Where are the Dispersed Campsites in Southern Hoosier National Forest?

Many people get upset when you share the coordinates for dispersed campsites in KZbin videos! In this one we show you maps of the general areas where we found some sites. With a little advanced research and some exploring, you should be able to find a place to camp. Our quest to find dispersed camping in the Southern part of Hoosier National Forest was frustrating, but ultimately successful.

[@meatdog]

I used to live in Fort Branch, IN and have camped in this forest with my RV but never dispersed. I will be doing dispersed camping there this summer. It is beautiful, quiet and relaxing.

[@HEKNBAK]

It really is! We like to travel and explore new places, but we find ourselves back in Hoosier NF at least a couple times a year. Thanks for watching!

[@user-qe1xn5dx7c]

I live in orange county, Try tucker lake or even some areas around it. 30 seconds down the road from the dam is a natural spring locals collect water.

[@HEKNBAK]

Thanks for sharing that! We haven't been in that area of Hoosier. We will definitely check it out next time we are down there!

[@susieturk1]

Always informative and fun! Thank you!!

[@HEKNBAK]

Thanks for watching! We had some trouble with our audio in the truck this time - we are working on improving that.

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Nice video. Thank you for sharing and wishing you a lovely day 👍

[@HEKNBAK]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@groundbreakerexplore]

Keep up the adventurous work you've been doing, thanks for sharing this great travel video too! Stay safe my friends~

[@HEKNBAK]

Thanks so much for watching! We appreciate your kind words!

[@TakeATripTogether]

Brown county!!! We just got done watching the TV sitcom The Middle again and I always think of that show when I hear about Brown County. LOL This is a really informative video. We haven't done much with dispersed camping, yet. We're still exploring mostly state parks at this point but we would like to try some more boondocking at some point. Thanks for sharing!

[@HEKNBAK]

Love The Middle, lol! Brown County gets a lot of attention in the Fall, but really it is beautiful year round. It is definitely easier to find dispersed camping in Hoosier up around the Brown County area. It was really difficult to find in the southern part. I would say Indiana leans more towards state parks and forest service campgrounds instead of dispersed camping. Those are definitely easier to find, lol! We will be showing some of those in the next video. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@TakeATripTogether]

@@HEKNBAK I think the same is true for Michigan. We've never been to Brown County but definitely want to check it out sometime from what we saw in The Middle. Ha ha ha! Looking forward to your next video.

[@goober9983]

Just found your channel. It looks like a good supper you cooked up. hope you're doing okay these days mountain Matt. 😊

[@HEKNBAK]

Thanks for watching! We appreciate the comment!

[@19stoney64]

I’ve burned the same amount of fuel you did all over the southern areas. Derby has a great country store. You would think there would be all kinds of spots and worn ground but not that I’ve found. I guess most everyone that so called “ goes camping “ now means you go in a 32 ft travel trailer. Tell that guy that’s the worst turkey imitation of turkey I’ve ever heard. Lol…. I ended up buzzard roost last time I was wasting gas in that area. It’s free and first come first serve and new bathroom but I think you mentioned you ended up there. You were back in there where people have stills. Lol…I personally know the area growing up in southern indiana and I feel that if the DNR made some obvious areas to disperse camp then they would have to patrol them non stop because that area is known for fugitives go. It’s so remote and unfortunately the quality of people that are around those areas would try to live on the land. That’s a big guess on my part. My dad was in law enforcement in that area and knew all the game wardens. So, I have to wonder if that’s why you don’t many areas to camp. Ones I did find were trashed unfortunately. DNR isn’t going to pay someone to be going around to camp sites cleaning them up from careless people. Buzzard roost is busy during deer season. Usually no spots. Hunters keep piled in there for days at a time. Southern part of the state is gorgeous for sure. I’ll shut up now.

[@HEKNBAK]

Lol! Loved the long comment! It's nice to hear from someone more familiar with the area than we are - you have a lot of insight! Glad to hear that it wasn't just us. You are probably right on about why there are so few sites to be found. Tim says gobble gobble, lol! This was out first time at Buzzards Roost - we posted another video about that - and were really impressed with it. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@scottwhittaker1681]

Not to be nitpicking, but the DNR is a state entity. The Hoosier National Forest falls under the management of the US Forest Service. Either way, funding for either is a concern as far as the upkeep of non developed campsites. 👍

[@HEKNBAK]

@@scottwhittaker1681 Very true - I would imagine they are both underfunded. When people damage or trash places, that stretches them even further. I can understand why they feel the need to close them. It is unfortunate.

[@susieturk1]

I noticed both of the privately owned places had lakes. I wonder if they mostly sell around the water. Or if they've been in the family forever.

[@HEKNBAK]

We always wonder about that too - how does someone end up with a block of land surrounded by national forest? I bet the family has owned it for a long time.

[@daisymae3511]

That forest is much like ours down here in Arkansas. Do not know why the Gov does not put in more pull offs for boondocking (?)😔

[@HEKNBAK]

We would love to see more too. Maybe they have had problems with people trashing them or doing things they shouldn't lol!

[@meatdog]

Because you have an BRAIN dead excuse for a governor!!

[@TerryX2Explore]

We have no problem sharing coordinates and plan on doing so as soon as we start dispersed camping! I asked one lady for coordinates to a beautiful campsite and she told me she would not tell me but we could find it on Google, so we unsubbed from her. I think that is foolish to not share the campsite, especially if they are easily found on Google or elsewhere! But everyone has their own thoughts on the matter... ;-) Always enjoy your videos - fun, informative and full of pretty scenery! 💙Terry and Terri

[@HEKNBAK]

We are working on getting better at recording our tracks and marking waypoints so we can share with people who are really interested. We like to explore and just see what we can find ourselves, but especially when you are in an area that you are completely unfamiliar with, it can be nice to have just a little bit of guidance. Thanks so much - We love chatting with ya!

[@thathikingguy]

The problem with sharing is the amount of trash and destruction that happens all the time. The forest service has already shut down a good amount of them because of this. I have a ton of sites that I have marked that won’t share for that reason not because I don’t want people to know them. It’s about keeping the places nice that’s all

[@HEKNBAK]

@@thathikingguy It's sad that this is the truth. I know some channels will share with Patreon members thinking that if they are that invested in the channel and what they are doing, that they will not be the kind of person that will trash it. I would hope that is true. We hope that talking about it will help educate people who maybe just don't understand but we are probably naive! We are still trying to decide how we want to navigate this issue.

[@thathikingguy]

@@HEKNBAK yeah I understand. It’s a rough road to travel you want to help out the community but yet keep out the losers who trash sites that’s why I had to shut down any possibility of it because the sites are more important. In my opinion totally get it though.

[@TerryX2Explore]

@@thathikingguy You make a good point!

[@daisymae3511]

Trees are all flowered out. Dogwood or ??

[@HEKNBAK]

Love the trees this time of year. We have a lot redbuds which are my favorites. We do have flowering dogwoods and crabapples too, but I think a lot of the ones we see driving around right now are the flowering pear trees. They are so pretty but actually considered invasive because the are non-native and spread easily. Definite sign of Spring finally! The honey locusts will be blooming soon too and they smell so good!

[@daisymae3511]

@@HEKNBAK 😊

[@daisymae3511]

Using a new lens? Fisheye?

[@HEKNBAK]

Hi Daisy! We are experimenting with different settings and cameras. We have an older Gopro and Canon camera that we've had for several years, but we've never really taken the time to learn about the different settings and formats. Neither of us have any education or training in photography or videography, and there is a lot to learn, lol! We received a newer Gopro for Christmas and can really tell the difference in the videos between the older and the newer. Our anniversary was a couple weeks ago and instead of a fancy dinner and night on the town, we decided to get ourselves a 360 camera, lol! So we are excited to experiment with that on our next trip. There were some clips in this video that were on a different setting than we usually use, which gave it more of that fisheye look. I don't think I like it though.

[@daisymae3511]

@@HEKNBAK " I don't think I like it though." I agree. It was hard to watch... 😒

[@HEKNBAK]

@@daisymae3511 I thought so too! Tim didn't even notice it though until I pointed it out.

[@daisymae3511]

@@HEKNBAK Unless I am driving, I get easily motion sick, even at my age. 🤥

[@HEKNBAK]

@@daisymae3511 Lol! I tend to get car sick too, but usually only if I'm in the back seat or if I try to read anything. I'm so jealous of people who can read on a car trip.