Tent camping options abound in the Hoosier National Forest region surrounding Leopold, Indiana. The heavily forested landscape features limestone outcroppings, sinkholes, and elevation changes ranging from 400 to 900 feet above sea level. Most dispersed camping areas remain open year-round but access deteriorates significantly during winter months and spring thaw when forest service roads become difficult to navigate.
What to do
Explore waterways: The Blue River runs adjacent to Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping providing direct water access. One camper noted, "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: Early mornings at tent camping sites provide opportunities for spotting deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. The quiet areas near Mitchell Creek offer seclusion for wildlife watching, with one camper reporting, "Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there."
Hiking nearby trails: Newton-Stewart provides access to multiple hiking routes through mature hardwood forests. Nearby Hemlock Cliffs and Yellow Birch Ravine offer moderate terrain with unique geological features including rock shelters and seasonal waterfalls.
Fishing opportunities: Springs Valley Recreation Area permits fishing with restrictions. A visitor commented, "This is still a beautiful lake for hiking, fishing, and my favorite, kayaking. Electric motors only, so nice and quiet."
Star gazing: The limited light pollution around dispersed camping areas creates exceptional night sky viewing conditions, particularly during new moon phases.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Happy Hollow Homestead receives praise for spacious camping areas. One visitor mentioned, "We were all impressed with the land and how spaced out the camp sites were."
Tree coverage: Most tent sites feature substantial tree canopy, protecting campers from sun exposure. At Old Mill, campers appreciate that "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."
Natural water features: Several camping areas offer creek access. A Happy Hollow visitor mentioned, "We saw a beautiful creek with waterfall, bee hives and sinkholes."
Escape from technology: The limited cell coverage forces disconnection. One camper at Happy Hollow described it as "so nice to 'unplug' and enjoy talking with each other and making new friends."
Rustic amenities: Some sites offer basic but functional facilities. One Old Mill camper explained, "2 port a pots, no running water except the river in front of you."
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Paper maps are essential for navigating to most sites. A Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed camper advised, "Have a paper map handy, as there is no cell signal and GPS was spotty."
Vehicle limitations: Many dispersed sites cannot accommodate larger vehicles. One Mitchell Creek visitor warned, "I did not see any pull offs that would accommodate an RV of any size, and nothing large enough to turn a trailer around."
Road conditions: Access roads deteriorate quickly after precipitation. A camper noted, "A few of the pull offs I didn't explore because they were muddy or washed out after several days of rain."
Limited facilities: Most tent camping areas provide minimal amenities. A Mitchell Creek camper clarified, "There are just a couple of sites along the road. One is at the trail crossing for horses, hikers, and bikers. Its basically a make your own campsite."
Water sources: Potable water is scarce at most tent camping locations. Bring sufficient water supplies or treatment options, as natural water sources may be seasonal or contaminated.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yellowbank Creek offers riverside tent sites with shallow areas suitable for supervised water play and exploration.
Recreational structures: Happy Hollow provides unique play features. One family noted, "The kids loved the tire swing and tree web," while another mentioned "The tree web is a giant net about 15 feet in the air. My boys loved climbing up and laying in the web."
Safety considerations: Some areas feel more secure than others. A family camping at Happy Hollow reported, "The whole place felt safe and perfect for relaxation in the woods."
Weather preparedness: Summer temperatures typically range from 65-90°F with high humidity. Pack appropriate clothing and shelter for sudden thunderstorms common during warmer months.
Noise levels: Some campsites experience intermittent disruptions. One Old Mill camper observed, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site access restrictions: Most tent camping locations near Leopold have significant limitations for RVs. One visitor to Mitchell Creek noted, "It took me 20 from route 64 to find this place... After 5 min of driving on the very skinny gravel road y saw what it look like spots but Iam not sure really."
Alternative parking: Small campervans may access some areas where larger rigs cannot. At Happy Hollow, a camper with a "20' Ford Transit ModVan" reported, "We were nervous about bottoming in the dry creek bed on way to Walnut Grove area, but no problem."
Signal boosters: Cell service remains limited but may be improved with equipment. One camper reported, "With a weboost there was att and tmobile service," while another noted "One bar with cell booster."
