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Indiana State Forest Recreation

Draper Cabin and Cherry Lake Lodge Starve Hollow S R A Deam Lake S R A Covered Bridge Retreat

Division of Forestry owns and manages over 158,000 acres of forestland for the benefit of Indiana residents. These properties provide numerous recreational opportunities as well as timber products, wildlife habitat and watershed protection.

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.

Recreation Opportunities

Clark State Forest: 25,000 acres with seven lakes (trolling motors only); 45 campsites, 26 primitive horsemen's campsites, 53 acres of picnic area, hiking and bridle trails, hunting, fishing, picnic shelters, a gun range and two nature preserves.

Deam Lake State Recreation Area: 1,300 acres with Deam Lake itself occupying 194 acres. There are 115 Class A campsites, 108 Class A horsemen's campsites, hiking trails, swimming beach with picnic area, beach house, boat rentals, a nature center, hunting and fishing. The property also features horse stalls for campers, 19 camping cabins for rent, and rentable picnic shelters.

Ferdinand State Forest: 7,700 acres with 90-acre Ferdinand Lake and three smaller lakes. There are 77 campsites, a 10-acre picnic area, five picnic shelters, a swimming beach, boat and canoe rentals, hiking trails, hunting and fishing.

Greene-Sullivan State Forest: 8,900 acres including more than 120 lakes, 100 campsites, 20 horsemen's campsites, hiking and bridle trails, hunting and plenty of fishing. There are 18 rent-a-camp cabins available.

Harrison-Crawford State Forest: 24,000 acres with canoeing on Blue River; youth group and primitive campsites, Adventure Hiking Trail (25 miles), bridle trails, hunting and fishing. The recreation areas are managed by adjoining O'Bannon Woods State Park.

Jackson-Washington State Forest: 18,000 acres including five lakes, picnic shelters, picnic area, 54 primitive campsites, youth group camping, 2,500 acre backcountry area, hiking and bridle trails, hunting, fishing and an archery range.

Martin State Forest: 7,800 acres with three small lakes, 26 primitive campsites, four picnic shelters, hiking/biking trails, hunting and fishing.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest: 25,668 acres with three small lakes, 35 primitive campsites, youth group campsites, 2,700 acre backcountry area, cabin rental, hiking trails, picnic area, picnic shelters, nature preserve, hunting and fishing.

Owen-Putnam State Forest: 6,300 acres with several small wildlife ponds, 25 primitive campsites, 15 horsemen's campsites, hiking and bridle trails, hunting and fishing.

Pike State Forest: 4,900 acres with 11 primitive campsites and 29 horsemen's campsites, one shelter house, hiking and bridle trails, Patoka River access, hunting and foraging.

Salamonie River and Frances Slocum State Forests: These properties encompass nearly 1,500 acres, offering camping, horse trails, hiking and hunting opportunities. Both properties are managed by the Division of Forestry.

Selmier State Forest: 355 acres with a small pond, hunting, hiking and foraging.

Starve Hollow State Recreation Area: 280 acres with 145-acre Starve Hollow Lake, boat rentals, 55 full hookup, 90 electric, and 18 rent-a-camp cabins, two rentable picnic shelters, swimming beach, beach house, Forest Education Center, hiking/biking trails, recreation field.

Yellowwood State Forest: 24,425 acres with 134-acre Yellowwood Lake, three small lakes, 80 primitive campsites, 12 horsemen's campsites, youth tent campsites, boat docks and rentals, rentable picnic shelters, picnic areas, hiking and bridle trails, fishing, hunting and winter sledding hill.

Covered Bridge Retreat: A unique 300 acre working forest retreat with rentable 3 bedroom modern lodge, 21-site campground, horse barn and indoor arena, five miles of hiking/biking/horse trails.

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.