German Ridge Campground
Open year-round, first-come first-served. No reservations accepted. Payment by cash or check only at the self-service pay station. Quiet hours 10 PM to 6 AM. Firewood from outside the area is not permitted.
Mano Point boat launch is sedimented in
Mano Point boat launch is sedimented in due to high water levels this spring on the Ohio River.
Offices Closed April 29
Staff will be conducting a forest-wide clean up on April 29 and our Tell City and Bedford Offices will be closed. Offices will reopen on Thursday, April 30 at 8 a.m. local time. If you need assistance, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/R09/Hoosier
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.We use the Code of Federal Regulations which defines a cave as - "Cave means any naturally occurring void, cavity,…
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.
Section of Tower Ridge Road temporarily closed for safety
A section of Tower Ridge Road was closed to the public on July 3, 2025 due to its deteriorating condition from storm damage and the hazards that posed to the public. Blackwell Campground can be accessed from the west. For Grubb Ridge Trailhead, Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower and points east, use…
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
German Ridge Campground is a 20-site primitive campground in Hoosier National Forest, established during the Civilian Conservation Corps era in the 1930s. Located in Perry County near Tell City, the campground sits in southern Indiana's rugged, unglaciated hill country where dramatic sandstone cliffs and rolling hardwood forests create a scenic backdrop for camping. The campground operates year-round on a first-come, first-served basis at $8 per night, payable by cash or check at the self-service pay station. Each site includes a fire ring, grill, picnic table, and hitching rack for equestrian campers. Accessible vault toilets are provided, but there is no potable water—campers must bring their own drinking water. Non-potable water is available for horses. The surrounding German Ridge Recreation Area offers extensive recreation including a 24-mile multi-use trail system open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. A short interpretive trail loops around the scenic lake and cliff area. The day-use swimming beach and historic CCC shelter are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend at no charge.
Directions
From Tell City, take IN-66 east through Cannelton and watch for Forest Service signs. Turn left onto German Ridge Road; the campground and trailhead are approximately 3/4 mile up on the left.
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 | $8 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| 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 |
Availability
Photos
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