Gnaw Bone Camp
Tucked deep in Brown County State Forest, Gnaw Bone Camp offers dispersed camping among towering oaks and maples with minimal facilities — just fire rings and the occasional picnic table. The area gets its name from the nearby ghost town of Gnaw Bone, and you’ll find scattered primitive sites along old logging roads with room for maybe 15-20 rigs spread across several acres. No water, no toilets, no trash service — pack it all out.
Access via Bean Blossom Road then Forest Road 209, about 3 miles of gravel that gets rough after heavy rain. Popular with hunters in fall, but quiet most other times. Fire restrictions apply during dry spells, and the forest service occasionally closes areas for timber operations.
Primitive forest camping near Brown County trails
Place Details
| Type | Dispersed Camping |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Nashville, Indiana |
| Miles from pavement | 3.2 mi |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Access road surface | Gravel |
| Cell service | None |
| Capacity (# of rigs) | 20 rigs |
| Cost (USD/night, 0 = free) | Free |
| Reservation required | No |
| Stay limit (nights) | 14 nights |
| Best season | April-November |
| Land manager | State Land |
| Permit required | No |
| Amenities | Fire ring |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |