Hickory Ridge Campground
Open year-round, first-come, first-served at no cost. Trail 16 is currently closed from the junction of Trail 17 on the west to the junction with Trail 17 on the east. Horses and mountain bikers age 17+ require a Hoosier National Forest Trail Use Permit.
Frost Advisory issued May 2 at 11:50AM EDT until May 3 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
* WHAT...Temperatures as low as 35 will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central, south central, and southeast Indiana. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 9 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.
Flood Warning issued May 1 at 9:55PM EDT until May 4 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Indiana... East Fork White River near Rivervale...and near Bedford. White River at Edwardsport down to Hazleton. .Following heavy rainfall earlier this week...minor flooding continues on the lower White River...and on the East Fork White at Rivervale...with brief minor flooding expected on the East Fork White at Bedford Saturday night into Sunday. Flooding will end early next week on the East Fork White...and the White River at Edwardsport...while continuing into the mid-week at Petersburg and Hazleton. * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...East Fork White River near Bedford. * WHEN...Until early Monday morning. * IMPACTS...At 20.0 feet, Water is over most local roads in the flood plain. Agricultural lands flood. Water covers Bedford Boat Club grounds, and the club calls for power to be shut off. Access to higher campground spots at the Bedford Boat Club are blocked by high water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 10:15 AM EDT Friday the stage was 17.7 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage tomorrow evening to a crest of 20.2 feet early Sunday morning. It will then fall below flood stage Sunday afternoon. - Flood stage is 20.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Warning issued May 1 at 9:55PM EDT until May 4 at 9:12AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Indiana... East Fork White River near Rivervale...and near Bedford. White River at Edwardsport down to Hazleton. .Following heavy rainfall earlier this week...minor flooding continues on the lower White River...and on the East Fork White at Rivervale...with brief minor flooding expected on the East Fork White at Bedford Saturday night into Sunday. Flooding will end early next week on the East Fork White...and the White River at Edwardsport...while continuing into the mid-week at Petersburg and Hazleton. * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...East Fork White River near Rivervale. * WHEN...Until late Monday morning. * IMPACTS...At 22.0 feet, A few local county roads begin to flood and are impassable. These include Buddha Road south of the gage and Lawrenceport Road. All local roads across the East Fork White River are threatened by high water, and some are closed. Flooding of agricultural lands in Lawrence County is in progress. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:30 PM EDT Friday the stage was 21.7 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 9:30 PM EDT Friday was 21.7 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage late Sunday evening and continue falling and remain below flood stage. - Flood stage is 20.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
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
Hickory Ridge Campground is a primitive, no-fee horse camping facility located in the Hoosier National Forest near Norman, Indiana. Designed primarily for equestrian camping, the campground welcomes all National Forest visitors at no cost. The campground features 10 designated campsites in a shaded setting among scenic hardwoods. Facilities at Hickory Ridge include accessible vault toilets, hitching racks for horses, and water for livestock (not tested as safe for human consumption). The campground serves as the trailhead for the extensive Hickory Ridge Trail system, offering over 45 miles of interconnecting trail loops through diverse hardwood forests. These multi-use trails accommodate horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking, with day use parking also available for trail users. The campground is open year-round and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Horses and mountain bike riders age 17 and older are required to have a Hoosier National Forest Trail Use Permit. Firewood restrictions apply: any firewood brought onto National Forest land must meet USDA or IDNR certification requirements, and only dead, downed material may be collected on-site. Standing trees, living or dead, may not be cut.
Directions
From Highway 446, turn onto Highway 58 East and proceed 6.5 miles to Norman. At the stop sign, turn left at the brown Forest Service sign. Continue 0.3 miles and turn left onto County Road 1250 W at the brown Forest Service sign. Proceed 1.5 miles to Hickory Grove Road, turn right at the brown Forest Service sign, and continue 0.7 miles to the Hickory Ridge Trailhead 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 | $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) 275-5987 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
Photos
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