A Midwest summer done right: Visit Rising Sun Campground in Pulaski County for affordable family fun

Nestled along the idyllic banks of the Tippecanoe River in peaceful Monterey, Indiana, Rising Sun Campground is the family-friendly destination to add to your summer bucket list before the kids go back to school. Pulaski County is not to be missed. Whether you’re creating summer memories that will last a lifetime, carrying on a family camping tradition, or just looking for a quick, affordable seasonal getaway, you can experience it all at Rising Sun Campground.

Rising Sun Campground is a family-owned operation, with owners who have children of their own. The campground’s amenities, activities, and offerings are dialed in to create family-friendly fun for campers of all ages.

Safety comes first at Rising Sun Campground. As co-owners, Ryan and Savannah Malone are committed to ensuring you and your loved ones spend more time making memories and less time worrying.

“It’s not only a place where other people’s kids have grown up, but also where ours are getting to grow up,” Savannah Malone said. “Our daughter has been here since she was 3 years old, and she’s 14 now. Our son, who’s 8, has been here his whole life. Our campers treat everyone like family, and someone is always ready to help.”

The Malones take pride in their business and its impact on the Monterey community. They love hearing how the campground has become part of so many families’ traditions — campers who spent their own childhoods there are now bringing their kids back to experience it firsthand.

Rising Sun Campground is all about creating generational memories in the great outdoors. Slow mornings start with the smell of open-flame cooking, campfire coffee, and the sound of the river’s slow current.

The campground offers a variety of campsite accommodations at affordable nightly and seasonal rates. Electric and water hookups are available for the glamping type, while more primitive sites are available for those who want to be off the beaten path.

Families should expect a weekend packed with water activities, so don’t forget your water shoes, SPF, and favorite swim trunks. Campers can take a dip and relax in the campground pool or enjoy the sandy beach along the river. If your camping trip isn’t complete without fishing, cast a few lines into the Tippecanoe and see what bites. If you forget your bait, or don’t have room to pack firewood, the campground store has you and your family covered — just don’t forget your fishing pole.

The Tippecanoe River is one of Indiana’s best-kept secrets, and it’s why families, friend groups, and locals come back year after year. To experience all the river has to offer, book a river trip through the campground; kayaks, canoes, and tubes are all available for a small rental fee. Floaters are encouraged to pack a lunch and enjoy the slow current, with cooler-equipped tubes available for an additional cost. River guides and locals just ask that you leave the glass at home.

Weekend rentals are available through September 6, so pack a lunch, fill the cooler, and let the river be your guide.

While tubing is more seasonal, the campground itself is open from May 1 through October 11, giving campers plenty of opportunities to plan their next getaway.

“Holiday weekends are always full of fun and activities at the campground, but we also have some kind of activity almost every weekend,”  Savannah Malone said. “Camp-O-Ween is one of everyone’s favorites. It’s always the second weekend of October,” leaving plenty of time to book a site and plan a costume.”

The Malones are committed to making your family’s experience one to remember, and at Rising Sun Campground, time is never wasted in the company of family, friends, and fellow campers.

Fun for the whole family means plenty of amenities, and at Rising Sun, being bored is unlikely. The grounds have three separate playgrounds for kids, a gaga ball pit, a basketball court, and a rec hall for pool and games the whole family can enjoy.

The campground hosts live music on holiday weekends, screens movies outside under the stars, and puts on a number of camper favorites throughout the season, such as the beach party, the golf cart rodeo, and Christmas in July. Rising Sun recently hosted its second annual Touch-A-Truck event on August 8, a kid favorite to look out for again next summer.

“It’s great for families, friend groups, Scout troops, sports teams, and everyone in between. We get a lot of cross-country cyclists since we’re so close to the Great American Rail-Trail, and it’s always fun to hear about their travels, where they started and where they’re headed next,” Savannah Malone said.

Rising Sun Campground has something for everyone: the solo traveler looking for a safe place to rest their head at night, the novice angler searching for their next catch on the banks of the Tippecanoe, or the family wanting a relaxing, hassle-free weekend. Rising Sun is there to accommodate all your needs, short-term or long-term. The Malones and the rest of the Rising Sun staff are committed to making your family’s experience one to remember.

“We also have a couple of new things we’re working on,” Savannah Malone said. “We have a new playground that we’ll be adding next spring, as well as a pickleball court, which we’ve already started. We also have a newly remodeled laundry room and shower house,” making long-term stays a possibility for all campers.

Whether you’re new to camping or just need a refresher, the owners recommend packing a grate to cook over the fire, water shoes for the river, and bug spray. S’mores are encouraged to complete the camp experience, but if you forget your supplies, the camp store has you covered.

To make reservations for camping, float trips, or both, visit the campground’s website at www.risingsuncamp.com.