Saddle Lake Campground
Hoosier National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: Gatchel, IN, IN
Price: From $5 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (1 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Saddle Lake Recreation Area was one of four that was associated with flood control lakes built along the Middle Fork of the Anderson River. Saddle Lake has a primitive campground, a boat ramp, and a hiking trail. This scenic, somewhat remote lake is an excellent place to get away from crowds and you will often have the place to yourself!
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/saddle-lake-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Saddle Lake is a scenic, somewhat remote recreation area where you'll often have the place to yourself. Campers consistently praise the beautiful lake, seclusion, gorgeous trees, and safe atmosphere.
Wildlife alert: Black Scoter, Belted Kingfisher, Wood Thrush, Killdeer, Eastern Box Turtle, Eastern Hognose Snake, and Eastern Garter Snake present in the area.
Insider tips for Saddle Lake Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 13 sites and high demand. Bring a self-contained RV; there are no hookups available. Hike the 2.4-mile trail around Saddle Lake and use the boat ramp for non-motorized boating.
Skip Saddle Lake Campground if: You need RV hookups — none are available at most sites.. You prefer year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only.. You want to avoid thunderstorms — tree coverage is heavy, and thunderstorms can develop quickly..
Best time to visit Saddle Lake Campground: May-October — Official operating season for the campground..
Nearby campgrounds: Tipsaw Lake (Bangor, IN), German Ridge Campground (Cannelton, IN), Indian Celina Lake (Bangor, IN), Buzzard Roost Campground (Magnet, IN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Saddle Lake Campground
Cell signal at Saddle Lake Campground (Gatchel, IN): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
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 Saddle Lake Recreation Area was one of four that was associated with flood control lakes built along the Middle Fork of the Anderson River. Saddle Lake has a primitive campground, a boat ramp, and a hiking trail. This scenic, somewhat remote lake is an excellent place to get away from crowds and you will often have the place to yourself!
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
this is a federal campground with only 13 sites and high demand.
Bring a self-contained RV; there are no hookups available.
Hike the 2.4-mile trail around Saddle Lake and use the boat ramp for non-motorized boating.
Official operating season for the campground.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
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 Saddle Lake Campground cost per night?+
What season is Saddle Lake Campground open?+
Does Saddle Lake Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Saddle Lake Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Saddle Lake Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Saddle Lake Campground?+
What season is Saddle Lake Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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