Hidden Valley River Camp

4 sites · Tents7 acres · Westport, KY

Beautiful valley on the Ohio River with 300 feet of beach front, private boat dock, covered 20x30 community pavilion and a large fire pit. A beautiful creek to explore, very secluded and off the beaten path with lots of wildlife to enjoy.Learn more about this land:Beautiful private Valley setting on the Ohio River with private boat dock. Creek bed with rocks and fossils. 2 covered pavillions and fire pit and eagles and wildlife There is a mile gravel road and steep hill is why no rv's. Cars and trucks have no problems.

Handyland

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents250 acres · KY

Handyland is tucked away in the rolling hills and valleys of Northern Kentucky. We're conveniently located near the Ark Encounter, the Kentucky Speedway and of course the Bourbon Trail. If you're looking for a perfect getaway...bring your camper / rv or simply a tent and unwind with the surrounding beauty.

Away at Green Hill

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents27 acres · Union, KY

Hipcamp Best Camping Runner Up 2023 and 2024! Fall Sweet Fall! Book now and enjoy the privacy, the convenience, and the changing colors of Away at Green Hill. Entry point to western Boone County in Northern Kentucky, neighbor to Cincinnati, Indiana and the Ohio River, this 27 acre property marks a geographical change from rolling farmland to steep, forested hillsides. Our end-of-the road, ridgetop property means privacy. Our isolated campsites are surrounded by woods full of turkey, deer, owls, and woodpeckers. Onsite there are wide, easy strolling paths, a growing number of single-track hiking trails, open fields, and forest. And if not booked, a historic log home to explore and do some porch sitting. A great place for solo campers, friends, and families, whether newbies or experienced. Drive-in sites make unloading/loading easy peasey. Standard amenities include privacy - we only book two sites at any time, which are far apart from each other and surrounded by woods. Also, an exceptional outhouse, tables, fire rings, lanterns, Welcome kit (paper, fatwood, lighter, candle). And we have onsite firewood that can be purchased during booking or onsite purchase. Site 1 - Open Sky can accommodate the solo or the group. And it comes with extra amenities: a hammock, trampoline, badminton (spring, summer, fall). It's also closest to the cabin, strolling trails, firewood shed, and outhouse. Site 2 - Gobbler's Knob is a more cozy space - a small rise surrounded by forest. A short walk from the outhouse and firewood shed. It can accommodate pop-ups, small pull-behinds, tents, hammocks. Vehicles can park on site or park at site entrance, just 50'. The choice is yours. Boating, kayaking, biking, hiking, museums or lazing about in a tiny riverfront town are minutes away, The curvy, scenic roads lead quickly out of the paved civilization of Union, Kentucky to us and onto the Rabbit Hash General Store, the Ohio River, the ferry to Indiana, the historic Dinsmore Homestead and State Nature Preserve, Middle Creek Park, and Big Bone State Park "Home to Modern Vertebrate Paleontology". Do nothing or do something.

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Fire pit creek side

3 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Waddy, KY

Learn more about this land: A quaint creek side retreat with a fire pit! Enjoy views and sounds of the creek from your campsite. Expect to see families of turkeys, deer, turtles, many beautiful birds and more! Chill out or walk along the creek Along our driveway as we work to grow our organic farm homestead. ** please note we have a few site options for camping which we are happy to tell you more about! Large RVs and campers are welcome but will likely want to stay in the area before our bridge (we are happy to send pictures). Long campers and RVs that are low to the ground may scrape / bottom out going across the bridge. Please don't hesitate to reach out with specific questions! We operate on a first come first serve basis and promise to get back to you asap!

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(36)

Deer Haven

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Independence, KY

We recently moved from the next county over and are enjoying making this place ours and improvements for guests. Property is 15 minutes south of Cincinnati, close to the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG), close to restaurants and attractions such as Kings Island (approximately 1 hour), Creation Museum (approximately 25 minutes) and The Ark (approximately 25 minutes). Also nearby are several state parks and local favorites such as Big Bone State park, Rabbit Hash,and Riverbend. We have 2 dogs who walk with us on leash and recently added chickens and goats! Elmer and Clyde do like to wander and explore. They are very friendly. Learn more about this land: Gravel driveway leads up to both spots. We do try to keep it maintained, but frequently rain causes ruts faster than we can fill. It should not impede drivability, but use caution and feel free to ask if you have any concerns. #1 improvement planned is paving driveway. You may also experience some vehicle noise from roadway. Typically, as we are on a back road, it is fairly quiet but some drivers may be louder than others and some evenings see more traffic. Level gravel area for RV parking, second plateau available for multiple tent sites. Campfires in designated area. Deer, wild turkeys, opossums and raccoons are plentiful and often wander through. Less common are foxes and bald eagles that make their home at Doe Run Lake nearby. Main home on property but only close enough for assistance, not interference. Homesteading in progress with many improvements being added. Property is close to Creation Museum and the Ark. 10 minutes from restaurants and expressway but feels like a retreat. Wi-fi, trash, private area for camp toilet, fire ring, water, camp stove (available in extras). Optional tent and chair rentals.

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(4)

Kripple Creek Ranch

1 site · Tent17 acres · Sparta, KY

A beautiful old historical property. There’s a lovely pond you can walk around or take a dip and enjoy fishing because it’s stocked with bass, crappie, blue gill and catfish! We have horses, donkeys, mini cows and pigs to visit with! There are beautiful state parks, lakes and a vineyard nearby as well as the ark encounter!

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(55)

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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(55)

A Notch Above-RV Riverside Campsite

3 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Patriot, IN

If you enjoy camping right on the banks of a major river (Ohio), this may be the place for you! Relax on the riverside with a campfire and one of the best river views on the entire Ohio River! You can even throw in a fishing line if you want!

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(51)

Camping Along the Old Bison Trail

21 sites · RVs, Tents153 acres · Sparta, KY

Peaceful Secluded Campsites are what you want. Several beautiful settings will be what you get and much much more. Our campsites lie along the Old Buffalo Trace, the name given by early pioneers to the massive trail left by centuries of migrating bison that traveled right through this property. Making their way between salt and mineral licks along the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers, these herds were part of the plentiful wild game which was the reason so many local native tribes referred to old "Cain-tuk-ee" as their "Happy Hunting Ground". Our 7 campsites are constructed on "The Old Coates Homestead" where we make our home in the original 1858 Homestead house which we recently restored and where we make our delicious gourmet foods. (learn more here: www.steepleviewfarmstore.com) We have sites to fit everyone's needs. Five sites are accessible by vehicle. Two are "walk in" only. The vehicle accessible sites range from sites for one tent, pop up or van campers, to our featured site "Thistledown Gathering Place" which a large group size setting great for scouting trips, church groups, multi-family camping and parties of up to 16 people. Each site has a fire ring, fire wood is available for purchase, we offer clean and well maintained portable toilets, municipal drinking water, hiking trails, and lots and lots of wildlife to help you commune with the absolute beauty of this peaceful farm named Steepleview Farm (learn more here: www.steepleviewfarm.com). But camping isn't the only reason to choose Steepleview Farm. It becomes base camp for so many people looking to take in the amazing itinerary of activities so close by. Here are just a few: The Ark Encounter The Creation Museum Historic Old Frankfort (state capitol) with historic home and capitol tours Historic Madison Indiana, a river captains town of magnificent homes and a quaint little town for strolling, or the Madison Regatta or the BBQ festival Big Bone Lick State Park, massive prehistoric dinosaur dig Buffalo Trace Distillery Neeley Family Distillery Belterra Casino Clifty Falls State Park Old Frankfort Cemetery, burial site of Daniel and Rebecca Boone and so much more.... And don't forget, the history of this place makes your stay that much more than just a night in a campground. You will be sleeping among the spirits of history, the native Americans who hunted this land, the earliest pioneers who mapped it for the expansion west, the early 1800's homesteaders who cleared and worked the land with teams of horses, the centuries of tobacco farmers who shipped their goods to market on the many rivers and streams that surround you. We work very hard to make this THE best camping destination you will find anywhere. And, upcoming.........Pioneer Log Cabins. We have recently acquired a collection of log cabins for a true to life, historic reenactment staycation. We are fortunate that one of the cabins was the frontier church known as "Shilo Baptist Church" from 1830-1840. The pastor of this church baptized Abraham Lincoln's father and is credited with having changed his attitudes toward ending slavery. Our hiking trails and nature trails bring you lots of knowledge, peace, shade, cool breezes and you can bring your horse (no motorized recreational vehicles) oh and lots of wildlife viewing. Here are a few of our featured campsites: REDBUD MEADOW: Our first campsite used by hundreds of people over the years. A secluded lawn in the midst of redbud trees, easy to drive to and from with a pile of firewood and a metal fire ring. The premier site on our property. THE BAPTISMAL POND: As history goes the pond in front of this site was used in the 1800's for baptisms for the church visible from everywhere on the farm, thus our name. This is a tent site, easy to drive into and out of, fires permitted in season. THISTLEDOWN GATHERING PLACE: This is a very large meadow, surrounded by trees with the capacity for large groups, many tents and gatherings of lots of people. Very level, easy in and out with vehicles. Fires permitted in season. WHITETAIL SANCTUARY: Every night for decades a herd of whitetail deer graze in this pastoral setting. Drive in and out, fires in season. Suitable for a family sized tent. THE PENNINSULA: This camping spot is WALK IN ONLY. You can drive to the trailhead on grass and walk the path to the campsite (about 200 yards). One of two remote sites. It sits in the woods, on the bank of a wet weather creek which flows around two sides of the campsite. Fires permitted in season. TOTEM TREES: This site is WALK IN ONLY. A short hike down the hill from the grass parking area and you have a small spot for a tent, in the woods, surrounded by trees and a lot of standing dead ash which appear as if you are in the presence of totem poles. NO OPEN FIRES. MUST USE BACKPACKER STOVE AND FLAMELESS LIGHTING. SPOTTED FAWN HIDEAWAY: This totally secluded walk in campsite is suitable for a small tent only AND PERFECT FOR HAMMOCK CAMPING. NO FIRES as the site benefits from the shade and protection of overhanging cedar trees and the ground is covered in cedar needles. NO OPEN FIRES. MUST USE BACKPACKER STOVE AND FLAMELESS LIGHTING. SO WHAT'S OUR STORY? https://steepleviewfarm.com/our-history So many great people, so many great stories and so many opportunities to share the blessings of our little piece of heaven with you. We hope to see you here.

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Chateau de Pique Winery/Brewery

10 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Seymour, IN

80 picturesque rural acres outside of Seymour, IN...a beautiful property half way in between Indianapolis and Louisville! Learn more about this land: Chateau de Pique is a Winery and Brewery set on 80 acres just outside the city of Seymour, Indiana! A popular fishing and recreation spot on the White River is just a half mile away. Presenting on our large property are various outdoor settings: an 18 acre vineyard, open grassland (groomed), hills, tree areas, and a large parking lot for our RV and Camper guests!

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

100%

(3)

Charlestown State Park

Charlestown, Indiana

100%

(5)

Starve Hollow State Recreation Area

Vallonia, Indiana

100%

(2)

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

Kentucky

86%

(9)

Clifty Falls State Park

Madison, Indiana

Hardy Lake

Deputy, Indiana

General Butler State Resort Park

Carrollton, Kentucky

89%

(9)

Hoosier National Forest

Paoli, Indiana

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Madison with wildlife watching guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to resource for camping in the United States. Whether you're a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or just looking to escape the city for a weekend, we've got you covered. With over 1,100 options near Madison, Indiana, perfect for wildlife watching, you're sure to find the ideal camping experience. Explore top campsites like Happy Hollow Homestead (441 reviews), Hidden Lake Farm (359 reviews), and Hones Pointe (352 reviews) that have been highly rated by fellow campers. Enjoy popular amenities such as campfires, pet-friendly sites, and toilets. Plus, engage in thrilling activities like whitewater paddling, off-roading (OHV), and paddling. With an average price per night of $30 and options as low as $7, there's a camping experience for every budget. So pack your gear, grab your binoculars, and get ready to immerse yourself in nature!