Best Dispersed Camping near Boonville, IN

Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed camping in Hoosier National Forest offers primitive camping opportunities near Boonville, Indiana. This location consists of roadside pull-offs on public land rather than designated campsites. No amenities are provided; campers will find no restrooms, designated fire rings, picnic tables, or drinking water. The area features several small clearings along a narrow gravel road that follows Mitchell Creek, suitable primarily for tent camping and small vehicles.

Vehicle access is significantly restricted at these dispersed sites. According to reviews, the pull-offs cannot accommodate RVs or trailers, with some spots barely allowing enough room to turn around a small pickup truck. The gravel road is narrow and can become muddy or washed out after rain. Several campers noted that navigation can be challenging, with one stating, "Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty." Access from the south may be compromised due to road damage; approach from east or west routes instead.

The natural setting provides a secluded camping experience in thick forest with rock outcroppings along Mitchell Creek. Wildlife sightings include turtles on the road and possible coyote activity at night. The area remains extremely quiet with minimal traffic; visitor reports indicate only two vehicles passing during a 16-hour period. Campers should prepare for potentially buggy conditions, especially near the creek. The location's proximity to Hemlock Cliffs and Yellow Birch Ravine offers additional exploration opportunities for hikers. This dispersed camping area is best suited for experienced campers comfortable with true primitive conditions and complete self-sufficiency.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Boonville, Indiana (3)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Boonville, IN

6 Reviews of 3 Boonville Campgrounds


  • Jaymi A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Perfect for Invisible Boondocking

    This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities. However, if you are camping in a self-contained SMALL vehicle, this is quiet, secluded, and beautiful. 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. But the thick forest was beautiful. There are rock outcroppings along this road, which follows Mitchell Creek and lots to explore on foot. While I was exploring and camping on this road, only two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours. VERY quiet. Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty. The place I camped had a small graveyard behind it, so if you’re superstitious, this may not be for you. There was also 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. A few of the pull offs I didn’t explore because they were muddy or washed out after several days of rain. I would camp here again for the quiet and it’s proximity to Hemlock Cliffs and Yellow Birch Ravine.

  • Tommy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Limited dispersed sites

    Mitchell Creek Road in Hoosier National Forest, is just one small section of a road that runs along Mitchell Creek. On the west end, where the road turns right (north), there was a small drive to the right that went down towards the creek bed. There was a small fire ring here, and another fire ring around the back, both set up on the rocks of the dry riverbed. These didn't seem like great camping areas, let alone a "campsite". Towards the middle this road, just east of an intersection for a road to the south, there was a campsite creek side, and a little farther, a campsite on the hillside. The hillside spot was taken, so we took that last spot. Lookout for turtles on the road, we spotted and removed 4 of them.

    The area was rather buggy, and to be honest a little sketchy, so we slept in our van. Only two cars drove by, each time kicking up a big cloud of white dust which covered most of the foliage by the road. It hadn't rained in a while. We went briefly down to the creek, but it was very buggy and not very nice to hike. At night, we heard some loud mysterious crashing in some nearby trees, and what was possibly a large band of coyotes in the distance. Can't imagine I'd ever come back to this area, but it's there as an option for sure!

  • Sofia A.
    Oct. 23, 2020

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Nice but nope

    It took me 20 from route 64 to find this place. If you are solo female traveler don’t even waste your time. After 5 min of driving on the very skinny gravel road y saw what it look like spots but Iam not sure really. 10 min later I got to the coordinates and there was nothing, not seven an opening just more road. Y just keep driving till I got back to 64 and found a Cracker Barrel 17 miles away.

  • S
    Apr. 7, 2024

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    It’s a very spartan spot

    Spot has a creek and is flat enough for a tent mostly just a single person spot no toilets. Road south coming in was destroyed some time ago have to w yer from east or west road.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Small pull off on the side of a gravel road.

    This is a bare bones location. There was evidence of a homemade fire pit and a small cleared area. 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. Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there. 38.515995, -85.870726, 871 ft

  • P
    May. 7, 2021

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    There is no camp ground

    There are just a couple of sites along the road. One is at the trail crossing for horses, hikers, and bikers. Its basically a make your own campsite. Ok place if you like to really rough it.


Guide to Boonville

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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Boonville, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Boonville, IN is Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed with a 2.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Boonville, IN?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Boonville, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.