How much does camping cost at Shirley Creek Campground?

Camping fees at Shirley Creek Campground range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Shirley Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Shirley Creek Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. null

What is the best time to visit Shirley Creek Campground?

Shirley Creek Campground is open null. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Shirley Creek Campground?

Shirley Creek Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Shirley Creek Campground?

Fire policies at Shirley Creek Campground: On-site firewood can only be sourced from dead and downed material. Cutting or defacing standing trees, whether living or dead, is prohibited.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Shirley Creek Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Shirley Creek Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Shirley Creek Campground?

Shirley Creek Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Shirley Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Shirley Creek Campground include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Shirley Creek Campground

3.27

11 reviews

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Quick Facts

827 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

827 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Shirley Creek Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fee for camping.

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

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I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Shirley Creek Campground

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Campground Map

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Shirley Creek Campground

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Nearby places

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Driving directionsFrom Bloomington: Take State Road 37 south approximately 25 miles to US 50 just south of Bedford. Take US Highway 50 west 9.6 miles to the intersection of Highways 50 and 60. Continue going west on Highway 50, 0.1 miles to the first county road on the left. Turn left on this county road and immediately cross some railroad tracks. Drive 0.9 to County Road 825 West; turn right. Drive 3.4 miles to the split in the road. Take the left split (CR 810 north) and pass Bonds Chapel and a cemetery on the right. Drive 1.3 miles to CR 775. Turn right on CR 775 and drive 1.2 miles to the 'Shirley Creek Trailhead' sign on the left. Turn left into the property and follow the road to the campgrounds. From downtown Orleans: Go south on IN 37/Maple Street from IN 337/Washington for 2 blocks. Turn west onto Vincennes Street. This road changes to CR 700N outside the Orleans town limits, then to a variety of different numbers as it winds through the countryside. Stay on this road then about 10 miles west of town, you'll come to CR 775W; turn left. (This intersection is Hindostan, or Hindustan, and appears on some old maps) There's a Forest Service sign for Shirley Creek here. It's just over 1 mile to the gravel road to the horse camp. Turn left onto this road. Go to the end and park in the horse camp. The trail leaves from that parking loop.

The campground can be accessed via county roads. Some sections require crossing railroad tracks and navigating gravel roads. No specific mention of seasonal closures or challenging terrain was noted.

Weather at Shirley Creek Campground

Best Time to Camp at Shirley Creek Campground

Summer is best for trail riding and camping here. Daytime highs run mid-70s to upper-80s°F, with nights cooling to the 50s and 60s. Trails stay mostly dry, water stations work reliably, and you get long daylight for extended rides. Weekend crowds pick up, and you'll deal with more insects plus occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and fall offer cooler temperatures but potentially muddier trails. Winter turns the area cold and frosty, suitable only for visitors who enjoy primitive camping in the chill.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Overview: 'Summer is best for trail riding and camping,' trails stay mostly dry and water stations work.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Year-round

About Shirley Creek Campground

Shirley Creek Campground sits in Hoosier National Forest at 827 feet elevation, offering primitive sites popular with horse campers and hikers. The campground has vault toilets and is a trailhead for the national forest's trail system. It's described by visitors as peaceful, though some complain about trail maintenance and recent fee increases after years of free access.

Shirley Creek Campground offers primitive camping options primarily designed for horse campers but open to all visitors. It is a no-fee site with basic amenities.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is best for trail riding and camping here. Daytime highs run mid-70s to upper-80s°F, with nights cooling to the 50s and 60s. Trails stay mostly dry, water stations work reliably, and you get long daylight for extended rides. Weekend crowds pick up, and you'll deal with more insects plus occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and fall offer cooler temperatures but potentially muddier trails. Winter turns the area cold and frosty, suitable only for visitors who enjoy primitive camping in the chill.

Elevationnull

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies forested terrain typical of southern Indiana's hill country. Tree cover provides shade for primitive sites, and Shirley Creek itself runs through the area. The landscape is rolling rather than dramatic, with hardwood forest dominating the scenery. Horse-focused infrastructure. Hitching racks and water stations. Dots the grounds.

Geological Regionnull

Scenic Viewsnull

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodging accommodations, such as cabins or lodges, are mentioned as available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

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Stay Limit

Null

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

No group camping options or details are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in Availabilitynull

Cancellation Policynull

Site SizeNo specific details about the sizes of campsites are provided in the source material.

PrivacyNo information about the privacy level of campsites is provided.

Recommended Sitesnull

Amenities available

Shirley Creek Campground is a primitive campground with pit toilets, hitching racks, and water for livestock. Potable water is not available at this site.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The campground is primarily focused on horse camping and riding, with an emphasis on equestrian activities. General hiking trails are also noted in user reviews, though these seem to be secondary to the horse-related focus.

Hiking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.3

11 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Shirley Creek Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews generally portray the campground as peaceful and suitable for horse camping and hiking. However, there are some complaints about trail maintenance and DNR's fee policies.

Review Summaries

Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praise the campground as 'nice and peaceful' and appreciate the availability of hiking trails. Thomas Hess notes, 'Enjoyed my stay and will return in the future.'

Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

Kevin Albright criticizes trail maintenance, stating, 'The DNR could do a better job with trail maintenance,' and mentions concerns about fees, which have apparently increased despite promises of...

Based on 11 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No site-specific reviews are provided.

Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend the campground for its quiet atmosphere and trails but advise preparedness for primitive conditions as potable water is unavailable.

Based on 11 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews do not provide specific seasonal insights. The campground is open year-round, per the authoritative data.

Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

- Thomas Hess: 'Very nice and peaceful campground with hiking trails.' - Kevin Albright: 'The DNR could do a better job with trail maintenance.'

Based on 11 reviews

Accessibility Features

No user feedback on accessibility features or experiences is available.

Based on 11 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Horse campers who pack in their own drinking water and want a quiet Hoosier National Forest trailhead base camp, especially summer when trails run dry and daylight stretches long.

Skip if

Anyone counting on potable water or well-maintained trails, trail maintenance complaints are consistent, and the fee hike frustration from regulars suggests the experience hasn't kept pace with rising costs.

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Shirley Creek Campground is a primitive seasonal campground in Indiana operated on low-elevation terrain with vault toilets and picnic tables. The site draws visitors seeking quiet and solitude, with multiple shorter hiking trails threading through hardwood forest. Fall brings peak color and the driest trail conditions for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Spring Mill State Park

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Spring Mill State Park sits in southern Indiana's karst country, where cave springs and sinkholes define the landscape. The campground offers 131 sites (tent, RV, group, and cabins) with fees ranging from $7 to $9 per night. What sets this park apart is the combination of underground caves, a restored 1800s Pioneer Village, and rare old-growth forest. All accessible from a well-equipped campground with full hookups and clean facilities.

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$7.00 - $7.00 / night

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Shirley Creek Campground

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Hickory Ridge Campground sits at 896 feet elevation, offering primitive sites at the gateway to the Hickory Ridge Trail system. The setup is simple: vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Hikers and bikers use this as a quiet basecamp for exploring the surrounding hardwood forest.

Youngs Creek Campground

Hoosier National Forest

Youngs Creek Campground offers 14 free primitive sites in southern Indiana's hardwood forests, serving hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians who use the 12.7 miles of multi-use trails. The campground sits at 817 feet elevation and allows stays up to 14 days. Reviewers consistently praise the quiet, shaded setting and surprisingly good Verizon cell service.

Campgrounds

Hoosier National Forest

Shirley Creek Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Shirley Creek Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>Shirley Creek Campground is a primitive campground with pit toilets, hitching racks, and water for livestock. The campground is designed for horse camping, however, any National Forest visitor is welcome to camp. There is no use fee at this site. Day use parking is also available free at the campground.</p><p> </p>

Open Season: Year-round