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
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.
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!
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.
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/.
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.
@@hooksetdreams969 Yes. The only real rule is don't block the roads for emergency vehicles. There are 'designated' spots sometimes called 'dispersed' in which you can park your car and camp right next to it. Now, backcountry campsites ask that you be 100 ft or yards from the roadway. Outside that, it's really fair game. Tower Ridge Road leads to a lot of great spots to disperse camp. The Fire Tower and another Pens Trail about 5 miles away has back country sites with maps for locations.
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
You're not really supposed to add any structures at all. I've seen people make some small wooden fire reflectors and things like that, but then the next time I'm out there it's gone.
Do you know of the best place to get into the actual forest coming from Indianapolis that is not in the Charles Deam Rec Area? I am not wanting to camp but rather just be able to park and go hiking and explore in the forest. I'd love to find some of those gravel roads you talk about in your video.
Probably Nebo Ridge trail. That's further east and outside of the Charles Deam. Here's a link to it if you want to hike: www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hoosier/recarea/?recid=41578.
@@AllThingsOverlanding Nebo Ridge is too crowded from what I am seeing. And I don't think those mountain bikers and horse people would be too fond of me carrying a rifle on the trail. I was thinking something more secluded where I could stop and target practice a bit.
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.
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.
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!
That's a good question and it kind of depends on the area you're in. I am always camping out of my truck so I use only designated dispersed campsites, but I've been on some backpacking trips and just camped along a trail and it's never been a problem. Of course, depending on where you're going, the safest bet is to research on the website and even call them to confirm you'll be ok if you want to do that.
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.
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.
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
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
Hikers 100% are not carrying a portable Toilet with them. I do agree with you but as someone who hikes I thinks it’s sort of strange to consider pooping in a hole in the ground to be dirty. Every other animal poops right on the ground which makes us the outlier.
Yeah, don't disagree with you. I don't have a problem with pooping in a hole. I guess my experience has been with the (pun intended) sh&*ty people who string toilet paper up in trees and leave stuff sitting on the ground everywhere.
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
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.
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.
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 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
@@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!
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
Hey fellow Hoosier! Welcome and thanks for the kind words!
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
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!
Great tips! Can’t wait to get back to my home state to explore in the Hoosier National Forest!
Hit me up and I can show you some spots!
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.
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/.
We fish under the bridge some times, makes me sick all the garbage and old fishing line tangled all throughout the water and land
It’s such a shame how much people abuse the environment. It’s really not hard to just clean up after yourself.
@@AllThingsOverlanding exactly
Will be camping in Hoosier National Forest in the near future. Thanks for the tips. I will leave the campsite clean and tidy!
Appreciate it! Have fun!
Awesome thanks for the insight. I appreciate you taking the time to make this video. Cheers!!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you!
I live in Richmond Indiana, might make the drive to do some winter hiking and dispersed camping with my dog soon
So I take it I can set a tent up anywhere basically?
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.
@@hooksetdreams969 Yes. The only real rule is don't block the roads for emergency vehicles. There are 'designated' spots sometimes called 'dispersed' in which you can park your car and camp right next to it. Now, backcountry campsites ask that you be 100 ft or yards from the roadway.
Outside that, it's really fair game. Tower Ridge Road leads to a lot of great spots to disperse camp. The Fire Tower and another Pens Trail about 5 miles away has back country sites with maps for locations.
Drive by/through Hoosier National on my way to work every day lol. Still need to explore it
It’s fun to camp in for sure.
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
Thank you sir!
Can you do any bushcraft here and make small wood shelters?
You're not really supposed to add any structures at all. I've seen people make some small wooden fire reflectors and things like that, but then the next time I'm out there it's gone.
@AllThingsOverlanding noted, thank you for replying!
Do you know of the best place to get into the actual forest coming from Indianapolis that is not in the Charles Deam Rec Area? I am not wanting to camp but rather just be able to park and go hiking and explore in the forest. I'd love to find some of those gravel roads you talk about in your video.
Probably Nebo Ridge trail. That's further east and outside of the Charles Deam. Here's a link to it if you want to hike: www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hoosier/recarea/?recid=41578.
@@AllThingsOverlanding Nebo Ridge is too crowded from what I am seeing. And I don't think those mountain bikers and horse people would be too fond of me carrying a rifle on the trail. I was thinking something more secluded where I could stop and target practice a bit.
I’d be down to help with a clean up
Should be a lot of fun!
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.
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.
Barking dogs all night long just about got me to put all my camping equipment on Facebook marketplace....
Yeah, I don't like public campgrounds. Remote dispersed all the way from now on.
Great video fletch!
Thanks Dave!
Can you list some good Forest service roads to check out in Hoosier Forest
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!
@@AllThingsOverlanding thank you!
Do you have to camp in designated dispersed campsites? Or can you hike off of a trail and camp deeper in the forest?
That's a good question and it kind of depends on the area you're in. I am always camping out of my truck so I use only designated dispersed campsites, but I've been on some backpacking trips and just camped along a trail and it's never been a problem. Of course, depending on where you're going, the safest bet is to research on the website and even call them to confirm you'll be ok if you want to do that.
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.
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.
Where does one find the Indiana Overlanders group?
It’s on Facebook! There are a few. Indy Overlanders. Indiana Overlanders. And Midwest Overlanders.
@@AllThingsOverlanding dang no Facebook
@@kmac2927 😥
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
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
Hikers 100% are not carrying a portable
Toilet with them. I do agree with you but as someone who hikes I thinks it’s sort of strange to consider pooping in a hole in the ground to be dirty. Every other animal poops right on the ground which makes us the outlier.
Yeah, don't disagree with you. I don't have a problem with pooping in a hole. I guess my experience has been with the (pun intended) sh&*ty people who string toilet paper up in trees and leave stuff sitting on the ground everywhere.
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
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.
wow
👍
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.
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.
The more its posted the more it's overused my secret spots have no trail and no sign of use my quiet places
@@fredflintstone6163 Yep, definitely won't ever share any specific spots. Half the fun is getting out and exploring to find your own secret spots!
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
It's kind of sad. But good job cleaning up! Wish more people thought that way.
@@AllThingsOverlanding a group of us from The Overland Rig builders page will be down at hickory ridge this weekend
@@infamousdougtaylor We’ve got family plans this weekend but I just found your group and requested entry!
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
Haha, fair. My mind sometimes runs in circles.
@@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
@@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!
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.
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.