Dispersed camping near Hanover, Indiana primarily concentrates in the Hoosier National Forest region, where elevation changes range from 500 to 900 feet throughout the camping areas. Most dispersed camping sites in this area can be found along forest service roads that intersect with hiking trails through predominantly oak and hickory forests. Sites typically accommodate smaller camping setups with minimal vehicle parking capacity and require self-sufficiency as amenities are virtually non-existent.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Horse Camp Road Dispersed sites offer reasonable access to nearby fishing areas where campers can fish for bass and bluegill. "Cool place" notes camper Shane B., who used this location as a base for fishing excursions.
Day hiking: The area surrounding Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping features several walking paths for day hikers looking to explore without committing to longer treks. According to Ozzie L., "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 and I've stayed here for 2 nights."
Wildlife observation: Early morning and dusk provide optimal wildlife viewing times near Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping. The small lake attracts various bird species and occasional deer. Julie notes the area includes "a small lake nearby with what looks like some trails."
What campers like
True isolation: Many campers appreciate the genuine solitude at BerryRidge Road Dispersed Camping sites, which are spaced well apart. David S. calls it "A hidden gem. Just a few sites along the road minimum traffic encountered."
Vehicle-accessible wilderness: Jackson Trailhead offers accessible wilderness camping without requiring significant hiking. According to loganx11, "there's parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. There are campsites along the trail just have to find them."
Minimal light pollution: The remote location of many sites provides excellent stargazing opportunities when skies are clear. At Berry Ridge Road, Palynn F. notes, "I'm traveling from Chicago to Florida and I kind of love this spot. Easy to find, easy to park."
What you should know
Seasonal changes: Spring and fall bring significant temperature fluctuations that can impact camping comfort. Nights frequently drop 20-30 degrees below daytime temperatures, requiring adequate sleeping gear.
Limited cell service: Many sites have spotty or no cellular coverage. Ax H. noted about Berry Ridge Road: "Bunch of little spots along this road to pull into. Set up with rent and vehicle. Just trees knocking, bugs curling and frogs croaking. Did see a rattlesnake dead on the road. No toilet but good reception."
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife includes coyotes and snakes. Reuben R. shared his experience camping at Berry Ridge: "every night at around 5pm I would hear rustling in the leaves, I assumed it was a pack of cayotes and they would leave once I started banging on stuff and primally yelling. Very spooky!"
Weekend crowds: Knobstone Trail becomes busier during weekends and holidays. Susan C. mentioned, "The sites are spacious, and there are a lot of nature things to do."
Tips for camping with families
Scout site options first: When camping with children, arrive early enough to explore available sites and choose one that meets safety needs. Brian S. advises about Berry Ridge Road: "This was a great place to car camp while driving across USA. The main spot was full but I found a great pull off spot a lil further. I came across at least 5 lil spots."
Bring all essentials: No services exist near most dispersed camping areas. James W. explains, "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."
Plan for darkness: Sites become extremely dark after sunset, requiring multiple light sources. Samuel C. describes Berry Ridge Road as "The perfect dispersed site for my way through, quiet and peaceful. Good spot for tent camping, we enjoyed our stay."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate only small campers or vans. At Horse Camp Rd Dispersed, space limitations require careful vehicle positioning, especially for anything larger than a small trailer.
Road conditions: Access roads deteriorate after rainfall, becoming challenging for even small RVs. Amber R. explains about Berry Ridge Road: "I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times."
Limited parking space: Most sites have room for only one vehicle. As Jeremy F. notes about Berry Ridge Road, "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."
