German Ridge Campground
The German Ridge Recreation Area includes a 20 site campground, a 24-mile multiple use trail, a short hiking trail around a scenic lake and cliff area, a seasonal day use area for swimming and picnicking, and several historic buildings. It was established during the Civilian Conservation Corps days and has long been a popular get-away for people in southern Indiana.
More like this: reservable in Indiana · pets allowed in Indiana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗



Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 20 |
Site guide
20 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 64 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 2 | Back-in | 80 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 3 | Back-in | 65 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 4 | Back-in | 66 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 5 | Back-in | 64 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 6 | Back-in | 57 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 7 | Back-in | 59 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 8 | Back-in | 65 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 9 | Back-in | 69 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 10 | Back-in | 66 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | This campground First Come First Served and $8 per night. Payment can be made at the self-service pay station located at the campground entrance. |
Area includes a primitive campground with accessible vault toilets, tables, grills and hitching racks. Water may be available for livestock (not potable for humans), but bringing water is recommended. A day use picnic area with beach and shelter is available free of charge from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 37.9550° N, 86.5813° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 15.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sierra ↗ | 29.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 34.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
~German Ridge Campground~ Hoosier National Forest. Jan 5th 2019
Worth a stop
- 7 miMano Point Fishing Area ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miGerman Ridge Trail 1 Spur 10.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miGerman Ridge Lake Trail 10.7 mi trail · hiking
- 0.3 miGerman Ridge Lake Trail 30.3 mi trail · hiking
- 0.4 miGerman Ridge Lake Trail 41.1 mi trail · hiking
- 0.4 miGerman Ridge Lake Trail 20.1 mi trail · hiking
- 0.6 miGerman Ridge 1 ↗7.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Sandstone rock outcroppings, rolling hills, and wildlife can be found here in a hardwood forest setting.
Recreation
This area includes 20 campsites, over 25 miles of multiple-use trails, and a swimming beach (Open Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend) with shelter.
Guidebooks for Indiana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at German Ridge Campground?
Sites at German Ridge Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at German Ridge Campground?
This campground First Come First Served and $8 per night. Payment can be made at the self-service pay station located at the campground entrance.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at German Ridge Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does German Ridge Campground have?
20 sites, including 20 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to German Ridge Campground?
German Ridge Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at German Ridge Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at German Ridge Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at German Ridge Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What if German Ridge Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Saddle Lake Campground (8.3 mi), Tipsaw Lake (12.6 mi), and Primrose Loop (12.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby

