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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

German Ridge Campground

Forest Service campground in Hoosier National Forest, Perry County, Indiana. 679 feet. 9.1 miles from Cannelton.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Hoosier National Forest
Elevation
679 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
20 20 standard non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Perry County

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.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • backpacking
  • biking
  • camping
  • day use area
  • hiking
  • horse camping
  • horseback riding
  • mountain biking
  • picnicking

The land around German Ridge Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated April 15, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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