Clark State Forest

Open — Open year-round for first-come, first-served camping. Pit toilets and water supply available year-round. Modern comfort station with showers typically closed during winter months.

About

Clark State Forest, established in 1903, is the oldest state forest in Indiana, encompassing over 25,600 acres of high hills and knobs dominated by Central Hardwoods forest in southern Clark County. The forest was originally part of Clark's Grant from the Virginia Cession of 1781 and served as Indiana's first seedling nursery and experiment station with over 150 experimental tree plantings from 1905-1935. The forest offers two primitive campgrounds available first-come, first-served: the Family Campground with 40 sites east of I-65, and the Equestrian Campground with 28 sites west of I-65, each featuring hitching posts. A modern comfort station with showers and flush toilets in the equestrian campground serves both campgrounds. Five rent-a-camp cabins are available April through mid-November. The forest also features seven trolling-motor-only lakes for fishing and boating, requiring a DNR lake permit. Recreational opportunities abound with over 70 miles of horse trails, the southern terminus of the 60-mile Knobstone Trail for backpacking, mountain biking on 20+ miles of trails, hunting for deer and small game, and an outdoor shooting range. The property includes four nature preserves and multiple picnic areas with eight shelters available for day use. Trail users should wear bright colors during hunting season.

Directions

Two campgrounds: Family Campground is east of I-65 off Winding Road. Equestrian Campground is west of I-65 off Winding Road.

Nearby Campgrounds