Hoosier National Forest — lakeside, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
Cannelton, IN, IN★ 4 (0 reviews)From $8/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
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. 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.
Best for:HikersFamiliesBackpackersSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMemorial Day through Labor Day
Stay limit14 days
HookupsNo hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
Pull-throughsAvailable
ToiletsVault toilets
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire Rings
Recreation
Picnic Tables
Family & Pets
Vault Toilets
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ Expecting electrical hookups or shower facilities—vault toilets only✕ Traveling outside Memorial Day through Labor Day when campground is closed✕ Need full RV hookups; only self-contained RVs suitable
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entrySite 10 is elevated ground with better drainage during heavy rain
5G UW service available at some sites for connectivity
Book early as this is a popular federal campground with limited sites
Best: Memorial Day - Labor Day
Campground operates seasonally during this period only; swimming beach opens Memorial Week
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Red-tailed Hawks, Cliff Swallows, Killdeer, Eastern Box Turtles, and North American Racers documented in the area
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Tell City Ranger District Front Office: 812-547-7051· Hoosier National Forest
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 German Ridge Campground cost per night?+
German Ridge Campground costs $8 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is German Ridge Campground open?+
German Ridge Campground is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does German Ridge Campground have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at German Ridge Campground?+
German Ridge Campground is primarily a tent camping facility.
How do I make reservations at German Ridge Campground?+
German Ridge Campground is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at German Ridge Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at German Ridge Campground is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is German Ridge Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
German Ridge Campground is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$8 /night★ 4 (0)
SeasonMemorial Day through Labor Day
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does German Ridge Campground cost per night?+
What season is German Ridge Campground open?+
Does German Ridge Campground have hookups?+
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$8 /nightNo booking fees