Sarah M.
Scout
ScoutHickory Ridge
Super quiet at night and lots of space. Good privacy.
Tent Camping near Beech Grove, IN
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Tent campers seeking sites near Beech Grove, Indiana can find several options within an hour's drive, ranging from developed tent campsites with fire rings and vault toilets to primitive dispersed sites with no facilities. Standout areas include the Oak Ridge Camping Area in Morgan-Monroe State Forest and dispersed camping along Berry Ridge Road in the Hoosier National Forest. These areas offer a mix of basic-amenity campgrounds and more remote primitive tent camping sites where campers can experience greater seclusion. The terrain varies from relatively flat, shaded forest sites to more rugged backcountry locations that require careful site selection.
Most tent sites in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets, though the facilities are basic. Berry Ridge Road dispersed camping areas are true primitive sites with no facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. The gravel roads leading to these dispersed sites can be challenging after rain, with several reviews noting that small vehicles can access most areas but high clearance is recommended during wet conditions. Water is available at established campgrounds but must be carried in at dispersed sites. Campfires are generally permitted at designated sites, though seasonal restrictions may apply during dry periods.
The dispersed tent sites along Berry Ridge Road offer exceptional privacy, with campsites spaced far enough apart that neighboring campers are rarely visible or audible. Tent pads are typically on natural surfaces with varying degrees of flatness. The Morgan-Monroe State Forest provides access to extensive hiking trail networks, including the Tecumseh Trail which stretches over 40 miles. Shade is abundant at most sites, making summer camping more comfortable. According to one visitor, "Multiple campsites in the area are away from others, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn." Another camper noted that "There are a bunch of little spots along this road to pull into. It's really quite, only seen a handful of cars drive by."
Best Tent Campgrounds near Beech Grove (10)
1. Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest
"When tent camping and want something quiet and a place with great trails, this is a good place to go. Even though it’s hot outside today, there’s lots of shade and a breeze."
"Site 13 has a little trail that goes down to a large flooded sinkhole behind the campsite. There were lots of tree frogs singing because of the proximity to water."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $55 / night
2. Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort
"This was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children’s museum. The lake is fabulous, but there didn’t seem to be too many fish available for catching!!"
3. Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
"So much space, existing fire rings, there was wood left behind from previous campers so that was nice! We have a reactive pup and she is able to live her best life there!"
"Decent sized space to park for 2-3 vehicles."
4. Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping
"Free disbursed camping at its best in Indiana. Not another soul camped within earshot. Clean site. Gravel pad for vehicle. Green grass for tent. 14 day limit. No reservations needed or available."
"I chose this spot because we wanted to camp by water, but didn’t realize the camp sites are a 5-10 minute walk from the lake."
5. Hickory Ridge
"Super quiet at night and lots of space. Good privacy."
6. Rattlesnake
7. Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites
"Very nice drive during the day, hiking is fantastic!"
8. Clovis Creek
from $25 - $45 / night
9. Riddle Point Park on Lake Lemon
10. Maines Pond
Drive Time
- 7 min from Indianapolis, IN
- 38 min from Columbus, IN
- 44 min from Bloomington, IN
- 1 hr from Muncie, IN
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Beech Grove, IN
10 Photos of 10 Beech Grove Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Beech Grove, IN
478 Reviews of 10 Beech Grove Campgrounds
Ron W.ScoutCamp Atterbury Campground
Outstanding
Mark & Denise are great camp hosts they care about everyone and will help them if they need it. They do so much for the holidays and have some great times together around the campfires. Will miss them this winter but will be thinking of them during the Army Navy game. (A inside joke lol).
LDS Sister H.
GuideFriends O' Mine Campground & Cabins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our First RV Home Has Been Such a Blessing!
My husband and I absolutely loved our first few months here at Friends O' Mine Campgrounds & Cabins as first-time RV owners with our Class A RV.
We downsized from our 5-bedroom home in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. We sold our home and I followed my Husband back here to Indiana after he received a wonderful career opportunity. My Husband is a Veteran, 🇺🇸 and after moving to Nashville, Indiana, we had immediately fallen in love with this small town - where we respected and admired the way Nashville reminds us of where we had just moved from in Missouri.
We stayed at Grand Wood Suites for six months, after paying for a hotel, all while continuously paying for our two large storage units, as well as our mortgage payment and then rent for most of the beginning of this year; so, we decided to downsize to save money to buy land sooner, instead of continuing to rent. 🏕️ We already loved camping - we started with a pop-up camper on the 🔝 of our Jeep and camped dozens of times, then traded up to a pop-up camper. So we used what we had in savings, bought our Class A RV, donated our pop-up camper, and came to Friends O' Mine - and it was the best decision!
From day one, the other campers have been so friendly, as are the nice employees and amazing owners. They truly make you feel like family. They set up weekly entertainment that brings the whole campground together around the campfire - there is a huge fire in the middle with six porch swings attached to a massive gazebo and veranda surrounding it. It's incredibly cozy and just inviting you to join in.
We've enjoyed live musical singers entertaining us around the campfire all evening, and we were invited to watch a documentary about a local racecar driver in their indoor recreational room, right next to the indoor laundry facilities.
There is also a subterranean pool that my Husband and I enjoyed swimming in almost every day during our first month here - it was very relaxing and refreshing!
One of our favorite parts has been our peaceful, nighttime walks around the large, well-stocked catch-and-release pond. My Husband and I hold hands together and walk around it at sunset almost every evening. It's so serene and calming to hear the sounds of the water and feel the beautiful Autumn breeze.
This has been a very relaxing, enjoyable, and heartwarming experience for us. If you are looking for a clean, friendly, peaceful, and welcoming place to stay - whether for a weekend or for a season - we cannot recommend Friends O' Mine Campgrounds & Cabins enough. We are so grateful we found it!
Kausalia V.ScoutCornerstone Campground
we arrived during a halloween kids party. the hostess was super nice. the women’s showers and wash rooms clean. the men’s shower was sport locker style.
Kaley A.GuideBuffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
We absolutely LOVED this park! It was hands down our favorite of this year. We camped at site 100 and it has a neighbor on one side and behind while the other side was a huge open space. It is in the center of a loop. It was mostly level. There was some minor doming to the site but not bad at all. It was a busy camp ground but not as crowded (sites not on top of each other) as some I’ve been in. The outsides of the loops did have more space between and privacy but could be smaller or more sloped, it just really depended. The bathrooms and showers were cleaner than some of the other state parks we have been to, so much so my 11 year old son mentioned it. The park itself is absolutely gorgeous. The hiking trails (which is what we usually go for) were nice but I believe that the biking trails were actually more scenic than the hiking trails and a lot more rugged. We liked trail 8 starting from the west lookout tower and stopping at Hesitation Point for lunch/break/bathroom. Trail 6 was also a pretty, rugged, shorter trail. The Nature Center was also nicer than a lot of the others we have been to in the state. We did choose to do horseback riding at the stables. We showed up about 5 minutes after opening and were able to pay and told to come back in an hour and 45 minutes. That didn’t bother us since we had the time but if you are on a tighter schedule, the earlier the better. We also went into Nashville and it was a very cute town to visit. Well decorated for Halloween, very walkable, and a little something for almost everyone. Prices were about what I would expect for a tourist town but not terrible. I also have T-Mobile and had pretty good service almost everywhere in the park.
- JJacob S.Scout
Ogala Horse Camp
Little loop pull off with a stone fire pit in the middle. Walking trail goes down to a swampy pond.
Mark T.ScoutIrwin City Park
Nice little city park/campgound
Clean paved sites, rigs under 35 feet will fit. Water and electricity 50/30 (water is in the ground.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.
LegendBill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground
Fun Event Location
We stayed for the weekend during a Campout event. Lots of fun seeing all of our camping buddies. I don’t think we would camp here otherwise as it isn’t really our type of camping. Sites are close together, so don’t expect privacy. Porta potties had not been serviced from their previous event… needless to say, it was foul. The country music museum was pretty cool. The guide was very knowledgeable!
- AAmber H.Scout
Mystic Waters Campground
Best Campground in the Area
Beautiful, great amenities too. Right off highway to travel anywhere
Guide to Beech Grove
Dispersed camping opportunities near Beech Grove, Indiana include sites in the Hoosier National Forest where free camping is available along forest roads. The terrain consists primarily of rolling hills with elevations between 600-800 feet, creating pockets of secluded camping areas with varying degrees of accessibility. Gravel forest roads can become challenging after rainfall, especially for low-clearance vehicles.
What to do
Hiking networks: The extensive trail system throughout Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest provides hikers with diverse terrain options. "There are a lot of trails to hike 2 of them are over 10 miles (lower gap and three lakes). The Tecumseh trail (40 miles) starts in Morgan Monroe State Forest passes through Yellowwood State Forest and ends in the Hoosier national Forest," notes reviewer Ron H.
Lake fishing: Many campers combine their tent camping near Beech Grove with fishing opportunities at nearby Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort, just 45 minutes northeast. "This was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum. The lake is fabulous," shares reviewer Debbie S.
Forest exploration: The secluded areas around Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites offer opportunities for wildlife watching and nature study. Reviewer Jimmy H. states, "I pulled in at midnight in a sedan in the winter and i was able to safely find my way. Very nice drive during the day, hiking is fantastic!"
What campers like
Primitive solitude: Many campers appreciate the true primitive camping experience at Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping in Hoosier National Forest. "A quiet little lake/big pond in the Hoosier National Forest with a few spots to camp. At the pond there was a pad of concrete leftover from who knows what," notes reviewer Steven G.
Accessibility from Indianapolis: The proximity to urban areas makes camping near Beech Grove convenient for weekend getaways. "This is the best camping within an hour on Indianapolis and if your looking for free and solitary sites try the backwoods camping area for the low gap trail theres a parking lot there," writes Sars C. about Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Natural campsites: Campers frequently mention the natural setting of sites, with minimal development. "I've camped here several times and have always enjoyed it. When tent camping and want something quiet and a place with great trails, this is a good place to go. Even though it's hot outside today, there's lots of shade and a breeze," reports Ginger T. about Oak Ridge Camping Area.
What you should know
Self-registration process: Many campgrounds in the area use self-registration systems. "When you arrive set up at your site. Then you will need to go WITH EXACT CHANGE to the sign in at the main building. It's easy, there is a little box on the side of the firewood shed. Make sure you take your tag to mark your site, it is in the box attached to the payment envelope," explains Rob R. about Oak Ridge Camping Area.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas have few or no amenities. "Solo camped here with my dogs. First time I've ever been camping but this spot was really cool. Clean. Secluded and peaceful, though every night at around 5pm I would hear rustling in the leaves, I assumed it was a pack of cayotes and they would leave once I started banging on stuff," shares Reuben R. about Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping.
Vehicle considerations: Forest roads can present challenges for certain vehicles. "The road was gravel and steep at times. I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site," reports Amber R. about Berry Ridge Road.
Tips for camping with families
Choose established campgrounds: For families new to camping, established sites offer more predictable conditions. "This campground is decent if you get one of the few good spots. Many sites are small and can only accommodate a tent. Has water and vault toilets," advises Joe B. about Oak Ridge Camping Area.
Consider site spacing: When camping with children, site selection impacts your experience. "There is a playground at the entrance of Mason Ridge campground and a fire tower," mentions Ginger T., though availability of facilities varies by season.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for potential wildlife sightings with appropriate safety measures. "Did see a rattlesnake dead on the road. No toilet but good reception," warns Ax H. about Berry Ridge Road camping.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for smaller RVs: Most dispersed camping areas near Beech Grove accommodate only smaller recreational vehicles. "My wife and were at site 15 from 09/02/21- 09/06/21 camping in a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108 TB. This park is not for large rigs, but we had no trouble fitting into our small camper," shares Don N. about Hickory Ridge.
Generator use: Understand generator restrictions before arriving with an RV that requires power. "This is a great place to camp and hike, although there is no electric hookup we had a generator that we used sparklingly," notes Don N.
Limited maneuvering space: Many forest campgrounds have tight access roads. "The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is, we are RV campers and there are only about 5 sites we could get in to. Our camper is about 25' and it was tight get in and out of the campground," warns Ron H. about Oak Ridge Camping Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Beech Grove, IN?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Beech Grove, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Beech Grove, IN is Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest with a 4.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
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tent camping near
Beech Grove, IN?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Beech Grove, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Beech Grove, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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