Free Camping Collection with

Camper submitted image from Buzzards Roost Recreation Area - 1

Camper submitted image from Buzzards Roost Recreation Area - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Buzzards Roost Recreation Area - 3

Water

Camper submitted image from Buzzards Roost Recreation Area - 4

Roads

Camper submitted image from Buzzards Roost Recreation Area - 5

Activities

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Buzzards Roost Recreation Area

10 Reviews

About

USDA Forest Service

Buzzard Roost has a primitive campground and picnic area though no water is provided. Camping and Picnic Sites are not separately designated, but either activity is allowed in the sites.

A scenic location for walking, picnicking and camping. Parking areas are available at the first trailhead access and at the picnic/camping spur. Tables, grills, and a portable toilet are available at the picnic area. Benches are located on the bluffs overlooking the Ohio River. Water is not available on site.

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Location

Buzzards Roost Recreation Area is located in Indiana

Coordinates

38.12085 N
86.464815 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Poor
AT&T
Fair
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

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First Come - First Served

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Contact

General Info

Visit Website

April S.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 5, 2023

Good clean camp ground

Very clean area with restrooms. There is very limited spaces that are pretty close together. There actually wasn’t any camp grounds open when we got there but we were so exhausted from the drive and it was 4am so we parking at the trail head and got a 3 hour nap in. I walked a bit of the trail that morning and used the bathrooms. Perfect little spot if you don’t mind people and want a dispersed spot. Not running water or electricity. Att service was ok

Siteehhhh

Month of VisitDecember

Don W.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2023

Good clean spot

Spots aren’t as private as I would have liked, but definitely nice for free camping. Short walk down to the water. It was a bit foggy the following morning, but it was just a pass through camp stop for me at the time, so no big deal

Sitefirst spot on right

Month of VisitSeptember

(10) View All

Pat

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2023

Relaxing place

Stayed a week so far is very relaxing and peaceful. Convenience store approximately 10 mi away. Very quiet area and peaceful as long as your neighbor doesn't have to run their generator all day. But as I found out newbies still learning the tricks. On right in all paved narrow in spots but passable just overhanging tree limbs. Plenty of clearance coming in paved roads all the way big enough turnaround if I have to turn around. Pit toilet cleaned and stocked pretty much every week. Camping Spurs see to look like they would fit maybe 30 ft RV.

Site3

Month of VisitSeptember

Joe F.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2023

Cliff top camping

Stayed here one night, got in around midnight. Had no issues locating it, nice hard top the entire way there. The site has 5 camp sites that are pull off spurs with a decent parking space. One could probably fit a small pickup and trailer. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. There's a restroom, bring your own TP. The sites are close and there isn't much for privacy between most of the sites. I found site 1 and 2 had the most privacy as one could use their vehicle to block some view. They are marked on bollards that ring the parking spaces. There's a nice trail that overlooks the river and has a cleared vantage point with a bench. All in all I liked it and there was only one other vehicle when I was here. Oh and I didn't see any trash on my site. A little in my fire ring but it was all paper products so free kindling?

Site1

Month of VisitAugust

Kat G.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2023

Bit sketchy

We pulled up; to find very open campsites; 5 of them; with picnic table and fire ring. There were to other campers. A single lady and then a couple of tents On one site. The woman walked over to “warn us” of the rough people in the 2 tents; and then she kept coming back to give more warnings. Honestly; she seemed more shady than the other people would have been. So we left after she would not leave us alone.

As far as the site and location goes; it’s beautiful of you are ok with no privacy. The coordinates were spot on. Lots of mosquitoes and a bug infested bathroom.

Site3

Month of VisitJuly

Bonnie F.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 17, 2022

Great free site

Only five sites. Reasonably quiet. Nice vault toilet. No hookups but it’s free. Right along the Ohio River. A rugged trail down the river bank, not well maintained but passable.

Site5

Month of VisitOctober

Michelle M.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 17, 2021

Buzzard Roost Indiana

It has been a wonderful experience. My only complaint in the little black fly like bugs in the bathroom building (toilet pit). Other than that and the rain, it has been relaxing.

Site#3

Month of VisitAugust

Corin H.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2018

Great for car camping on a whim

My partner and I love Buzzards Roost but we used to love it more. It used to have a sweet little walk in spot down the bouldering trail that looked over the river. Now it is overgrown and you can't get back there. I wish the DNR would bring it back and maintain the river overlook down at the water. That being said, it is a beautiful drive in, a great shaded and well maintained pull in car camping area. It does fill up a bit since it is free so if you go to check out the wonderful walk down to the water don't take a camp spot. If you go to camp, pull directly into the spot you want to camp before you check out any of the short hiking around the spot.

Carla C.

Guide

Reviewed May. 17, 2018

Small but peaceful

Very small..but quiet

Month of VisitMay

Sally R.

Traveler

Reviewed Nov. 14, 2016

Lots of fun, little to do.

If you are the type that likes to kick back and camp out with a group of friends then this is the place to be. There is a port a Jon on the spot to use. At a small hike to the river but a steep one and you may need to traverse some rocks to get down and back up. My kids like to follow the waterfall up. I personally like this spot because I grew up not far from it and it feels like home to me. If you come make sure to find a site on high ground if rain is coming in. Plenty of room here for tents and hammocks.