Sarah M.
Scout
ScoutHickory Ridge
Super quiet at night and lots of space. Good privacy.
Tent Camping near Hoosier National Forest, IN
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Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana provides diverse tent camping experiences ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers primitive tent-only camping with both hike-in and drive-up access points along its trail system. Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping provides free tent sites set back from gravel roads, while Old Mill Tent and Hammock Camping offers riverside tent sites with basic amenities. Springs Valley Recreation Area features tent-only sites accessible by hiking trails, providing a more secluded experience for those seeking solitude in the forest.
Most tent campsites in Hoosier National Forest feature fire rings, though some dispersed areas require campers to follow Leave No Trace principles. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds, but backcountry tent camping typically requires packing out all waste. Water availability varies significantly; Charles C. Deam Wilderness has limited drinking water access, while dispersed camping areas like Mitchell Creek Road have no potable water sources. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer bringing humidity and insects, while spring and fall offer more comfortable tent camping temperatures. Cell service is unreliable throughout most primitive tent camping areas, making paper maps essential.
The tent camping experience in Hoosier National Forest is characterized by dense forest cover providing ample shade and natural privacy between sites. According to reviews, the dispersed tent sites at Berry Ridge Road are "very private with decent sized space for 2-3 vehicles, with camp spots sometimes half mile or more apart." Backcountry tent campers in Charles C. Deam Wilderness appreciate the solitude, with one visitor noting, "We usually choose a site far back into the wilderness area. The sites are primitive with no amenities. Tent camping only although there are both hike-in and drive-up sites in the wilderness area." Hammock camping is popular due to abundant trees, particularly along creek beds where geode hunting adds a unique dimension to the tent camping experience.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Hoosier National Forest (21)
1. Happy Hollow Homestead
"He has firewood for purchase and will set up your fire for free with his propane torch, which was very helpful for us after a rainstorm."
"We were nervous about bottoming in the dry creek bed on way to Walnut Grove area, but no problem. Great stay. 20' Ford Transit ModVan. One bar with cell booster."
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $40 - $65 / night
2. Charles C. Deam Wilderness
"Being in a national forest dispersed camping is allowed if you follow leave no trace principals, but I stayed in a couple of the official sites."
"The sites are primitive with no amenities. Tent camping only although there are both hike in and drive up sites in the wilderness area. Great place to get away from it all."
3. Springs Valley Rec Area
"the campground is closed for overnight camping, but this is still a beautiful lake for hiking, fishing, and my favorite, kayaking. electric motors only, so nice and quiet."
4. Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping
"So much space, existing fire rings, there was wood left behind from previous campers so that was nice! We have a reactive pup and she is able to live her best life there!"
"Decent sized space to park for 2-3 vehicles."
5. Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping
"Sites are relatively close but you still have plenty of your own space. Each site comes with a fire pit and picnic table. Plenty of trees to hang up a hammock and empty space to pitch a tent."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
6. Ransburg Scout Reservation
"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.""Our Boy Scout troop enjoyed visiting this location. It was well maintained and the staff was helpful."
8. Hickory Ridge
"Super quiet at night and lots of space. Good privacy."
9. Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed
"This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities."
"There’s not a lot of designated camp spots but there’s not many people around. Very peaceful"
10. Pine Loop
"There are campsites from walk-ins to drive-ins to FCFS with or without electricity/water. Plenty of shade in a very quiet surrounding. Access to Monroe lake as well as a small beach for swimming."
Drive Time
- 37 min from Bloomington, IN
- 1 hr 13 min from Louisville, KY
- 1 hr 22 min from Columbus, IN
- 1 hr 43 min from Elizabethtown, KY
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hoosier National Forest
23 Photos of 21 Hoosier National Forest Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Hoosier National Forest
776 Reviews of 21 Hoosier National Forest Campgrounds
LDS Sister H.
GuideFriends O' Mine Campground & Cabins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our First RV Home Has Been Such a Blessing!
My husband and I absolutely loved our first few months here at Friends O' Mine Campgrounds & Cabins as first-time RV owners with our Class A RV.
We downsized from our 5-bedroom home in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. We sold our home and I followed my Husband back here to Indiana after he received a wonderful career opportunity. My Husband is a Veteran, 🇺🇸 and after moving to Nashville, Indiana, we had immediately fallen in love with this small town - where we respected and admired the way Nashville reminds us of where we had just moved from in Missouri.
We stayed at Grand Wood Suites for six months, after paying for a hotel, all while continuously paying for our two large storage units, as well as our mortgage payment and then rent for most of the beginning of this year; so, we decided to downsize to save money to buy land sooner, instead of continuing to rent. 🏕️ We already loved camping - we started with a pop-up camper on the 🔝 of our Jeep and camped dozens of times, then traded up to a pop-up camper. So we used what we had in savings, bought our Class A RV, donated our pop-up camper, and came to Friends O' Mine - and it was the best decision!
From day one, the other campers have been so friendly, as are the nice employees and amazing owners. They truly make you feel like family. They set up weekly entertainment that brings the whole campground together around the campfire - there is a huge fire in the middle with six porch swings attached to a massive gazebo and veranda surrounding it. It's incredibly cozy and just inviting you to join in.
We've enjoyed live musical singers entertaining us around the campfire all evening, and we were invited to watch a documentary about a local racecar driver in their indoor recreational room, right next to the indoor laundry facilities.
There is also a subterranean pool that my Husband and I enjoyed swimming in almost every day during our first month here - it was very relaxing and refreshing!
One of our favorite parts has been our peaceful, nighttime walks around the large, well-stocked catch-and-release pond. My Husband and I hold hands together and walk around it at sunset almost every evening. It's so serene and calming to hear the sounds of the water and feel the beautiful Autumn breeze.
This has been a very relaxing, enjoyable, and heartwarming experience for us. If you are looking for a clean, friendly, peaceful, and welcoming place to stay - whether for a weekend or for a season - we cannot recommend Friends O' Mine Campgrounds & Cabins enough. We are so grateful we found it!
Kaley A.GuideBuffalo Ridge Campground — Brown County State Park
We absolutely LOVED this park! It was hands down our favorite of this year. We camped at site 100 and it has a neighbor on one side and behind while the other side was a huge open space. It is in the center of a loop. It was mostly level. There was some minor doming to the site but not bad at all. It was a busy camp ground but not as crowded (sites not on top of each other) as some I’ve been in. The outsides of the loops did have more space between and privacy but could be smaller or more sloped, it just really depended. The bathrooms and showers were cleaner than some of the other state parks we have been to, so much so my 11 year old son mentioned it. The park itself is absolutely gorgeous. The hiking trails (which is what we usually go for) were nice but I believe that the biking trails were actually more scenic than the hiking trails and a lot more rugged. We liked trail 8 starting from the west lookout tower and stopping at Hesitation Point for lunch/break/bathroom. Trail 6 was also a pretty, rugged, shorter trail. The Nature Center was also nicer than a lot of the others we have been to in the state. We did choose to do horseback riding at the stables. We showed up about 5 minutes after opening and were able to pay and told to come back in an hour and 45 minutes. That didn’t bother us since we had the time but if you are on a tighter schedule, the earlier the better. We also went into Nashville and it was a very cute town to visit. Well decorated for Halloween, very walkable, and a little something for almost everyone. Prices were about what I would expect for a tourist town but not terrible. I also have T-Mobile and had pretty good service almost everywhere in the park.
- JJacob S.Scout
Ogala Horse Camp
Little loop pull off with a stone fire pit in the middle. Walking trail goes down to a swampy pond.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.
LegendBill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground
Fun Event Location
We stayed for the weekend during a Campout event. Lots of fun seeing all of our camping buddies. I don’t think we would camp here otherwise as it isn’t really our type of camping. Sites are close together, so don’t expect privacy. Porta potties had not been serviced from their previous event… needless to say, it was foul. The country music museum was pretty cool. The guide was very knowledgeable!
Jennifer N.ScoutHoosier National Forest South Slope Loop Campground
Great sites
Each campsite has trees encircling them for mostly shade and a little more privacy. Only thing they could do is add more full hook up sites. Shower houses and restrooms are very well kept.
- TTanner P.
TravelerMitchell Creek Road Dispersed
Peaceful!
There’s not a lot of designated camp spots but there’s not many people around. Very peaceful
Jeff C.ScoutO'Bannon Woods State Park Campground
Alright not my favorite park in the area
Campground seemed like a tight fit coming in near dark fall. Lots of shaded sites. Storm ran through that night and lots of dead limbs came down all over. Got a hole in my roof. Overall decent stay and had a cool neighbor
- Jeff C.Scout
Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area
My favorite spot
Love taking the kid to hardy lake. Smaller lake to fish on with a trolling motor canoe but big enough they allow gas motors. Have a few favorite sites for the camper.
Guide to Hoosier National Forest
Tent campsites near Hoosier National Forest offer varied experiences from secluded riverside spots to mountaintop settings with views of the surrounding landscape. Situated in south-central Indiana, the forest covers over 200,000 acres across nine counties with elevations ranging from 400 to 900 feet. Summer temperatures often reach the mid-80s with high humidity, while spring brings frequent rain showers that can create muddy conditions at undeveloped sites.
What to do
Geode hunting along creek beds: The Charles C. Deam Wilderness features numerous waterways where you can search for these natural treasures. "I walked the creek for hours just looking at all the rocks on the sandbars. I have never encountered so many geodes in my life. Truly magnificent to encounter," reports one Charles C. Deam Wilderness visitor.
Hike to lake access points: Many trails lead to Monroe Lake shorelines where you can swim or fish. "Every dispersed camper should add the hikes to the lake to their checklist," recommends a recent camper at Charles C. Deam Wilderness. Sites near water are highly sought after, especially during summer months.
Explore cave systems: The region features interesting geological formations accessible from several campgrounds. A visitor to Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping notes, "Close to Marengo Cave, the Indiana Shoe Tree and a bunch of Canoe trip companies," making it an excellent base for day trips.
What campers like
Natural privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion offered at dispersed sites. "The campground is very secluded right off Blue River. Sites are relatively close but you still have plenty of your own space," reports a camper at Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping.
Tree coverage for hammock camping: The dense forest canopy provides ideal conditions for hammock enthusiasts. At Happy Hollow Homestead, one visitor shared, "The forest is beautiful and we had no problems with ticks or mosquitoes while sleeping in our hammocks. The whole place felt safe and perfect for relaxation in the woods."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The remote nature of many sites allows for regular wildlife encounters. "I see more deer and other wildlife here than even at Brown County State Park!" notes a camper at Pine Loop, highlighting the natural experience available at tent sites throughout the forest.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have limited or no connectivity. At Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed, a camper advises, "Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty." This is common throughout the forest's more remote areas.
Water access challenges: Potable water isn't available at most dispersed sites. "Refill your water when you come across it; the lake is harder to get to than you think," warns a Charles C. Deam Wilderness camper.
Trail conditions after storms: Weather impacts can affect accessibility. "Unfortunately due to some storm damage, trails were rerouted or straight up inaccessible," reports a recent visitor to Charles C. Deam Wilderness, recommending flexibility in your hiking plans.
Tips for camping with families
Tree activities for kids: Some campgrounds offer unique features that children enjoy. At Happy Hollow Homestead, a family noted, "The tree web is a giant net about 15 feet in the air. My boys loved climbing up and laying in the web. The tire swing was also fun for the kids."
Short hiking options: Select sites with family-friendly trails nearby. A visitor to Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping mentioned, "There a nice trail meandering next to road," which provides an easy activity option for children.
Spacious sites for group camping: Some areas accommodate larger family gatherings. "We stayed over the Memorial Day holiday with our kid and another couple. We were all impressed with the land and how spaced out the camp sites were," shares a Happy Hollow Homestead camper.
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: Many forest roads have limitations for larger vehicles. At Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping, an RVer shared, "I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times."
Site size restrictions: Most dispersed areas accommodate only smaller rigs. "Some sites, at least one, could fit a pretty good sized camper. This is pack in pack out, no amenities camping for free," notes a camper at Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping.
Length limitations: Be aware of turning constraints on narrow forest roads. A visitor to Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed cautions, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find tent camping sites in Hoosier National Forest?
Where can I find tent camping sites in Hoosier National Forest?
Hoosier National Forest offers diverse tent camping options. Charles C. Deam Wilderness provides primitive tent-only sites with both drive-up and hike-in options. Fire rings are available at official sites, though dispersed camping is also permitted following Leave No Trace principles. For those seeking water access, Pine Loop at Hardin Ridge offers excellent tent camping with various site options from walk-in to drive-in, plus access to Monroe Lake and a swimming beach. Additional options include Mitchell Creek Road for roadside dispersed camping and Sundance Lake for more secluded experiences. The forest has both developed campgrounds with basic amenities and dispersed camping areas for a more rustic experience.
Is camping allowed near Berry Ridge Road in Hoosier National Forest?
Is camping allowed near Berry Ridge Road in Hoosier National Forest?
Yes, camping is allowed near Berry Ridge Road in Hoosier National Forest. Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping offers primitive dispersed camping opportunities. Similar to other dispersed camping areas in Hoosier National Forest, like Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed, these are not developed campgrounds but rather roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no amenities such as restrooms, official fire rings, or picnic tables. Small vehicles with self-contained camping setups work best in these areas. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles and check with the Forest Service for any seasonal restrictions or current regulations before your trip.
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Hoosier National Forest?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hoosier National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hoosier National Forest is Happy Hollow Homestead with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Hoosier National Forest?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hoosier National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Hoosier National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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