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Charles C. Deam Wilderness
4.8 ★★★★★ 102 Google reviews · Running trail in Bloomington, Indiana · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- 36 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Charles C. Deam Wilderness' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Encompassing nearly 13,000 acres, this preservation area offers over 37 miles of trails.
What runners say about Charles C. Deam Wilderness
“The trail itself is beautiful, winding through towering hardwoods and pines with a quietness that's hard to find.”
“If you're looking for a peaceful hike with a bit of Indiana history tucked away at the end, the Terrill Ridge Trail is a hidden gem.”
The Deam is a jewel in the Indiana landscape. It's an actual designated Wilderness: which means (amongst other things) no motorized anything around which is nice, you can camp anywhere that's reasonable (read, not on the trail itself), and you're not restricted to the trails if you're looking for a more rugged…
If you’re seeking a getaway from the city and usual overcrowded “camping” in an open field at ridiculous prices, Charles Deam is the place for you! It’s full of dispersed campsites tucked away off the gravel road. The deeper into the forest you drive, the better the spots get and the more isolated you get.
We had a great time back country camping at The Charles C. Deam Wilderness! We found an amazing campsite and went on a beautiful hike. Seeing people on horses was cool! Being basically secluded though from people was the best part. It was beautiful, magical, and the nature was awesome!!
We hiked the Grubb Ridge Trail and it was so peaceful, we felt like we had the Wilderness to ourselves! We only saw one other group of hikers all day, but a ton of geodes! After the hike we drove along Tower Ridge Rd and explored some of the side roads as well.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail itself is beautiful, winding through towering hardwoods and pines with a quietness that's hard to find.”
“Day 1 - Parked our car at the watch tower and hiked 6 miles on Sycamore trail and camped at site# 6.”
“If you're looking for a peaceful hike with a bit of Indiana history tucked away at the end, the Terrill Ridge Trail is a hidden gem.”
“Parking was a little scarce so if you go make sure you’re early enough to get a parking spot.”
“It’s full of dispersed campsites tucked away off the gravel road.”
“There’s no electricity, restrooms, or staff to be found, so you’re truly experiencing nature in its purest form.”
Plan your run at Charles C. Deam Wilderness
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- Distance36 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Phone(812) 275-5987
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Bloomington
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve
4.3 ★★★★☆ 79 reviews
Nature preserve featuring hiking trails, fossils, and a beach.
Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary
4.8 ★★★★★ 144 reviews
Wooded retreat with a peaceful vibe, known for drum circles and festivals held on the property.
Latimer Woods
4.1 ★★★★☆ 35 reviews
Old-growth forest featuring a nature trail with signs detailing the area's history.