Mitchell Creek Road provides dispersed tent camping on Hoosier National Forest land 4.5 miles northeast of Taswell, Indiana. The campsites consist of unmarked roadside clearings along unpaved forest roads that can accommodate small vehicles but not RVs or trailers. The terrain ranges from 600-850 feet elevation with limestone creek beds that may be dry during summer months.
What to do
Explore nearby caves: Take a short 17-mile drive from Mitchell Creek Road to Marengo Cave, which can be combined with camping at Old Mill Tent And Hammock Camping. "Close to Marengo Cave, the Indiana Shoe Tree and a bunch of Canoe trip companies," notes one camper.
Hike forest trails: Patton Cave Trail near Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers challenging terrain and natural features. A camper shares, "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."
Paddle Blue River: Multiple outfitters near Taswell offer canoe and kayak rentals on Blue River, which flows past Old Mill campground. "A canoe/kayaking company actually ends one of their river trips there so during the day it could be a bit noisy when those groups come in," explains a visitor.
What campers like
Secluded forest sites: Primitive sites provide maximum privacy with minimal disturbance. At Mitchell Creek Road, one camper noted, "Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there."
Tree cover for hammocks: Many camping areas offer excellent hammock options. At Happy Hollow Homestead, campers appreciate "how spaced out the camp sites were. The kids loved the tire swing and tree web."
Wildlife encounters: The forest areas around Taswell support diverse wildlife. In Charles C. Deam Wilderness, backpackers might find themselves completely alone as one camper reported, "once on trail I didn't see another soul past a couple hundred feet of the trail head."
Creek access: Many of the best tent camping spots near Taswell, Indiana are located near streams. At Old Mill, a reviewer appreciated that sites are "right off Blue River" and another mentioned it's a "nice size site with fire ring and picnic table. Lots of trees - so great tree canopy."
What you should know
Road conditions: Forest roads require careful navigation. Mitchell Creek Road has "very skinny gravel road" access, and after rain, some pull-offs become "muddy or washed out." One camper reported it took "20 minutes from route 64" to locate suitable camping.
Limited facilities: Most primitive camping requires complete self-sufficiency. At Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed, "there are no restrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, or other amenities," making it suitable only for experienced campers.
Cell service gaps: Connectivity is minimal throughout the area. One camper at Mitchell Creek noted, "No cell service at the site but there was a bar or two on the road just a few feet away. With a weboost there was att and tmobile service."
Insect activity: Bug populations vary by season. In Charles C. Deam Wilderness, a camper warned, "I walked the creek for hours just looking at all the rocks on the sandbars... The only negative was that we came after a lot of rain. So everything is permanently wet and mosquitos/ticks abounded."
Tips for camping with families
Check campground facilities: For families wanting more amenities, Ransburg Scout Reservation offers "canoeing, row boats, sailboats, motor boats, and skiing. Lots of fun activities to do, and great hiking trails. Their mess hall is top notch."
Consider established sites: Rather than roughing it at Mitchell Creek Road, families might prefer Happy Hollow Homestead where "Kerry took us on a kubota for a tour of the property. We saw a beautiful creek with waterfall, bee hives and sinkholes."
Pack extra water: No reliable water sources exist at primitive sites. Mitchell Creek itself may run low during dry periods, with one camper noting the site had "a creek and is flat enough for a tent," but water levels fluctuate seasonally.
Plan for complete disconnection: With limited cell service, prepare activities that don't require connectivity. At Happy Hollow, campers appreciated that "there is no cell service but it was so nice to 'unplug' and enjoy talking with each other and making new friends."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Small vehicle camping only at most dispersed sites. For Mitchell Creek Road, a camper warned, "I did not see any pull offs that would accommodate an RV of any size, and nothing large enough to turn a trailer around."
Consider Hardin Ridge: For RV camping options near Taswell, Pine Loop at Hardin Ridge Recreation Area offers "campsites from walk-ins to drive-ins to FCFS with or without electricity/water. Plenty of shade in a very quiet surrounding."
Prepare for rugged access: Forest roads may damage larger vehicles. One visitor to Mitchell Creek Road described their experience: "One pull off was nearly too small to turn around my small pick up truck."
