Camping, IN., OH., IL. or KY.

[Still go once]

We try to find great campgrounds fairly close to creeks or rivers for kayaking and or bicycling in the four state area. Any suggestion?

[Tbos]

Have only had the opportunity to camp in IN of those 4 states. I think we were in Brown County State park. I remember it being a chore to put a tent camper into a site there. Good luck and if you find something real nice let us know.


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[SummitPond]

We've camped in a Springfield, IL city park: Riverside Park, 4700 Peoria Road, 62707. Somewhat primitive; there is electricity and water but sewer is random. Bath houses were OK. Beautiful grounds to roam around in. It's adjacent to the Sangamon River; we didn't do any water sports, but there was public access to it. The camping fee was relatively inexpensive - you had to find the campground host and pay him (cash only). Here's their web site: http://springfieldparks.org/parks/riverside/

We've also camped in Zanesville, OH (Muskingum River) at Wolfie's Campground (http://wolfiescampground.com). It's not on the river but it's close. Downtown Zanesville has the "Y Bridge" and you can roam up and down paths along the river and an adjacent navigation canal. The town is very picturesque, too.

We've camped in IN and KY but parked in family or friends driveway. We did hike around Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis (https://secure.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2982.htm), but we didn't camp there.

[Hometown]

I live 30 min from Kickapoo State Park in Oakwood IL and you can find many of the things you are looking to do there. They have several lakes to Kayak on and also the Middlefork river goes through the park. When water levels allow we prefer the river trips that are available through the vendor at the park( there will be a new company this year).In years past they have 13 mile canoe/Kayak and 8 mile canoe/kayak and a 2 mile tube runs down the middle fork river. We have been going there for 12 or more years to camp and always have a good time. Campgrounds are state owned and are in pretty good shape. Not sure of the type of bicycling you are looking to do but in the state park they have many mountain bike trails for all skill levels,the park is a popular place in our area to find mountain trail riding. If you are looking for flat open road stuff to the west of the park is mostly farm area so it is just a short ride to find a flatter type of riding although that is mostly open road stuff no trails. The park will usually fill up most weekends in the summer and on holidays so plan accordingly. You can use Reserve America to search the park and do reservations. The park is easy to get to Off I-74 the entrance is about 2 miles north of the Oakwood exit, I-74 is a pretty easy drive from Indy. Hope this helps.

[larry337]

Our favorite "local" campground is Mohican Wilderness in Loudonville OH. It's got 2 miles of river front and a canoe livery. They'll take you and your own equipment up river and you can float back to the campground.

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[Still go once]

Thanks for the info, I just booked at Mohican!

[larry337]

Originally Posted by Still go once

Thanks for the info, I just booked at Mohican!

Wow! Awesome! I hope you like it as much as we do. We go a couple times a year. You get river front?

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[Still go once]

Yes Sir, site 83 we're excited!

[larry337]

Originally Posted by Still go once

Yes Sir, site 83 we're excited!

Never heard of site 83? Are we talking about the same campground? There are a lot of them along the river.

http://www.mohicanwilderness.com/

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[Still go once]

Our's is at the Mohican State Park on the river.

[rode2nowhere]

according to the map there is no 83

[larry337]

Okay gotcha. The state park is nice. However you mentioned kayaking. The state park is on the Clear Fork branch of the Mohican River. You will have to drive to the launches or liveries which are all on the main branch along Wally Rd. Mohican Wilderness campground is a better spot IMHO. The sites are very big, some are 80 feet wide and river front, like the one in the 2 pictures I posted. They have their own livery, so they can drive you up the river and you float right back down to the campground. If you can get a spot in the 600 section you would be very close to the canoe landing. Not knocking the state park, just a little less convenient for kayaking, assuming you have your own equipment. If you're renting equipment then it won't matter. Either way it's a great area that also offers hiking, mountain biking, and bridle trails.

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[gearhead]

We have thought about Mohican SP after races at Eldora. Looks like the private CG is very nice. Maybe next year.
Hey y'all gotta tell us what the "River of Fire" is!!

[larry337]

Originally Posted by gearhead

We have thought about Mohican SP after races at Eldora. Looks like the private CG is very nice. Maybe next year.
Hey y'all gotta tell us what the "River of Fire" is!!

What is River of Fire? Well basically it's the annual Halloween theme weekend. From the website:

"A fun-filled weekend of Halloween activities for families, including decorating RV, campsites and bikes, gourd painting, hay rides, pumpkin carving, pet costume contest, brazier decorating, trick or treat, ghost stories, wiener roast, torch hike to cemetery, costume judging. The grand finale will be a spectacular RIVER OF FIRE, as each family watches their decorated brazier launched from the canoe landing to float down river. EVENT COST: $20 for family not camping. $10 for family camping one night only. FREE to all 2 night weekend campers. Reservations a must!"

So what is a "Brazier". It's an all natural decoration made from anything you can find in nature. Like pine cones, leaves, sticks, vines, gourds, acorns, etc, etc. You would be amazed at the talent people have for this. They create some truly artistic decorations that then get judged for a winner. So then Saturday night all the braziers get set fire and floated down the river to create the river of fire.




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[Honestbob]

Chain O' Lakes state park in Indiana is great for kayaking and small boats.

https://secure.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2987.htm

[cardinal96ss]

I don't know about the proximity to kayaking, but biking would be good at two sites in KY we have stayed at over the last two years while on the Bourbon Trail.
Cave City RV Park, Columbia, KY- Close to caves, and the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. About 3 mi. N of I-70, near the fairgrounds, nice simple setting with pull throughs.
Whispering Hills Campground, Georgetown, KY - Large campground with a variety of sites, nice pleasant owners, pull throughs.

[mikell]

Don't leave out Southwest Michigan. Lots of everything and over 30 winery's, brewery's and distilleries within 10 miles of the Indiana border.

Not to mention Lake Michigan and several rivers

[Still go once]

WOW! Thank you very much. I need to start booking!!

[gearhead]

We stayed overnight at the COE campground at Lake Shelbyville Illinois, south of Decatur. Pretty good.

[rnkburg]

Pikes ridge campground at green river lake. It's right on the water and has large sites. You can go to the right of campground and go towards the shallows that go back away from all the boats.

Dale hollow lake state park. Tons of riding there if you wanna ride your bike. Lake is beautiful. Go during the week for the kayaking so it won't be rough

If you can find a campground on the ky river that would be some awesome kayaking. Think it's called Cummins ferry campground. Won't be much of a campground but you will love the river.

All are located in ky


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