About Outdoor Indiana
Outdoor Indiana, the state's premier magazine, delivers the wonders of the Hoosier outdoors to subscribers' homes and offices in 48 pages of vibrant color. For the best of state parks, lakes, wildlife, forests, trails, hunting, fishing, wildflowers and outdoorsy people, plus inside information from DNR experts, subscribe for $15 per year or $28 for two years. Follow the magazine staff on Facebook.
An Eastern chipmunk at Celery Bog Nature Area.
Photo by Brent Drinkut.
Featured Stories
- From the Director
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
DNR Director Dan Bortner
Since 1934, Outdoor Indiana has provided readers with a dose of Hoosier hospitality and tons of reasons to get out and explore our great outdoors.
When I was growing up, I tagged along with my dad when he’d take pictures for OI as a regular contributor. The Bortner kids had many adventures across Indiana’s hills, lakes, and streams, with my father documenting them through his photos. Some of you likely still have old copies with his pictures.
OI is a treasured piece of my family’s story, and we want to make sure it continues to be a valuable part of yours.
In 2025, we’re making some changes to maintain this magazine’s excellent quality. To offset rising printing and postage costs while retaining your subscription price, we’ll shift to publishing four issues a year. Those four issues will reflect Indiana’s four seasons, so you’ll receive an issue for winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Every magazine will still provide 48 full-color pages of stunning photography and compelling stories about the Hoosier State’s outdoors and the people who love it. With a little shuffling, we’re also giving you an extra feature story in every issue except the winter one, which will contain the annual calendar.
OI has been a constant throughout my life, and each issue makes me think of my dad and those many trips we shared. On behalf of DNR and the team of outdoor enthusiasts who are committed to continuing to bring you this magazine, thank you for being part of Outdoor Indiana!
- RATING: VERY RUGGED
The Knobstone Trail provides challenge and triumph
By Scott Roberts, OI staff
Part of the 60-mile-long Knobstone Trail carves a footpath through the trees south of Round Knob, close to Mile 7, in Clark State Forest. Photo by Brent Drinkut.
Hoosier hikers find many reasons for tackling the Knobstone Trail, a 60-mile route through beech-maple and oak-hickory forest along the rocky escarpment in southern Indiana for which it’s named.
Jordan Lacy of Plainfield likes the views. He routinely hikes the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina, as well as the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. The Knobstone is one of the only places in Indiana he can achieve similar elevation. He’s hiked it 15 to 20 times because of the challenge and the scenery at its peak.
His favorite spot on the trail, which has become one of its best-known features, is a hill called Round Knob. It’s about 7 miles north of the Deam Lake State Recreation Area starting location. On a clear day, hikers can see the Ohio River and catch a glimpse of the Louisville skyline.
“When you get to a knob that has wide open views of a valley below, it just gives you a good sense of accomplishment,” Lacy said…
Called the KT for short, the Knobstone has provided similar experiences and more to hikers since the completion of its first 32-mile section in 1980. Its current length was finished 10 years later. Now the trail stretches from Deam Lake SRA to Delaney Creek Park in Washington County. About 1,300 people hike it each year, according to DNR’s Division of Forestry, which manages and maintains it. That figure includes people who use it to access hunting areas or lakes.
The trail took shape thanks to the location of DNR state forests as well as the courage and vision of some DNR employees.
To read the rest of this article subscribe to Outdoor Indiana or pick up a copy at one of our state park inns. To subscribe, click here or call (317) 233-3046.
- MORE THAN BIRDS
Viewing wildlife of all kinds expands your world
By Marty Benson, OI Staff
White-tailed deer are often most active during twilight. Photo by John Maxwell.
Each of the 71 destinations in the DNR Recreation Guide’s facilities chart lists “wildlife viewing” as an activity guests can enjoy there.
But what exactly is it? How and why do people do it, and how can you start viewing wildlife as a hobby and make the most of it?
Google offers many definitions, but most distinguish it as simply watching wildlife in their natural habitats for enjoyment. This distinguishes it from consumptive outdoor pursuits, though hunters, trappers and anglers do it, too—sometimes to scout, sure—but other times, as the definition suggests, just because they like to.
This article focuses on viewing wildlife other than birds because birding can be a category all its own, particularly for songbirds, and it’s a lot about identifying the different species. This is about viewing wildlife most people know and can find, such as deer, squirrels, wild turkeys, and beyond.
DNR is trying to recruit more people to take up the hobby, particularly at Fish & Wildlife areas (FWAs), but no one has to convince Brad Herndon of Newtown to do it. Now 81, he has been intentionally viewing wildlife since childhood. Of course, he had the advantage of growing up on property adjoining Starve Hollow State Recreation Area (SRA) in Jackson County near Vallonia.
To read the rest of this article subscribe to Outdoor Indiana or pick up a copy at one of our state park inns. To subscribe, click here or call (317) 233-3046.
Reader Photos
Each issue, Outdoor Indiana staff will select reader submitted photos to feature in the magazine. If you would like the chance to be featured, please submit your photo, along with your name and phone number to:
Please, only submit original photography that you have taken. Do not send files over 9 MB in size. JPG format is preferred.
Select each image to enlarge and see more information.
Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine
Visit the Indiana State Parks online store to subscribe. Cost is $15 for a one year subscription or $28 for two years.
Donate
Printing and distribution costs for Outdoor Indiana magazine have increased. One way we’re offsetting these costs is through the Friends of Outdoor Indiana Group administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. Donations to our friends group helps keep our subscription price low and ensures we’ll be around to bring you the best of Indiana’s outdoors for years to come. Donate at the INRF website and include “Friends of Outdoor Indiana” in the “In Honor Of/In Memory Of” line.
Outdoor Indiana
402 W. Washington St., W255-B
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-233-3046
OIorders@dnr.IN.gov
