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

Youngs 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 Youngs Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Youngs Creek Campground has 7 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 Youngs Creek Campground?

Youngs 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 Youngs Creek Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Youngs Creek Campground?

Fire policies at Youngs 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.

How many campsites does Youngs Creek Campground have?

Youngs Creek Campground has 14 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Youngs Creek Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Youngs 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 Youngs Creek Campground?

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

Youngs Creek Campground

0 review

Romantic GetawayPeace & Quiet

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

817 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

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Sites

14 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

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Book on Youngs Creek Campground Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

817 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Youngs Creek Campground Official Website

Get Directions

Youngs Creek Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

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

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Campground Map

Youngs Creek Campground

38.5036, -86.4659

Weather at Youngs Creek Campground

Current alert: All camping is free of charge

Best Time to Camp at Youngs Creek Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the longest days and consistently warm weather (daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to upper-80s °F, nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s), making it ideal for long hikes and multi-hour mountain-bike loops on the 12.7 miles of multi-use trails. The hardwood canopy provides welcome shade and the campground’s picnic shelter and vault toilets make rustic summer stays comfortable. Expect moderate crowds on weekends and be prepared for summer humidity, mosquitoes, and occasional late-af Peak months: July, June, August, September

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring wildflowers and fresh understory noted as an attractive season.

Planning Tips

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

About Youngs Creek Campground

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.

Primitive campground (multiple-use trail access for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding).

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the longest days and consistently warm weather (daytime highs typically in the mid-70s to upper-80s °F, nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s), making it ideal for long hikes and multi-hour mountain-bike loops on the 12.7 miles of multi-use trails. The hardwood canopy provides welcome shade and the campground’s picnic shelter and vault toilets make rustic summer stays comfortable. Expect moderate crowds on weekends and be prepared for summer humidity, mosquitoes, and occasional late-af Peak months: July, June, August, September

Elevation817 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryDense hardwood canopy shades most of the campground, with terrain that rolls from gentle slopes to steeper sections across the trail network. The forest floor shows seasonal changes: spring wildflowers, summer green understory, autumn leaf cover. Sites 1-7 sit in wooded spots with mature trees overhead. Sites 8-14 occupy an open grassy clearing with less shade but more sun exposure. The trails wind through varied terrain that one reviewer described as rocky with rolling hills, requiring decent footwear for comfortable hiking.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

PrivacySites 1-7 on the south end have high line posts, picnic tables and fire rings; sites 8-14 are in an open grassy area with high line posts available.

Total Campsites14 campsites

Recommended SitesA picnic shelter with tables is located across from the vault toilet. Sites 1–7 are located on the south end with fire rings and picnic tables; sites 8–14 are in an open grassy area. Two frost-free hydrants provide non-potable water.

Best CampsitesSites 1-7 on the south end have more tree cover, making them better for summer heat but poor for solar charging. Sites 8-14 in the open grassy area get more sun and work better if you need to recharge devices. Horse campers prefer sites with nearby high line posts. Several reviewers mention having the campground to themselves mid-week, so site choice is often wide open.

Amenities available

Primitive campground with a picnic shelter, vault toilets, hitching racks/high line posts, picnic tables, and fire rings at designated sites. Two frost-free hydrants provide non-potable water.

Fire rings

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

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

0.0

0 reviews

Limited Reviews

Youngs Creek Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing that Youngs Creek is a quiet, peaceful, and often secluded free primitive campground with good trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Campers appreciate the shady sites, natural setting, and well-maintained vault toilets, with many saying they plan to return. A few neutral or odd comments appear, but there are no consistent negative themes beyond its primitive nature and unclear odd local nickname from one reviewer.

Review Summaries

What Campers Love

Campers love that it’s free camping (up to 14 days) with a very peaceful, quiet atmosphere and plenty of shade. The area is praised for clear, well-maintained trails suitable for hiking, horseback...

Common Concerns

There are no strong repeated complaints. The few mild concerns mentioned are that the ground on some trails can be a bit unstable or rocky in places, making running less ideal, and that water on-site...

Site-Specific Reviews

Multiple reviewers describe the sites as primitive but well-equipped, with picnic tables and fire rings at each site and some hitching posts for horses. One reviewer notes there are "5 or 6 shaded...

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reviewers repeatedly advise bringing your own drinking water because the available water is for livestock and is non-potable. Several note that camping is free for up to 14 days and rules are posted,...

Camper Quotes

"My husband and I absolutely love this place. It's quite secluded if that's the kind of camping you like." "Great free camping location. There was only one other person there when I went in...

Pet-Friendly Features

One reviewer specifically mentions enjoying the campground for hiking with their dog and notes that it’s beautiful, peaceful, and convenient for that purpose. No restrictions or issues with pets are...

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Horse campers and mountain bikers who want free, quiet trail access with high line posts and hitching racks already in place. Sites 1-7 give you shade; sites 8-14 suit early risers who want morning sun. Bring all your drinking water.

Skip if

No potable water on-site means packing in everything you'll drink. If vault toilets and zero hookups are a dealbreaker, this primitive setup won't work for you.

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About Hoosier National Forest

Context for the broader area surrounding Youngs 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.