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Best Dispersed Camping near Mitchell, IN

39 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Mitchell, Indiana centers around Hoosier National Forest, where several free primitive sites exist along forest service roads and trails. Berry Ridge Road offers multiple secluded camping areas with established fire rings but no amenities. Peninsula Trail and Grub Ridge trails feature marked primitive sites accessible by hiking, with campsites situated far apart to maintain privacy. Horse Camp Road, Hickory Ridge, and Sundance Lake also provide dispersed camping opportunities within the forest boundaries.

Many access roads are unpaved gravel or dirt, requiring careful navigation especially after rain. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for certain areas, though some sites like Hickory Ridge Primitive are accessible with standard vehicles. Most dispersed sites include basic fire rings but lack drinking water, restrooms, or trash services. Campers must follow pack-in, pack-out principles and observe fire restrictions that may change seasonally. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage at higher elevations.

The forest setting provides secluded camping experiences with minimal light pollution for stargazing. Sites along Berry Ridge Road are particularly private, often separated by thick woods and considerable distance. Hikers can access backcountry sites along Peninsula Trail, which offers lakeside camping with views of Lake Monroe. "Very secluded, I got there in a sedan. Very nice drive during the day, hiking is fantastic," noted one camper about Hickory Ridge. Another visitor mentioned, "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." Wildlife sightings include deer and potentially rattlesnakes in some areas.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Mitchell, Indiana (14)

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22 Photos of 14 Mitchell Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Mitchell, IN

39 Reviews of 14 Mitchell 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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!

  • 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 Mitchell

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Mitchell, Indiana, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With a variety of options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.

Dispersed campers should check out Peninsula Trail

  • The Peninsula Trail offers marked campsites that are spaced far apart, ensuring privacy and a remote feel, perfect for those seeking solitude.
  • This area features easy access to trails, with the Peninsula Trail being beginner-friendly while the Grub Ridge Trail provides a moderate challenge for more experienced hikers.
  • Campsites along the lakeside are particularly appealing, although visitors should be mindful of occasional boaters along the shore.

Top activities while free camping near Mitchell

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the well-maintained trails at Horse Camp Rd Dispersed, where the natural beauty of Hoosier National Forest can be fully enjoyed.
  • Families can engage in primitive camping at Hickory Ridge, which provides a peaceful environment for quality time together while surrounded by nature.
  • For those looking for a more secluded experience, Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping offers a long, quiet road leading to beautiful sites, ideal for tent camping.

Scenic views for dispersed campers

  • The McPike Branch Dispersed Camping area is perfect for those who appreciate stunning natural landscapes and want to camp away from the hustle and bustle.
  • Campers at Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping can enjoy picturesque views and a tranquil atmosphere, making it a great spot for relaxation and reflection.
  • The Ogala Horse Camp provides access to scenic trails, allowing visitors to explore the beauty of the surrounding area while enjoying horseback riding or hiking.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Mitchell, IN is Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping with a 4.8-star rating from 17 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Mitchell, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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