Buzzard Roost Campground, near Hoosier National Forest, is a straightforward spot for those looking to enjoy some time in nature without the frills. With just five sites, it offers a cozy atmosphere where you can kick back and enjoy the great outdoors, complete with fire rings for evening campfires.

The campground is known for its clean facilities, including a pit toilet that gets regular upkeep. Visitors appreciate the peaceful vibe, especially if you can snag a site that offers a bit more privacy, like sites one and two, which can be shielded by your vehicle. As one camper noted, “It’s a perfect little spot if you don’t mind people and want a dispersed spot.”

For those who love a good hike, there’s a nice trail that overlooks the river, providing a scenic view and a place to relax. While the access to water is limited and there are no electric hookups, the rugged charm of the area makes it a great choice for tent and RV camping alike. Just be prepared for some mosquitoes and keep an eye out for the occasional overhanging tree limb on the way in.

If you’re looking for a quiet escape, Buzzard Roost is a solid pick. It’s close enough to a convenience store for any last-minute supplies, yet far enough to feel like you’re truly away from it all. Whether you’re passing through or planning a longer stay, this campground has a laid-back vibe that many campers appreciate.

## Overview

 A scenic location for hiking and camping. Parking areas are available at the first trailhead access and at the picnic/camping spur. Tables, grills, garbage can, info board and a vault toilet are available at the camping area. A scenic overlook and benches are located on the bluffs overlooking the Ohio River. Water is not available on site. 
## Recreation

 This site offers rustic camping, scenic views and wildlife viewing. An ardous 0.5 mile trail from the bluff to the banks of the Ohio River is available. 
## Natural Features

 Sandstone rock outcrops, bluffs, hardwood forest, and a scenic overlook platform with views of the Ohio River and Kentucky.

Buzzard Roost Campground — Hoosier National Forest

Looking for the best campgrounds near Leopold, IN? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Leopold, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Discover great camping spots near Leopold, reviewed by campers like you.

Leopold

The Best Camping Near Leopold, Indiana

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. 

Lots of fun, little to do. 

Small but peaceful 

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.

Great for car camping on a whim

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.

Buzzard Roost Indiana

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. 

Great free site

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. 

Bit sketchy 

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?

Cliff top camping

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.

Relaxing place

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

Good clean spot

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 

Good clean camp ground

I’m grateful I got a spot, since there are only 5. I’m also grateful that’s it’s open (since past Nov 15th)- and that they are drive-in sites. It’s buried deep in the forest. Clean bathroom aka pit toilet, was literally just washed and stocked before I arrived. One bar with AT&amp;T, was able to get online when the neighbors left (but not while they were home)- so a booster or better would be advised. Mine is unboosted. The neighbor running the loud generator (the noise in the video) did come over and ask if it was disturbing me, lol- which was nice. Of course I said no :) since I brought a fan that was able to drown out most of the noise. Overall, if I were staying for the 14 allowed days- I’d say it’s worth the trip in. The road in IS paved and well-maintained up until a tiny portion at the end. Grateful for a spot, though. 

Photos of Buzzard Roost Campground — Hoosier National Forest

Real photos from real campers