Indiana State forests offer six vistas, hunting, bicycling, bird watching, one ball field, three basketball courts, 28 playgrounds, one archery range, one gun range, gold panning, and fire towers. Camping locations include 395 primitive sites, five electric family sites, 105 primitive horse sites, 21 cabins and 10 youth/group camps.
- By Location
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.
- Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping, also referred to as primitive backpack camping, is allowed on certain state forests. Dispersed camping is allowed along designated trails if a few rules are followed. No permit is required; however, some state forests require registration at the state forest’s office.
Where dispersed camping is allowed:
- Knobstone Trail (KT) – Dispersed camping is allowed along the TK, which begins at Deam Lake State Recreation Area and travels through Clark and Jackson-Washington state forests. A portion of the trail travels through the backcountry area of both state forests, where dispersed camping is also allowed. A small section of the trail travels through the Elk Creek Public Fishing Area between Clark and Jackson-Washington state forests; no dispersed camping is allowed on this Fish & Wildlife property. To view a map and learn more visit Knobstone Trail.
- Tecumseh Trail – Dispersed camping is allowed along the Tecumseh Trail, which travels through portions of Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood state forests. A portion of the trail travels through the backcountry area of both state forests, where dispersed camping is also allowed. There are easements/agreements to allow the trail to connect to public lands in areas of scattered ownership. No camping is allowed on section of the trail on private property. There are three shelters along the trail for overnight stay or retreat from inclement weather; one shelter is privately owned and managed. To view a map and learn more visit Morgan-Monroe State Forest and Yellowwood State Forest.
- Adventure Trail – Dispersed camping is allowed along the Adventure Trail, which travels through portions of Harrison-Crawford State Forest and O’Bannon Woods State Park. This trail is open to both hiking and mountain biking. No dispersed camping is allowed along the section of trail within O’Bannon Woods State Park. There are four shelters along the trail for overnight stay or retreat from inclement weather. To view a map and to learn more visit Harrison-Crawford State Forest.
Rules and Restrictions
- Dispersed camping is only allowed on sections of the Knobstone Trail on Clark and Jackson-Washington State Forest, at least ¼ mile away from all roads, recreation areas, and trailheads, and a minimum of 100 feet from the trail.
- Dispersed camping is only allowed on sections of the Adventure Trail on Harrison-Crawford State Forest.
- Dispersed camping is only allowed on sections of the Tecumseh Trail on Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood state forests.
- Camping is not allowed between mile marker 0 and mile marker 2 on the Knobstone Trail.
- Camping is not allowed between mile marker 30 and mile marker 34 on the Knobstone Trail.
- Camping is not allowed along segments of trail that travel through a dedicated nature preserve.
- Registration is only required at Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood state forests.
- Pack out all trash.
- Stays are limited to 14 consecutive days.
- Group size is limited to 6 persons per campsite.
- Be aware of current county or property burn bans.
- All campfires should be in a pit 12 inches or less in diameter, and a 3-foot diameter should be cleared to mineral soil around the fire.
- All campfires should be 100% extinguished before leaving a campsite.
- Go at least 200 feet from water sources and campsites for personal hygiene needs and bury human waste.
- 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. 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.