Camping This Time of Year

[Butch627]

I usually prefer to camp in the state forests as far away from everyone else as I can, I have a small popup trailer and I am fully self contained. I called a couple of my favorite state forests and they are very busy this time of year with hunters. I am in NWI and looking for solitude and a place to ride my mountain bike and hike and sight see and maybe some target shooting. Shooting could be with pellet guns if firearms would be an issue. I called Brown County State Park and they said that they are pretty crowded almost year round and mentioned maybe looking into Monroe. Id prefer to not go too far South for driving time but what recommendations do you guys have? Id like to take about 4 or 5 days in the next several weeks.

 

[KittySlayer]

Maybe Salamonie. For mountain biking there is the Bloodroot Trail which we regularly hike and rarely see anyone hiking or riding. Roush shooting range is 20 minutes away.

 

[Mark-DuCo]

McCormick's creeks is a nice campground, No idea how crowded it is with hunters though. They do leave a bathroom and shower house open until after Thanksgiving according to the DNR website if you would want a warm bathroom or shower.

I do a lot of winter camping in my pop up as well, but I usually stay in the Southern part of the state.

 

[Frosty]

You could try turkey Run, there’s no hunting allowed there, so it’s not as likely to be busy with hunters. Shades state park may be another alternative, I didn’t check to see if you can hunt there, but I don’t think so.

 

[model1994]

Hoosier Nat'l Forest has plenty of dispersed camping. I'd say it's worth the drive if you want proper isolation, and not much further than Brown County. Along 446 south of Deam Wilderness (no camping there) is as far as you need to go without scouting a spot first. That section north of HW 58 has better access roads and sites are obvious as you drive around. But, the stretch south of Shoals can be more remote and has better views, once you know your way around.

 

[model1994]

Starve Hollow SRA is my secret spot if you prefer a developed campground but one that isn't packed this time of year like the parks

 

[BigRed]

Yellowwood

 

[KittySlayer]

Yellowwood

My favorite destination. Try to get on the Tecumseh trail whenever I can. Even at the height of fall colors when Brown County is overwhelmed Yellowwood is not crowded.

 

[Butch627]

Pushing my trip, now the week of Nov 14 through the 18th. I guess my window of warm weather is over but hoping for some more suggestions. I believe hunting season will still be open in the state forests so I would like to avoid them and find basic dispersed or empty camping spots elsewhere in central to Southern In or even Kentucky

 

[Mark-DuCo]

Pushing my trip, now the week of Nov 14 through the 18th. I guess my window of warm weather is over but hoping for some more suggestions. I believe hunting season will still be open in the state forests so I would like to avoid them and find basic dispersed or empty camping spots elsewhere in central to Southern In or even Kentucky

Celina campground in Perry county has a few dispersed spots and plenty of regular camping spots that are fairly spread out, there is hunting alowed around there though in the Hoosier National Forest.

 

[xwing]

Hoosier Nat'l Forest has plenty of dispersed camping. I'd say it's worth the drive if you want proper isolation, and not much further than Brown County. Along 446 south of Deam Wilderness (no camping there) is as far as you need to go without scouting a spot first. That section north of HW 58 has better access roads and sites are obvious as you drive around. But, the stretch south of Shoals can be more remote and has better views, once you know your way around.

They allow both dispersed camping (in addition to the campgrounds) and target shooting in most of Hoosier National Forest.

Maps

Rules

 

[Butch627]

As of now Im planning on heading to Monroe Lake for at least a couple of days at a non electric site and then maybe Brown County which seems to be fairly empty. I am really pressed for time and only skimmed Monroe Lake on the DNR website. Any info anyone can share would be appreciated? What is the firewood situation there?

 

[model1994]

As of now Im planning on heading to Monroe Lake for at least a couple of days at a non electric site and then maybe Brown County which seems to be fairly empty. I am really pressed for time and only skimmed Monroe Lake on the DNR website. Any info anyone can share would be appreciated? What is the firewood situation there?

I used to work there so I can answer about any question. Monroe lake is a flood control reservoir leased from US Army Corps of Engineers - since federal property you technically can't carry a firearm. That's about the only rule people aren't be familiar with. No fires in non-designated areas (rings). Firewood is available at "Geralds Wood Shed" along 446 or at Fishin' Shedd (entrance of Paynetown), but not in the park. Monroe Lake property is 25,000acre, 14,000 of which is land depending on flood level - it extends all the way to Brown County State Park, even.

 

[Butch627]

I was planning on Monroe but stopped as I passed Owen Putnam, fish campground was empty so I stayed. Had a group of about 10 Asians camp a few spots away there for a few days hunting. Nice neighbors but had some very peculiar hunting habits and though they ate very well I don't think they got a deer. Used Big Buddy heater, heated great but takes up too much room, I need to rig up one of those diesel hot air heaters for next time.