German Ridge Campground
Hoosier National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: Cannelton, IN, IN
Price: From $8 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
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 Da
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/german-ridge-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Budget-friendly federal campground with 20 sites offering tent and RV camping at $8/night, plus extensive trail access including 24+ miles of multiple-use trails and a scenic lake area perfect for hiking and biking.
Wildlife alert: Red-tailed Hawks, Cliff Swallows, Killdeer, Eastern Box Turtles, and North American Racers documented in the area
Insider tips for German Ridge Campground: Site 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
Skip German Ridge Campground 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.
Best time to visit German Ridge Campground: Memorial Day - Labor Day — Campground operates seasonally during this period only; swimming beach opens Memorial Week.
Nearby campgrounds: Saddle Lake Campground (Gatchel, IN), Tipsaw Lake (Bangor, IN), Buzzard Roost Campground (Magnet, IN), Indian Celina Lake (Bangor, IN).
Cell Phone Coverage at German Ridge Campground
Cell signal at German Ridge Campground (Cannelton, IN): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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 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.
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 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
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 datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
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 German Ridge Campground cost per night?+
What season is German Ridge Campground open?+
Does German Ridge Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at German Ridge Campground?+
How do I make reservations at German Ridge Campground?+
What is the cell service like at German Ridge Campground?+
What season is German Ridge Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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