Primitive dispersed camping areas near Underwood, Indiana provide rustic camping opportunities within Hoosier National Forest's varied terrain. The forest features rolling hills with elevation changes between 400-800 feet and mixed hardwood forests dominated by oak and hickory trees. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing while summer brings high humidity with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F, creating seasonal challenges for backcountry campers.
What to do
Trail exploration: Peninsula Trail offers excellent backpacking with designated sites along its route. "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," explains one Peninsula Trail camper. "CAmpsites 10,11,12,13 are very accessible with a short hike and are fantastic spots."
Bird watching: Rustic camping areas around Underwood provide habitat for numerous bird species. The secluded nature of Hickory Ridge Primitive Dispersed Campsites makes it ideal for wildlife observation. One visitor notes, "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!"
Fishing access: Several primitive sites provide lake access where anglers can fish. At Sundance Lake, you'll find "a quiet little lake/big pond in the Hoosier National Forest with a few spots to camp." The concrete pad remnants make for convenient fishing platforms during warmer months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention the isolation between camping spots in this region. A Berry Ridge Road visitor reports, "Beautiful secluded site that is pretty far off of the road, but not too far. There was no traffic or other people in site." Another camper praises the privacy: "If you are into boondocking at all defiantly check out berry ridge... tons of camp spots sometimes half mile or more apart."
Natural surroundings: The undeveloped settings provide true forest immersion. One Peninsula Trail camper appreciates that "Light pollution is pretty low however, so good stargazing." Another notes these primitive sites offer "relaxing campsites on the lake."
Free accommodations: Most dispersed sites cost nothing. A camper at Horse Camp Rd Dispersed simply states it's a "Cool place" while another visitor to BerryRidge Road calls it "A hidden gem. Just a few sites along the road minimum traffic encountered."
What you should know
Vehicle considerations: Many access roads require careful driving. One camper at Berry Ridge Road explains: "I have a promaster conversion and had no trouble making it to this site, however the road was gravel and steep at times." Another notes these are "all gravel roads."
Water availability: Plan to bring your own water supply. Regarding Knobstone Trail, one hiker advises: "You're never too far from water, although the quality may differ depending on the time of year. Watch out for ticks."
Trailhead navigation: Some trailheads can be challenging to locate. A frustrated visitor to Jackson Trailhead reports: "Maybe 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."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose established sites with flat areas for family tents. A camper at Hickory Ridge recommends it as 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."
Trail difficulty: Consider children's hiking abilities when selecting trails. Knobstone Trail can be challenging as one hiker notes: "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."
Weekend planning: Weekdays offer quieter primitive camping experiences. At Sundance Lake Dispersed Camping, "On the weekends, the activity picked up with a lot of partying and hunting." Similarly, Peninsula Trail campers mention that "drunk boat people show up in the summer."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Smaller trailers or truck campers work best on forest roads. A Berry Ridge camper cautions: "I wouldn't be trying to pull a travel trailer back into here unless it was very small." Another adds, "Multiple campsites in the area... some sites, at least one, could fit a pretty good sized camper."
Self-sufficiency: Bring everything needed for your stay. As one primitive camper emphasizes: "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."
Seasonal road conditions: Spring rains can make forest roads impassable for RVs. One camper warns that they "would not bring a Rv here especially after rain." Gravel forest roads deteriorate quickly in wet conditions.
