Hoosier National Forest Forest Road 8010 Tower Ridge Loop

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.