Best Dispersed Camping near Hanover, IN
The southeastern Indiana landscape surrounding Hanover includes several dispersed camping options within an hour's drive, particularly in the Hoosier National Forest region. The Knobstone Trail, often called "The Little AT" by locals, offers backpacking campsites along its rugged path with continuous elevation changes. Berry Ridge Road provides multiple secluded dispersed camping areas with sites spaced far apart for privacy. Other options include Jackson Trailhead, which requires some searching to locate suitable spots, and Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping, which features a small pond with limited camping areas nearby. Most sites in this region are primitive with few amenities, making them suitable for tent camping or small vehicles rather than large RVs.
Gravel roads with occasional steep sections limit access to many camping areas, particularly after rain. According to camper Amber R., "The road was gravel and steep at times" when accessing Berry Ridge Road sites. Water availability varies seasonally, with Knobstone Trail hikers noting that "water can become scarce in summer/fall months." Ticks are prevalent in warmer months, with one hiker reporting "loads of them in April" along the Knobstone Trail. Most dispersed sites follow pack-in, pack-out principles with no trash service, drinking water, or toilet facilities. Sites are typically first-come, first-served, though some areas like the Knobstone Trail have designated camping zones that follow Leave No Trace principles.
Campers consistently praise the seclusion of sites in this region. Berry Ridge Road receives particularly high ratings for privacy, with one visitor noting "the sites are far enough apart that I truly felt like I had the woods all to myself." Wildlife encounters are common, with some campers reporting coyote activity at dusk. Weekend activity increases at some locations, particularly Sundance Lake, where a reviewer mentioned "the activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting" and noted occasional patrols through the area. Most dispersed sites accommodate only small groups with parking for 2-3 vehicles. Visitors recommend scouting potential sites before driving in, as some camping spots are tucked back into trees and difficult to spot from access roads.
