Blackwell Campground in Hoosier National Forest provides equestrian camping opportunities with connecting trails throughout the forest. Located near Bloomington, Indiana in the rolling hills of the Midwest, Blackwell sits at approximately 700 feet elevation in a region characterized by forested ridges and limestone valleys. The campground serves as a basecamp for both horseback riders and hikers with direct access to the trail system from two separate trailheads.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: The Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers multiple hiking opportunities with varied difficulty levels. "We visited during mid-April, perfect for finding morels. The trails are well paved and marked, not too strenuous. So many beautiful trees and plants to see, plus lots of creeks to walk through," notes Hannah F. about Charles C. Deam Wilderness.
Enjoy water activities: Monroe Lake provides fishing and boating options near many of the horse campgrounds near Jasonville, Indiana. "Located on Monroe lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing," explains Margo B. about Ransburg Scout Reservation.
Wildlife viewing: The forested areas around Jasonville camping areas offer excellent bird watching. "Screech owls and active birds made it an exciting evening," shares Josie W. from Blackwell Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many equestrian campgrounds maintain excellent sanitation standards. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," reports Samantha S. from Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Spacious sites: Most horse-friendly camping areas near Jasonville feature well-spaced sites. "We took our van and stayed at Turkey Run for a three night weekend. We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private," continues Samantha S.
Affordability: Free or low-cost camping options exist throughout the region. "I found this place a few years ago and it has become my local go to. It is free camping and first come first serve," mentions Joe B. about Blackwell Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Campground conditions vary throughout the year. "If you're a solar person, this is your spot! It's a giant open field with vault toilets. If you're looking for shade or here in the summer months, you may try elsewhere as there is not much shade to be had," advises Juniper L. about Blackwell Campground.
Water availability: Plan your water needs carefully. "No water hook ups had to drive to Hardin 3 miles over and pay $5 for their shower and water for our horses," notes Cj H.
Trail conditions: Weather impacts accessibility. "Unfortunately due to some storm damage, trails were rerouted or straight up inaccessible," reports Noah Y. from Charles C. Deam Wilderness.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose sites that accommodate family needs. "We had site 94, which was right next to the bathhouse. It had almost a whole extra campsite's worth of space next to it for my kids to run around," recommends Kaley A. from Yellowwood State Forest.
Activity planning: Schedule outdoor activities strategically. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning/early afternoon," suggests Samantha S.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "There's several camping loops. There's a horse camp also. Several picnic spots by the lake," describes Cynthia K. about Yellowwood State Forest.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Some sites require extra effort to level. "It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end. The site was huge but given the unevenness it would be difficult for tents," notes Michelle M. from Turkey Run State Park.
Hookup limitations: Electrical service varies by location. "Great boondocking spot, plenty of flat land making leveling easy. Wide open so solar charging was easy," explains The Wandering Shores about Blackwell Campground.
Camp store access: Some equestrian campgrounds near Jasonville maintain limited supplies. "The Red Bud area also has a small camp store (not open during our visit, so not sure of their offerings)," mentions Stephen & Theresa B.
