Clark State Forest advisories
- This section of trail on Clark State Forest will be temporarily closed on or shortly after April 14. The trail will reopen after the completion of forest management activities.
- The Clark State Forest fire tower is closed for improvements. This closure restricts the use of the stairs. Once all improvements are completed, the tower will reopen.
- Description
Clark State Forest, established in 1903, is the oldest state forest in Indiana. The original appropriation to purchase a 2,000-acre tract took place during the administration of Gov. Winfield Durbin. In the ensuing years, additional land acquisitions have increased the state forest to more than 25,600 acres. Some of the original purchase was part of Clark's Grant, lands provided by a clause in the Virginia Cession of Claims to the Northwest Territory on Dec. 20, 1781.
Originally named The State Forest Reservation and Experiment Station, Clark State Forest was first used as a seedling nursery before opening to the public. More than 150 experimental tree plantings were established from 1905 through 1935. Some can still be observed today.
There are four nature preserves in Clark State Forest: White Oak, Virginia Pine-Chestnut Oak, Alum Cave Hollow, and Outbrook Ravine nature preserves.
Multiple land uses include timber management, recreational activities, wildlife habitat, and watershed protection.
- Activities
Camping
Two nonelectric campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each campsite offers a picnic table and a fire ring. The equestrian campsites include a hitching post. There are pit toilets and water supply located throughout each campground that are available year-round. The dump station in the equestrian campground is available to guests of both campgrounds. A modern comfort station, which is also in the equestrian campground, is also available to guests of both campgrounds.
Family Campground - $18 per site per night
This nonelectric campground is east of I-65 off Winding Road. It offers 40 individual campsites, each with a picnic table and fire ring.
Equestrian Campground - $21 per site per night
This nonelectric campground is west of I-65, off Winding Road. It offers 26 individual campsites, each with a picnic table, fire ring, and hitching post.
Comfort Station
The comfort station for both campgrounds is in the equestrian campground. This facility is available to paid campers only. It is a modern restroom facility offering showers, toilets, urinals, sinks, and changing tables for young children. Also included is a separate small bathroom that offers the same amenities for winter use, when the main facility is closed for the winter.
Dump Station
The dump station for both campgrounds is in the equestrian campground and free to paid camping customers. Nonpaying customers may use the dump station for a fee of $10 per dump, paying using the self-registration system at the office.
All campers are required to self-register and pay at the Clark State Forest main office.
How to register and pay:
- Campground self-registration envelopes are at the self-serve station on the front exterior of the office, which is at 2 Service Road Henryville, IN 47126.
- Complete both sides of the campground self-registration envelope. Tear off the receipt slip and take it with you to your campsite.
- Place your payment (cash or check made payable to “DNR–Clark State Forest”) in the envelope, seal the envelope, and insert it with payment into the gold mail slot on the exterior of the office.
- Attach the envelope receipt/slip to the numbered site marker in the campground with the clothespin provided. If you are unable to attach the receipt/slip to the campsite post, please keep receipt/slip for proof of payment until you leave the campground.
Boating and FishingThere are seven lakes on property that are open to boating and fishing. All require a DNR lake permit for use of a boat, canoe, or kayak. All are trolling-motor-only, and swimming is not permitted. A valid Indiana fishing license is required, and all fishing regulations apply. Below is general information on each lake.
Lake Name Size Ramp Type Location Bowen 7 acres No Ramp Near gun range Franke 12 acres Concrete Ramp South of west side shelter Oak 2.5 acres No Ramp Near front entrance off S.R.-31 Pine 2 acres No Ramp Near front entrance off S.R.-31 Schlamm 18 acres Concrete Ramp West of west side shelter Shaw 13 acres No Ramp North of Bloomington Trail Road Wilcox 5 acres No Ramp Off Switchback Road Hunting and Trapping
Clark State Forest is a favorite destination for many white-tailed deer hunters. Squirrels and raccoons are also commonly hunted as is other wildlife and waterfowl during legal seasons. Some trapping is allowed, by permit only. There are designated trails for those with a disability through a special permit issued by the DNR. A valid hunting license is required, and all hunting and trapping regulations apply.
Shooting Range
Clark's shooting range provides users of firearms a place to hone their skills. Be sure to review the Shooting Range Regulations for rules of use and hours of operation.
Picnicking and Shelters
Clark State Forest offers multiple picnic areas and eight shelters (see map section for further details regarding location). All picnic areas and shelters are equipped with tables and grills for public use and enjoyment. Shelters may be reserved for day use through the online reservation system. Pricing varies by shelter. The White Oak Center, an enclosed building with a kitchenette and restroom, is also available. Clark State Forest also offers a variety of other recreational opportunities, including fire tower, seven playgrounds, a ballfield (bases are not provided), and basketball courts.
- Trails
Hiking Trails
Hiking is permitted on the entire property, including fire lanes and horse trails. Hikers and horseback riders are advised to wear hunter orange or other bright clothing while on trails during hunting season.
- White Oak Nature Preserve Trail - This easy 0.9 mile trail loops through the Nature Preserve. The trailhead can be accessed off the south side of Winding Road, west of I-65. Parking is available at the West Shelter.
- Resource Trail - This easy 1-mile loop features 14 stops on a self-guiding interpretive trail. The trailhead can be accessed from the Oak Lake Shelter.
- Lake Vista Trail – This rugged 1.6 mile loop winds through bottomlands before climbing more than 200 feet to a rock outcropping with a scenic view above Deam Lake. Parking is available within Deam Lake State Recreation Area by the wood barn near the campground entrance.
- Knobstone Trail - The 60-mile backpack hiking trail travels through Clark State Forest, Elk Creek Public Fishing Area and Jackson-Washington State Forest. Visit Indiana State Forest Recreation for dispersed camping opportunities and Knobstone Trail for more information.
Mountain Bike Trails
Mountain biking is permitted on the more than 20 miles of Clark State Forest’s Overland Trail, which uses parts of multiple horse trails and the Lake Vista Trail. This combination gives guests the opportunity to make the more-than 16-mile journey from Clark State Forest to Deam Lake State Recreation Area, take the 6.0 mile Mountain Grove Loop, or the 1.6 mile Lake Vista Trail loop. Guests can use any of the eight parking areas along the route, including those at the Clark State Forest campground, Wilcox Lake parking area, Casey Road, Pixley Knob Road, Mountain Grove Road, Jackson Road Trailhead, Tree Lane parking area, or Deam Lake campground. View Clark State Forest north and south maps.
Horse Trails
Clark State Forest and Deam Lake State Recreation Area offer more than 70 miles of horse trails. Trails are marked with colored symbols on posts. Horse riders on DNR properties, including Clark State Forest, must purchase and be carrying a $20 annual horse tag or a $5 daily horse tag. Horse tags can be purchased at the Clark State Forest office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. View Clark State Forest north and south Maps.
- Beginner Loop (orange), 2 miles
Easy. Wider trails built for beginning horses and riders. - Bowen Loop (blue), 3.1 miles
Moderate. Trail with several scenic vistas traveling through upland forests that contain chestnut oak and pine trees. - Cross Country Trail (red), 17.7 miles
Easy to very rugged. Adventurous day-long rides from campground to campground are available with various types of scenery, terrain, and wildlife. - Deam Lake Loop (yellow), 6 miles
Easy to moderate. This wider trail circles the entire lake. There are long trail grades and several creek crossings. This trail is shared with mountain bikers. - Dry Fork Loop (green), 6 miles
Rugged. Large trees and steep valleys, creeks and knobs. This trail is one of the property’s most scenic, has switchbacks, and has one cut-through trail (yellow). - Flower Gap Loop (green), 1.9 miles
Easy. Short trail, has many intersections with other trails. - Horse Camp Loop (blue), 4.9 miles
Rugged. Good scenery. Trail crosses several creeks, goes by several vistas, switches back, and cuts around knobs. - Mountain Grove Loop (green), 6 miles
Easy to moderate. Recently improved and widened, this trail takes you around the area hit by the 2012 tornado and offers spectacular views. - Pekin Saddle Club Loop (blue), 2.2 miles
Moderate. Scenic pines, creek crossings and some winding wooded trails. A wide fire trail on the east side of the trail makes for good riding. - Shaw Lake Loop (green), 4.2 miles
Very rugged. Scenic trail bordering Shaw Lake. High vistas with two very steep areas. - Top of the Rock Trail (orange), 0.6 miles.
Wide and fairly gentle trail through young and old forests, following the ridge to the high points of the property southwest of the Deam Lake office. - Three Hills Trail (orange & green), 1.5 miles
Very rugged. This trail has two moderately difficult sides and a northern section that is challenging and crosses a creek at its east end to meet the main trail back to the Deam Horse Campground. - Tree Lane Loop (blue), 8.8 miles
Easy to moderate. Crossing several creeks, this loop trail has long grades, a ridge trail and a wide array of scenery. - Wildlife Loop (orange), 2.3 miles
Easy. Area has wide trails enhanced by wildlife openings and ponds. - Connector Trails (blue & yellow).
- Maps
- Photos & Videos