German Ridge Campground

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German Ridge Campground

Quick Facts

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Sites

20 campsites

Season

Day use picnic area ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

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German Ridge Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Day use picnic area with beach and shelter available free of charge from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Best Time to Camp at German Ridge Campground

Summer brings the recreation area to full life when the swimming beach opens its sandy shores from Memorial Day through Labor Day, inviting visitors to cool off in the lake's refreshing waters. The surrounding day-use facilities buzz with picnickers and beachgoers during these warm months, while spring and fall offer quieter visits perfect for hiking among the changing hardwoods and spotting wildlife along the trails.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Swimming beach and day use picnic area open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Day use picnic area and swimming beach open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

About German Ridge Campground

Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, German Ridge Recreation Area stands as a living testament to the Civilian Conservation Corps era, where 20 primitive campsites await beneath a canopy of hardwoods. This intimate getaway pairs Depression-era craftsmanship with natural beauty—a shimmering lake framed by dramatic sandstone cliffs, winding trails that beckon exploration, and a sandy beach where summer memories are made.
A primitive campground consisting of 20 campsites established during the Civilian Conservation Corps era.
Historical SignificanceStep back to the 1930s when young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps carved this recreation area from the Indiana wilderness, their legacy preserved in the historic buildings that still stand today. These structures tell the story of America's Great Depression, when conservation work provided both purpose and paychecks, transforming raw landscape into the cherished retreat visitors enjoy nearly a century later.
Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the recreation area to full life when the swimming beach opens its sandy shores from Memorial Day through Labor Day, inviting visitors to cool off in the lake's refreshing waters. The surrounding day-use facilities buzz with picnickers and beachgoers during these warm months, while spring and fall offer quieter visits perfect for hiking among the changing hardwoods and spotting wildlife along the trails.
Natural Features and SceneryAncient sandstone outcroppings rise dramatically from the forest floor, their weathered faces watching over a landscape shaped by time and terrain. The centerpiece lake mirrors the surrounding cliffs and hardwood canopy, while a shoreline trail offers intimate views of this geological theater. Beyond the water, multiple-use trails wind through rolling hills where oak and hickory forests shelter deer, wild turkey, and countless songbirds, creating a tapestry of sights and sounds that shift with each season.
Geological RegionThe area showcases the distinctive sandstone formations characteristic of southern Indiana's unglaciated hill country, where layers of ancient rock have eroded into dramatic outcroppings and cliffs. These rolling, forested hills represent some of the most rugged topography in the state, carved from sedimentary bedrock deposited hundreds of millions of years ago when shallow seas covered the region.
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Campsite details

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets
Sites Size20 sites
Total Campsites20 campsites
Recommended CampsitesBring potable water for human use; livestock water may be intermittently available. Expect primitive campground facilities with vault toilets, tables, grills and hitching racks.

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutPrimitive campground with individual sites (20 total), accessible vault toilets, tables, grills, and hitching racks.
Open and Closed SeasonDay use picnic area and swimming beach open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

Amenities available

Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Area offers multiple-use trails and a short hiking trail around a scenic lake and cliff area, a seasonal swimming beach and day-use picnic area, and opportunities to view wildlife in a hardwood forest setting.
Hiking
Short hiking trail around a scenic lake and cliff area plus a longer multiple-use trail (overview lists a 24-mile trail; recreation text refers to over 25 miles of multiple-use trails).
Swimming
Swimming beach and day-use area open seasonally: open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife present in a hardwood forest setting with sandstone outcroppings and rolling hills.
Beach activities
Seasonal swimming beach with adjacent picnic shelter and day-use picnic area (open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend).
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsOn-site water is not potable for humans. Presence of cliffs around the lake and scenic areas (cliffs noted in facility description).

Weather at German Ridge Campground

30
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 72%
Wind: 11.7 mph
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Good to know

Peak season datesSwimming beach and day use picnic area open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
Proximity to water featuresIncludes a scenic lake with a short hiking trail around it and a seasonal swimming beach (beach open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend).

Campground Map

German Ridge Campground

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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