Best Dispersed Camping near Madison, IN

The rolling hills and forested landscapes surrounding Madison, Indiana provide a range of dispersed camping options within an hour's drive. The Knobstone Trail, often called "The Little AT" by locals, offers backpackers challenging terrain with continuous elevation changes and primitive camping spots along its route. Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping, located in the Hoosier National Forest, features secluded sites spaced far apart for privacy. Jackson Trailhead and Sundance Lake provide additional dispersed camping opportunities, with most sites requiring minimal preparation and offering true wilderness experiences rather than developed facilities.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites accessible via gravel roads that can become steep or difficult after rain. According to camper Amber R., "The road was gravel and steep at times," though her van conversion had "no trouble making it." Water availability fluctuates seasonally, particularly along the Knobstone Trail where hikers report that "water can become scarce in summer/fall months." Ticks are prevalent in spring and early summer, with one hiker noting they "got loads of them in April." Most dispersed sites follow strict pack-in, pack-out protocols with limited or no facilities, though some areas like Knobstone Trail access points provide basic amenities including drinking water and toilets.

Campers consistently praise the region for its solitude and natural setting. Berry Ridge Road sites receive particularly high ratings for privacy, with visitor April S. noting, "The sites are far enough apart that I truly felt like I had the woods all to myself." Many sites feature established fire rings and flat tent pads, though RV access is limited to smaller vehicles at most locations. Wildlife encounters are common, with coyotes frequently heard in evening hours. Weekend activity increases at some locations, particularly Sundance Lake where "activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting" according to one visitor. The Knobstone Trail earns recognition for its challenging terrain and scenic vistas, with hikers appreciating the "lovely vistas and lots of fossils on the trail and creek beds."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Madison, Indiana (7)

    1. Knobstone Trail

    4 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    31 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."

    2. Jackson Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Borden, IN
    30 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"

    3. Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    17 Reviews
    Freetown, IN
    48 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."

    4. Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Freetown, IN
    44 miles

    "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. BerryRidge Road Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Freetown, IN
    48 miles

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

    6. Ogala Horse Camp

    1 Review
    Freetown, IN
    43 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Madison, IN

12 Photos of 7 Madison Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Madison, IN

24 Reviews of 7 Madison Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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!

  • J
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Sundance 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.

  • 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!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    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.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!

  • j
    Aug. 9, 2021

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Berry ridge campground

    If you are into boondocking at all defiantly check out berry ridge it’s just south of brown county Indiana beautiful country mostly hills tons of camp spots sometimes half mile or more apart haven’t seen any snakes here either and the best part I haven’t seen any people!!!!! Haha camp spot is about 100ft off the main road with thick woods in between the road and the campsite even if someone drove by we wouldn’t see them no water or electric hookups plenty of wood lying around to use for a fire clean campsites all gravel roads

  • Brian S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2025

    Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot

    This was a great place to car camp while driving across USA. The main spot was full but I found a great pull off spot a lil further. I came across at least 5 lil spots. There a nice trail meandering next to road.


Guide to Madison

Dispersed camping near Madison, Indiana offers opportunities in several areas of the Hoosier National Forest. Terrain varies from rolling hills to ravines with elevation changes of 300-600 feet across most sites. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions. Winter camping remains possible with temperatures rarely dropping below 20°F for extended periods.

What to do

Hiking forest trails: At Knobstone Trail, hikers encounter challenging terrain with multiple access points. "The KT is rugged and has lots of elevation gains over short distances," notes Maris H., who recommends bringing water filtration equipment due to seasonal variations in water quality.

Wildlife observation: Morning hours provide optimal wildlife viewing opportunities. Small mammals, deer, and numerous bird species frequent most sites. Camper Reuben R. from Berry Ridge Road reports, "Every night at around 5pm I would hear rustling in the leaves, I assumed it was a pack of cayotes and they would leave once I started banging on stuff."

Seasonal foraging: Spring brings morel mushrooms while fall offers pawpaws and persimmons in mature forest areas. Always verify species before consuming. Steven G. notes that at Sundance Lake, "On the weekends, the activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting."

What campers like

Site privacy: Campers value the separation between sites. "The perfect dispersed site for my way through, quiet and peaceful," writes Samuel C. about Berry Ridge Road. Another camper, Ozzie L., confirms: "Each site is fairly far apart. It's really quite only seen a handful of cars drive by and I've stayed here for 2 nights."

Accessibility with seclusion: Primitive camping near Madison, Indiana offers sites that balance accessibility with wilderness feel. Brian S. notes about BerryRidge Road Dispersed Camping, "This was a great place to car camp while driving across USA. The main spot was full but I found a great pull off spot a lil further. I came across at least 5 lil spots."

Minimal traffic: Most dispersed sites experience limited vehicle traffic, especially midweek. David S. describes BerryRidge Road as "A hidden gem. Just a few sites along the road minimum traffic encountered."

What you should know

Water availability: Water sources require treatment before consumption. No potable water exists at most sites. Knobstone Trail hikers should note that "You're never too far from water, although the quality may differ depending on the time of year," according to Maris H.

Navigation challenges: Some sites prove difficult to locate without proper directions. Desert B. attempted to find Knobstone Trail and reported: "I drove back and forth on the road several times looking for this place. The only thing I found was what I believe was the entrance with a cable across it."

Campsite conditions: Jackson Trailhead requires exploration to find suitable spots. "There's parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. There are campsites along the trail just have to find them," explains Logan.

Limited facilities: True primitive camping means no amenities. Julie from Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping explains the area has "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."

Tips for camping with families

Fire safety precautions: Most sites permit fires in established rings only. Collect only downed wood from surrounding area. "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," shares Jeremy F. about Berry Ridge Road.

Insect preparation: Pack repellent and conduct tick checks after outdoor activities. Long sleeves and pants recommended even in warm weather. Maris H. warns about Knobstone Trail: "Watch out for ticks. My dogs and I got loads of them in April 2020 from Leota to Spurgeon Hollow."

Site selection for comfort: Choose sites with flat areas for tents. Susan C. from Knobstone Trail suggests, "The sites are spacious, and there are a lot of nature things to do."

Tips from RVers

Vehicle access limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate small to medium vehicles only. Large RVs should seek established campgrounds instead. At Berry Ridge Road, James W. emphasizes: "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."

Road conditions: Many access roads become challenging after rainfall. High-clearance vehicles recommended for several areas. Amber R. shares her Berry Ridge Road experience: "I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times."

Size considerations: Smaller conversion vans and truck campers fare best at these primitive sites. Palynn F. confirms about Berry Ridge Road: "Not very big, I would not bring a Rv here especially after rain."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Madison, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Madison, IN is Knobstone Trail with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Madison, IN?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Madison, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.