Dispersed camping options near Bedford, Indiana range from basic sites with vault toilets to established campgrounds with water access. The Hoosier National Forest elevation varies between 400-700 feet, creating rolling terrain with oak-hickory forests. Summertime highs typically reach 80-85°F with humidity, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures with occasional severe storms.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: 3.5 miles from Hardin Ridge on Monroe Lake where visitors can utilize the boat launch with dock. Campers can rent boats or bring their own. "We went fishing down by the ramp and caught a mess of bluegill which we fried up back at the campsite," reports one visitor.
Frontier village exploration: 10 miles south at Spring Mill State Park Campground featuring working corn mill demonstrations. "There is a cave tour also on offer in which you ride thru the cave system in a boat. Yes there are even lifevests for customer to wear! There is even an amazing pioneer village to explore where an original corn mill stands and you can buy freshly ground corm mill," notes one camper.
Wilderness hiking: Access multiple trail systems at Charles C. Deam Wilderness with routes ranging from 2-6 miles. "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. Truly magnificent to encounter," shares one hiker who explored Patton Cave Trail.
Family beach days: Paynetown Campground on Monroe Lake includes a designated swimming beach with dedicated amenities. "Me and my wife came to Indiana to visit with family. We all met up at the campground there was 5 of us, the lot we got was small but still good size big enough to fit 2 tents and have plenty of room for our camp fire."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Berry Ridge Road offers free dispersed camping with significant separation between 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," explains one visitor who appreciated the solitude.
Lakefront camping: Sites at Starve Hollow State Rec Area Campground provide direct water access. "We stayed in site 21 which was right on the lake. All the lake front spots seem to have a good amount lakefront footage. We probably had at least 40 feet," notes a camper who enjoyed fishing from their site.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours provide opportunities for wildlife sightings throughout the region. "Wake early to see the sun rise over the lake," recommends one Starve Hollow camper who enjoyed the dawn atmosphere.
Recreational variety: Most campgrounds feature multiple activity options beyond basic camping. "This campground is on the south side of Monroe lake and has beach access. I tent camped solo and everything went great!" shares a Hardin Ridge visitor.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many sites throughout the region require leveling equipment. "This campground is kept clean. There is a cave tour also on offer in which you ride thru the cave system in a boat," notes a Spring Mill visitor. However, other reviews frequently mention uneven terrain.
Seasonal variations: Weather conditions affect accessibility from December-March. Sites with electric and water typically maintain hookups year-round, while primitive areas may become difficult to access. "This is a great campground. It deserves the 5 I gave it," explains a summer visitor to Starve Hollow.
Reservation timing: Book 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends at established campgrounds. First-come, first-served sites fill quickly on summer weekends. "If you want to reserve a site, I highly suggest you do it very early in the season, esp. if you are including a weekend."
Road conditions: Access to Blackwell Campground and Berry Ridge requires navigating gravel roads. "I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times," reports one camper about Berry Ridge Road.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly setup: Look for campgrounds with nearby bathrooms. "The site was walking distance from showers/bathroom. The park as a whole is beautiful and there's a trailhead that's walking distance from the campsite that leads down a beautiful trail to a lake," explains a visitor to Taylor Ridge Campground.
Educational opportunities: Schedule visits around ranger programs. "They had a Smokey the Bear program for the kids and some really fun activities at the nature center while we were there. We were able to rent a paddle boat for $8/hr and saw tons of turtles!" shares a Spring Mill visitor.
Dedicated kid areas: Multiple playgrounds available at larger established campgrounds. "There is a little camp store with decent prices and lots for the kids to do," notes a Spring Mill camper.
Entertainment alternatives: Free Spirit Campground offers mini-golf and swimming pool. "Nice putt-putt course and they are finishing up a facelift on the inground pool," reports a recent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Research actual site dimensions before booking. "I would say pay particular attention to the size of the site you're booking as some were pretty small. Also, some sites were fairly sloped as well," advises a Taylor Ridge camper with a travel trailer.
Hookup logistics: Be prepared for challenging sewer connections at some campgrounds. "Whereas power and water were reasonably placed, the sewer was setup in a manner that waste water had to flow uphill," notes an RVer at Yogi Bears at Lake Monroe.
Maneuverability: Many older campgrounds have narrow interior roads. "The roads are not marked very well and it took a bit to find our site which needed level blocks and is just wide enough for the Rv."
Water access: Check water availability at dispersed sites. "No water hook ups had to drive to Hardin 3 miles over and pay $5 for their shower and water for our horses," reports a Blackwell Campground visitor.
