Dispersed camping near Derby, Indiana extends primarily into Hoosier National Forest with roadside pull-offs and hike-in options. The area features limestone outcroppings, mixed hardwood forests, and elevation changes between 400-700 feet. Campers access sites via gravel forest roads that often become challenging during wet conditions, particularly in spring when the region receives its heaviest rainfall.
What to do
Creek exploration: Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed camping provides access to a creek with interesting rock features. One camper observed, "There are rock outcroppings along this road, which follows Mitchell Creek and lots to explore on foot."
Cave tours: Marengo Cave sits within driving distance of Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping. A visitor noted their campground was "Close to Marengo Cave, the Indiana Shoe Tree and a bunch of Canoe trip companies."
Paddling: Blue River offers kayaking opportunities with outfitters operating near campsites. "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," writes one camper about their experience.
Fishing: The lakes and streams near dispersed camping spots provide fishing opportunities. Springs Valley Rec Area features "a beautiful lake for hiking, fishing, and my favorite, kayaking. Electric motors only, so nice and quiet."
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: The dispersed sites in Hoosier National Forest offer solitude. A visitor to Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed shared, "While I was exploring and camping on this road, only two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours. VERY quiet."
Tree coverage: The forested camping areas provide natural shade and hammock options. At Happy Hollow Homestead, campers appreciate that "The forest is beautiful and we had no problems with ticks or mosquitoes while sleeping in our hammocks."
Waterfront sites: Camping along Blue River offers water access. One visitor to Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping mentioned it's a "Great place to camp right off kayak, but don't expect a shower. 2 port a pots, no running water except the river in front of you."
Spacious campsites: Some established campgrounds offer well-distanced sites. A camper at Happy Hollow Homestead commented, "We were all impressed with the land and how spaced out the camp sites were."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to dispersed sites can be problematic. One camper at Newton-Stewart noted the "Primitive" conditions with "45 spots" available.
Vehicle size limitations: Many dispersed pull-offs accommodate only small vehicles. A Mitchell Creek Road camper 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."
Navigation challenges: Cell reception and GPS can be unreliable. One camper advised, "Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty."
Limited amenities: Most dispersed sites require complete self-sufficiency. At Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping, a visitor described, "2 port a pots, no running water except the river in front of you."
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds restrict overnight use during certain periods. At Springs Valley Rec Area, a visitor noted "the campground is closed for overnight camping, but this is still a beautiful lake for hiking, fishing, and my favorite, kayaking."
Tips for camping with families
Interactive features: Some campgrounds offer kid-friendly activities. At Happy Hollow Homestead, "The kids loved the tire swing and tree web."
Festival weekends: Happy Hollow occasionally hosts events. A visitor recalled, "The weekend we were there was during the Summer Soulstice music festival. The campground was very lively and everyone was having fun."
Property tours: Some private campgrounds offer guided exploration. One family mentioned, "Kerry took us on a kubota for a tour of the property. We saw a beautiful creek with waterfall, bee hives and sinkholes."
Water activities: Blue River provides family-friendly paddling opportunities. "A canoe/kayaking company actually ends one of their river trips there," noted one camper about Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping.
Tips from RVers
Small RV access only: Larger RVs will struggle with most dispersed sites. A camper with a modest vehicle stated, "Rustic in a level, spacious kind of way. We were nervous about bottoming in the dry creek bed on way to Walnut Grove area, but no problem. Great stay. 20' Ford Transit ModVan."
Cell service boosters: Coverage is limited but can be improved. One RVer noted having "One bar with cell booster" at their campsite.
Dry creek crossings: Some access routes involve traversing dry creek beds. A camper warned they were "nervous about bottoming in the dry creek bed on way to Walnut Grove area."
Limited turnaround space: Small vehicle maneuverability can be challenging. A visitor to Mitchell Creek Road observed, "One pull off was nearly too small to turn around my small pick up truck."
