Best Dispersed Camping near Chrisney, IN

Dispersed camping in the Hoosier National Forest provides primitive camping opportunities near Chrisney, Indiana. Mitchell Creek Road offers several roadside pull-offs on public land where self-contained camping is permitted without designated facilities. These sites are situated along forest roads with limited space, primarily suitable for tent camping or small vehicles rather than RVs or trailers. The Hoosier National Forest manages these areas as part of its dispersed camping program, allowing backcountry camping in undeveloped locations.

Access to Mitchell Creek Road dispersed sites requires careful navigation on narrow gravel roads that may become dusty during dry periods or muddy after rain. Most sites accommodate only small vehicles with limited turnaround space. No drinking water, toilets, or established amenities exist at these locations. Campers must bring all necessary supplies and practice Leave No Trace principles. While fires are generally permitted at Mitchell Creek Road sites, always check for seasonal fire restrictions before visiting. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the area, making paper maps essential for navigation.

The dispersed sites near Chrisney provide a secluded camping experience in densely forested terrain. Campers seeking solitude will appreciate the minimal traffic, as visitors report "only two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours" at some locations. The natural setting includes creek access, rock outcroppings, and hiking opportunities to nearby attractions like Hemlock Cliffs and Yellow Birch Ravine. Wildlife encounters are common, with campers noting turtle sightings on roads and occasional nighttime sounds from distant coyotes. Mitchell Creek itself runs alongside many camping areas, though water levels vary seasonally. Some visitors describe the area as "quiet and secluded," while others note it can be "rather buggy" depending on the season.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Chrisney, Indiana (3)

Show More
Showing results 1-3 of 3 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Chrisney, IN

6 Reviews of 3 Chrisney 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 Chrisney

Dispersed camping near Chrisney, Indiana provides primitive overnight options within the rolling hills of the Hoosier National Forest. Located in southern Indiana where the terrain includes limestone formations and mixed hardwood forests, this area sits at elevations between 400-600 feet. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing while summer conditions can reach high humidity levels with temperatures in the 90s.

What to do

Explore creek environments: Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed areas provide access points to explore seasonal waterways. Some sites are positioned directly along creek beds which can be completely dry during summer months. One camper reports "the area was rather buggy, and to be honest a little sketchy, so we slept in our van" when visiting the creek areas during a dry period.

Discover historical sites: Some dispersed camping areas contain unexpected historical elements. According to a camper at Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed, "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."

Wildlife observation: The forested terrain supports diverse wildlife populations. Campers regularly encounter native species during their stays. One visitor noted, "At night, we heard some loud mysterious crashing in some nearby trees, and what was possibly a large band of coyotes in the distance."

What campers like

Solitude and quiet: The remote nature of free camping near Chrisney provides genuine backcountry experiences. A visitor at Hoosier National Forest described it as a "Big spot for almost any type of camper. Deep woods" highlighting the secluded setting.

No-cost accommodations: These dispersed sites offer genuinely free camping options for budget-conscious travelers. Most locations require no permits or registration fees. Sites along Mitchell Creek Road are "NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land" where self-contained camping is permitted without charge.

Proximity to hiking trails: Many dispersed sites provide direct access to hiking opportunities within Hoosier National Forest. A camper mentioned they "would camp here again for the quiet and it's proximity to Hemlock Cliffs and Yellow Birch Ravine" making these free sites practical bases for day hikes.

What you should know

Limited site development: These locations provide minimal infrastructure. According to one camper at Mitchell Creek Road, "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."

Navigation challenges: Finding suitable dispersed camping near Chrisney requires preparation. One visitor reported "It took me 20 from route 64 to find this place" and recommended "Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty."

Road conditions: Access roads to camping areas can present challenges depending on recent weather and vehicle type. Several visitors noted dust issues during dry conditions with "each time kicking up a big cloud of white dust which covered most of the foliage by the road" and difficult navigation after rain when "a few of the pull offs I didn't explore because they were muddy or washed out."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection priorities: When camping with children, choose sites with adequate space and terrain. Some dispersed areas provide better accommodation than others. One camper noted "Spot has a creek and is flat enough for a tent mostly just a single person spot" indicating this particular location may not work well for families.

Vehicle limitations: Family-sized vehicles face specific constraints at these sites. A visitor at Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed warned "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."

Safety considerations: Remote dispersed camping requires extra safety planning with children. Solo travelers have noted feeling uncomfortable in some areas, with one reporting "If you are solo female traveler don't even waste your time" suggesting families should carefully evaluate comfort levels before committing to overnight stays.

Tips from RVers

Vehicle size restrictions: Large recreational vehicles cannot access most dispersed camping options near Chrisney. Multiple reviews confirm these sites accommodate only smaller vehicles with one camper specifying "if you are camping in a self-contained SMALL vehicle, this is quiet, secluded, and beautiful."

Turnaround limitations: The narrow forest roads restrict maneuvering capabilities for even modest-sized vehicles. Campers report difficulty turning around smaller trucks, indicating these locations work best for compact vehicles or tent camping rather than RVs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Chrisney, IN is Hoosier National Forest with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

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