Tent camping opportunities within an hour of Greenwood, Indiana range from established sites to secluded dispersed camping areas throughout Hoosier National Forest and nearby state forests. The region features rolling hills with mixed hardwood forests and elevations between 600-900 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall bring milder conditions with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Hiking and exploring: Extensive trail systems connect many camping areas, especially in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness where visitors report excellent experiences. "This place is the gift that keeps on giving being so close to the city. Beautiful sites on the lake, and dozens of other spots scattered throughout the forest as well," notes a camper at Charles C. Deam Wilderness.
Fishing opportunities: Several camping areas provide lake access for anglers. At Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort, a visitor mentioned, "This was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum. The lake is fabulous, but there didn't seem to be too many fish available for catching!"
Camping with water views: Some primitive sites offer access to small lakes or ponds. A camper at Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping described it as "A quiet little lake/big pond in the Hoosier National Forest with a few spots to camp," adding that "at the pond there was a pad of concrete leftover from who knows what."
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Many dispersed sites provide significant separation between campers. A visitor to Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping shared, "Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far. There was no traffic or other people in site."
Natural camping surfaces: Tent sites range from forest floor to small clearings. At Hickory Ridge, a camper appreciated the "good spot to get some quiet time to learn/hone skills or for some good quality time with the family while being plugged into nature and unplugged from their electronics."
Scouting facilities: Ransburg Scout Reservation offers structured camping with amenities not found at most primitive sites. A visitor noted, "Located on Monroe lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing. Lots of fun activities to do, and great hiking trails. Their mess hall is top notch."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites require self-sufficiency. At Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites, a camper shared: "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!"
Registration requirements: State forests often use self-registration systems. One camper at Oak Ridge Camping Area noted: "When you arrive set up at your site. Then you will need to go WITH EXACT CHANGE to the sign in at the main building. It's easy, there is a little box on the side of the firewood shed."
Site limitations: Many areas aren't suitable for larger camping setups. A visitor to Rattlesnake campground stated it's "primitive only no drinking water at campgrounds," while another called it "only for the off grid camper."
Tips for camping with families
Scout reservation options: Ransburg Scout Reservation offers structured camping with activities. A visitor commented, "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."
State forest amenities: Some state forest campgrounds provide basic facilities. A camper at Morgan-Monroe State Forest shared, "I've camped here several times and have always enjoyed it. When tent camping and want something quiet and a place with great trails, this is a good place to go."
Wildlife awareness: Parents should prepare children for potential wildlife encounters. At Berry Ridge Road, one camper noted, "Bunch of little spots along this road to pull into. Set up with tent and vehicle. Just trees knocking, bugs curling and frogs croaking. Did see a rattlesnake dead on the road."
Tips for RVers
Size restrictions: Most tent camping near Greenwood has limited space for larger vehicles. At Oak Ridge Camping Area — Morgan-Monroe State Forest, a camper with a small RV shared, "My wife and were at site 15 from 09/02/21- 09/06/21 camping in a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108 TB. This park is not for large rigs, but we had no trouble fitting into our small camper."
Dump station access: Some areas provide basic RV facilities. The same camper at Morgan-Monroe added, "The only drawbacks were that the vault toilets are in pretty bad condition and the dump station hose did not have a connection to allow me to flush the blackwater holding tank."
Road conditions: Forest roads can present challenges for RVs. At Sundance Lake, a visitor cautioned, "I wouldn't be trying to pull a travel trailer back into here unless it was very small," indicating the need for careful planning when bringing an RV to the best tent camping near Greenwood, Indiana.
