Owen-Putnam State Forest advisories
- The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has adjusted services, events and operations to protect Hoosiers and prevent further spread of COVID-19. Please visit on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19 for a listing of what is open, closed, restricted and canceled.
- Description
Hike through some of the best hardwood forests in the country. Enjoy deer, squirrel and turkey hunting. Fish in one of the ponds. Horseback ride through some of the beautiful hills of south central Indiana, including a view of a 50-foot sandstone bluff. This property consists of many scattered holdings in a north-south orientation and because of this scattered nature, care should be exercised to avoid trespassing on private land.
Developed areas include the Forest Office, Fish Creek Campground, Horse Campground and Rattlesnake Campground.
- Activities
Camping
Fish Creek Campground: 14 sites, available water; Horse Campground: 15 sites, water trough; and Rattlesnake Campground: 11 sites. Campgrounds are primitive (Class C) and are provided with vault toilets, picnic tables, grills and parking spurs. Rattlesnake and the Horse campground have no drinking water, but this can be obtained at the Forest Office or Fish Creek Campground.Campsites are available on a first come, first serve basis; please self-register at booths located in each campground. See the fees page for a list of camping fees.
Hunting
Deer, squirrel and turkey hunting. A valid hunting license is required. Hunter access: please respect the rights of private landowners. Know where you are! Not all state forest boundaries are marked. Lines that are marked have orange paint on the state side of the trees. Boundary signs are posted at intervals on the private side.Many of our fire trails are cleared annually to provide access to the property. These trails are usually located by parking areas and have steel cables across them with DNR padlocks. Please refrain from parking in front of these cables and blocking emergency access.
- Trails
Hiking Trails
Hiking is available on the forest access trails and bridle trails throughout the forest property. Hikers and horseback riders are advised to wear hunter orange or other bright clothing while on trails during hunting season.
- Poplar Top-1.5 miles, self-guiding
Horse Trails
All horses brought, driven or ridden onto Owen-Putnam State Forest must have either a valid daily or annual horse use tag.
- Pleasant Grove-1.8 miles around Horse Campground, passes by an old cemetery.
- Sandstone Bluff-1.7 miles around Horse Campground, passes by a 50' sandstone bluff & waterfall.
- Bridle Loop-10 miles from Horse Campground to Rattlesnake Campground and back.
Mountain Bike Trails
Owen-Putnam State Forest offers six miles of mountain bike trails. Mountain bikes are only permitted on those designated trails. View our publications page for further details and a trail map.
- Maps
- Photos & Videos