Indiana · Hiking · Charles C. Deam Wilderness

Sycamore Trail

Sycamore TrailPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
9.6 mi
round trip
1,007 ft
climb
896 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Is Sycamore Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Hoosier National Forest. It doesn't name Sycamore Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Hoosier National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Sycamore Trail is a 9.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, part of the Brownstown Ranger District of Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail lies within designated wilderness. The route rises from about 571 feet to 896 feet, with a total climb of 1,007 feet and a steepest grade of 12% at about 0.36 miles in. The trail is rated hard, and the natural surface carries no horses or bikes. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bloomington show May highs around 74°F and September highs around 78°F, with September also seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Several other trails start close by, including Terrill Ridge Trail at 0.3 miles and Hickory Ridge 19 at 1.1 miles. Blackwell Campground and Hickory Ridge Campground, both about 4 miles away, offer places to stay.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Sycamore Trail

    Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      37° / 21°

      11 wet · 4 snow

    2. Feb

      42° / 23°

      10 wet · 3 snow

    3. Mar

      52° / 32°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      64° / 42°

      12 wet

    5. May

      74° / 53°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 62°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 65°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 64°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 56°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 44°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 34°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      41° / 26°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bloomington Indiana Univ, IN, 14.3 mi away at 830 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Terrill Ridge TrailPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Terrill Ridge Trail

Next door

3.73-mile out-and-back hike in Indiana with 127 ft of elevation gain.

Patton Cave TrailPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Patton Cave Trail

~6 min drive

1.74-mile out-and-back trail in Indiana with 671 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Hickory Ridge 18

~5 min drive

9.83-mile out-and-back trail in Indiana with 1,490 ft elevation gain.

Hickory Ridge 19Photo: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Hickory Ridge 19

~2 min drive

3.54-mile out-and-back trail in Indiana with 180 ft elevation gain.

Hickory Ridge 21Photo: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Hickory Ridge 21

~7 min drive

Hickory Ridge 21 is a 2.12-mile out-and-back trail in Indiana with 894 feet of elevation gain.

HIKE

Cope Hollow Trail

~6 min drive

12.22-mile out-and-back hike in Indiana with 861 ft elevation gain.

Axsom Branch TrailPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Axsom Branch Trail

~2 min drive

5.21-mile out-and-back trail in Indiana with 698 ft elevation gain.

Hickory Ridge 13Photo: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Hickory Ridge 13

~7 min drive

1.31-mile out-and-back trail in Indiana with 369 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Grubb Ridge Trail

~7 min drive

Challenging 14.55-mile out-and-back ridge hike in Indiana.

Martin Hollow TrailPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Martin Hollow Trail

~3 min drive

5.28-mile out-and-back trail in Indiana with 325 ft elevation gain.