USDA Forest Service · Indiana
German Ridge Campground
USDA Forest Service · Indiana, United States
- Sites
- 20
- Hookups
- 20 with water, 20 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 791 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- GERMAN RIDGE (NFSR 1112.000) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Hoosier National Forest
- Phone
- Tell City Ranger District Front Office: 812-547-7051
- Activities
- Backpacking, Biking, Camping, Day Use Area, Hiking, Horse Camping, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Picnicking
20 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
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.
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.
Facilities
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.
Natural Features
Sandstone rock outcroppings, rolling hills, and wildlife can be found here in a hardwood forest setting.
Fees
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 26° | 4° | 66° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 46° | 28° | 2° | 70° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 57° | 40° | 18° | 79° | 7 of 11 |
| April | 67° | 49° | 30° | 82° | 2 of 11 |
| May | 77° | 61° | 43° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 85° | 67° | 52° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 87° | 71° | 64° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 70° | 61° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 83° | 64° | 53° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 66° | 50° | 35° | 83° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 54° | 39° | 16° | 75° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 45° | 31° | 3° | 66° | 9 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Saddle Lake Rec. Area · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
- Saddle Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 13 sites
- Vastwood Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 12 mi
- Tipsaw Lake · USDA Forest Service · 13 mi · 50 sites
- Tipsaw Dogwood Loop · USDA Forest Service · 13 mi
All public campgrounds in Indiana · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-04-15. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.