Hidden Paradise Campground is located at the edge of St. Paul, Indiana. This campground is mainly known because of Dream Lake, formerly a limestone mining quarry and now a lake for guests to use. According to Lynn Pahl, one of the owners, stone from Dream Lake was extracted and used to repair parts of the Pentagon in 2001. Visitors can swim, participate in a floating obstacle course, or float on paddleboards at Dream Lake for an additional fee. Flat Rock River runs through the property and serves as another campground feature; guests can rent kayaks, canoes, or river tubes to traverse the creek. Hidden Paradise Campground features six rental cabins and 184 RV sites equipped with water and power. Some RV sites also have sewer service, and all of them face Flat Rock River.
Much of the campground is shaded and covered with trees. A combined 80 acres of land, limestone quarry, and water make up the property. Hidden Paradise Campground has a main office for guests to check in and a store that sells memorabilia, campsite equipment, and items people might've forgotten. The business contains a public pavilion, a shower house with hot water and restrooms, three dump stations for sewer waste, and a laundry building. Furthermore, Flat Rock River runs through the campground, and Lynn, one of the owners, remarks that visitors like to float down the river in tubes or travel in canoes or kayaks. Another notable feature of Hidden Paradise Campground is the 6-acre limestone quarry occupied by Dream Lake. Here, patrons can participate in several outdoor water activities for an additional fee. Such activities include paddle boarding, swimming, or running through a floating trampoline obstacle course. Lynn notes that the water temperature averages around 80 degrees during the summer. Additional features of Hidden Paradise Campground include horseshoe rings, an outdoor volleyball court, a basketball court, and a playground.
Hidden Paradise Campground has a total of 190 units for guest use. Six of these are family-sized cabins with air conditioning, kitchens with stoves, microwaves, refrigerators, and various bed sizes. Three of these cabins—Land of Nod, Rivers Bend, and Creekside—are log-style cabins. The other three—Bird of Paradise, Garden of Eden, and Hide A Way—look more like conventional homes. Hide A Way is the only cabin with an ensuite bathroom; the rest of the cabins' visitors must utilize the shower house and bathrooms across the street. Guests are asked to bring their own linens and eating utensils if they stay in the cabins.
Hidden Paradise Campground is located in St. Paul, Indiana, at the southeastern edge of town and near several bodies of water, such as Dream Lake and Flat Rock River. It is also about a mile away from U.S. Highway 421. The area surrounding the campground mostly consists of trees. The rest of Hidden Paradise Campground is outfitted with 184 RV sites. Most of these are back-ins, and all sites include 30 or 50-amp electric service and water. Some have sewer service as well. The RV sites also include picnic tables and fire rings, and a few sites are located at the riverfront. While there are trees throughout and around the campground, Lynn states that most RV sites are fairly open.
Regarding attractions, Lynn says many of her guests pass through Hidden Paradise Campground to visit Noah's Ark, a life-size construction depicting the biblical boat constructed by Noah an hour and a half away from the campground. She also notes a creation museum nearby and Flat Rock River, which, again, is used by visitors as a means of paddling or floating. Otherwise, most other towns are no less than ten miles away from St. Paul. Lynn's three most recommended places to eat are St. Paul Tavern, the pizzeria at the local gas station, and Midway Café and Grill near Shelbyville.
Hidden Paradise Campground hosts a few activities throughout the year. Visitors can swim in Dream Lake during the summer and fish during the fall. Lynn, one of the owners, explains that the campground hosts a yearly fishing contest in the quarry on the last weekend of September. Guests can also participate in a chili cookoffs, friendsgiving events, Halloween activities, and hay rides. Additionally, the campground celebrates the Fourth of July with fireworks, and Lynn recalls that visitors have decorated golf carts and taken them to town to participate in parades.
When staying at Hidden Paradise Campground, Lynn wants guests to feel comfortable, welcome, and like they can "have a safe, fun time." This culture is brought about by her and her staff's efforts to show friendliness to patrons. Lynn also mentions that staff members offer to help people who need help backing into their sites or learning about RV maintenance.
People reviewing Hidden Paradise Campground have commented on its features. For instance, one visitor said, "The owners have been so nice, helpful, and accommodating. You can tell right away they take pride in their campground and their new sites look amazing. The playground area is well kept, and the laundry and bath houses are clean as well." Another guest commented, "This place is a hidden treasure. The campground is super clean. The staff is amazing, particularly the man at the front desk. I am not an avid camper and he was so helpful."
Lynn highlights a few policies visitors should follow. While dogs are welcome to Hidden Paradise Campground, they are not allowed inside the cabins. People are asked to drive slowly while on the property and not to remove firepits. Furthermore, life jackets are required for anyone swimming at Dream Lake, the limestone quarry. Quiet time begins at 11:00 PM each night.
Hidden Paradise Campground operates year-round, although the cabins are closed and the water is turned off during the winter. However, the shower house remains open throughout the year. Lynn says their best season of operation is during the summer, mostly June through August. She also notes that families tend to make up the majority of visitors each year, and many of them go back repeatedly. Lynn even recalls that many people who visited Hidden Paradise Campground as kids continue to come back, and now they bring their own children.
Lynn believes the success of Hidden Paradise Campground is due to Dream Lake and its impact on visitors. She also feels that installing electricity throughout the campground has positively contributed to the campground and its facilities.
Hidden Paradise Campground was started in 1977 when some of its early owners stopped mining at the stone quarry that is now Dream Lake. When the mining ceased, the quarry filled up with water. Now it serves as a lake for its guests to swim and paddle. Since purchasing it from Paul and Mary Stafford, Lynn and her husband, Ernie, have overseen the campground for several years.
Since acquiring the property, Lynn and Ernie say that they "improved everything" about its features. In other words, they expanded the campsite by adding new cabins and more RV sites. They installed the shower house as well. Lynn and Ernie hope to build more cabins later on.
Lynn says she enjoys everything about her job, noting that "it is a people business." She likes talking to her visitors and prefers being outside instead of indoors. She even remarks that she enjoys the chores that come with owning Hidden Paradise Campground, such as gardening or splitting wood.
802 E Jefferson St
St. Paul, Indiana 47272
United States
Campground
Lynn and Ernie Pahl
