Backpacking in Indiana

[Dimitrivich]

Greetings. I am looking for some nearby places to do some backpacking. Due to having a young family, I can only go solo on one night trips. I was looking into places like Adena Trace, but they only allow camping at a drive-in campground. It seems like many of the trails here in Indiana are like this. It's hard to find true backcountry areas to backpack. Most popular trails seem to have designated camping areas. Is this all I'm going to be able to find in Indiana?

So, rather than pouring through more and more trail maps, I thought I'd see if any of you have a suggestion.

Thanks for your input.

-I am a seasoned backpacker
-10+miles a day on rugged terrain is not out of the question
-Don't mind out and back
-I'd like for it to be within a few hours of Indy

 

[natdscott]

Hoosier Nat'l Forest is your huckleberry.

-Nate

 

[jsx1043]

Charles Deam wilderness...you can camp off trail. Not technical by any means, but nice dirt therapy. I have a trip to Colorado Rpcking in June if you're interested.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

Absolutely. The Hoosier National Forest is awesome.


Go south of indy on 37 untill it gets hilly, then keep going. Near Bloomington, take 46 east to 446 to the Deam Wilderness.

I have hiked and camped many times on the Penninsula trail and really enjoy it.

 

[Dimitrivich]

Charles Deam wilderness...you can camp off trail. Not technical by any means, but nice dirt therapy. I have a trip to Colorado Rpcking in June if you're interested.

Thanks for the info.
What do you have planned in Colorado?

 

[Dimitrivich]

Hoosier Nat'l Forest is your huckleberry.

-Nate

I have actually done a handful of trips in HNF last year. Sadly, every time I went out, there was a crazy amount of people on the trails. Otherwise, I was very pleased. I guess these resources are so rare here, There are only so many places people can escape to.

 

[Dimitrivich]

Absolutely. The Hoosier National Forest is awesome.


Go south of indy on 37 untill it gets hilly, then keep going. Near Bloomington, take 46 east to 446 to the Deam Wilderness.

I have hiked and camped many times on the Penninsula trail and really enjoy it.

Have you you ever had issues finding parking there? I have had my eyes on the Peninsula trail two times but when I got there, the parking lot was so full, cars we going down the side of the road for hundreds of feet. Both times, I decided to just explore a different trail.

 

[natdscott]

Trails?

That is your problem.

-Nate

 

[Backpacker]

Check out the Knobstone trail in southern Indiana. Portions of it are hilly and challenging. https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/or-ktsouth.pdf

 

[Slawburger]

Knobstone Trail makes for a good hike. You can break it into sections. Camping is allowed (certain rules apply). Water availability can be improved by pre-staging.

 

[possum_128]

Morgan-Monroe just south of Martinsville off 37.

 

[cavskillz]

This is something I've been wondering for a while. Just been debating the cost of startup/gear.

 

[seedubs1]

HNF, Knobstone, and Morgan Monroe are about all there is around here.

 

[seedubs1]

Buy a little at a time when money allows. You really don't need much to go backpacking. Food, water, clothing, shelter, and something to carry it in. Everything else is optional.

This is something I've been wondering for a while. Just been debating the cost of startup/gear.

 

[jsx1043]

Thanks for the info.
What do you have planned in Colorado?

Going out to Buena Vista, CO for two days at the KOA to acclimate, then 5 days on the Texas Creek Trail, then back to the KOA for two days R&R.

 

[Dimitrivich]

This is something I've been wondering for a while. Just been debating the cost of startup/gear.

Well, if you have any specific questions or would like to hit the trails, let me know. I am always willing to share some knowledge. I usually have some extra gear. So if there is something that you don't have the $$ to spend on, I probably have something you can borrow or atleast share on the same trip.

 

[Dimitrivich]

Well, thank you for your time anyone. It would seem that all of my research lines up with everything that you guys are saying. I suppose that I was hoping for a sweet honey hole that was relatively unknown. Oh well. Looks like I'm just going to have to adjust my expectations.

I wish I could go back in time and truly appreciate how many trails were so close to me. Totally took that for granted...

 

[Dimitrivich]

Going out to Buena Vista, CO for two days at the KOA to acclimate, then 5 days on the Texas Creek Trail, then back to the KOA for two days R&R.

I dont think I'd be able to successfully swing that one by the wife.
I am definitely envious of you. Hope you have a great trip! Let us know how it goes.

 

[jsx1043]

I dont think I'd be able to successfully swing that one by the wife.
I am definitely envious of you. Hope you have a great trip! Let us know how it goes.

This will be my third year going. It's not an expensive trip, the worst part is the drive there and back. We always have seats open if you can $350-400 and the time off!

 

[cavskillz]

Seems that I may have over researched the last time I wanted to get started. This makes more sense to get the basics and improve/add where I see fit.

Buy a little at a time when money allows. You really don't need much to go backpacking. Food, water, clothing, shelter, and something to carry it in. Everything else is optional.