Buzzard Roost Recreation Area Remains Open Year-Round Near Troy
Buzzard Roost Recreation Area, 15–20 minutes east of Troy along the Ohio River, remains open year‑round with primitive campsites, picnic facilities and a single vault toilet. The site’s basic amenities and seasonal restrictions — including no potable water, quiet hours and firewood rules — are important considerations for Perry County residents planning outdoor trips.
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Buzzard Roost Recreation Area, a small riverside site about 15–20 minutes east of Troy along the Ohio River, is open to the public year‑round and provides primitive camping and day‑use facilities for Perry County residents and visitors. The area offers basic amenities: primitive campsites, picnic tables, grills and one vault toilet. There is no potable water on site, and visitors are required to pack in drinking water and pack out all trash.
The low‑service nature of the site makes it a convenient, low‑cost outdoor option for local families and anglers seeking quick access to the Ohio River. Quiet hours at the site run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and firewood rules require the use of dead and downed wood or certified pest‑free firewood, measures intended to reduce fire risk and prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases in local forests.
Management and visitor information are handled through the Tell City Ranger Station, located at 248 15th St., which is typically open Tuesday through Thursday; the listed phone number is 812‑547‑7051. The recreation area information is listed on the U.S. Forest Service Hoosier National Forest pages, which provide additional guidance for trip planning and seasonal advisories.
For Perry County households, Buzzard Roost offers a nearby outdoor resource that avoids many of the costs associated with commercial campgrounds. The absence of potable water and only a single vault toilet mean visitors should prepare for more primitive conditions than at larger parks, bringing sufficient water, sanitation supplies and means of carrying out trash. This is particularly relevant for weekend trips and for older residents or families with small children who may need more amenities.
Policy implications include ongoing efforts to protect the county’s forested areas and river corridor. The firewood restriction reflects broader regional efforts to limit movements of potentially infested wood, a preventative measure that protects local timber resources and recreation assets. Quiet hours and pack‑out rules help limit environmental impacts and preserve the site’s appeal to anglers and birdwatchers who visit the river corridor.
Residents planning a visit should use the Tell City Ranger Station for up‑to‑date information on conditions, access and any temporary advisories, and should plan trips with the site’s primitive status in mind. The area remains a modest but valuable public resource for Perry County, providing low‑cost access to the Ohio River and nearby outdoor recreation.
