Best Tent Camping near New Pekin, IN
Backcountry tent camping opportunities near New Pekin, Indiana include several established tent campgrounds and dispersed sites within the Hoosier National Forest region. Old Mill Tent and Hammock Camping provides shaded sites with fire rings and picnic tables along Blue River, while Berry Ridge Road offers free dispersed camping with multiple primitive tent sites on public forest land.
Most primitive tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities like fire pits but limited facilities otherwise. Old Mill provides portable toilets but no running water or showers. Berry Ridge Road dispersed sites require pack-in, pack-out practices with no water sources or bathroom facilities. Access to most sites requires driving on gravel or dirt roads that may become difficult after rainfall. Sites at Happy Hollow Homestead offer drinking water and showers, making it more suitable for tent campers wanting basic comforts while still experiencing a forest setting. A recent review noted: "The campground is very secluded right off Blue River... Sites are relatively close but you still have plenty of your own space."
The tent camping experience varies significantly across locations near New Pekin. Dispersed sites at Mitchell Creek Road and Berry Ridge provide the most secluded options but require self-sufficiency. These areas feature thick forest cover and creek access but minimal improvements. Sites are typically flat enough for tent setup, though some terrain may be rocky or uneven. Tent campers seeking more solitude should explore the multiple sites along Berry Ridge Road, where one camper observed "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." Most backcountry tent sites in Hoosier National Forest allow campfires when no bans are in effect, and many provide access to hiking trails through forested terrain.
