U.S. Forest Service · Hoosier National Forest · Indiana

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 ↗
German Ridge CampgroundGerman Ridge CampgroundGerman Ridge CampgroundA photo of facility German Ridge Campground with No Amenities Shown
Photos courtesy of Jeff Fischer · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups20
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

20 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfacePeople / vehiclesFires
1Back-in64Gravel8 / 2Yes
2Back-in80Gravel8 / 2Yes
3Back-in65Gravel8 / 2Yes
4Back-in66Gravel8 / 2Yes
5Back-in64Gravel8 / 2Yes
6Back-in57Gravel8 / 2Yes
7Back-in59Gravel8 / 2Yes
8Back-in65Gravel8 / 2Yes
9Back-in69Gravel8 / 2Yes
10Back-in66Gravel8 / 2Yes

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

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesThis 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

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near German Ridge Campground30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 3.34 inches of precipitation, 3.5 inches of snowFebruary: 3.53 inches of precipitation, 2.8 inches of snowMarch: 4.78 inches of precipitation, 1.0 inches of snowApril: 5.02 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 5.52 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.88 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.07 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 2.82 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.23 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.70 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 3.72 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowDecember: 4.41 inches of precipitation, 3.4 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 34.4°F averageFebruary: 38.0°F averageMarch: 46.0°F averageApril: 56.8°F averageMay: 66.3°F averageJune: 74.1°F averageJuly: 77.9°F averageAugust: 77.0°F averageSeptember: 71.1°F averageOctober: 60.1°F averageNovember: 47.5°F averageDecember: 38.5°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Cannelton, 8 miles from the campground at 402 feet, station USC00121256 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 49 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 11 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Coordinates37.9550° N, 86.5813° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗15.5 mi
Outdoor gearSierra ↗29.6 mi
RV sales & serviceRV 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

  • 0.3 mi
    German Ridge Trail 1 Spur 1
    0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.3 mi
    German Ridge Lake Trail 1
    0.7 mi trail · hiking
  • 0.3 mi
    German Ridge Lake Trail 3
    0.3 mi trail · hiking
  • 0.4 mi
    German Ridge Lake Trail 4
    1.1 mi trail · hiking
  • 0.4 mi
    German Ridge Lake Trail 2
    0.1 mi trail · hiking
  • 0.6 mi
    German 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.

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

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Five-Star Trails: Louisville and Southern Indiana
    Valerie Askren, 2022
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Cincinnati
    Tamara York, 2021
    Find at Bookshop.org

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