Tent campsites near Hanover, Indiana extend beyond the city limits into the surrounding countryside and national forest lands. The area sits within the Ohio River Valley with rolling hills reaching elevations between 500-900 feet. Sites experience four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s and winter lows frequently reaching below freezing, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season for most visitors.
What to do
Kayaking access points: Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping serves as an endpoint for Blue River kayaking trips, creating a convenient camping option for paddlers. According to a camper, "The campground is very secluded right off Blue River. 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."
Wildlife observation: Berry Ridge Road offers opportunities to spot local wildlife in their natural habitat. One camper noted, "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!"
Walking trails exploration: The dispersed camping areas contain informal walking paths through the forest. A visitor mentioned, "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."
What campers like
True seclusion: Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping receives high marks for privacy. One camper 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." Another stated, "If you are into boondocking at all defiantly check out berry ridge it's just south of brown county Indiana beautiful country mostly hills tons of camp spots sometimes half mile or more apart."
Accessible primitive camping: Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping provides accessible dispersed sites. A camper reported, "Free disbursed camping at its best in Indiana. Not another soul camped within earshot. Clean site. Gravel pad for vehicle. Green grass for tent. 14 day limit. No reservations needed or available."
Hammock-friendly sites: The tree coverage at many sites creates ideal hammock camping conditions. One reviewer at Old Mill noted, "Nice size site with fire ring and picnic table. Lots of trees- so great tree canopy and plenty of hammock. Nice size pieces of wood and large bundles."
What you should know
Road conditions matter: Access to many dispersed sites requires traveling on unpaved roads. A visitor to Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping advised, "I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping options require complete self-sufficiency. As one camper explained, "This is pack in pack out, no amenities camping for free."
Site size considerations: The dispersed sites vary in size capabilities. A reviewer noted, "Some sites, at least one, could fit a pretty good sized camper," while another cautioned about Sundance Lake, "I wouldn't be trying to pull a travel trailer back here unless it was very small."
Weekend popularity: Weekends bring more visitors and different atmosphere to some areas. A Sundance Lake camper reported, "On the weekends, the activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting."
Tips for camping with families
First-time friendly locations: The more developed tent sites provide good starting points for families new to camping. A Berry Ridge Road camper shared, "Solo camped here with my dogs. First time I've ever been camping but this spot was really cool. Clean. Secluded and peaceful."
Easy overnight stops: Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping works well for weekend family getaways. A visitor reported, "Came here for a weekend getaway with friends during a COVID-19 Labor Day weekend. The campground is very secluded right off Blue River."
Multi-day capacity: Berry Ridge sites can accommodate longer stays. One camper shared their experience: "I've stayed here for 2 nights, would highly recommend."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites work best for smaller rigs. At Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping, a camper noted, "National forest area with 3ish campsites one of which can accommodate a vehicle. Wooded so no solar or starlink."
Vehicle clearance considerations: Low-profile RVs may struggle on forest roads. A Berry Ridge camper mentioned, "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."
Road navigation challenges: Berry Ridge Road presents specific challenges for RVers. One camper advised, "Not very big, I would not bring a RV here especially after rain."
