Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Monroe Lake, IN is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Monroe Lake is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Monroe Lake, IN. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
"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. "
"Primitive camping at its finest. Long walk to the water so make sure you bring plenty of drinking water. Springs available in the valleys but watch for timber rattlesnakes."
"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."
"I pulled in at midnight in a sedan in the winter and i was able to safely find my way. Very nice drive during the day, hiking is fantastic!"
"A hidden gem. Just a few sites along the road minimum traffic encountered"
"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."
ScoutThis 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.
TravelerThe 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.
GuideFree 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!
TravelerNational 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.
ScoutMultiple 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
ScoutHuge sinkhole that makes for a cool look. Dry area for tent, not big enough for a camper but cool for car camping!
TravelerIf 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
ScoutThis 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.
RangerMitchell 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!
Discover the beauty of nature with dispersed camping near Monroe Lake in Indiana. This area offers a variety of secluded spots perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits or regulations apply to dispersed camping at Monroe Lake?
Dispersed camping at Monroe Lake follows typical Hoosier National Forest regulations. No special permits are required for dispersed camping in designated areas, but all sites operate on a pack-in, pack-out basis. At Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed, you'll find only roadside pull-offs on public land with no amenities - no restrooms, fire rings, or picnic tables. These sites are best for self-contained small vehicles. Similarly, at Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping, camping is primitive with minimal facilities. Standard forest regulations apply, including proper waste disposal, fire safety protocols, and typically a 14-day stay limit.
Where can I find dispersed camping areas around Monroe Lake?
Monroe Lake offers several dispersed camping areas in the surrounding Hoosier National Forest. Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping features multiple secluded sites spaced far apart, with spots for both tent camping and small campers. The sites are free, private, and provide adequate space for 2-3 vehicles. Another option is Peninsula Trail, which offers marked primitive campsites along both Peninsula Trail and Grub Ridge trails. These sites are very private with only fire rings provided, offering a remote wilderness experience despite occasional distant road noise from across the lake.
When is the best season for dispersed camping at Monroe Lake?
Late spring through early fall (May-October) offers the best conditions for dispersed camping at Monroe Lake. Summer provides full access to all sites and water activities, though weekends may be busier, especially at popular areas like McPike Branch Dispersed Camping. Spring camping offers wildflowers and more solitude, while fall brings spectacular foliage in the surrounding Hoosier National Forest. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to potentially difficult road conditions, especially on unpaved access roads like those leading to Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites. Be prepared for seasonal changes in water levels that may affect lake access.
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