The hiking around Anderson, IN is better than the flat-Indiana stereotype suggests. The White River cuts a real valley through Madison County, and the trail systems that follow it range from paths past 2,000-year-old Adena earthworks to one of the longest paved rail-trails in the state. None of it requires a mountain; all of it rewards a morning.
Mounds State Park packs more than 6 miles of trail into the woods just east of Anderson. The Cardinal Greenway runs 62 paved miles through east-central Indiana, with a pickup point in Muncie about 15 minutes away. And if you’re traveling by RV or towing a travel trailer, Muncie RV Resort sits between the 2 cities off Highway 32 with its own walking trails along a full mile of White River frontage, which makes it a working base camp for all of it. Here’s where to walk, what each trail asks of you, and where to park the rig.
Mounds State Park: Earthworks and River Woods
Ten minutes east of Anderson off SR 232, Mounds State Park threads more than 6 miles of trail through old-growth hardwood forest and past earthworks built by the Adena culture roughly 2,000 years ago. The Great Mound is the centerpiece, and the river-side stretches give you the White River through the trees. Difficulty stays in the easy-to-moderate range, with some stairs and bluff sections that earn your boots after rain. The campground portion of the park runs seasonally, April through October, with electric-only sites; the trails are the reason to come.
Cardinal Greenway: 62 Paved Miles
The Cardinal Greenway is one of Indiana’s longest rail-trail conversions, 62 miles of paved, nearly flat path through east-central Indiana. Pick it up in Muncie, about 15 minutes from the resort, and walk or bike as far as the day allows. It’s the right answer for strollers, road bikes, and anyone who wants miles without roots and rocks. Out-and-back format means you set the distance, not the trail.
Trails You Don't Have to Drive To
Muncie RV Resort keeps walking trails along its full mile of White River frontage, open year-round, so the first and last hike of any trip can start at your site. The 13-acre private island and the 2 fishing ponds give short loops a destination. After a day at Mounds or on the Greenway, the river path at dusk is the cooldown lap.
Muncie RV Resort by RJourney
Muncie RV Resort sits at 3230 E CR 75 N, between Anderson and Muncie, minutes off Highway 32 and I-69. The resort operates year-round, with monthly RV stays running up to 12 months, which makes it one of the few winter-ready full hookup options in the Anderson corridor. The property carries a full mile of White River frontage, a private 13-acre island, a 3.5-acre swimmable lake, and two catch-and-release fishing ponds, water features that draw warm-season crowds and quiet down for the long-stay residents who keep the park steady through winter. Cold-weather guests should plan for skirting and heat management; some seasonal amenities (24/7 bathhouse, laundry) shift to limited hours in the off-season. Call (765) 259-3305 to confirm winter site availability and current monthly rates.
Sites & Hookups
The property carries 101 sites total: 87 RV sites, 10 tent sites, 2 cabins, and 2 yurts. RV sites come in pull-through and back-in layouts with full hookups (water, sewer, and 30-amp or 50-amp electric) on gravel and concrete pads. Pull-throughs at the front handle big rigs without a struggle, and every site includes a picnic table and fire pit. For year-round guests, the full hookup setup is what makes a winter stay workable: water and sewer stay connected, and 50-amp service carries the load when you run electric heat. Plan for skirting and a heated water hose for sustained cold. The dump station is open to the public for $15 through October 31 and included for registered guests. Personal golf carts are allowed with proof of insurance, and rentals are available on-site.
What's On-Site
The 3.5-acre swimmable lake with a sandy beach is the line guests cite first in reviews, swimmable through summer behind the clubhouse. Two catch-and-release fishing ponds, a private 13-acre island, and a full mile of White River frontage extend the water access across the property. A dog park, playground, clubhouse, and community room handle the social side, and walking trails follow the White River along the edge. Restrooms, showers, and laundry run 24/7 through summer; year-round guests should note some of these shift to limited hours in winter. Park-wide WiFi runs on Starlink with AT&T fixed-wireless backup, useful for the remote workers who settle in for a season. The resort runs over 60 events a year, with Memorial Day, July 4th, Halloween, and Labor Day pulling the bigger crowds.
What Guests Say
4.1 stars across 436 Google reviews. Cleanliness, friendly staff, and the variety of accommodations show up in nearly every positive comment. RV guests highlight the spacious sites and reliable hookups; yurt guests call them clean and surprisingly roomy. Year-round guests note that some seasonal amenities (24/7 bathhouse, laundry) shift to limited hours in winter, so set expectations for the off-season. The 3.5-acre swimmable lake and the catch-and-release fishing ponds keep showing up as the recurring on-site features. The repeat first question at check-in is where the swimming lake is. Answer: behind the clubhouse, with the sandy beach.
Other RV Parks and Campgrounds Near Anderson, IN
<p>If hiking is the point of the trip, the state parks below are destinations as much as campgrounds. Their trails earn the visit; their seasonal, electric-only campgrounds are the tradeoff to weigh against a full hookup base at Muncie RV Resort.</p>
Mounds State Park
75 wooded campsites with electric hookups along the White River, with a dump station for registered campers. Over 6 miles of trails wind past ancient earthworks and through hardwood forest. Pull-through options are limited and big rigs may find the loop turns tight. Operates seasonally April through October, so it is not an option for winter stays. Visit website.
Summit Lake State Park
An 800-acre lake with a swim beach, fishing, boating, and hiking, plus a campground with electric sites. A solid day-trip or short-stay option for RV owners who camp primarily for the water. No full hookups, so plan to be self-contained or use the dump station. Closes for winter. Reserve through Indiana State Parks. Visit website.
Things to Do Near Anderson RV Parks
On the property itself, the 3.5-acre swimmable lake, two catch-and-release fishing ponds, and a full mile of White River frontage cover warm-season water recreation without leaving the park. Summit Lake State Park, 40 minutes east, adds an 800-acre lake with a swim beach and boat access for a day trip when the weather is warm.
Mounds State Park has over 6 miles of trails through old-growth hardwood forest and past 2,000-year-old earthworks. The Cardinal Greenway, one of Indiana’s longest rail-trail conversions, runs 62 miles through the area and is paved for easy biking and walking; pick it up in Muncie for a flat, scenic route. On the property, walking trails follow the White River along the edge of the resort year-round.
Indianapolis is about 50 minutes southwest, home to the Motor Speedway Museum, the world’s largest Children’s Museum, and the Mass Ave district. Conner Prairie in Fishers is 30 minutes west, a living history museum with hands-on exhibits and balloon rides. Walmart, Meijer, and Kroger are all within 15 minutes of the resort for resupply, which matters more on a long winter stay.
Year-Round Guide for RV Travelers Near Anderson
Winter (December through February)
The reason this page exists. Muncie RV Resort stays open while the state parks close. Expect cold and snow at roughly 900 feet; plan for skirting, a heated water hose, and tank heat. Long-term residents and workforce travelers keep the park steady. Some amenities (24/7 bathhouse, laundry) move to limited hours.
Spring (March through May)
The White River runs high and the grounds green up. A good shoulder window with easy availability before the summer crowds. Daytime temperatures climb through May, and the events calendar starts up around Memorial Day.
Summer (June through August)
Peak season. The swimmable lake opens, the events calendar fills, and weekends book fast. Reserve 2 to 4 weeks out for peak weekends and event dates. Hot and humid, with the lake and shaded river frontage earning their keep.
Fall (September through November)
Crowds thin after Labor Day and the hardwood forest turns. Comfortable travel weather and easier availability, with the dump station open to the public through October 31. A strong window before winter long-stays settle in.
Practical Tips for Hiking Trips Near Anderson
The closest Cardinal Greenway access sits about 15 minutes away in Muncie. Paved and flat, it's the right call for bikes, strollers, and big-mile days.
The trails are the draw year-round, but the campground runs April through October. Confirm access with Indiana DNR before a winter trail day.
On-property cell signal runs 1-2 bars across all three major carriers due to the bowl-of-hills topography. Park WiFi (Starlink plus AT&T fixed-wireless) is the primary connection and is weather-dependent.
Walmart, Meijer, and Kroger are all within 15 minutes. On a long stay, stock up before forecasted snow.
Restrooms, showers, and laundry run 24/7 in summer but shift to limited hours in the off-season. Confirm what stays on before committing to a winter month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hiking trails near Anderson, Indiana?
Mounds State Park is the headliner, with more than 6 miles of trail past 2,000-year-old Adena earthworks and along the White River. The Cardinal Greenway adds 62 paved miles for long, flat walks or rides, and Summit Lake State Park, 40 minutes east, mixes lakeshore hiking with a swim beach.
How difficult are the trails at Mounds State Park?
Easy to moderate. The trail system covers more than 6 miles through hardwood forest, with some stairs and bluff sections near the river that get slick after rain. Most reasonably fit walkers can cover the highlights, including the Great Mound, in a half day.
Is the Cardinal Greenway paved?
Yes. The Cardinal Greenway is one of Indiana’s longest rail-trail conversions, 62 miles of paved path through east-central Indiana. It’s flat, stroller-friendly, and good for road bikes. The Muncie access points sit about 15 minutes from Muncie RV Resort.
Can I hike at Muncie RV Resort itself?
Yes. The resort keeps walking trails along its full mile of White River frontage, open year-round, with the 13-acre private island and 2 catch-and-release fishing ponds as turnaround points. It’s an easy morning loop before driving to Mounds State Park, 10 minutes away.
Where should I camp with a travel trailer while hiking near Anderson?
Muncie RV Resort, between Anderson and Muncie off Highway 32, has 87 full hookup sites from $26.50 a night, with pull-throughs that handle larger trailers. Mounds State Park has 75 electric-only seasonal sites if you’d rather sleep inside the trailhead park and can camp self-contained.
Are the trails near Anderson open in winter?
The Cardinal Greenway and the river trails at Muncie RV Resort stay walkable year-round, weather permitting. Mounds State Park’s campground closes for winter, so check Indiana DNR for current trail access before planning a cold-season hike there.
Make Muncie RV Resort Your Trail Base
Muncie RV Resort by RJourney puts walking trails along the White River outside your door, with Mounds State Park 10 minutes away and the Cardinal Greenway a short drive out. You are minutes off Highway 32 and I-69, north of Anderson, with Walmart, Meijer, and Kroger within 15 minutes for resupply.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Muncie RV Resort page.
Book Your RV Site (765) 259-3305