Kimberly C.
Guide
GuideBerry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Great Spot!!
Great for car camping or tent camping. 2.2 miles of gravel dirt road. Very set off the road and private. Very leveled. Shaded by the trees. Clean. Cell service was great.
Dispersed Camping near Henryville, IN
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Dispersed campsites near Henryville, Indiana offer free, primitive camping across several forest service roads and backcountry trails. Berry Ridge Road offers multiple secluded sites spread along a gravel forest service road. These sites accommodate tent and some vehicle camping, with campers noting "sites are fairly far apart" and "you couldn't see their fire or even hear them" from neighboring spots. Most sites feature primitive fire rings and flat tent pads, though no amenities are available.
The Knobstone Trail, often called "The Little AT" by locals, offers hike-in backcountry camping with continuous elevation changes. Water availability becomes limited during summer months on this challenging trail. Jackson Trailhead provides additional primitive sites accessible via "a decrepit gravel road," while Horse Camp Road and other forest service roads feature free pull-off camping for tents and small RVs. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply at all locations, and fire restrictions may be in effect seasonally. Visitors should prepare for complete self-sufficiency as one camper noted of the area: "This is pack in pack out, no amenities camping for free."
Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Henryville (14)
1. Knobstone Trail
"Most people, even Hoosiers don't realize the Knobstone Trail exists. It's often referred to The Little AT by those who know about it. It's no walk in the park."
"The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail snd creek beds."
2. Jackson Trailhead
"there’s parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. there are campsites along the trail just have to find them"
3. Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
"Great for car camping or tent camping. 2.2 miles of gravel dirt road. Very set off the road and private. Very leveled. Shaded by the trees. Clean. Cell service was great."
"Free camp ground. Very private. Decent sized space to park for 2-3 vehicles."
4. Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping
"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."
"A quiet little lake/ big pond in the Hoosier National Forest with a few spots to camp. At the pond there was a pad of concrete leftover from who knows what."
5. Peninsula Trail
"The Peninsula Trail and Grub Ridge trails both have marked campsites that are very far apart and totally private. These are dispersed/primitive sites with a fire ring only. "
"Primitive camping at its finest. Long walk to the water so make sure you bring plenty of drinking water. Springs available in the valleys but watch for timber rattlesnakes."
6. Horse Camp Rd Dispersed
7. BerryRidge Road Dispersed Camping
"A hidden gem. Just a few sites along the road minimum traffic encountered"
8. Hickory Ridge
9. Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites
"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!"
10. Mitchell Creek Road
Drive Time
- 24 min from Louisville, KY
- 47 min from Columbus, IN
- 1 hr from Elizabethtown, KY
- 1 hr 25 min from Bloomington, IN
Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Henryville, IN
23 Photos of 14 Henryville Campgrounds
Dispersed Camping Reviews near Henryville, IN
41 Reviews of 14 Henryville Campgrounds
Dave E.
RangerKnobstone Trail
Best backpacking in Indiana!
Most people, even Hoosiers don't realize the Knobstone Trail exists. It's often referred to The Little AT by those who know about it. It's no walk in the park. There are continuous ups and downs that will challenge your leg strength and footing at times. There are plenty of great places to camp along the trail. Water can become scarce in the summer/fall months, but if you walk far enough, you're likely to come by a stream of some sort. Be respectful of the leave no trace rules and if you see any dickheads out there on 4 wheelers, take their picture and report them.
Maris H.
TravelerKnobstone Trail
The KT earns its nickname 'little AT'
The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances. Everywhere you hike there are lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail snd creek beds. You're never too far from water, although the quality may differ depending on the time of year.
Watch out for ticks. My dogs and I got loads of them in April 2020 from Leota to Spurgeon Hollow. There are road crossings every 5 to 10 miles, so if you run out of something or need to bail you can. The KT asks that you respect leave no trace philosophy, and I felt most hikers did.
There is occasional trail magic but don't depend on it if thru hiking. I have not stayed in any campgrounds near the trail, so I can't review those, but the trailheads all have adequate parking and signage, and I found topo maps online for free.
Let someone know your itinerary, have a means for filtering water, and enjoy!
- JJef C.
ScoutSundance Lake Dispersed Camping
Disbursed camping at its Indiana best
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. Just show up and camp if a site is open. This site was very well marked.
Matt V.TravelerPeninsula Trail
Awesome Place to BackCountry
The Peninsula Trail and Grub Ridge trails both have marked campsites that are very far apart and totally private. These are dispersed/primitive sites with a fire ring only. Very remote feeling (except you CAN hear any loud cars/motorcycles at night from the main road over the lake). Light pollution is pretty low however, so good stargazing.
Trails are in good shape and the Penninsuala trail is pretty easy. Grub Ridge trail gets moderate the further west you take it. CAmpsites 10,11,12,13 are very accessible with a short hike and are fantastic spots.
Lakeside spots are great also if you hike farther, but as others have said, drunk boaters tend to stop along the shore even though they are not supposed to. A few years ago boat access was limited to non-motoroized but not sure it is being enforced very well.
All the same, the Deam Wilderness area is Indianas best for backpacking and backcountry camping.
Down tower ridge road, to the east, just past the tower - turn right and the road there has lots of drive-in sites as well. These fill up fast on the weekends.
April S.GuideBerry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
This is dispersed at its best!
Free camp ground. Very private. Decent sized space to park for 2-3 vehicles. Trails, plenty of dry wood, away from the roads, no running water or electricity, decent amount of spaces we came in at night and counted about 9 very far spread out camp sights. Good ground to pitch a tent to. There was other camp grounds bigger than the one we stayed at and had several people at them with a big bonfire going but what’s great is when we found our spot we couldn’t see their fire or even hear them! One thing to note is that some of the camp sites are tucked back into the trees a little and can be hard to spot. At night we thought one was open but there was actually someone there and just couldn’t see them from the road so we had to back out and go to the next site (sorry whoever that was lol). It is also a ways off the beaten path for through car camping but honestly if we were ever coming back through this way I would make the hour detour to stop here again!
- jjulieTraveler
Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping
Camping area
National forest area with 3ish campsites one of which can accommodate a vehicle. Wooded so no solar or starlink. Small lake nearby with what looks like some trails.
- Jeremy F.Scout
Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Greatbdispersed sites.
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. This is pack in pack out, no amenities camping for free
- KKayla C.Scout
Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
Pretty Forest Spot
Huge sinkhole that makes for a cool look. Dry area for tent, not big enough for a camper but cool for car camping!
Guide to Henryville
Dispersed camping opportunities near Henryville, Indiana extend throughout the Hoosier National Forest's 204,000 acres of rugged terrain. The area features upland hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 400 to 900 feet. During summer months, temperatures average 70-85°F with high humidity levels, while campers should prepare for temperature drops into the 30s during spring and fall nights.
What to do
Hiking challenging trails: The Peninsula Trail offers multiple marked primitive sites along Lake Monroe. "It was an awesome backpacking journey for starters, little bit rough because of the horse riding track but awesome if you love to walk and see nature," notes camper Osiel M. about the Peninsula Trail.
Wildlife watching: Early mornings provide opportunities for spotting white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and various bird species. "Watch out for ticks. My dogs and I got loads of them in April 2020 from Leota to Spurgeon Hollow," warns a Peninsula Trail hiker, emphasizing the need for proper tick protection.
Stargazing opportunities: Sites away from the main roads offer excellent night sky viewing. At Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites, "Very secluded, 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!" according to Jimmy H.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the separation between camping spots. "It's really quite only seen a handful of cars drive by and I've stayed here for 2 nights," mentions Ozzie L. about dispersed camping options in the forest.
Natural surroundings: The undeveloped nature of the campsites preserves the wilderness experience. "The entire park is just beautiful. It's very family friendly and quiet. The sites are spacious, and there are a lot of nature things to do," describes Susan C. about Knobstone Trail.
Minimalist setup: Many campers value the back-to-basics approach. "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," explains James W. about rustic camping near Henryville.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access to some sites requires navigating unpaved routes. "Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far. There was no traffic or other people in site. I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times," notes Amber R. about Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping.
Water planning essential: Particularly during warmer months, reliable water sources become scarce. "You're never too far from water, although the quality may differ depending on the time of year," advises one experienced hiker.
Limited cellular coverage: Cell service is spotty throughout the forest, with better reception on ridgetops. At remote sites, campers should plan communications accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: For those with young children, locations closer to forest service roads provide easier escape routes if needed. "Campsite #18 has a great view and is large enough for at least 4 tents if you have a big group," recommends Aspen B. about the Peninsula Trail.
Wildlife preparation: Teach children about wilderness safety before arrival. "Solo camped here with my dogs. First time I've ever been camping but this spot was really cool. Clean. Secluded and peaceful, though every night at around 5pm I would hear rustling in the leaves," reports Reuben R.
Pack extra supplies: The remoteness of sites means no quick trips to stores. One camper advises bringing "plenty of drinking water" since springs require significant hiking to reach.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate smaller vehicles only. "At the pond there was a pad of concrete leftover from who knows what. I wouldn't be trying to pull a travel trailer back into here unless it was very small," cautions Steven G. about Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping.
Road clearance considerations: High-clearance vehicles fare better on forest service roads, especially after rainfall. "National forest area with 3ish campsites one of which can accommodate a vehicle. Wooded so no solar or starlink," notes Julie at Sundance Lake.
Limited turnaround space: Some forest roads offer few opportunities to turn larger vehicles around. "A hidden gem. Just a few sites along the road minimum traffic encountered," observes David S. about BerryRidge Road camping areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed
campsite near Henryville, IN?
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Henryville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Henryville, IN is Knobstone Trail with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dispersed camping near
Henryville, IN?
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Henryville, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Henryville, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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