Hoosier National Forest Forest Road 8010 Tower Ridge Loop
Limestone shelf technical through fire tower country
Forest Road 8010 cuts through some of the gnarliest limestone shelf country in southern Indiana, connecting the old fire tower sites between French Lick and Paoli. The route follows ridgelines through dense hardwood forest, dropping into creek bottoms where limestone outcroppings create natural rock gardens that’ll test your line choice. Key waypoint is the abandoned CCC fire tower at mile 8, where you can still climb the rusted stairs for views across the Mitchell Plain.
This is technical driving requiring high-clearance 4WD with skid plates and recovery points. Spring rains turn the clay sections into slick bowling alleys, and limestone shelves are unforgiving on oil pans. Best tackled April through October when creeks are manageable. No permits needed but respect private property boundaries. Dispersed camping allowed at designated spots near tower sites. You’ll earn every mile on this 15-mile loop that shows off Indiana’s rockiest terrain.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 15 mi / 24.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 850 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Paoli, Indiana |
| Land manager | Hoosier National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need lockers?
A stock Wrangler will struggle on the limestone shelf sections — skid plates and a lift are strongly advised. Lockers aren't mandatory but will save you on the wet, sloped shelf rock where traction drops fast. A completely stock rig has no business here.
Is FR 8010 accessible in early spring or after heavy rain?
Best season is April–October, but spring access is a gamble — the water crossings swell and the clay-mixed sections turn into a skating rink after rain. Check with Hoosier National Forest (fs.usda.gov/hoosier) before heading out if there's been recent precipitation.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to run this trail?
No permit or fee required to drive FR 8010 — it's National Forest land managed by Hoosier NF. Standard rules apply: pack out what you pack in, follow fire restrictions, and don't camp within 100 feet of water sources.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The limestone shelf segments are the crux — angled slabs with minimal traction, exposed drop-offs on one side, and no clean line if you botch your approach. Wet conditions make these sections genuinely dangerous, not just uncomfortable.
How far is the nearest gas station, and is there reliable water on trail?
Paoli is your last fuel stop — fill up there, it's roughly 15–20 minutes from the trailhead. There are water crossings on route but treat anything you collect; no potable water sources exist on trail, so carry what you need for the day.
Trail track
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