Hoosier National Forest — lakeside, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
Gatchel, IN, IN★ 5 (1 reviews)From $5/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
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!
Best for:HikersFamiliesBackpackersSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
HookupsNo hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
ToiletsVault toilets
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsBoat Launch
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:✕ 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.
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.
Best: May-October
Official operating season for the campground.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 100%
Verizon
4G · 100%
AT&T
4G · 100%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Black Scoter, Belted Kingfisher, Wood Thrush, Killdeer, Eastern Box Turtle, Eastern Hognose Snake, and Eastern Garter Snake present 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 Saddle Lake Campground cost per night?+
Saddle Lake Campground costs $5 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is Saddle Lake Campground open?+
Saddle Lake Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Saddle Lake Campground have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at Saddle Lake Campground?+
Saddle Lake Campground is primarily a tent camping facility.
How do I make reservations at Saddle Lake Campground?+
Saddle Lake 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 Saddle Lake Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Saddle Lake Campground is rated strong. Best carrier: T-Mobile. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Saddle Lake Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Saddle Lake Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●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.
$5 /night★ 5 (1)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Saddle Lake Campground cost per night?+
What season is Saddle Lake Campground open?+
Does Saddle Lake Campground have hookups?+
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