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The Hoosier National Forest was created in the depression era of the 1930's. It is made up of land purchased from private owners. Much of it was once stripped of its trees and its
soils were badly eroded. The Forest Service has the task of restoring the vigor and productivity of this land. Much land within National Forest boundaries is still owned by private parties.
CAMPING
Some campsites may be reserved. Call the Forest Service
office, 812.275.5987 or the Newton-Stewart SRA, 812.685.2464 for more information. There are several hundred camp sites available scattered about he 'HOOSIER'. The State Recreation Area[SRA] at [Patoka Lake]
boasts nearly 500 improved sites plus nearly 100 primitive sites.
It's a good idea, especially on weekends, to arrive early to insure a space in a campground and give yourself time to set up and relax around the
evening campfire. The SRA at Patoka Lake and will take reservations. Get your name in early as the demand is very heavy. In addition to the Forest Service and State campgrounds, you will find many private
campgrounds scattered through out the "HOOSIER". Come experience the primitive beauty of the "HOOSIER".
SIGHTSEEING
The "HOOSIER" has rugged beauty all year long, but it is
particularly spectacular in the spring and fall. The white dogwood blossoms, the pink and white of the redbud blossoms, the many shades of green leaves against the azure blue of the spring sky combine to make the
hills of the "HOOSIER" a true fairy land. This spectacular show is only outdone by the Autumn colors. The reds, golds, russets, greens, browns and every shade in between greet you at every turn. There
are two highways in southern Indiana that have been officially designated as 'scenic highways'. They are Indiana highway 66 and Indiana highway 62. But during October any highway or byway in southern Indiana is
going to qualify as a 'scenic highway'.
HIKING
Hiking trails
with in the "HOOSIER" are many and varied. Most are rated as 'moderate' in difficulty. The Two-Lakes-Loop hiking trail is a
National Recreation Trail. This 12.2 mile trail provides panoramic views of
the two lakes it circles, and the surrounding countryside. You can imagine that in nearly 200,000 acres the hiking opportunities abound. Please use marked trails whenever possible. You can easily become confused
[read, 'lost'] in vastness of the HOOSIER.
WILDERNESS
The Charles C. Deam
Wilderness covers 12,935 acres in the northern part of the HOOSIER. This federally designated 'wilderness' is the largest in the lower Great Lakes Region. Approximately 35.7 miles of trails are available to
hikers[and some are also open to horseback riders]along oak-hickory ridges overlooking Monroe Reservoir and through beech-maple hollows. Back pack camping is permitted.
LAKES , RIVERS, CREEKS AND STREAMS
From the mighty Ohio River northward, the rivers, streams and creeks in the 'HOOSIER' are too numerous to mention. Many have been dammed to for a water wonderland and provide a multitude of
recreational opportunities seldom found anywhere. There are many smaller man made lakes operated by the Forest Service. Within the 'boundaries' of the HOOSIER is the second largest reservoir in the State. Patoka
Lake Recreational Area[local link] is an all around 'vacation destination'.
How about a large river that plays hide'n seek. That type of river creates what is called, in geological terms, creates a
[KARST]system. This is a little known feature of the HOOSIER. It is a very rare geological oddity and well worth a [VISIT]. Within a few miles you can see all of the characteristic formations of a true 'karst
system'.
HUNTING AND FISHING
The 'HOOSIER' is a hunters paradise. There are large populations of squirrel,
rabbit, turkey, white tail deer and coyote. White tail deer are abundant in the 'HOOSIER' and adjacent private lands. They are often found along stream bottoms, around farmland and brushy areas. They may be
hunted with shotgun, black powder rifle or bow.
Turkey have been released throughout the Forest and may be hunted during the spring. Ruffled grouse and other upland birds are also hunted. Lakes, ponds and
streams in the 'HOOSIER' produce good waterfowl hunting as well.
The entire 'HOOSIER' is open to hunting. Be sure that you get permission to hunt on private property and know where you are at all times to
avoid trespassing.
The 27,000 acres surrounding Patoka Lake is leased to the state of Indiana by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and is open to hunting. The access to this area is controlled to the extent that
hunters must log in and out. Other than that all you need is an Indiana hunting license to take game from this area. Normal harvesting helps to maintain a healthy animal population.
Hunting is controlled
by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. You must have a state of Indiana license to hunt.
HORSE TRAILS
The 'HOOSIER' has two horse trails with complete facilities. Other trails are open to horse use but don't have special facilities.
The 'Young's Creek' horse trail, 4 miles south of Paoli, is
very popular with riding clubs. This trail is 10 miles long and starts and ends at the
trailhead horse facilities. The Young's Creek trail is usually the first stop of most riding clubs. The length of the trail
makes a nice afternoon ride. You can spend the night at the campground. There is a picket line for tying horses. The next stop on the 'horse trail' tour is the German Ridge horse trail. It is about 20 miles
long and is located 15 miles east of Tell City off state highway 66. The area has facilities for swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking and camping. The campground has 20 camp sites and vault toilets. A picket line
is provided.
WILDLIFE
A young doe lifts her head and watches the
treeline with large dark eyes. Her twin fawns scamper around her legs nipping at the tall feathery grass. A small orange and blue butterfly soars lazily over to settle on a purple top flower. In the tree
overhead a black and white warbler calls his high-pitched song and flits off through the tree tops. According to Lloran Johnson, Wildlife Biologist of the HOOSIER, "we have an incredible wealth of species
in the Forest and we actually continue to find new species". So far we have identified over 50 different mammals, 142 bird species, 36 reptilian species, 28 species of amphibians and 125 species of fish.
Obviously, some of this wildlife is more visible than others. Finding them however, according to Johnson, is part of the adventure.
"If you come to the HOOSIER to view a specific type of wildlife,
you'll need to know where to look", explains Johnson. "Sometimes that's pretty basic, like looking in a backwater areas for the wood duck, fence rows for quail, or open meadows for prairie warblers. Other
times, you'll really need to study the characteristics of a particular species". Wild turkey for, example might be found in early mornings either in meadows or open areas, or in deep woods scratching for
acorns. Wildlife is tied to habitat and while some birds can be viewed from a backyard bird feeder, others are more difficult to find. The HOOSIER offers some types of habitat that aren't readily found
elsewhere in the region. For many songbirds, mature forest areas are the ideal habitat.
For people who come to the Forest specifically to view or photograph wildlife, Johnson recommends picking up map at
one of the Forest offices to better locate the boundaries.
According to Johnson, "No matter where your are, if you're reasonably quiet, you'll glimpse an animal or a bird. "It's a good reminder
for us all of whose home it is, and that we're only visitors".
Please enjoy and protect your Hoosier National Forest.
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