Is Blackwell Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Blackwell Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Blackwell Campground before I book?

Yes! Blackwell Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Blackwell Campground ?

Blackwell Campground is open December 31 to December 31. 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 Blackwell Campground ?

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

Can I have a campfire at Blackwell Campground ?

Fire policies at Blackwell Campground : Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Blackwell Campground ?

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

What amenities are available at Blackwell Campground ?

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

Blackwell Campground

4.51

175 reviews

Great Hiking

Featured in:Forest Camping Indiana

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Quick Facts

794 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

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Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

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Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

794 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Blackwell Campground

No fees available

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

Brownstown Ranger District Front Office: 812-275-5987SM.FS.R9HOFwebsite@usda.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Blackwell Campground

39.0174, -86.3898

Weather at Blackwell Campground

Current alert: All campsites are free of charge.

Best Time to Camp at Blackwell Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable temperatures (daytime highs typically in the 50s–70s°F, nights dipping into the 30s–50s°F), dramatic leaf color across the Deam Wilderness, and lower insect pressure, making long day-hikes on the 35-mile trail network most enjoyable. Trails are at their scenic peak in late September and October, with solid footing and great visibility through the forest canopy. Crowds are generally moderate — busier on weekend days but much quieter than peak summer Peak months: October, September, May, April Avoid: January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall brings peak leaf color and the most comfortable hiking temps (50s–70s days).

Planning Tips

Peak Season: December 31 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Blackwell Campground

Blackwell Campground sits at 794 feet in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, a large grassy clearing with vault toilets and direct access to 35 miles of wilderness trails. The campground has gravel parking at both ends and connects to the Hickory Ridge Trail system, making it a functional base for day hikers.

A large grassy campground area with gravel parking on the east and west ends that functions as a trailhead for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable temperatures (daytime highs typically in the 50s–70s°F, nights dipping into the 30s–50s°F), dramatic leaf color across the Deam Wilderness, and lower insect pressure, making long day-hikes on the 35-mile trail network most enjoyable. Trails are at their scenic peak in late September and October, with solid footing and great visibility through the forest canopy. Crowds are generally moderate — busier on weekend days but much quieter than peak summer Peak months: October, September, May, April Avoid: January, February

Elevation794 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies an open grassland ringed by hardwood forest. Trailheads depart from the east and west ends, leading into the Deam Wilderness trail network where paths wind through rolling, forested terrain. The setting is straightforward: a maintained clearing that transitions quickly into backcountry.

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Amenities available

Picnic shelter, loading area for mounting horses (including provisions for people with disabilities), hitching racks, two gravel parking areas (east and west), trailheads at both parking areas, six vault toilets, and one non-potable water hydrant.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

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.

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

175 reviews

Top-Rated

Blackwell Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

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Go if

Horseback riders and hikers who want a free base camp for the Deam Wilderness trail network, especially in October when leaf color peaks and bugs back off. The loading area and hitching racks are the real draw for equestrians.

Skip if

Bring all your water. The on-site hydrant is non-potable, and there's no other water source, which is a real planning issue for a multi-night stay, especially with horses.

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Campgrounds

Blackwell Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

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

Overview

Blackwell Campgroundhas 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 is along Tower Ridge Road in the center of the Charles Deam Wilderness area, approximately one mile from Highway 446. The camp also is a trailhead for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system.There is a picnic shelter at the site, a loading area for people to easily mount horses, including people with disabilities, and hitching posts. Trails from the site link to the trail system in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness.

Open Season: Year round

About Hoosier National Forest

Context for the broader area surrounding Blackwell Campground , sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy. Rolling hills, back-country trails, and rural crossroad communities make this small but beautiful 204,000 acre Forest a local treasure. Forest managers work with the public to develop a shared vision of stewardship focused on restoring, maintaining, and interpreting the cultural and natural resources of our public lands.

Directions

https://www.fs.usda.gov/hoosier/ Supervisor's Office 811 Constitution Avenue Bedford, IN 47421 (812) 275-5987 or 1-866-302-4173 FRS: 1-800-877-8339.