Buzzard Roost Campground
Closed — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No reservations or fees. Campers must bring their own water as none is available on-site.
Lower Lake Levels
Starting in December lake levels will be lowered to allow more water storage capacity for spring precipitation. Boat launches will not be available during low-water.
Mogan Ridge Road Opening September 26th
Mogan Ridge Road is open from September 26th, 2025, to January 4th, 2026. Please exercise caution when driving. Share the road with mountain bikers, hikers, and horseback riders.
Acts Prohibited within the Charles C. Deam Wilderness
The following acts and omissions are prohibited in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area of the Hoosier National Forest.
Hoosier National Forest fire, camping, motor vehicle use, trail use, occupancy and use prohibitions
The following act(s) is/are prohibited within the Hoosier National Forest
Seasonal Cave Closure in Effect
All Hoosier National Forest caves are closed to visitors from August 16 and May 14 to prevent the disturbance of hibernating bats and reduce the spread of White-Nose syndrome in bats.
Rainbow Lake Area Closure
This Order restricts access to an 2.33-acre area, consisting of a 100 foot no activity buffer from the Northwestern cliff edges of East Rainbow Lake as identified in Exhibit A.
Hickory Ridge Trail 16 Closed
Hickory Ridge Trail 16 is currently closed from the junction of trail 17 on the west to junction with trail 17 on the east, south of trail 17.
Mano Point boat launch is open for small watercraft only
Mano Point boat launch is open for small watercraft only due to sediment under the water level.
Tower Ridge Road Temporarily Closed
Beginning Thursday, July 3, Tower Ridge Road will be closed temporarily for public safety. Several months of heavy rains and high use have led to hazardous conditions. It will remain open from IN 446 to Blackwell Campground, and from the east to Grubb Ridge Trailhead.
Tipsaw Trail Bridge Closed Temporarily
Bridge #3 on Tipsaw Trail at Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area failed inspection and is closed for public safety. The trail remains open and visitors can bypass the bridge if they feel safe doing so.
Peninsula Trail Closed
The Peninsula Trail and Campsites 12 and 21 will remain closed until further notice. A severe storm in June 2024 caused significant damage.
About
Buzzard Roost Campground is a scenic primitive camping area perched on bluffs overlooking the Ohio River in Perry County, Indiana. The campground features 5 first-come, first-served sites with picnic tables and fire grills, offering visitors stunning panoramic views of the Ohio River valley and Kentucky. Each campsite can accommodate various camping setups with parking spurs ranging from 50 to 57 feet in length. The campground serves as a gateway to the Buzzard Roost Trail, an 0.8-mile path marked with white diamonds that winds through hardwood forests, past sandstone rock outcrops and waterfalls, descending from the bluff to the banks of the Ohio River. Benches are strategically placed along the trail and on the overlook platform for viewing wildlife and watching river traffic. The site is located along an alternate route of the National Ohio River Scenic Byway. This is rustic camping at its finest with minimal amenities: a single vault toilet is provided, but no potable water is available, and campers must bring their own supply. The campground operates year-round with no fees for camping or day use. Quiet hours are enforced from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Only dead, downed wood may be collected for campfires, and all fires must be contained in the established fire grills at each site.
Directions
From I-64 take exit 86. Go south on IN-66 through Oriole. 1.5 miles south of Oriole, turn left onto Onido Road. Bear right at the intersection of Onido and Orchard Roads. Continue on Onido Road to Boone Creek Road, to Buzzard Roost Road. Turn left at the marked entrance.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| SM.FS.R9HOFwebsite@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (812) 547-7051 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
Photos
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