Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed camping offers primitive sites scattered across the Hoosier National Forest near Boonville, Indiana. This rustic camping location sits at approximately 871 feet elevation and features limestone outcroppings typical of southern Indiana topography. The surrounding forest consists primarily of oak, hickory, and maple trees with understory vegetation that becomes dense during summer months.
What to do
Creek exploration: Several small creeks run through the camping areas, providing opportunities for wading and wildlife observation during warmer months. As one camper at Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed noted, "We went briefly down to the creek, but it was very buggy and not very nice to hike."
Trail access: The area connects with horse and hiking trails. At Mitchell Creek Road, visitors mention "one site is at the trail crossing for horses, hikers, and bikers." The interconnected trail system allows for day hikes of varying difficulties.
Wildlife watching: The secluded location supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. Campers report, "Lookout for turtles on the road, we spotted and removed 4 of them." Night hours bring additional wildlife activity, with some visitors documenting "what was possibly a large band of coyotes in the distance."
What campers like
Complete isolation: The extreme quietness appeals to those seeking solitude. A visitor at Hoosier National Forest appreciated that it was a "good spot out of the way and close to the Ohio River" with "deep woods" providing privacy.
No reservations required: The first-come, first-served nature of these sites appeals to spontaneous campers. No permits or fees apply to most dispersed sites in this region.
Stargazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution combined with small clearings creates good stargazing conditions. One camper mentioned the area was "VERY quiet" with only "two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours," indicating minimal disruption from headlights or noise.
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Paper maps are essential for this area as digital navigation often fails. A camper warned, "It took me 20 minutes from route 64 to find this place," while another advised visitors to "Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty."
Road conditions: The access routes have significant limitations. According to one review, the "Road south coming in was destroyed some time ago have to enter from east or west road." Gravel roads become particularly problematic after rainfall.
Safety concerns: Solo travelers should exercise caution. One reviewer at Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed specifically warned, "If you are solo female traveler don't even waste your time," suggesting personal safety considerations for this remote location.
Tips for camping with families
Limited space: Most sites accommodate only small groups with minimal equipment. Sites are described as "basically a make your own campsite" with one camper noting a spot was "flat enough for a tent mostly just a single person spot."
No facilities: Families must be completely self-sufficient. There are no restrooms, water sources, or garbage collection. A visitor candidly described it as "a bare bones location" with only "evidence of a homemade fire pit and a small cleared area."
Alternative options: Families might prefer established campgrounds nearby. The rustic conditions at Mitchell Creek might not suit all family needs, with one camper stating, "Can't imagine I'd ever come back to this area, but it's there as an option for sure!"
Tips from RVers
Severe size restrictions: Even small RVs face significant challenges here. A visitor to Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed emphasized, "I did not see any pull offs that would accommodate an RV of any size, and nothing large enough to turn a trailer around. One pull off was nearly too small to turn around my small pick up truck."
Communications equipment: RVers relying on connectivity should bring signal boosters. One camper reported, "No cell service at the site but there was a bar or two on the road just a few feet away. With a weboost there was att and tmobile service."
Alternative parking: Some RVers might find better options at unofficial spots. One camper mentioned "a big white building that was all locked up surrounded by open meadow that a larger vehicle might be able to park behind. A circular 'drive' was mown around the building."
