How to Dispersed Camp in National Forests (Especially Hoosier National Forest)

Being an Indiana native, I get a lot of questions about Indiana Hoosier National Forest because it's kind of my stomping grounds. So, this week, I wanted to talk somewhat specifically about Hoosier National Forest and how to get out exploring and dispersed camping in it. However, the stuff I'm going to discuss is general enough that it pretty much applies to most National Forests, so it should be helpful for everyone.
If you've got specific questions or additional ideas of things that may be helpful that I missed, post up in the comments below!
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[@theweirdoutdoors]

I recognize that sink hole in the background. Spent 2 nights there at the beginning of the month (about a 2 hour drive from me). We did the same thing cleaned when we got there cleaned when we left. Glad to see more people doing the right thing

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Glad to hear it! That is a pretty nice spot. I'm liking it and it's a ways off the road which is nice. Thanks for doing the right thing!

[@teresameyer8940]

Will be camping in Hoosier National Forest in the near future. Thanks for the tips. I will leave the campsite clean and tidy!

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Appreciate it! Have fun!

[@HEKNBAK]

Just discovered you when this video popped up! Lifelong Hoosiers and campers, and new youtubers sharing our travels. Hoosier is one of our favorite places and so glad to hear others trying to protect it. Looking forward to checking out more of your videos.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Hey fellow Hoosier! Welcome and thanks for the kind words!

[@chrism6909]

Awesome thanks for the insight. I appreciate you taking the time to make this video. Cheers!!

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@SixOverland]

Great tips! Can’t wait to get back to my home state to explore in the Hoosier National Forest!

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Hit me up and I can show you some spots!

[@steveeichelberger806]

Good tips. Another important thing is to learn what is private land and what is public land. Also what is a ‘legal’ Forest Service road and what is not. The National Forest service has an online interactive map on their website that has detailed information about the roads. GAIA GPS app has overlays that show Motor Vehicle Use maps for National Forests as well as overlays for public land and private land. You can even download and print maps from their website. In Missouri there is lots of private land scattered in with the public NFS land. Roads may or may not be marked as ‘closed’. Especially when it comes to the roads that we enjoy testing our off road skills on.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Great tips! I went and found that interactive map you were talking about and that thing is awesome. Dropping a link here for anyone that wants to check it out: www.fs.usda.gov/ivm/.

[@midnightadventureswa]

Good Jason I’m going to say this It not just where you are people leaving their trash out when camping it over here in Washingtion to and there having trouble in Oregon to there has been huge flex of people going into the national forest in state lands in the last two years but it nice to get the message out there to pack it in and pack it out and keep the campsite better than you found it Great video thanks for sharing

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Thank you sir!

[@DaveW812]

Great video fletch!

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Thanks Dave!

[@johnshields2336]

Drive by/through Hoosier National on my way to work every day lol. Still need to explore it

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

It’s fun to camp in for sure.

[@chrism6909]

Great video and great content. I'm heading down in March for the first time. What area do u recommend for dispersed camping. Thx in advance ....chris

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Thanks and glad it was helpful! Honestly, if you just Google Hoosier National Forest, you'll see a few entrances (like Tower Ridge Road) and then as you start to drive in, you'll see spots everywhere. The forestry service has recently gone through and done a pretty good job of putting up brown signs that show where there's a legit campsite, so there are a ton to choose from and it's all dispersed in there, so you've got your pick!

[@hooksetdreams969]

I live in Richmond Indiana, might make the drive to do some winter hiking and dispersed camping with my dog soon

[@hooksetdreams969]

So I take it I can set a tent up anywhere basically?

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yes and no. There aren't any check ins or anything you have to do to camp in HNF. But, you do need to make sure you're in an established spot. So, if you see a noticable entry path into an opening in the forest (main thing is to look for a fire ring/pit) then you should be good.

[@jlcworld91]

Great video. A few questions... Next season I would like to hunt and camp the HNF but I am not certain where to park. Is it legal to park at a trailhead and walk a mile or so away from any recreational area to hunt? Likewise, would it be okay to just simply park on the side of the road or pull off the road to the tree line and park my vehicle during a hunt? To my understanding I can walk anywhere to camp and hunt. I just don't know what to do with my vehicle. The big question is, where do I put my vehicle during a hunt, especially a 2 or 3 day hunt.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I think that parking at trail heads is fine or you could find a dispersed spot and leave it in one of those. Honestly, I haven't hunted in HNF so I'm not the expert, but between the website (www.fs.usda.gov/hoosier) and possibly calling the forest service (Supervisor in Bedford: 812-275-5987) I'm sure you can find the answer! Just don't want to lead you down a bad path with my lack of knowledge, haha.

[@jackmined7228]

I keep hearing about how busy it is on the weekends. I really would like to take my boys but the thought of a 3 hour drive to potentially not have a spot to camp is unnerving.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

It can be busy, especially on holiday weekends, but I've never gone and not found a spot. That being said, the forestry service has recently closed down some campsites out there so there may be a few less than normal. Again though, I've never gone and actually not found a spot.

[@spottedcat9316]

Can you list some good Forest service roads to check out in Hoosier Forest

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

You really can’t go wrong in HNF. There aren’t any trails but however you get in, you’ll find lots of camping. Tower Ridge road is probably the most popular area and you can get in from east and west. Start there and the. You should be able to find some new stuff!

[@spottedcat9316]

@@AllThingsOverlanding thank you!

[@gamebredduramax71]

We fish under the bridge some times, makes me sick all the garbage and old fishing line tangled all throughout the water and land

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

It’s such a shame how much people abuse the environment. It’s really not hard to just clean up after yourself.

[@gamebredduramax71]

@@AllThingsOverlanding exactly

[@Wade_the_Xterra]

Ok ok so seeing that we are still learning about this dispersed camping can you just pull off the beaten path to set up camp and make ur own spot for the night? Or does it have to be a spot that has been used b4

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Good question! Technically, you're only supposed to use existing sites. On their website it says: Roadside dispersed camping should be done at established sites if any are provided, but must stay within 125 feet of the road. For more info, here's a link to their website on dispersed camping within HNF: www.fs.usda.gov/activity/hoosier/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=41466&actid=34

[@fredflintstone6163]

Learn to disturb nothing it's an art I've been learning for seventy years even on Forrest lands that I own even a cabin I built years ago with no trail or road to it

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yep, unfortunately, there are a lot of new folks running out to these places with little understanding of "pack it in, pack it out" which is going to cause problems for all of us.

[@theweirdoutdoors]

I’d be down to help with a clean up

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Should be a lot of fun!

[@michaelskidmore2006]

wow

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

👍

[@infamousdougtaylor]

Every time i go to the hoosier i carry out my trash and atleast two full garbage bags full of other peoples trash eit id sickening #ifyoupackitinpackitout

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

It's kind of sad. But good job cleaning up! Wish more people thought that way.

[@infamousdougtaylor]

@@AllThingsOverlanding a group of us from The Overland Rig builders page will be down at hickory ridge this weekend

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@infamousdougtaylor We’ve got family plans this weekend but I just found your group and requested entry!

[@kmac2927]

Where does one find the Indiana Overlanders group?

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

It’s on Facebook! There are a few. Indy Overlanders. Indiana Overlanders. And Midwest Overlanders.

[@kmac2927]

@@AllThingsOverlanding dang no Facebook

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@kmac2927 😥

[@brianwatson3705]

It would be great if the dnr would post where more of these sites are. Some spots look like dispersed camping sites , but you just never know.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

That's true. Every DNR person I've ever run into has been really nice and I figure if I was ever somewhere where I wasn't supposed to be, they would redirect me.

[@fredflintstone6163]

The more its posted the more it's overused my secret spots have no trail and no sign of use my quiet places

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@fredflintstone6163 Yep, definitely won't ever share any specific spots. Half the fun is getting out and exploring to find your own secret spots!

[@eddie1v]

Being that it’s owned by us (federal gov), perhaps some of the money they take from us every month should go towards clean up. To close it down is just lazy, on the government side of thing’s. Nothing owned by the people should shut down permanently.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yeah, I think they’re doing their best but the people using the sites are just causing rampant destruction. There’s not much you can do once the damage to trees at a site gets so bad.

[@M7ofATC]

I’m not saying I’m better than anyone but I had to turn this off after hearing the same thing repeated for 5 minutes straight

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Haha, fair. My mind sometimes runs in circles.

[@M7ofATC]

@@AllThingsOverlanding sorry I need to be more kind lol but I do appreciate the video. I’ve been here a few times and plan on coming back more. I’m in eastern central indiana

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@M7ofATC No! You're fine. I think I did repeat myself a fair amount in this video, lol. Appreciate you sticking around! Hopefully there's some helpful stuff here for you!