Blackwell Campground
Hoosier National Forest — hiking
Location: Heltonville, IN, IN
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (2 reviews)
Season: May through October
The camp is located 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. There is a picnic shelter at the site, a loading area for people to easily mount horses, including people with disabilities, and hitching racks.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/blackwell-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Blackwell Campground serves as a trailhead for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness with approximately 35 miles of trails, plus access to the nearby Hickory Ridge Trail system. The campground accommodates all user types including tent and RV camping at an affordable $20/night rate.
Wildlife alert: Eastern Copperhead snakes present in the area; also Bald Eagles, Osprey, and Southern Flying Squirrels documented within 8km.
Insider tips for Blackwell Campground: Book early as a federal campground with high demand Bring a self-contained RV as no hookups are available at most sites Use as a trailhead for Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system and Hickory Ridge Trail access
Skip Blackwell Campground if: You need RV hookups. You require camping outside May through October seasonal window.
Best time to visit Blackwell Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Hardin Ridge (Bangor, IN), Hickory Ridge Campground (Norman, IN), Shirley Creek Campground (French Lick, IN), Youngs Creek Campground (Paoli, IN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Blackwell Campground
Cell signal at Blackwell Campground (Heltonville, IN): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The camp is located 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. There is a picnic shelter at the site, a loading area for people to easily mount horses, including people with disabilities, and hitching racks.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as a federal campground with high demand
Bring a self-contained RV as no hookups are available at most sites
Use as a trailhead for Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system and Hickory Ridge Trail access
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Hoosier National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Hoosier National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Blackwell Campground cost per night?+
What season is Blackwell Campground open?+
Does Blackwell Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Blackwell Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Blackwell Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Blackwell Campground?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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