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Best Dispersed Camping near Bloomington, IN

28 Reviews

The forested hills surrounding Bloomington, Indiana feature numerous dispersed camping options within Hoosier National Forest, particularly along Lake Monroe's shoreline. Peninsula Trail offers primitive backpacking sites with established fire rings and marked campsites spaced for privacy. Berry Ridge Road provides secluded car camping spots approximately half a mile apart, allowing tent and small RV camping without amenities. Other notable areas include Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites and Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping, both offering free primitive camping within 30 minutes of Bloomington.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many sites accessible via gravel roads that can become challenging after rain. Most dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles, though some campers report successfully reaching areas like Hickory Ridge in standard sedans. As one visitor noted, "The sites are far enough apart that I truly felt like I had the woods all to myself." Pack-in, pack-out principles apply at most locations, with limited or no facilities available. Timber rattlesnakes have been reported in valley areas near Peninsula Trail, and seasonal considerations include increased weekend traffic during summer months.

Campers consistently praise the seclusion and privacy of sites throughout the region. Peninsula Trail receives particularly high ratings for its lakeside views and established fire rings, though several reviewers mention issues with "drunk boaters" approaching shoreline campsites during summer months. Berry Ridge Road sites earn praise for their accessibility and spacing: "Multiple campsites in the area, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn." Light pollution remains minimal in most areas, making stargazing possible despite proximity to Bloomington. Winter camping is feasible at most sites, with some visitors reporting successful cold-weather trips and noting the excellent hiking opportunities available year-round in the surrounding forest.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Bloomington, Indiana (10)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Bloomington, IN

20 Photos of 10 Bloomington Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bloomington, IN

28 Reviews of 10 Bloomington Campgrounds

  • Matt V.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 9, 2024

    Peninsula Trail

    Awesome Place to BackCountry

    The Peninsula Trail and Grub Ridge trails both have marked campsites that are very far apart and totally private.  These are dispersed/primitive sites with a fire ring only.  Very remote feeling (except you CAN hear any loud cars/motorcycles at night from the main road over the lake). Light pollution is pretty low however, so good stargazing. 

    Trails are in good shape and the Penninsuala trail is pretty easy. Grub Ridge trail gets moderate the further west you take it.  CAmpsites 10,11,12,13 are very accessible with a short hike and are fantastic spots.   

    Lakeside spots are great also if you hike farther, but as others have said, drunk boaters tend to stop along the shore even though they are not supposed to. A few years ago boat access was limited to non-motoroized but not sure it is being enforced very well.  

    All the same, the Deam Wilderness area is Indianas best for backpacking and backcountry camping. 

    Down tower ridge road, to the east, just past the tower - turn right and the road there has lots of drive-in sites as well. These fill up fast on the weekends.

  • April S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2023

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    This is dispersed at its best!

    Free camp ground. Very private. Decent sized space to park for 2-3 vehicles. Trails, plenty of dry wood, away from the roads, no running water or electricity, decent amount of spaces we came in at night and counted about 9 very far spread out camp sights. Good ground to pitch a tent to. There was other camp grounds bigger than the one we stayed at and had several people at them with a big bonfire going but what’s great is when we found our spot we couldn’t see their fire or even hear them! One thing to note is that some of the camp sites are tucked back into the trees a little and can be hard to spot. At night we thought one was open but there was actually someone there and just couldn’t see them from the road so we had to back out and go to the next site (sorry whoever that was lol). It is also a ways off the beaten path for through car camping but honestly if we were ever coming back through this way I would make the hour detour to stop here again!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping

    Camping area

    National forest area with 3ish campsites one of which can accommodate a vehicle. Wooded so no solar or starlink. Small lake nearby with what looks like some trails.

  • Jeremy F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 20, 2020

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Greatbdispersed sites.

    Multiple campsites in the area, I've stayed at two both of which were away from others, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn. Some sites, at least one, could fit a pretty good sized camper. This is pack in pack out, no amenities camping for free

  • K
    Dec. 30, 2023

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Pretty Forest Spot

    Huge sinkhole that makes for a cool look. Dry area for tent, not big enough for a camper but cool for car camping!

  • j
    Aug. 9, 2021

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Berry ridge campground

    If you are into boondocking at all defiantly check out berry ridge it’s just south of brown county Indiana beautiful country mostly hills tons of camp spots sometimes half mile or more apart haven’t seen any snakes here either and the best part I haven’t seen any people!!!!! Haha camp spot is about 100ft off the main road with thick woods in between the road and the campsite even if someone drove by we wouldn’t see them no water or electric hookups plenty of wood lying around to use for a fire clean campsites all gravel roads

  • Brian S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2025

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot

    This was a great place to car camp while driving across USA. The main spot was full but I found a great pull off spot a lil further. I came across at least 5 lil spots. There a nice trail meandering next to road.

  • E
    Apr. 27, 2022

    Peninsula Trail

    Awesome!

    Went there with my kids and wife, we had a really great time. Primitive camping at its finest. Long walk to the water so make sure you bring plenty of drinking water. Springs available in the valleys but watch for timber rattlesnakes. Definitely would make this a must to visit.

  • Steven G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2025

    Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping

    Hoosier NF (Brown County)

    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. I wouldn’t be trying to pull a travel trailer back into here unless it was very small.

    On the weekends, the activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting.

    There were a few pickups that patrolled through here regularly, all through the night too. I was never bothered by anyone, but the area is small and I kinda felt like I was on a stage with every passerby.

Guide to Bloomington

Discover the beauty of nature with dispersed camping near Bloomington, Indiana. This area offers a variety of secluded spots where you can immerse yourself in the great outdoors without the usual campground amenities.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Bloomington

  • Enjoy hiking along the trails at Peninsula Trail, where you can find marked campsites that provide a remote experience and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
  • Experience the thrill of primitive camping at Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping, which is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a peaceful retreat in the woods.
  • Take advantage of the scenic beauty at Hickory Ridge, where you can unwind and connect with nature while honing your outdoor skills.

Secluded Spots for Dispersed Campers

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Bloomington, Indiana

  • Always pack enough drinking water, especially when visiting remote sites like Peninsula Trail, where water sources may be limited.
  • Be prepared for primitive conditions at places like Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping, as amenities such as toilets and showers are not available.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife and enjoy the natural surroundings at Hickory Ridge, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the Indiana wilderness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at primitive camping sites around Bloomington?

Primitive camping sites around Bloomington are truly minimalist. At Peninsula Trail, you'll find marked campsites with only fire rings provided. These sites offer privacy and a remote feel, though you might hear occasional road noise. The trail has springs available in valleys for water (filter required), but it's a long walk to water sources, so bring plenty of drinking water. Similarly, Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites maintains the true primitive camping experience with no running water, electricity, or facilities—just basic fire rings and flat tent spaces.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bloomington, Indiana?

Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping offers multiple free camping sites south of Bloomington in the Brown County area. The sites are widely spaced (sometimes half a mile apart), providing excellent privacy. Some spots can accommodate small campers while others are better for tent or car camping. The area features beautiful hilly terrain with multiple pull-off spots along the road. No permits are required, and the pack-in, pack-out sites typically include basic fire rings.

How do I find boondocking locations in the Bloomington area?

To find boondocking locations around Bloomington, explore the Hoosier National Forest area, particularly Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping, which offers quiet, secluded spots suitable for smaller vehicles. The concrete pad area can accommodate car camping, though larger travel trailers might have difficulty accessing the sites. For more options, check out Starnes Branch on Hickory Grove, which provides drive-in access. Look for established pull-offs along forest service roads—these typically have existing fire rings indicating permitted camping areas.

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