Best Dispersed Camping near Avon, IN
Dispersed camping opportunities near Avon, Indiana include the primitive sites of Berry Ridge Road, Peninsula Trail, and BerryRidge Road. These free camping areas are located approximately 50-60 miles south of Avon in the forested regions surrounding Lake Monroe and the Charles C. Deam Wilderness. Berry Ridge Road features multiple pull-off camping spots that are spaced far apart, providing secluded tent and car camping options with established fire rings.
Access roads to these dispersed sites are primarily gravel with some steep sections. Berry Ridge Road has several camping spots along its length, with the first site often visible from coordinates provided on camping apps, and additional sites located further down the road. Most sites accommodate tents and small vehicles but are not suitable for large RVs. Peninsula Trail requires hiking in, with designated backcountry campsites marked on forest maps. All areas follow pack-in, pack-out principles with no amenities such as running water or electric hookups. Fires are permitted at most sites when no fire bans are in effect.
These dispersed camping areas provide genuine solitude and immersion in nature. The sites along Berry Ridge Road are particularly noted for privacy, with one camper describing them as "far enough apart that I truly felt like I had the woods all to myself." Peninsula Trail offers access to Lake Monroe, though some visitors mention that "drunk boaters tend to stop along the shore even though they are not supposed to." Sites at both locations are primitive with fire rings being the only provided feature. Wildlife sightings are common, with visitors advised to be cautious of timber rattlesnakes in some areas. Cell service is generally available at Berry Ridge Road sites, but visitors seeking true backcountry experience may prefer the more remote Peninsula Trail campsites accessible only by foot.
