Scenic area · Hoosier National Forest · est. 1935
Hemlock Cliffs Scenic Area
Indiana's only national forest — Hemlock Cliffs is the scenic anchor but the basecamp is German Ridge's 32-ft dry-camp loop, with Hardin Ridge's rare concessioner electric the only USFS hookups in IN.
Max RV length
32 ft
Hookups
None (dry)
Dump station
Yes
Dispersed camping
Allowed per MVUM
RV season
April – November (developed) · Year-round dispersed
Access road
Paved county roads to gravel spur (FSR 1532)
About this area
Indiana's only national forest holds a single concentrated scenic anchor: Hemlock Cliffs, a 100-foot box canyon where sandstone overhangs shelter hemlock stands that are biological outliers this far south. The trailhead parking is rig-friendly up to 32 ft but offers no camping on site — the practical RV basecamp is German Ridge Recreation Area (32-ft cap, dry-camp, on-site dump) or Hardin Ridge (similar limits with concessioner electric for a handful of sites, the only hookups in the Hoosier). Dispersed camping is allowed along most Forest Service roads per the Hoosier MVUM. The Charles C. Deam Wilderness adjacent to Hardin Ridge bans motorized access entirely; rig parking is at the trailheads only. Limestone karst means the underlying terrain is sinkhole-prone; stay on designated dispersed pull-offs.
How to plan this area
Reservations and the Motor Vehicle Use Map
Developed loops book through recreation.gov; dispersed camping is legal only where the ranger district's MVUM allows it. Both links go straight to the official source.
Looking for the rig? Browse Indiana RV rentals on PickRV
Official sources
Every fact on this page traces back to these primary sources.
Indiana rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- Rental tax
- 7.00%
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Allowed — disclosure required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-07:00
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