Tent campsites near Campbellsburg, Indiana sit within the rolling hills of southern Indiana, where elevations range from 600-900 feet above sea level. The area features mixed hardwood forests dominated by oak, hickory, and maple trees, creating dense canopy cover at many primitive sites. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring camping often encounters muddy conditions after rainfall.
What to do
Geode hunting along creek beds: Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers excellent opportunities for rock enthusiasts. One camper shared, "I walked the creek for hours just looking at all the rocks on the sandbars. I have never encountered so many geodes in my life. Truly magnificent to encounter."
Hammock camping near water: Happy Hollow Homestead provides ideal spots for hammock setups. A visitor noted, "The forest is beautiful and we had no problems with ticks or mosquitoes while sleeping in our hammocks. The whole place felt safe and perfect for relaxation in the woods."
Kayak and canoe access: Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping serves as an endpoint for river trips. "A canoe/kayaking company actually ends one of their river trips there so during the day it could be a bit noisy when those groups come in," mentions one camper, highlighting the site's dual purpose.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping offers exceptional separation between campers. According to one review, "Being into boondocking at all definitely 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."
Easy access to hiking trails: Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites provides convenient trail access. A camper reported, "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!"
Natural features for kids: Happy Hollow Homestead includes unique play areas. One family mentioned, "The tree web is a giant net about 15 feet in the air. My boys loved climbing up and laying in the web. The tire swing was also fun for the kids."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Berry Ridge Road campers should prepare for wildlife. One camper shared, "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."
Water availability: Most primitive camping areas near Campbellsburg require bringing your own water. At Charles C. Deam Wilderness, a camper advised, "Heads up! Refill your water when you come across it; the lake is harder to get to than you think."
Seasonal challenges: Ransburg Scout Reservation and surrounding areas require preparation for seasonal conditions. "Our Boy Scout troop enjoyed visiting this location. It was well maintained and the staff was helpful. The downside was that the aquatics area was hard to get to from our site because it was so far away."
Tips for camping with families
Spacious sites for groups: Berry Ridge Road offers various site sizes. A reviewer mentioned, "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."
Entertainment options: Charles C. Deam Wilderness provides natural activities for families. "Every dispersed camper should add the hikes to the lake to their checklist," recommends one camper who visited with family.
Easy access sites: Some primitive tent campsites near Campbellsburg accommodate family vehicles. "There are a couple walking trails around, as well each site is fairly far apart. It's really quite only seen a handful of cars drive by," notes a Berry Ridge Road camper.
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Small RVs can access some dispersed sites but should check conditions first. A Berry Ridge camper with a conversion van noted, "Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far. I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times."
Limited hookup options: Most tent-focused areas near Campbellsburg lack RV amenities. One camper at Berry Ridge Road emphasized, "For those of you who don't understand disperse camping this is the perfect site for a tent to camp without anything but what you bring in and take out understand what dispersed camping is."
Seasonal access considerations: Wet weather affects road conditions for larger vehicles. A visitor cautioned, "This is my first time camping solo. I was definitely nervous at first and almost debated getting back on the road before sundown. But it's now 10:37 pm, I'm traveling from Chicago to Florida and I kind of love this spot. Easy to find, easy to park. Not very big, I would not bring a RV here especially after rain."
