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Established Camping

Jackson Washington State Forest

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Jackson Washington State Forest, near Brownstown, Indiana, is a solid choice for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without the frills. This campground offers spacious, primitive sites surrounded by beautiful forests, making it a peaceful spot for tent campers and RVers who don’t need electric hookups.

Visitors often rave about the hiking trails, which are rugged and provide some stunning views of the rolling hills. The nearby archery range is a hit for those looking to practice their skills, while the lake offers a nice backdrop for relaxation. One camper noted, “The campsite was right near the lake which provided a perfect view.”

Amenities are basic, with pit toilets and seasonal drinking water available, so come prepared. Firewood can be purchased at the forest office, and there are picnic tables at each site for your outdoor meals. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan accordingly, especially during busier times.

If you’re up for some exploration, the area is rich with activities like fishing and kayaking, and the scenic Skyline Drive is just a short drive away. While some campers have mentioned the need for more level sites, the overall vibe is relaxed and welcoming, making it a great spot for a weekend getaway or a longer retreat into nature.

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Location

Jackson Washington State Forest is located in Indiana

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Business Center: Go 2.5 mi SE of Brownstown.

Coordinates

38.86500914 N
86.00174855 W

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Connectivity

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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Drive Time

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 21, 2024

Great primitive campground

Spacious sites. Beautiful forest. Quiet, but only 5 minutes small town with gas stations, grocery, etc. Not many amenities. Only pit toilets and water spigots. Firewood was not available during our visit. No reservations. First come first serve, but even on a "busy" Saturday in July less than 1/3 of the sites were full. Two "loops" one in a pine forest below the small lake and one at the lake/up the hill. Multiple playgrounds. Great trails to hike. Cool CCC construction. Highly recommend.

Site8
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by Fern B., July 21, 2024
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by Fern B., July 21, 2024
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by Fern B., July 21, 2024
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2022

Trees falling alot

Around the camp is nice from archery to the local sites like skyline drive but the camp itself not so nice. From dirty pit toilets to trees falling on camp site in the middle of the night to only a few level sites I like to ruff it but this is a little too ruff. Most people bring entire uhual sized trailers full of gear to make this place nice for a weekend. But unless you are an Archer or someone trying to just get drunk in the woods travel the 40 minutes away to Hoosier national forest and stay at one of the camps there.

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2021

Jewel in the Rough

Best place to camp and relax. The archery range is great. We have been going here for a few years and it’s never disappointing.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by mandi D., July 25, 2021
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by mandi D., July 25, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 1, 2020

Great place!

Lots to do here. Fishing, kayaking and hiking. There are some awesome hiking trails here, they are very rugged for Indiana lots of hills. J-W offers some real pretty views. Skyline drive is real nice and Strave Hollow is down the road a few miles. There are several RV sites(10 to 15) available most are pretty level. Reservation can NOT to made (first come first serve).

  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by Ron H., June 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by Ron H., June 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by Ron H., June 1, 2020
  • (7) View All
Reviewed May. 12, 2020

This is a little gem for tent camping or RVer not requiring shore power.

Jackson-Washington State forest encompasses 16,500 plus acres in the rolling hills of south central Indiana and neighbors Starve Hollow State Recreation Area (see review). The property offers several stunning hiking trails and some are of the more challenging nature due to the elevation changes. The park also has an amazing scenic drive, Skyline Drive, which lives up to its name with spectacular panoramic vistas showcasing Indiana's gorgeous farms. The campground consists of 62 primitive class "C" self registration sites with a picnic table. Potable water is available seasonally and firewood can be purchased at the forest office. A number of the sites are waterfront offering a relaxing view...but definitely geared for the tent camper or RVer not requiring shore power. Just 2.5 miles from the town of Brownstown which has grocery shopping, restaurants and sundries. lat:38.8451 lon:-86.0519

SiteStayed at the nearby Starve Hollow Recreation Area
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by Stephen & Theresa B., May 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by Stephen & Theresa B., May 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Jackson Washington State Forest by Stephen & Theresa B., May 12, 2020
  • (16) View All
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2016

hike and camp

I went hiking here and it was sort of rugged. The campsite was right near the lake which provided a perfect view. There was a picnic table and fire ring for only 13 dollars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Jackson-Washington State Forest camping located in Indiana?

Jackson-Washington State Forest is located in the rolling hills of south central Indiana. The forest encompasses over 16,500 acres of scenic woodland terrain. It's positioned close to Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, making it part of a larger outdoor recreation zone. The forest is conveniently situated just 5 minutes from a small town where visitors can access gas stations, grocery stores, and other essential services.

Is there free camping available at Jackson-Washington State Forest?

No, camping at Jackson-Washington State Forest is not free. The camping fee is approximately $13 per night for a standard site. This affordable rate includes access to a campsite with a picnic table and fire ring. While not free, this represents one of the more budget-friendly camping options in Indiana state forests.

What is Skyline Drive and how does it connect to Jackson-Washington State Forest camping?

Skyline Drive is a scenic roadway that runs through Jackson-Washington State Forest. It offers beautiful vistas and panoramic views of the surrounding forest landscape and rolling hills. The drive provides convenient access to the campground areas and serves as a connecting route to many of the forest's hiking trails and recreational areas. Campers often use Skyline Drive to explore different sections of the forest, making it an integral part of the Jackson-Washington State Forest camping experience.

What camping amenities and facilities are available in Jackson-Washington State Forest?

Jackson-Washington State Forest offers basic camping facilities. Sites come with picnic tables and fire rings, with some positioned near a lake offering scenic views. The campground has pit toilets and water spigots for essential needs. There are 10-15 RV sites available, though only a few are completely level. The forest features recreational amenities including fishing opportunities, kayaking access, hiking trails, and an archery range. Firewood may not always be available for purchase, so campers should plan accordingly. No reservations are accepted - all sites are first-come, first-served.