The Knobstone Trail or “KT” is the longest hiking foot trail in Indiana and due to its length, rugged nature, and ample elevation change, it’s often compared to and used as a training ground for the famous and much longer Appalachian Trail.
But just how long is the trail and how long does it take to hike the Knobstone Trail?
To hike all 58 miles of the Knobstone Trail, it will usually take anywhere from 20 to 30 hours at a moderate hiking pace, as most hikers will usually cover an average of 2 to 3 miles in an hour.
Due to the length and time needed to hike the entirety of Knobstone Trail this trail makes a great multi-day hike.
However, the Knobstone Trail is also great for shorter day hikes as well by just hiking a section of the trail.
If you’re planning on hiking the Knobstone trail though, make sure to keep reading.
As this article has a ton of helpful and useful information about Knobstone Trail, covering everything from how to hike the trail to the amount of cell phone coverage you can expect.
Hiking Knobstone Trail
To hike the entire Knobstone Trail you first need to make your way to the trailhead which is located inside Deam Lake State Park. Once inside Deam Lake State Park which has a $7 in-state and $9 out-of-state admittance fee, take your first right you come to and follow the road all the way until it ends at the trailhead for Knobstone Trail.
While the Knobstone Trail does span a total of 58 miles, keep in mind that this is only true if you hike the two figure 8 loops at the north end of the trail, which adds an additional 12.5 miles to the trail.
Otherwise, the Knobstone Trail only encompasses 45.5 miles of hiking straight from the start to the finish of the trail.
Much of the Knobstone Trail is very remote and secluded and is surrounded by approximately 40,000 acres of Indiana State Forrest. Passing through Clark State Forest, Jackson-Washington State Forest, and Elk Creek Public Sighing Area before ending in Delaney Creek Park near Salem, Indiana.
While hiking along the Knobstone Trail which is maintained to backcountry standards you can expect very rugged conditions with substantial elevation changes.
It’s actually because of these elevation changes that Knobstone Trail is often compared to and used for training to hike the Appalachian Trail. Because while the Knobstone Trail is no comparison in length to the Appalachian Trail which spans 2,190 miles it actually has similar elevation change characteristics with over 11,000 feet of total elevation change.
To get an even better idea of what hiking the Knobstone trail is like check out this YouTube video of a hike along “KT”.
https://youtu.be/qKqEw6z-ZQo
Knobstone Trail Camping
If you’re planning a multi-day hike along Knobstone Trail, then it’s important to have a plan for the camping you will need to do while hiking along the trail.
To begin with, there are no official or designated campsites on the trail. So if you plan to camp along Knobstone Trail you will need to be prepared for dispersed camping or primitive style camping as you will not find any potable sources of water or restrooms.
Also if you plan to camp along Knobstone Trail there are several rules and guidelines that you need to follow as well.
Rules for Dispersed Camping on Knobstone Trail
- Camping is allowed on public land only and campsites must be 1 mile away from roadways, recreation areas, and trailheads. Campsites must also not be visible from trails or lakes.
- If you’re planning on staying overnight along the trail then you should register at Indiana DNR Law Dispatch located at 4850 S. St. Rd. 446 Bloomington, IN 47401 (812) 837-9536.
- Follow the leave no trace policy while camping and hiking along the trail and make sure you take everything with you that you brought on the trail.
- If you have an emergency situation you should contact Indiana DNR Law Dispatch at (812) 837-9536.
- Make sure all human waste is buried in a hole at least 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from all water sources and campsites.
- Camp stoves are recommended but campfires are generally allowed unless otherwise noted or a fire ban is in place.
- Campfires should be kept small and in a pit that is no wider than 12 inches with a 3-foot wide cleared area around the fire for safety. Only collect dead or fallen limbs or trees for firewood and never cut branches or trees down for firewood.
Knobstone Trail Cell Phone Coverage
While cell phone coverage does exist on the Knobstone Trail it is usually spotty and unreliable at best. So if you’re planning on hiking the Knobstone Trail, it’s best not to rely on your cell phone for communication or mapping.
Instead, opt for more low-tech options such as physical trail maps and compasses as opposed to GPS mapping on your phone, which is usually not that great for trail hiking anyway.
Also, before heading out make sure you let someone know where you will be hiking and for how long in case something were to go wrong, and make sure to plan your pick up time and spot ahead of time as you may not be able to rely on your cell phone to convey this information while on the trail.
Knobstone Trail Pet Policy
Pets are allowed on Knobstone trail however as is the case with most public land and trails, there are some rules and guidelines that you need to follow if you plan to bring your pet with you while hiking or camping along Knobstone Trail.
The main thing to remember is that you must keep your pet under control while hiking and camping at all times along the trail and your pet must be kept on a leash.
Also, while this falls more under the common sense category, do not allow your dog to bark or chase other trail users or wildlife while using the trail and make sure that all pet waste is kept away from the trail and all water sources.
Knobstone Knockout
If you’re looking to step it up a notch while hiking along Knobstone Trail there is actually a Knobstone Trail Race called the Knobstone Knockout which happens every year around March and can be speed hiked or ran as a 10K, 25K, or 50K.
The race is an out and back race that starts and finishes at Deam Lake State Park and will test even the most avid hikers and runners due to its rugged nature and steep inclines and declines throughout the race.
If you want to learn more about the Knobstone Trail Race or sign up for the race click here.
Knobstone Trail Shuttles
Due to the length and amount of time, it takes to hike all or the majority of the Knobstone Trail there are shuttle services available that can either drop you off or pick you up from the trail depending on your needs.
Below is a list of the most popular shuttles for the trail.
- North End: Bloomington Most High Adventures, Steve Chafin at
(812) 340-0700 – soilandwater.com. (Shuttles also for Kayakers) - South End: Go Deep Adventures: Jeff Campbell, guide and outfitter
(812) 967-4620, (812) 896-7671 - Henryville: Kimberly Sue Dickerson – (812) 207-4627