Best Dispersed Camping near Decatur, IN
Chain O'Lakes State Park near Decatur, Indiana offers free dispersed camping options with some unique features. While officially designated as dispersed, these sites include more amenities than typical primitive camping, with drinking water, electric hookups, and waste disposal available. The sites can accommodate both tents and RVs, with big-rig friendly access. Campfires are permitted, and firewood is available on site.
Access is flexible with drive-in, walk-in, and boat-in options. A recent visitor noted that despite the app listing these as free sites, "The cheapest campsite at primitive camping is $12 bucks" for tent sites, with additional options for electric hookup sites that "all include a fire ring, picnic table and a pretty leveled out spot." For those seeking a more primitive experience, the Delphos Section of the Buckeye Trail offers truly free, hike-in camping with designated fire rings but no other facilities. According to a visitor, this site has "space enough for perhaps two tents, with metal fire ring, and plenty of deadfall for that small survival TV fire."
