Indiana State Forest Recreation

Recreation Opportunities

Clark State Forest: 25,603.5 acres with seven lakes (trolling motor only); primitive family and equestrian campgrounds, comfort station available, dispersed camping on the Knobstone Trail, picnic areas, shelters, trials (bike, horse, hiking), fire tower, hunting, fishing, and shooting range.

Ferdinand State Forest: 7,820.8 acres with four lakes (trolling motor only); primitive family campground, swimming beach, boat and canoe rentals, picnic areas, shelters, trails (hiking and biking), fire tower, hunting, and fishing.

Frances Slocum State Forest: 515.7 acres managed by the Division of Forestry through the Salamonie River State Forest office. This small, forested property offers access along the Mississinewa River, horse trails, and hunting. No camping is allowed.

Greene-Sullivan State Forest: 9,054.4 acres with more than 120 lakes (some with boat ramps), primitive family and equestrian campgrounds, rent a camp cabins, picnic areas, shelters, trails (hiking and horse), hunting, and fishing.

Harrison-Crawford State Forest: 24,287.4 acres with access along the scenic Blue River. Trials include hiking, biking, and horse, which include the Adventure Trail a 25-mile trail that offers dispersed camping. Other activities include caving, hunting, and fishing.

Jackson-Washington State Forest: 18,415.8 acres with seven lakes (trolling motor only); primitive family campground, youth/group camping areas, picnic areas, shelters, trails (bike, horse, hiking), dispersed camping on the Knobstone Trail, fire tower, hunting, fishing, and archery range.

Martin State Forest: 9,303.9 acres with three lakes, primitive family campground, shelters, fire tower, trails (hike and bike), hunting, and fishing

Morgan-Monroe State Forest: 24,515.5 acres with three lakes (trolling motor only), primitive family campgrounds, youth/group camping area, dispersed camping, family cabins, trails (hike and bike), picnic areas, shelters, fire tower, hunting, and fishing.

Mountain Tea State Forest: 1,224.2 acres managed by the Division of Forestry through Yellowwood State Forest office.  This small property offers a parking area, gated fire lanes for access by foot, small lake, hunting, and fishing. No camping allowed.

Owen-Putnam State Forest: 6,718.3 acres with primitive family and equestrian campgrounds, trails (bike, horse, hiking), shelter, and hunting.

Pike State Forest: 5,031.5 acres with primitive family and equestrian campgrounds, shelter, trails (hike and horse), access to Patoka River, hunting, and fishing.

Ravinia State Forest: 1,421.4 acres managed by the Division of Forestry through Morgan-Monroe State Forest office.  This small property offers a shelter, parking areas, gated fire lanes for foot access, and hunting. No camping allowed.

Salamonie River State Forest: 955.8 acres with primitive family and equestrian campgrounds, shelter, trails (hike and horse), and hunting.

Selmier State Forest: 350.4 acres with access along the Muscatatuck River, hiking trails and hunting opportunities. No camping allowed.

Yellowwood State Forest: 24,162.9 acres with four lakes including the large Yellowwood Lake (trolling motor only), primitive family and equestrian campgrounds, family cabin, youth/group camping, boat rental, dispersed camping along the Tecumseh Trail, picnic areas, shelters, trails (bike, horse, hiking), hunting, and fishing.

Covered Bridge Retreat: Recreation/overnight stays managed by State Parks.

Cabin Rentals

Modern family cabin rentals are available at Morgan-Monroe State Forest and Yellowwood State Forest.  These modern cabins, Cherry Lake Lodge and The Lodge at Yellowwood, offer a full kitchen, bedrooms, showers, and toilets.  All the amenities of home in a forested setting.

Greene-Sullivan State Forest offers rent-a-camp cabins; a more primitive style camping cabin located on or near a lake. These cabins offer heat/air conditioning, electricity, and bed frames.

Morgan-Monroe offers a truly primitive style cabin as well. Draper Cabin is an old log cabin that goes back in time 130 plus years when electricity was not available. If you are seeking a rustic experience in the middle of the forest, this cabin is for you. You’ll find the basics here—a roof over your head and a floor under your feet, an outdoor vault toilet, and a fireplace for warmth and cooking. No beds, no furniture, no running water, no towels or linen; but a dry place to spend the night in a quiet, remote forested setting.

Be a Campground Host

Serve as campground hosts at Indiana’s State Forest and State Recreation Areas. The responsibilities of hosts and other details are listed below. Camping in State Forests is generally more primitive than other DNR camping. Only Deam Lake and Starve Hollow have comfort stations.

DNR Firewood Policy

There are 140 known pests and pathogens that can be moved from place to place in firewood. You can bring firewood into a state park, reservoir, state forest or state fish and wildlife area if it is:

• Kiln-dried scrap lumber.
• Firewood from your home or other location in Indiana and has the bark removed.
• Purchased firewood that comes with a compliance stamp issued by either the state of Indiana or USDA.
• Firewood that does not meet the above standards may result in confiscation or citation.