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

Shirley Creek 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 Shirley Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Shirley Creek Campground has 2 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 Shirley Creek Campground?

Shirley Creek 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 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: 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 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.

Shirley Creek Campground

3.27

11 reviews

Featured in:Forest Camping Indiana

Quick Facts

827 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

827 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Shirley Creek Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

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

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Shirley Creek Campground

38.6496, -86.5984

Weather at Shirley Creek Campground

Current alert: All sites are free of charge.

Best Time to Camp at Shirley Creek Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the clearest advantages at Shirley Creek: crisp, cool days (typically daytime highs around 50–65°F and nights 30–50°F) and peak hardwood color that makes the trail system especially scenic for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback rides. Trails are usually drier and less buggy than spring/summer, and crowds are moderate to low outside major holiday weekends. Note that deer hunting season (especially in November) can overlap with peak color — wear blaze orange on trailheads and when骑 Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Best season: fall; peak hardwood color and driest trail conditions.

Planning Tips

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

About Shirley Creek Campground

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.

A primitive campground with facilities oriented toward hikers and equestrian users.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the clearest advantages at Shirley Creek: crisp, cool days (typically daytime highs around 50–65°F and nights 30–50°F) and peak hardwood color that makes the trail system especially scenic for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback rides. Trails are usually drier and less buggy than spring/summer, and crowds are moderate to low outside major holiday weekends. Note that deer hunting season (especially in November) can overlap with peak color — wear blaze orange on trailheads and when骑 Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation827 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 827 feet elevation in hardwood forest. Deciduous trees provide a canopy over the trails and campsites. The terrain varies from open areas near the trailhead to shaded corridors along the trail system. Fall color peaks in late October through early November, making the hardwoods especially scenic for trail use.

Best Campsites

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Amenities available

Primitive campground with no use fee. Facilities include vault toilets, picnic tables, and hitching racks; seasonal water may be available for livestock but is explicitly not potable for humans, and visitors are advised to bring their own water.

Picnic tables

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.

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

Reviewers describe Shirley Creek Campground as a quiet, peaceful spot with hiking trails and a nice atmosphere. Overall impressions are positive, though one reviewer notes concerns about rising fees and limited trail maintenance.

Review Summaries

Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers appreciate the peaceful, quiet environment that offers a sense of getting away from people. The presence of multiple shorter hiking trails adds to the appeal for those who enjoy walking and...

Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

One reviewer mentions that trail maintenance could be better and expresses frustration that fees have increased despite promises of significant improvements. There is also concern about the potential...

Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

This campground seems best suited for those seeking a quiet, low-key escape with access to short hiking trails. Visitors who are sensitive to fees or expecting heavily maintained trails should be...

Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Very nice and peaceful campground with hiking trails. Enjoyed my stay and will return in the future." "Nice quiet place to get away from people." "It's a decent little camp with several shorter...

Based on 11 reviews

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Shirley Creek Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

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

Go if

You want a peaceful escape with basic facilities and easy access to wooded trails for hiking or biking.

Skip if

You need electric hookups, running water, or prefer campgrounds with more social atmosphere and amenities.

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Youngs Creek Campground

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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

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

About Hoosier National Forest

Context for the broader area surrounding Shirley Creek 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.

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