Dispersed camping opportunities near North Vernon, Indiana include secluded sites within Hoosier National Forest, about 35 miles west of the city. The rolling hills of southern Indiana provide natural drainage and terrain ideal for tent setups, with elevations ranging from 500-800 feet. The area typically sees mild springs and falls with summer temperatures averaging in the 80s and moderate humidity.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping provides access to walking trails connecting many camping areas. "There are a couple walking trails around, as well 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," notes camper Ozzie L.
Wildlife observation: First-time campers often encounter local fauna at Berry Ridge Road Dispersed Camping. A solo camper reported, "Solo camped here with my dogs. First time I've ever been camping but this spot was really cool. Clean. Secluded and peaceful, though every night at around 5pm I would hear rustling in the leaves, I assumed it was a pack of cayotes."
Morel hunting: Spring visitors to Charles C. Deam Wilderness can search for prized morel mushrooms while hiking. "We visited during mid-April, perfect for finding morels. The trails are well paved and marked, not too strenuous," says Hannah F.
Rock collecting: Creek exploration in the wilderness areas offers opportunities for finding unique geodes. "I walked the creek for hours just looking at all the rocks on the sandbars. I have never encountered so many geodes in my life," shares Sarah R.
What campers like
Seclusion between sites: Tent camping in North Vernon area forests often means substantial privacy. At Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites, "Very secluded, I got there in a sedan. I pulled in at midnight in a sedan in the winter and i was able to safely find my way," reports Jimmy H.
Beginner-friendly dispersed camping: Many sites are accessible without specialized vehicles. "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," explains james W. about Berry Ridge Road.
Natural camping surfaces: The forest floor provides comfortable tent camping near North Vernon. One camper at Hickory Ridge noted it's a "Good spot to get some quiet time to learn/hone skills or for some good quality time with the family while being plugged into nature and unplugged from their electronics."
Proximity to water features: Some sites offer access to lakes or ponds. At Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping, campers find "A quiet little lake/big pond in the Hoosier National Forest with a few spots to camp," according to Steven G.
What you should know
Water availability: Most dispersed sites require bringing all water. One camper at Berry Ridge noted, "No toilet but good reception" - highlighting the primitive nature of these sites where all supplies must be packed in.
Weather considerations: Rain can significantly impact camping conditions and access roads. At Charles C. Deam Wilderness, a visitor warned, "The only negative was that we came after a lot of rain. So everything is permanently wet and mosquitos/ticks abounded."
Road conditions: Some locations require careful navigation. At Morgan-Monroe State Forest, a camper noted, "If you have a small camper (15' or smaller) there would more sites. There is a dump station, but I barely got in to dump. So not real RV friendly."
Parking limitations: Several locations have strict parking restrictions. One visitor to Charles C. Deam Wilderness cautioned, "Come Friday you'll be fighting for a spot or face an $80 fine for parking on the roadway. More parking is a necessity with the amount of dispersed campers."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly sites: Several areas offer good first-time camping experiences. "Bunch of little spots along this road to pull into. Set up with tent and vehicle. Just trees knocking, bugs curling and frogs croaking," reported Ax H. about Berry Ridge Road.
Weekend planning: Family tent camping near North Vernon requires advance planning for holidays and summer weekends. A Sundance Lake visitor observed, "On the weekends, the activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting."
Lake access for swimming: Monroe Lake provides recreational opportunities for kids at several sites. At Ransburg Scout Reservation, "Located on Monroe lake, they have canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing. Lots of fun activities to do, and great hiking trails," reports Margo B.
Educational opportunities: Forest settings provide learning experiences for children. Hickory Ridge offers spots where families can be "plugged into nature and unplugged from their electronics" according to one reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Many dispersed sites accommodate only small trailers or vans. At Berry Ridge Road, a camper noted, "I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at most forest sites. At Morgan-Monroe State Forest, a camper observed, "I was slightly disappointed by the site selections being mostly on a slant, but we did find one on the overfill site that suited our needs."
Smaller rigs preferred: Class B and small trailers under 20 feet have more site options. One Morgan-Monroe camper advised, "Our camper is about 25' and it was tight get in and out of the campground. If you have a small camper (15' or smaller) there would more sites."
Generator restrictions: Check rules before bringing generators to forest camping areas. A visitor with a Winnebago at Morgan-Monroe reported, "This park is not for large rigs, but we had no trouble fitting into our small camper. This is a great place to camp and hike, although there is no electric hookup we had a generator that we used sparklingly."
