Blackwell Campground, near Hoosier National Forest, is a spacious spot that welcomes both tent and RV campers. With a laid-back vibe, it’s perfect for those who want to kick back and enjoy nature without the fuss of reservations or crowded sites.

The campground features a large open field, allowing campers to spread out and find their own slice of tranquility. Many visitors have noted the clean vault toilets and the availability of potable water, which is a nice touch for a free site. As one camper put it, “The toilets are very clean, shocking for an outhouse.” 

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are two trailheads right at the campground, leading to a network of trails that can keep you busy for hours. The area is surrounded by beautiful scenery, with plenty of opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching. Campers have enjoyed evenings filled with the sounds of screech owls and active birds, making for a memorable experience.

While the campground is primarily a horse camp, you don’t need to have horses to enjoy it. Just be mindful of the horse-related mess in some areas. Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat or a base for adventure, Blackwell Campground offers a welcoming atmosphere for all types of campers.

## Overview

 The camp is located along Tower Ridge Road in the center of the Charles Deam Wilderness area, approximately one mile from Highway 446. The camp also is a trailhead for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system. 
## Recreation

 Blackwell is a campground for all types of users. It provides access to the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Trail system with approximately 35 miles of trails. The nearby Hickory Ridge Trail system is also available. 
## Natural Features

 The camp is a large grassy area with gravel parking areas on the east and west end. The trailheads are located on the east and west ends of the camp by the parking areas.

Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

Heltonville, IN is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Indiana camping has to offer. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Heltonville, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Heltonville

The Best Camping Near Heltonville, Indiana

I solo camped here overnight and had a pleasant time. Before arriving I had questions about where I'd be able to camp. I called the local ranger line and they were super helpful. A restroom is available on site. For being fairly close to a busy road, it's so peaceful you'd have no idea at all! Free camping if you don't have horses with you!

Great car camping experience!

No set camp spots but great to set up and have no light pollution! Close to town but also right off some amazing trails! Sometimes the horse trailers get loud with generators but it is a horse camp ground!

A field with pit toilets. Free but often loud generators from horse trailer

Great boondocking spot, plenty of flat land making leveling easy. Wide open so solar charging was easy. We were there for 7 days and while they have room for probably 50 or 60 rigs there was only 3 or 4 of us there most of the time. 
- pits toliets
- quiet
- clean
- dumpster available

Although intended for horse trailers we did not see a single one there in our 7 days. Plenty of flat land making leveling easy.

Quiet, Clean & Free

We had a really awesome night here. The ground is level and all grass with less bugs than sites directly off trail. We just have a simple backpacking tent set-up and we had a great campfire. It was silent and of the dozens of lots, only maybe 5 were being used. 


We hiked the Grubb Ridge Loop and then camped here. If you go over to the maps, there is a trail you that splits off. Follow the hiking trail and when you get to the creek bed, you can find hundreds of geodes!! You’re allowed to take a couple home but just don’t take too many! 

GEODES! Loved this campground (hikers/backpackers)

If you come from the East you will pass horsecamp that only has paid for sites. Continue down the road you will see a sign for a second horse camp skip that as well! If you go to the end and take a right there will be spots at the beggining of the trail heads secluded with fire rings. They are drive in. Much more private as well as no smell of horse poop. lol

Keep driving past the horse camp...

Can't believe this place was free. It was nearly empty (although it was the end of November). The hiking was fantastic and the few people camping there were very well dispersed and all respectful. 

100% will camp here again!

Great Place!

A very clean and large campground. Seems well kept. There are very few fire rings so first come first serve, otherwise there are clearly marked areas from previous fires. Not much firewood in the area so recommend bringing your own. No water &amp; only gravity toilets. Plenty of area to walk and great for families, a short distance from the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower.

Clean and Spacious

Very spread out and plenty of space to choose from. There were a decent amount of people there, as the weather was gorgeous, but everyone was extremely respectful of space and privacy. If you turn to the left when you enter, there are a couple picnic tables. If you turn to the right when you enter, there are two simple bathrooms

Spacious and great for families

I hope you like horses. I was backpacking and got to experience horse camps up close and personal. There are basic toilets and a pavilion. Rest is an empty grass field. 

Large open field. Can be crowded.

Ended up staying on the horse site post-labor day when there were only other tent campers. Site is a wide open and well-groomed, with trails just a short walk (or ride) away. 

Toilets and covered picnic tables nearby. 

Nice, open site in off-season

Middle of the week and this campground is crowded. There are tents, trailers and rv's. The ground is mostly flat, mostly. There is a pavilion and out houses. For the most part it's a large open field surrounded by trees. Might have been better if the sites were better marked. Maybe the the guy in the class c wouldn't have parked so close to me. Would have been great if he hadn't run his generator all night.

Blackwell Dispersed Camping Area

The area is nice and is taken care off. The camp is free and has a 14 day limit. the campground is loop with male and female outhouses and they are kept up nicely. there is also a dumpster at near the entrance of the camp. this is also a horse camp so there are some horse feces around so you have to watch for that. you do not have to have a reservation, i believe it’s just first come first serve. some areas have fire pits, some don’t; you can make one though from rocks. the nearest city is Bloomington which is about 15 miles from camp. 


Good place!!

There is an out hpuse and trash dumpster. Lots of room. Park where you want. Cost is free. There are fenced areas if you have horses. There are trails to walk. Been here 3 times and has not been busy during those stays. You can stay 14 days. Max of 30 days per year.

Good boondocking horse camp

It's a big field not allot of shade. It's very quiet even with the 5-6 others camping. The toilets are very clean shocking for an outhouse. The trails are very nice. All around beautiful spot. I will stay again. 

What a wonderful free campsite

Beautiful surroundings, and lots of trails to hike.

Came in late on a Saturday and found a nice level spot to park for the night.

We have an RTT on top of our truck so being level is what we look for.

Very quiet and peaceful.  

Would recommend. You do not have to have horses to stay here.

VERY QUIET

We arrived near dusk on a Friday. The entrance is clearly marked and road is gravel but well maintained. The site is open space with soft, well maintained grass and no muddy areas. There are no marked sites but there is plenty of room for all types of campers. And there all types of campers there. Of  20 or so campers I saw horse trailers, couple of large RVs, teardrops, tent camping and vehicle camping. There are plenty of fire circles. The vault toilets are super clean and you don’t have to waste time flushing. Bonus - Cell phone reception was good! This is a horse camp where you’re welcome to stay without horses… so for etiquette’s sake please leave the spots with corrals and hitch rails for the horse campers! All in all this was a perfect location, extremely well maintained, not crowded with all types of campers peacefully coexisting.

Perfect

Our original campsite wasn’t what we thought it would be so we found this place and it’s a very good and safe secondary campground. It’s very open, can park anywhere and pitch tents or RV’s wherever you’d like. 2 trail heads, one on each end that connect to all other trails of 15+ miles if wanted. 

Very quiet, open, and spaced out and it has restrooms. I would recommend bringing a fire pit though otherwise you have to use designated fire areas. 

Good plan B campsite 

Quiet with sparse campers. People who were there were nice and we felt safe.  Free. Easy to find but slow going w rig on winding narrow roads. No water hook ups had to drive to Hardin 3 miles over and pay $5 for their shower and water for our horses 

Free w Easy parking but no water 

If you’re a solar person, this is your spot! It’s a giant open field with vault toilets. It says horse camp, but anyone can stay here. If you’re looking for shade or here in the summer months, you may try elsewhere as there is not much shade to be had. 

Open field, clean vault toilets, not much shade  

We really liked the set up of this campsite. The fire rings were spread apart amidst a green hill. There was some shade available around the edges. Plenty of room to spread out from your neighbors; it wasn’t too busy when we were there (a Thursday). Camp accesses two trailheads directly. There were two bathrooms, a place for garbage, and potable water. Screech owls and active birds made it an exciting evening. 

Spacious Camping

Open areas with pit toilets and water available. Shade and sunny locations. Pick a spot and set up with hammock-large rvs spots. No fee, no reservations, no problems. Officers from federal, state, and local patrol. Cell service by various providers is 1-2 bars. Highly recommend. 

Large, open, and very clean

I found this place a few years ago and it has become my local go to. It is free camping and first come first serve. There are vault toilets. Plenty of space to spread out. 

Photos of Blackwell Campground — Hoosier National Forest

Real photos from real campers