How much does camping cost at Saddle Lake Campground?

Camping fees at Saddle Lake Campground range from $5/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Saddle Lake Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Saddle Lake 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 Saddle Lake Campground before I book?

Yes! Saddle Lake Campground has 3 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 Saddle Lake Campground?

Saddle Lake Campground is open January 01 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 Saddle Lake Campground?

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

How many campsites does Saddle Lake Campground have?

Saddle Lake Campground has 13 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Saddle Lake Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Saddle Lake Campground?

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

Saddle Lake Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Saddle Lake Campground?

Fire policies at Saddle Lake 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.

4.55

16 reviews

Saddle Lake Campground

Romantic GetawayPeace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Indiana

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

676 ft

Price

$5/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

676 ft

Price

$5/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Saddle Lake Campground

$5.00 - $5.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Saddle Lake Campground: $5.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

Tell City Ranger District Front Office: 812-547-7051SM.FS.R9HOFwebsite@usda.gov

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Saddle Lake Campground

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Campground Map

Saddle Lake Campground

38.0608, -86.6554

Weather at Saddle Lake Campground

Current alerts(2)

Camping is allowed at numbered sites only.
This campground First Come First Served and $5 per night. Payment can be made at the self-service pay station located within the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Saddle Lake Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the nicest combination of comfortable weather and peak scenery — daytime highs typically 50–65°F with crisp mornings in the 30s–40s — and the lake often sits glassy under brilliant orange and gold hardwoods. This is prime time for the 2.4-mile lakeside trail, shoreline wildlife viewing (deer and migrating waterfowl), and calm, blue-hour boating with far fewer people. Expect smaller crowds than summer but be aware of late-fall hunting dates in the region; wearing blaze orange on hikes Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Described as best season: 50–65°F, brilliant hardwood color and calm lake conditions ideal for visits.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Saddle Lake Campground

Saddle Lake Campground sits on a small flood-control reservoir in the Middle Fork of the Anderson River system, offering 13 primitive sites where you'll often have the place to yourself. The campground has a vault toilet, boat ramp access, and a 2.4-mile lakeside trail. It's remote enough to deliver genuine solitude.

A small, primitive campground with 13 sites located at Saddle Lake Recreation Area.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the nicest combination of comfortable weather and peak scenery — daytime highs typically 50–65°F with crisp mornings in the 30s–40s — and the lake often sits glassy under brilliant orange and gold hardwoods. This is prime time for the 2.4-mile lakeside trail, shoreline wildlife viewing (deer and migrating waterfowl), and calm, blue-hour boating with far fewer people. Expect smaller crowds than summer but be aware of late-fall hunting dates in the region; wearing blaze orange on hikes Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: January, February

Elevation676 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe reservoir sits at 676 feet elevation, ringed by mixed hardwoods and conifers that shift from deep summer green to brilliant orange and gold in fall. The lake surface turns glassy on calm days, reflecting the dense forest. Deer move through the shoreline at dusk, and migrating waterfowl stop during seasonal transitions. Dragonflies work the water's edge in warmer months. The forest crowds close to the water. Shade is easy to find.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Primitive campground with minimal facilities: a single vault toilet, a garbage can, and a nearby boat ramp area. The site is described as scenic and somewhat remote.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Fire PolicyDon'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.

Trash & RecyclingA garbage can is provided.

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

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.6

16 reviews

Top-Rated

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

Review Summaries

No review summaries available for this campground yet.

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Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Fall weekends are the sweet spot: hardwoods peak in orange and gold, deer work the shoreline at dusk, and the lake stays calm enough for a small boat. At $5 a night first-come, first-served, it's easy to gamble on a weekday trip.

Skip if

One vault toilet and one garbage can is the full amenity list. Campers who want showers, hookups, or any camp store should drive somewhere else entirely, this place doesn't have them and isn't close to getting them.

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Campgrounds

Saddle Lake Campground

About Hoosier National Forest

Context for the broader area surrounding Saddle Lake 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.