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Outdoor places near Carmel

40 recreation areas and campgrounds within 135 miles, from Recreation.gov. Filter by what you want to do.

Recreation area

Cecil M. Harden Lake

52 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The fall forest colors are vivid in October when Parke County holds its nine-day Covered Bridge Festival. Cecil M.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingNature educationPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Cagles Mill Lake

53 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Cagles Mill Lake: The control tower is round and the outlet works conduit was mined through solid rock. Cataract Falls, with upper and lower falls, is the largest waterfall (by volume) in Indiana.

BoatingFishingHikingNature educationPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Mississinewa Lake

53 miles north · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Mississinewa Lake: the name Mississinewa was derived from the Miami Indian word "Mis-chis-in-wah," which means water on a slope. The area is rich in Indian history.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature education

Recreation area

Salamonie Lake

63 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Salamonie Lake: was derived from the Indian word "O-sah-mo-nee" which means "yellow paint." The Indians made yellow dye and paint from the bloodroot that grew abundantly along the banks of the stream.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingNature educationPicnicking

Campground

Blackwell Campground

67 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 35 min by car (88 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The camp is located along Tower Ridge Road in the center of the Charles Deam Wilderness area, approximately one mile from Highway 446. The camp also is a trailhead for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system.

BackpackingCampingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingWilderness

Campground

Hardin Ridge

68 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 35 min by car (88 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

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 campground loops, two picnic areas with shelters, and two rental cabins.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingRanger programsSwimming

Campground

Hickory Ridge Campground

69 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 50 min by car (97 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Hickory Ridge is a primitive campground located near the Hickory Ridge Trail system. Recreation Hickory Ridge Campground provides access to the Hickory Ridge Trail system for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.

BackpackingCampingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingMountain Biking

Recreation area

Brookville Lake

71 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Brookville Lake, IN lies in the heart of the Whitewater River Valley. This area has long been acknowledged as one of the most picturesque and historically significant in the State of Indiana.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnicking

Recreation area

J. Edward Roush Lake

71 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

J. Edward Roush Lake (formerly Huntington): of the 20 lakes in the Louisville District, J.

BoatingCampingFishingNature educationPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Campground

Overlook Shelter (Brookville Lake)

71 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 45 min by car (85 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

The Overlook Shelter is located near the Brookville Lake Dam and the Visitor Center. Visitors enjoy this site for the breathtaking view of Brookville Lake and the Dam.

CampingObservation Site

Campground

Quakertown Campground

71 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 55 min by car (89 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

This recreation area is part of Brookville Lake

CampingPicnicking

Campground

Tailwater Shelter 1 (Brookville Lake)

71 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 45 min by car (84 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

The Tailwater #1 Shelter is located at the base of the Brookville Lake Dam. Visitors enjoy this site for the accessibility to cold water trout fishing in the tailwater and the river access. Shelter #1 is a day use area only.

CampingFishing

Campground

Tailwater Shelter 2 (Brookville Lake)

71 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 45 min by car (84 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

The Tailwater #2 Shelter is located at the base of Brookville Lake Dam. 9136 SR101 Brookville, Indiana 47012 Visitors enjoy the accessibility to cold water trout fishing in the tailwater and the river access offered by this site.

CampingFishingPicnicking

Recreation area

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

72 miles south · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 as a refuge to provide feeding and resting areas for migratory birds.

ArcheryBikingBirdingBoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHunting

Recreation area

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge

87 miles southeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 50,000 acres in Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties. The refuge covers a portion of the former Jefferson Proving Ground, a munitions testing facility operated by the U.S.

ArcheryBikingBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor Boat

Campground

Shirley Creek Campground

94 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 10 min by car (116 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Shirley Creek is a primitive campground. There is no use fee at this site. Recreation Shirley Creek Campground offers access to the Shirley Creek Trail system for horseback riding, mountain bike riding, and hiking Facilities A primitive…

BackpackingBikingCampingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingMountain Biking

Recreation area

West Fork of Mill Creek Lake

100 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

West Fork Lake, OH is leased to the Hamilton County Park District and is part of the 2,630-acre Winton Woods Park. The park includes two State Dedicated Nature Preserves including Spring Beauty Dell and the Greenbelt Area.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedPicnickingWater sports

Campground

Youngs Creek Campground

102 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 10 min by car (123 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

A primitive campground with vault toilets, hitching racks, and a picnic shelter is available. Around 12 and half miles of trails are available for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

BackpackingCampingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingMountain BikingPicnicking

Recreation area

Hoosier National Forest

104 miles south · straight-line distanceUSDA Forest Service

Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy.

BikingBoatingCampingFire Lookouts/Cabins OvernightFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback riding

Recreation area

Ohio River - Markland Pool

104 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

An important navigation feature in the Ohio River System. Sightseers may watch the navigation locking process. This area is along the Lewis and Clark route.

BoatingFishingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

109 miles east · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright.

Biking

Recreation area

Patoka Lake

110 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Patoka Lake: two pairs of bald eagles established nests during the spring of 1992 through 1997.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingNature educationPicnickingWater sports

Recreation area

Caesar Creek Lake

116 miles east · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Caesar Creek Lake, OH sits astride the crest of the Cincinnati Arch, a nationally recognized resource that is visited by fossil collectors from all over the world.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned

Recreation area

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

116 miles southwest · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark.

HistoryPicnicking

Recreation area

Ohio River - McAlpine Pool

119 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Provides a navigational channel between Louisville and Cincinnati that is an integral part of Ohio River navigation.

HikingPicnicking

Campground

Indian Celina Lake

124 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 40 min by car (178 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The Indian-Celina Lake Recreation Area is a tranquil getaway in the midst of the Hoosier National Forest.

BoatingCampingHikingHistoryHunting

Campground

Dunewood Campground

126 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 30 min by car (163 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer.

AmphitheaterBackpackingBeachBikingBirdingBoatingCampingCanoeing

Recreation area

Indiana Dunes National Park

126 miles northwest · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryPaddlingPicnicking

Campground

Central Avenue Walk-in Sites

127 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 35 min by car (166 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer.

BackpackingCampingHikingSwimmingWilderness

Campground

Cj Brown Dam And Reservoir - Dam Site (Oh)

127 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 25 min by car (149 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

C.J. Brown Reservoir is located in west-central Ohio, two miles northeast of Springfield; thirty-five miles northeast of Dayton, and forty-five miles west of Columbus.

BikingCampingFishingHikingPicnickingRanger programsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Clarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir

127 miles east · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

C.J. Brown Dam & Reservoir, OH is located on the northeast corner of Springfield on the Buck Creek, 7 miles above its confluence with Mad River. The project is home to two rare fen communities.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnicking

Campground

Dunbar Group Site

127 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 35 min by car (163 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer.

BeachBikingBirdingBoatingCampingCanoeingCross Country SkiingCultural Activities

Campground

Buzzard Roost Campground

129 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr by car (181 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

A scenic location for hiking and camping. Parking areas are available at the first trailhead access and at the picnic/camping spur. Tables, grills, garbage can, info board and a vault toilet are available at the camping area.

CampingHikingObservation Site

Campground

Tipsaw Lake

129 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 50 min by car (184 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area is located on the shores of its namesake lake in south-central Indiana's Hoosier National Forest. It offers camping, picnic areas, boating, swimming, hiking, biking and educational programs.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingSwimming

Recreation area

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area

130 miles southwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

The Patoka River in Southwest Indiana had long been recognized for its wetland and wildlife values on a local, statewide and regional basis.

BirdingBoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNon-Motorized Boating

Recreation area

William H. Harsha Lake

130 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

William H. Harsha Lake, OH is located on the East Fork of the Little Miami River in Clermont County. In 1869 there were two active gold mines on the project.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHorseback ridingPicnicking

Recreation area

Ohio River - Meldahl Pool

133 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks & Dam is located at mile marker 436 on the Ohio River. It creates a 95 mile navigational pool between Meldahl Locks & Dam and Greenup Locks & Dam.

BoatingCampingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Campground

Saddle Lake Campground

134 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr by car (191 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The Saddle Lake Recreation Area was one of four that was associated with flood control lakes built along the Middle Fork of the Anderson River. Saddle Lake has a primitive campground, a boat ramp, and a hiking trail.

BackpackingCampingHikingNon-Motorized Boating

Campground

Sullivan Marina and Campground

134 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr 5 min by car (177 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

This recreation area is part of Lake Shelbyville

BoatingCampingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedWater sportsWinter sports

Campground

Forrest W. Bo Wood

135 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr 10 min by car (179 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Forrest W. ''Bo'' Wood Recreation Area has a large campground on the northern shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois.

BirdingBoatingCampingFishingKayakingPaddlingPhotographyPicnicking

Recreation areas and campgrounds from Recreation.gov's directory, checked October 11, 2026. Listings are not live availability: check Recreation.gov or the managing agency for open dates, fees, reservations and conditions. Directions go to the listed coordinates, which may not be the entrance. Campground driving times: Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Questions

Where can I camp near Carmel?

Recreation.gov lists 19 campgrounds within 135 miles, including Blackwell Campground (67 miles south), Hardin Ridge (68 miles south), Hickory Ridge Campground (69 miles south). Check Recreation.gov for current availability, seasons and reservations.

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