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Rules and Regulations

The following is a partial summary of rules and regulations that apply to the most common activities on the Forest. Forest visitors may review the complete text for rules and regulations by contacting a Hoosier National Forest (NF) office.

Please call one of our offices for more information on these items. 

General Camping Rules

  • Campers may stay up to 14 consecutive days within a 28-day period. Campers may not stay on the Forest in excess of 28 days total in a calendar year.
  • At least one person must occupy a camping area during the first night after camping equipment has been set up. Camping equipment cannot be left unattended for more than 24 hours.

Backpacking

  • Backpacking is allowed on National Forest lands. No permit is required.

Dispersed Camping

  • Dispersed camping is allowed throughout most of the Hoosier National Forest.
  • All dispersed camp sites must be at least 200 feet away from trails, trailheads, roads, water sources, rock shelters, caves, and historic structures, unless in a Forest Service designated campsite.
  • Camping or building a fire on or within rock shelters located within the Hoosier National Forest is prohibited.
  • There is no charge for dispersed camping.
  • Stays are limited to 14-days in a 28 day period, and 28 days total per calendar year
  • Personal property must not be left unattended overnight
  • Group size is limited to 10 people in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness. 
  • Firewood restrictions apply throughout the Forest.

Dispersed camping is NOT allowed:

  • In the Charles C. Deam Wilderness within a half mile of the water’s edge unless in a Forest Service designated campsite
  • Within campgrounds
  • Along roads unless in a Forest Service designated campsite
  • In day use areas
  • At any parking area, including boat launches
  • Anywhere that blocks a gate
  • Within Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest (Orange County)
  • Within Hemlock Cliffs area (Crawford County)

Developed Campsites/Recreation Areas

  • No more than 8 people may use a single campsite, no more than 16 for a double campsite.
  • Dogs must be on a leash six feet or less and are not allowed at beaches.
  • No glass containers are allowed on the beaches.
  • Quiet hours are in effect 10:00 P.M. – 6:00 A.M.
  • All vehicles and camping equipment must be placed on a hardened surface.
  • Not more than two transportation vehicles may be parked at the site in addition to a camping vehicle (RV, pop-up, etc.) and boat. More than two tents, bicycles, and motorcycles are allowed if they fit reasonably on the hardened surfaces. Additional fees may apply.
  • Fire rings must be used for campfires. All fires must be in provided rings, with wood that fits within it.
  • Day use areas are closed between 10 PM and 6 AM except for fishermen on the water.
  • Alcohol is prohibited at Rainbow Lake Recreation Area.
  • During the off-season, some portions of recreation areas may be gated. Pedestrians may enter these areas for the purpose of walking, picnicking, or fishing unless signed otherwise.

Equestrian Camping

  • Five campgrounds are “equestrian friendly” with infrastructure provided – Blackwell, Shirley Creek, Youngs Creek, Hickory Ridge, and German Ridge
  • Campers may camp anywhere in the following campgrounds as long as roads or gates are not blocked: Shirley Creek, Blackwell, and Young’s Creek. There is no fee.
  • The German Ridge Horse Campground requires a fee and campers must camp in a designated site.
  • The Hickory Ridge Campground has designated sites.  There is no fee.
  • A Hoosier National Forest Trail Use Permit is required for horses in equestrian friendly campgrounds and designated horse trails.
  • Day users must park in the day use parking area at German Ridge and Hickory Ridge. Day users at other camps may park anywhere as long as roads or gates are not blocked.
  • Campers without horses may use these camps but should be mindful of safety around horses.
  • Only individuals camping in the site are allowed between the hours of 10 P.M. – 6:00 A.M.
  • Hitching, tethering or hobbling a horse or other saddle  or pack animal to other than established hitching posts, highlines using tree saver straps, fences or within corrals is prohibited.
  • Quiet hours are in effect between 10:00 P.M. – 6:00 A.M.
  • Stock may not move faster than a walk.

 Campfires and Firewood

  • Any firewood brought onto National Forest System land must meet one of the following requirements to reduce the spread of pests and pathogens that harm the forest ecosystem.
  1. It is kiln-dried scrap lumber with no bark.
  2. It is purchased on-site.
  3. It is from your home or other Indiana location and has all bark removed.
  4. It has an Indiana DNR compliance stamp.
  • Use of on-site firewood must only be from dead, downed material. Standing trees, living or dead, may not be cut or defaced.
  • Small, open fires are permitted except during fire bans.
  • Use a fire ring or grill if one is provided. Firewood must fit within the fire ring.

Swimming

  • Swimmers may use designated beaches during daylight hours only. Public nudity is prohibited.
  • Swimming is not allowed within 100 feet of a boat ramp.
  • Possessing a glass container in a designated swimming area is prohibited.

Charles C. Deam Wilderness

  • No wheeled vehicles including carts, wagons and bicycles, or motorized travel are allowed.
  • Mechanized equipment, including generators, is prohibited.
  • Camping is prohibited within 200 feet of trails, trailheads, roads, water sources, rock shelters, caves, and historic structures, unless in a Forest Service designated campsite. 
  • Camping is prohibited along the shoreline of Monroe Lake within ½ mile of the water’s edge unless in a Forest Service designated campsite. 
  • Geocaching is prohibited.
  • Horse riders must stay on designated trails. Horse riders must have a permit.
  • Park only in designated areas. Do not park along Tower Ridge Road.
  • Campsites must be occupied the first night and may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours without permission. Camping is limited to 14 days in a 28 day period. No more than 28 cumulative days in a calendar year.
  • Stock may not be tied within reach of any living tree.
  • Group size is limited to 10 persons or less.
  • Outfitting and guiding are not permitted.
  • It is prohibited to shore a motorized boat on Monroe Lake along the boundary of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness.  If you wish to access the Deam Wilderness you must hike in or use a non-motorized boat.
  • Both recreational and commercial gold panning and mineral collection (including geodes) are prohibited
  • The launching and landing of unmanned aerial vehicles is prohibited in a wilderness area. More tips and best practices for drone use on National Forests lands are available.

Collecting

  • Mushroom hunting is allowed for personal use only.
  • Small leaf collections are allowed.
  • Some recreational mineral collecting, such as low-impact gold panning or gathering small numbers of geodes for personal use, is allowed with certain restrictions.
  • Metal detecting is allowed only in developed recreation areas for items having no historical value. Only surface collecting is allowed (no digging), except at designated beaches where sifting through the sand for modern items is allowed.
  • Disturbance of archaeological sites or artifacts is prohibited.
  • Possessing, storing or transporting any part of a tree or other plant in violation of existing state or federal law is prohibited.

Rock Climbing and Caving

  • Rock climbing is permitted on most National Forest land.
  • Climbing or rappelling is prohibited from the large rock shelter in the Hemlock Cliffs area.
  • Forest caves are closed to visitors from August 16 through May 14 to prevent the disturbance of bats during hibernation, staging and swarming and reduce the spread of white nose syndrome in bats. Forest Order with more details

Trail Use

  • Horse and bicycle riders must stay on trails specifically designated for bicycle or horse use. Stock may not be tied within reach of any living tree.
  • Hikers may hike anywhere except where an area is posted closed.  Shortcutting a switchback on any designated trail is prohibited.
  • A Hoosier National Forest Trail Use Permit is required for riders 17 and older using a horse or bicycle on trails, trailheads, and horse camps.
  • Off road vehicles are not allowed on the Hoosier National Forest.
  • Outdoor electric assist devices (sometimes called e-bikes) are classified as motor vehicles by the Forest Service and are only allowed where motor vehicles are allowed.  They are prohibited on non-motorized trails.

Hunting, Trapping, Fishing & Firearms

  • Hunting is allowed anywhere on National Forest land except in recreation areas with designated boundaries, the Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest, or where posted.
  • State laws on hunting, trapping and fishing are enforced on National Forest lands, requiring either a resident or nonresident license.  
  • Fishing is prohibited in designated swimming areas.
  • Discharging a firearm (including a bow and arrow) is prohibited in or within 150 yards of a developed recreation site (including trails), a residence, or any place where people are likely to be.
  • Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun from, into, or across any parking area, trail, boat ramp, body of water, or road which is open to motorized vehicle traffic is prohibited.
  • Target shooting is permitted in the general forest area (except in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness).
  • No posting of targets onto trees, other natural resources, or in areas where there is no adequate dirt-type backstop to ensure the stoppage of fired rounds (regardless of caliber).  No firing or handling of firearms or dangerous weapons (as defined by state law) while or after consuming alcoholic beverages or unlawful controlled substances.
  • No person(s) who engages in target shooting shall fail to remove from national forest system lands all shell casings, targets, and other debris resulting from the target shooting.
  • No person shall shoot glass of any kind, appliances, furniture, vehicles or other items determined to be garbage or refuse by an enforcing officer.
  • Target shooting is prohibited from one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise.
  • Paintball is prohibited in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, within developed recreation areas, or other special areas.

Boating

  • Vehicles and trailers must park in designated areas. No boats may be left on the national forest.
  • Operating a gas-powered motorboat is prohibited on the following lakes: Indian, Celina, Saddle, Tipsaw, German Ridge, Springs Valley (Tucker Lake), Sundance.
  • Possession or operation of a boat, motorboat, personal watercraft in violation of Federal, State or local laws is prohibited.

Fireworks

  • Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device is prohibited.

Business and Group Activities

  • Permits are required for the following:  
    • selling merchandise or services
    • posting or distributing any information
    • conducting meetings or events (such as weddings, family reunions and bicycle races)
    • outfitting and guiding
    • group activities that have 75 or more people or if a fee is collected for the activity. 

Forest Regulations That Are Frequently Asked About

Last updated March 4, 2026

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