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Best Dispersed Camping near Owensboro, KY

6 Reviews

Dispersed camping areas around Owensboro, Kentucky are primarily found across the state line in southern Indiana, where the Hoosier National Forest offers several primitive camping opportunities. Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed provides free, undeveloped sites for tent camping within the national forest boundaries. These areas allow visitors to camp in natural settings without designated facilities or reservation systems. The closest dispersed camping options require traveling approximately 60-70 miles northeast of Owensboro into Indiana's public forestlands.

Access to Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed camping involves navigating narrow gravel roads that may become difficult after rainfall. Most sites are small roadside pull-offs suitable for tents and small vehicles rather than trailers or RVs. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for certain sections, particularly after weather events. No drinking water, restrooms, or other amenities are available, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fires are permitted at Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed, but seasonal restrictions may apply during dry periods.

The camping experience in these areas features secluded forest settings with proximity to natural features like Mitchell Creek and nearby hiking trails. Sites are situated in thick woodland with rock outcroppings along creek beds. Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout the region, making paper maps essential for navigation. Visitors should be prepared for varying conditions, including seasonal mud and limited turnaround space. According to reviews from The Dyrt, "This is quiet, secluded, and beautiful. While I was exploring and camping on this road, only two vehicles passed during the entire 16 hours." Another review notes these are "basically make your own campsite" locations, emphasizing their primitive nature.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Owensboro, Kentucky (3)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Owensboro, KY

6 Reviews of 3 Owensboro Campgrounds

  • Jaymi A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Perfect for Invisible Boondocking

    This 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.

  • Tommy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Limited dispersed sites

    Mitchell 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!

  • Sofia A.
    Oct. 23, 2020

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Nice but nope

    It 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.

  • S
    Apr. 7, 2024

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    It’s a very spartan spot

    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.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    Small pull off on the side of a gravel road.

    This is a bare bones location. There was evidence of a homemade fire pit and a small cleared area. 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. Very quiet, only 2 vehicles passed by in the 36 hours I was there. 38.515995, -85.870726, 871 ft

  • P
    May. 7, 2021

    Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

    There is no camp ground

    There are just a couple of sites along the road. One is at the trail crossing for horses, hikers, and bikers. Its basically a make your own campsite. Ok place if you like to really rough it.

Guide to Owensboro

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Owensboro, Kentucky, where nature lovers can find secluded spots to unwind and explore. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you're sure to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Dispersed campers should check out Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed

  • This area features a serene creek and flat terrain, making it suitable for tent camping, though amenities are minimal. Check it out at Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed.

Perfect for Invisible Boondocking at Mitchell Creek Road

  • If you're looking for a quiet escape, the pull-offs along Mitchell Creek provide a peaceful setting, ideal for small, self-contained vehicles. Explore this hidden gem at Mitchell Creek Road.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Owensboro, Kentucky

  • Be prepared for a rugged experience, as some sites like those along Mitchell Creek may require a bit of effort to access, with no established facilities available. Plan your visit to Mitchell Creek Road Dispersed for a true back-to-nature experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Owensboro, KY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Owensboro, KY is Hoosier National Forest with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Owensboro, KY?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Owensboro, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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