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Best Dispersed Camping near Hoosier National Forest

37 Reviews

Hoosier National Forest offers several dispersed camping options across its 203,000 acres in south-central Indiana. Berry Ridge Road provides secluded primitive sites with established fire rings and flat tent pads. Peninsula Trail features marked backcountry sites accessible via hiking trails, with some offering views of Lake Monroe. Mitchell Creek Road contains limited roadside pull-offs rather than developed campgrounds. According to reviews, these sites are "very far apart and totally private," providing genuine solitude for those seeking primitive camping experiences.

Dispersed camping in Hoosier National Forest requires self-sufficiency. No drinking water, toilets, or trash service exists at these locations. Campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Cell service is unreliable throughout the forest; paper maps are strongly recommended. Several campers noted that Mitchell Creek Road has "no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities" and is suitable only for "self-contained small vehicles" due to limited turnaround space. Fire restrictions vary seasonally; always check current regulations before your visit.

Vehicle access varies significantly between sites. Berry Ridge Road features gravel roads that become steep in sections but remain passable for most passenger vehicles. Horse Camp Road and Hickory Ridge accommodate tent camping with limited parking. The Peninsula Trail requires hiking to reach designated sites. Wildlife encounters are common; timber rattlesnakes inhabit the valleys near water sources. Weather conditions change rapidly, particularly during spring and fall. The forest operates under standard National Forest dispersed camping regulations, allowing stays up to 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Hoosier National Forest (14)

    1. Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Freetown, IN
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 275-5987

    "Free camp ground. Very private. Decent sized space to park for 2-3 vehicles."

    "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."

    2. Peninsula Trail

    7 Reviews
    Clear Creek, IN
    28 miles
    Website

    "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."

    3. Horse Camp Rd Dispersed

    1 Review
    Norman, IN
    23 miles

    4. Hickory Ridge

    1 Review
    Norman, IN
    25 miles

    5. Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Birdseye, IN
    29 miles

    "This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities."

    "Spot has a creek and is flat enough for a tent mostly just a single person spot no toilets. Road south coming in was destroyed some time ago have to w yer from east or west road."

    6. Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites

    1 Review
    Norman, IN
    26 miles

    "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!"

    7. BerryRidge Road Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Freetown, IN
    29 miles

    "A hidden gem. Just a few sites along the road minimum traffic encountered"

    8. Knobstone Trail

    4 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 358-2160

    "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."

    9. McPike Branch Dispersed Camping

    Be the first to review!
    Norman, IN
    23 miles

    10. Jackson Trailhead

    1 Review
    Borden, IN
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 294-4306

    "there’s parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. there are campsites along the trail just have to find them"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Hoosier National Forest

22 Photos of 14 Hoosier National Forest Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Hoosier National Forest

37 Reviews of 14 Hoosier National Forest Campgrounds

  • Jaymi A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Perfect for Invisible Boondocking

    This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities. However, if you are camping in a self-contained SMALL vehicle, this is quiet, secluded, and beautiful. I did not see any pull offs that would accommodate an RV of any size, and nothing large enough to turn a trailer around.One pull off was nearly too small to turn around my small pick up truck. But the thick forest was beautiful. There are rock outcroppings along this road, which follows Mitchell Creek and lots to explore on foot. While I was exploring and camping on this road, only two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours. VERY quiet. Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty. The place I camped had a small graveyard behind it, so if you’re superstitious, this may not be for you. There was also a big white building that was all locked up surrounded by open meadow that a larger vehicle might be able to park behind. A circular “drive” was mown around the building. A few of the pull offs I didn’t explore because they were muddy or washed out after several days of rain. I would camp here again for the quiet and it’s proximity to Hemlock Cliffs and Yellow Birch Ravine.

  • Dave E.
    Aug. 16, 2017

    Knobstone 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.

  • Steven G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2025

    Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping

    Hoosier NF (Brown County)

    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. I wouldn’t be trying to pull a travel trailer back into here unless it was very small.

    On the weekends, the activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting.

    There were a few pickups that patrolled through here regularly, all through the night too. I was never bothered by anyone, but the area is small and I kinda felt like I was on a stage with every passerby.

  • Maris H.
    Oct. 29, 2020

    Knobstone 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!

  • Matt V.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 9, 2024

    Peninsula 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.

  • Tommy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Limited dispersed sites

    Mitchell Creek Road in Hoosier National Forest, is just one small section of a road that runs along Mitchell Creek. On the west end, where the road turns right (north), there was a small drive to the right that went down towards the creek bed. There was a small fire ring here, and another fire ring around the back, both set up on the rocks of the dry riverbed. These didn't seem like great camping areas, let alone a "campsite". Towards the middle this road, just east of an intersection for a road to the south, there was a campsite creek side, and a little farther, a campsite on the hillside. The hillside spot was taken, so we took that last spot. Lookout for turtles on the road, we spotted and removed 4 of them.

    The area was rather buggy, and to be honest a little sketchy, so we slept in our van. Only two cars drove by, each time kicking up a big cloud of white dust which covered most of the foliage by the road. It hadn't rained in a while. We went briefly down to the creek, but it was very buggy and not very nice to hike. At night, we heard some loud mysterious crashing in some nearby trees, and what was possibly a large band of coyotes in the distance. Can't imagine I'd ever come back to this area, but it's there as an option for sure!

  • April S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2023

    Berry 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!

  • Jeremy F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 20, 2020

    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

  • K
    Dec. 30, 2023

    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 Hoosier National Forest

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Hoosier National Forest in Indiana, where nature lovers can enjoy a more rugged and secluded outdoor experience. With various sites available, campers can immerse themselves in the tranquility of the forest.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Hoosier National Forest in Indiana

  • Horse Camp Rd Dispersed offers a truly back-to-nature experience with no amenities, making it perfect for those who want to disconnect completely.
  • At Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping, you can enjoy a peaceful setting with picnic tables and the option to have a campfire, enhancing your outdoor experience.
  • Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed provides a quiet spot along a creek, ideal for those seeking solitude and a chance to explore the surrounding nature.

Enjoying outdoor activities while free camping near Hoosier National Forest

  • The Peninsula Trail is a fantastic choice for hiking enthusiasts, featuring marked campsites that are spaced out for privacy and a chance to connect with nature.
  • McPike Branch Dispersed Camping is a great starting point for exploring the nearby trails, allowing you to enjoy hiking and wildlife watching in a serene environment.
  • Starnes Branch on Hickory Grove offers easy access to various outdoor activities, including fishing and birdwatching, making it a versatile spot for campers.

Dispersed campers should check out Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

  • Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping is well-reviewed for its secluded atmosphere, allowing campers to enjoy a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
  • With the option for tent, RV, and even horse camping, Berry Ridge Road caters to a variety of camping styles and preferences.
  • The area is known for its beautiful scenery, making it an excellent choice for photography and nature walks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free camping available in Hoosier National Forest or elsewhere in Indiana?

Yes, free camping is available throughout Hoosier National Forest. Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed offers roadside pull-offs on public land at no cost, ideal for self-contained small vehicles seeking quiet and seclusion. Similarly, Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping provides free camping areas around a small lake in the forest. Other free options include Horse Camp Rd Dispersed sites and McPike Branch Dispersed Camping. These free sites are truly primitive - you won't find restrooms, fire rings (though some informal rings may exist), picnic tables, or other amenities. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply at all locations. While Indiana has limited free camping outside Hoosier National Forest, these dispersed sites offer excellent options for budget-conscious campers willing to forgo amenities for a more natural experience.

Where can I find dispersed camping locations in Hoosier National Forest?

Hoosier National Forest offers several dispersed camping options. Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping features multiple campsites spread far apart, offering privacy and seclusion with sites that vary in size from tent-only to those that can accommodate small campers. Another option is Peninsula Trail, which has marked primitive campsites spaced well apart for privacy. Additional dispersed camping can be found along Mitchell Creek Road, Sundance Lake, and the Knobstone Trail. Most sites are accessible via forest roads with small pull-offs. For hikers, the Knobstone Trail (often called 'The Little AT') offers backcountry camping opportunities throughout its challenging route. Remember that these are all primitive sites without amenities, so come prepared for self-contained camping.

What are the rules for dispersed camping in Hoosier National Forest?

Dispersed camping in Hoosier National Forest follows typical national forest guidelines. At Knobstone Trail and other dispersed areas, it's pack-in, pack-out with no trash services. All sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Camp at existing sites when possible - look for established fire rings as indicators. At Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites, like other dispersed areas, there are no amenities such as restrooms or potable water. Fires are permitted in existing rings when fire danger is low. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days. Stay at least 200 feet from water sources. Vehicle camping is restricted to designated pull-offs - no creating new access points. Practice Leave No Trace principles: pack out all waste, use biodegradable soap away from water sources, and minimize site impacts.

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