Join the fun near Patoka Lake. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Patoka Lake. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
Hoosier National Forest North Face Loop Campground
29 min away
Sleeping Bear Retreat
35 min away
"This is NOT a campground, but just roadside pull-offs on public land. There are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities."
"Spot has a creek and is flat enough for a tent mostly just a single person spot no toilets. Road south coming in was destroyed some time ago have to w yer from east or west road."
"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."
"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."
"there’s parking after a decrepit gravel road and suitable for camping. there are campsites along the trail just have to find them"
"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"
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.
RangerMost 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.
TravelerThe 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!
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.
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!
ScoutWent there with my kids and wife, we had a really great time. 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. Definitely would make this a must to visit.
RangerIt took me 20 from route 64 to find this place. If you are solo female traveler don’t even waste your time. After 5 min of driving on the very skinny gravel road y saw what it look like spots but Iam not sure really. 10 min later I got to the coordinates and there was nothing, not seven an opening just more road. Y just keep driving till I got back to 64 and found a Cracker Barrel 17 miles away.
TravelerMaybe Google Maps took me to the wrong place (probably not). 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. There was no place to park otherwise.
TravelerThere are designated camping sites found in the forest maps
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Patoka Lake in Indiana, where nature lovers can enjoy a more rugged and secluded outdoor experience. With various options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does dispersed camping differ from staying at Patoka Lake's modern campground?
Dispersed camping at Patoka Lake offers a more primitive experience compared to the modern campground. At areas like BerryRidge Road Dispersed Camping, you'll find minimal or no amenities - no restrooms, fire rings (in some areas), picnic tables, or other facilities. Sites are often just roadside pull-offs on public land. Self-containment is essential as you need to bring all supplies including water, as dispersed sites may be a long walk from water sources. Grub Ridge trails feature widely separated, primitive sites with only fire rings, providing extreme privacy unlike the more developed, closer-together sites at modern campgrounds. Be prepared for true backcountry camping with no services.
Where are dispersed camping areas located at Patoka Lake?
Dispersed camping areas at Patoka Lake are located in several areas around the lake. Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed offers roadside pull-offs on public land, with small sites along the gravel road and near creek crossings. Some sites are located at trail crossings for horses, hikers, and bikers. Peninsula Trail provides marked campsites that are spaced far apart for privacy, offering a remote feel despite occasional sound from the main road over the lake. These dispersed sites are primarily suited for small vehicles or tent camping, with limited space for larger RVs.
Is there a map available for dispersed camping sites at Patoka Lake?
Yes, forest maps are available that show designated dispersed camping sites around Patoka Lake. Knobstone Trail and its camping areas are marked on these maps, which helps hikers locate appropriate camping spots along the challenging trail system. Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites are also included on these maps, making them accessible even for late-night arrivals. Contact the Hoosier National Forest office or visit their website to obtain the most current maps before your trip, as these resources are essential for locating the unmarked and sometimes difficult-to-find dispersed sites.
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