Skip to main content

Recreation

Trails webpages and information will not be available until May 2025. Thank you for your patience while we work through getting the most updated, accurate information for you during this time.

The Hoosier National Forest is within a 2-hour drive of Cincinnati, Evansville, Indianapolis, and Louisville. The Forest offers people a tranquil setting to explore, fish, hike, hunt and reconnect with nature. There are over 260 miles of trails on the forest for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. Trail systems may be open to more than one type of use, so please be courteous to other users.

Please note: To reduce our paper use, printed trail maps will no longer be available at trailhead kiosks when current supplies run out.

Quick Links

Alerts and Notices
Rules and Regulations
Get a Map
Volunteer With Us

Showing: 1 - 10 of 37 results

Blackwell Campground

Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping
Blackwell Campground has long been a popular destination and overnight camping area for equestrians. Other campers are also welcome although the facilities are geared to provide for horses. The camp…

Boone Creek Barrens

Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning
The Boone Creek Special Area on the Hoosier National Forest contains several rare barrens communities in close association with adjacent dry forests. Beginning in mid-summer, these small openings…

Brooks Cabin

Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning Picnicking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Brooks Cabin is an authentic log cabin at the edge of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness. It serves as a welcome center for the Wilderness when it is open, but since it is staffed mostly by volunteers it…

Buzzard Roost Recreation Area

Site Open
Scenic Drives Picnicking Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking
A scenic location for walking, picnicking and camping.  Parking areas are available at the first trailhead access and at the picnic/camping spur. Tables, grills, and a portable toilet are available…

Catbrier Loop

Site Open
Catbrier Loop Campground is one of three shady campground loops in the Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area. This loop has ten sites with electricity and water and is designed for larger RVs. The loop also…

Charles C. Deam Wilderness

Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning
The Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers 36 miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, and horse riding through scenic hardwood forest and varied terrain with views of nearby Monroe Lake. The area was…

Clover Lick Barrens

Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning
Clover Lick is one of several barrens plant communities which offer a mid-summer wildflower-viewing site in contrast to the floral bloom of spring ephemerals. This rare natural community offers the…

Dogwood Loop

Site Open
Dogwood Loop Campground is one of three shady campground loops in the Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area and includes 14 individual sites. The loop has centralized water, flush toilets, hot showers, and a…

German Ridge Recreation Area

Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Water Activities Picnicking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking
The German Ridge Recreation Area includes a campground, a 24-mile multiple use trail, a short hiking trail around a scenic lake, a day use area for swimming and picnicking, and several historic…

Goldenrod Loop

Site Open
Goldenrod Loop is one of two group camps offered at Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area. It has a capacity of up to 65 people in five campsites. Group camps contain water and vault toilets. Showers are…