Solsberry, Indiana camping opportunities span across Hoosier National Forest with varied terrain of rolling hills, dense woodland, and sandstone formations. Elevation ranges from 500-800 feet, creating diverse microclimates within camping areas. Primitive camping in the region offers solitude with limited cell service, while established campgrounds provide amenities like electric hookups and shower facilities.
What to do
Hiking trails with water features: Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers exceptional hiking with creek exploration opportunities. "We 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," notes one visitor who explored the Patton Cave trail.
Boat rental and fishing: Paynetown Campground offers various water activities with rental options. "If you don't have a boat they offer pontoons, canoes and kayaks for rent. We'll definitely be back!" shares a camper who appreciated the convenient water access.
Swimming at the aquatic center: Shakamak State Park includes a large swimming facility for warm weather camping trips. "There's no beach, but they have an enormous pool. It has slides & everything," mentions a visitor who enjoyed the family aquatic center when the weather was suitable for swimming.
What campers like
Secluded wilderness camping: Charles C. Deam Wilderness provides authentic backcountry experiences. "Once on trail I didn't see another soul past a couple hundred feet of the trail head and only heard a pair of hikers on the trail pass my camp site as I ate my breakfast," reports a backpacker who enjoyed the solitude.
Free camping options: Blackwell Campground offers no-cost camping with basic amenities. "It is free camping and first come first serve. There are vault toilets. Plenty of space to spread out," notes a regular visitor who uses this as their local go-to camping spot.
Lake access and beaches: Hardin Ridge provides direct water access for swimming. "This campground is on the south side of Monroe lake and has beach access. I tent camped solo and everything went great!" shares a camper who appreciated the designated swimming areas.
What you should know
Site selection timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "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," advises a long-time visitor to Yellowwood State Forest.
Weather considerations: Storms can impact trail conditions and campsite accessibility. "Unfortunately due to some storm damage, trails were rerouted or straight up inaccessible," reports a visitor to Charles C. Deam Wilderness who still managed to find alternative sites.
Campground rules enforcement: Expectations for behavior vary by location. "They do expect every rule to be followed at all times and will tell you to pack up and leave if you are an asshole about noise, dogs, etc.," warns a camper about Hardin Ridge's approach to maintaining a peaceful environment.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities planning: Yogi Bears at Lake Monroe focuses on kid-friendly amenities. "It is definitely for kids. They have a huge splash park, wading pool for toddlers, and a 4 foot pool besides tons of interactive activities for kids," explains a parent who visited with their family.
Age-appropriate campground selection: Different campgrounds cater to specific age groups. "Nice family campground overall, but really geared toward the 8 and under crowd," notes a visitor to Yogi Bears who brought teenagers, suggesting families with older children might prefer other options.
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer structured programming for children. "The activity center has programs all the time and there is always something going on there," shares a repeat visitor to Paynetown who appreciates the organized activities for keeping children engaged.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Taylor Ridge Campground requires preparation for uneven terrain. "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 an RV camper who visited with a small travel trailer.
Hookup considerations: Campsites may have unusual utility placement. "If you want your door facing the fire pit - the electric box is in an awkward place," notes a Shakamak State Park visitor recommending extension cords for practical setup.
Site selection for privacy: Different campground loops offer varying experiences. "The site we stayed in was lovely. It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view. Driving through the campground it looks like there are some sites pretty close together but ours wasn't too bad," reports a Taylor Ridge camper who found a private spot despite some areas having less separation between sites.
