Trails / Indiana / Hoosier National Forest

Charles C. Deam Wilderness: Sycamore Loop and Grubb Ridge

Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Hoosier National Forest (south of Bloomington, on Monroe Lake)

The Charles C. Deam Wilderness covers about 13,000 acres of ridges and hollows on the south shore of Monroe Lake near Bloomington. The Forest Service lists 36 miles of trail and 25 designated backcountry campsites. Wikipedia notes that the land was farmed from 1826 until the Great Depression, so old foundations, fences, and cemeteries turn up along trails that mostly follow old roadbeds. This page covers the Sycamore Loop and Grubb Ridge areas. The Peninsula Trail, with some of the most popular lakeside sites, is closed.

The hike

Wikipedia says the wilderness was designated in 1982 and named for Charles C. Deam, Indiana’s first state forester. Monroe Lake, the state’s largest reservoir, forms its northern edge. The Civilian Conservation Corps-era Hickory Ridge fire tower still stands at the Hickory Ridge trailhead and is open to the public.

The Forest Service lists five trailheads: Blackwell Campground (a horse camp), Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower, Grubb Ridge, Hunter Creek, and Hays, with limited parking at the last two.

Robert Pahre’s 2019 campsite guide describes the Sycamore Loop group as about 4.7 miles. Campsite 1, at the junction of the Terrill Ridge and Sycamore Loop trails, has no water but is closest to the parking lot. Campsites 2, 3, and 4, along the south side of the loop, are creek-fed with flat tent spots and fire pits, though less private. Campsite 5 “sits next to a beautiful little pond.” On Terrill Ridge, he says Campsite 6, by a pond, is a popular day-hike destination with little privacy.

The Grubb Ridge group sits 2.5 to 3 miles from its trailhead. Pahre describes Campsite 12, at a junction, as roomy but without privacy or water (the Forest Service lists it as temporarily closed). Campsites 14 and 15 sit down a steep descent above Monroe Lake, with reliable lake water.

Pahre notes that streams are unreliable by late summer and ponds get worse as the season goes on, while Monroe Lake has water all year. The Forest Service says there’s no potable water except seasonally at Blackwell Campground.

For a longer trail in the same forest, see the Two Lakes Loop.

Tips

Check closures. The Peninsula Trail and part of Tower Ridge Road are closed.
Check campsite status. Some lakeside sites are flooded or closed.
Treat water. Use the lake when streams are dry.
Keep groups small. The limit is 10.
Leave the bikes and carts. Wheeled vehicles of any kind are prohibited.
Climb the tower. The Hickory Ridge fire tower is open at the trailhead.

Camping

The Forest Service says dispersed campsites must be at least 200 feet from trails, trailheads, roads, water, rock shelters, caves, and historic structures unless you use a designated site, and at least half a mile from the Monroe Lake shoreline; along the lake, use designated campsites. Groups are limited to 10. You must occupy your site the first night and can’t leave it unattended more than 24 hours without permission. Stays are limited to 14 days in a 28-day period and 28 days a year. Horses are allowed only at campsites 13 and 25. No permit is needed to camp.

Inside Intel: Pahre recommends the Sycamore Loop’s creek-fed sites (2 through 4) for reliable water and flat tent spots, and Campsite 5 for its pond setting. On Grubb Ridge, Campsites 14 and 15 put you above Monroe Lake with water all year. Campsite 12 is temporarily closed, so confirm site status before you go.

Trail facts

Distance: About 10 miles for a two-day trip on Sycamore and Grubb Ridge (trail lengths vary by source)
Route type: Loops and out-and-backs
Difficulty: Moderate
Campsites: 25 designated sites (some closed or flooded); dispersed camping with setbacks
Water: Creeks and ponds (seasonal), Monroe Lake; treat all water
Permits: None for camping
Group size: 10 maximum
Trailheads: Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower, Grubb Ridge, Blackwell, Hunter Creek, Hays
Last verified: October 7, 2026

The Lowdown

A pond-side site in the Deam:

The Sycamore Loop's creek and pond campsites have flat tent spots that fit a small backpacking tent well. See the tents testers like.

See the picks →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.