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Blackwell Campground

Blackwell Campground has long been a popular destination and overnight camping area for equestrians. Other campers are also welcome although the facilities are geared to provide for horses. The camp is along Tower Ridge Road in the center of the Charles Deam Wilderness area, approximately one mile from Highway 446. The camp also is a trailhead for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system.

There is a picnic shelter at the site, a loading area for people to easily mount horses, including people with disabilities, and hitching posts. Trails from the site link to the trail system in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness.

General Information

Horse back riders (age 17 years and older) are required to have a permit and stay on trails designated for that type of use. Permits are available from our offices and local vendors.

Firewood Restrictions 

  • Any firewood brought onto National Forest System land must meet ONE of the firewood requirements on Hoosier National Forest.
  • Use of on-site firewood must only be from dead, downed material. Standing trees, living or dead, may not be cut or defaced.

A complete list of US Forest Service rules and regulations are posted on bulletin boards in the campground.  

No fee

bedford_office1

Address: 811 Constitution Avenue Bedford, IN 47421
Phone: 812-275-5987
Hours: Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00a.m. to noon and 1:00 - 4:30p.m. EST. Closed Mondays and Fridays (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 38.15369171

Longitude: -86.60325652

Directions

Take Highway 446 approximately 11 miles south of Bloomington. Turn east (left) at the sign for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness. A small white church sits at the intersection. The camp is on the north (left) side of the road about one mile from 446. 

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are not available at this site.

Vault toilets provided

Water

Potable water is available at this site.

One potable water spigot is available at the west end of the campground for livestock and human use.

Recreation Opportunities

Horse Camping Info

Blackwell Campground has long been a popular destination/overnight camping area for equestrians. Other campers are also welcome. The camp is along Tower Ridge Road in the center of the Charles Deam Wilderness area, approximately one mile from Highway 446. The camp also is a trailhead for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system.

No. of Sites

No designated sites, capacity of 100 horse trailers.

Reservation Info

not reservable

Size Restrictions

corrals available

Fire Information

some fire rings and grills available

Corrals

corrals available

Loading Ramp

Accessible loading ramp is available

Hitching Rails

hitching rails are available

Water Availability

no water is available

No. of Accessible sites

Accessible shelter house and walkways, 4 accessible toilets, and accessible loading ramp

Sleeping Shelter

none

Last updated May 16th, 2025