Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 24000 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | yes | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 8 | | | Mountain Bike Trails, miles | 5 | | | Bridle Trails, miles | 100 | | Boating | Boating Limits | -1 | | | Launch Ramps, # | yes | | Camping | Primative, # | 45 | | | Dumpstation | yes | | | Horsemen Campsites, # | 26 | | Accommodations | Tennis | yes |
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Clark State Forest, established in 1903, is the oldest state forest in Indiana. The original appropriations to purchase a 2,000 acre tract took place during the administration of Governor Winfield Durbin. In the ensuing 96 years, additional acquisitions have increased this area to the present 24,000 acres. Much of this land was originally part of Clark's Grant, lands provided by a clause in the Virginia Cession of Claims to the Northwest Territory on December 20, 1783.
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| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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(name not given)
19-Apr-2008
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| Camping: |
| Primitive(class C) camping is available for a fee. Self check-in stations are located at the entrance to each campground. Sites have pit toilets and seasonal drinking water available. There is a picnic table and grill located on each of the campground's 45 sites. The Horseman's Campground offers 26 Class C sites for those visitors who are camping with horses. A dump station is available. |
| Trails: |
| Hiking Trails:
White Oak Nature Trail - 0.9 mile loop, self-guiding
Resource Trail - 1 mile, self-guiding
Knobstone Trail - 59 miles (backcountry) 32 miles in Clark State Forest 27 miles in Elk Creek and Jackson-Washington State Forest.
Hiking is also permitted on the entire property including firetrails and horse trails. Hikers and horseback riders are advised to wear hunter orange or other bright clothing while on trails during hunting season.
Horse Trails:
Approximately 100 miles of marked trails and six day ride parking areas.Horseback riding is permitted only on designated bridle trails. All horses brought,driven or ridden onto Clark State Forest must have a valid annual horse use tag.
Wildlife Loop (blue trail marker) - 3.5 miles
Easy. Area has wide trails enhanced by wildlife openings and ponds.
Shaw Lake Loop (green trail marker) - 5.5 miles
Moderately Rugged. Very scenic trail bordering Shaw Lake . High vistas withtwo steep areas.
Horse Camp Loop (blue trail marker) - 5 miles
Moderate. Good scenery. Trail crosses one creek, goes by several vistas,switches back and cuts around camel backs.
Beginner Loop (orange trail marker) - 3 miles
Easy. Wider trails built for beginning horses and riders.
Wilcox Valley Trail (yellow trail marker) - 0.5 mile
Moderately Rugged. Scenic with large trees and winding creeks. Wet in spring.
Bowen Loop (blue & yellow trail marker) - 7 miles
Moderate. Upland trees include chestnut oak and pine; several vistas.
Deam Trail (red trail marker) - 20 miles
Moderately Rugged. Day-long ride with all types of scenery and wildlife. Ends atday ride area on Flower Gap Trail.
Mountain Grove Trail(green trail marker) - 4.9 miles
Moderately Rugged. Trails are wider due to wildlife habitat enhancement work,wildlife food plots and ponds. Some creeks, hills and hardwood trees.
Dry Fork Loop (orange trail marker) - 12 miles
Rugged. Very primitive area with two ever-changing creek crossings. Large treesand steep valleys, creeks and knobs. This trail is one of the most scenic, and hastwo crossover shortcuts (green & yellow).
Trail Difficulty Ratings:
Easy- A wide trail, often short in length and free of obstacles, located near dayuse areas, horse camp facilities and recreation areas where heavy use isexpected. Moderate- A wide, longer trail of moderate grade, traversing varyingtopography and free of obstacles. Moderately Rugged- For the more experienced horse and rider. Trail widthmay vary from 4-6 feet and may accommodate both double and single file riding.Steeper grades, varying topography and changes in trail surface will beencountered. Rugged- Rugged trails are designed for single file riding over extremely steepgrades, dramatic topography, native rock and frequently changing trail surfaces.Obstacles such as rock ledges, fallen trees and creek crossings may beencountered.
Mountain Bike Trails:
Clark S.F./Deam Lake S.R.A. offers 5 miles of mountain bike trails. Mountainbikes are only permitted on those designated trails. |
| Picnicking: |
| Several picnic areas and 8 picnic shelters are available for day use. Picnic areas, with picnic tables and grills, are located throughout the forest. The property also includes seven playgrounds, two baseball fields, tennis court, basketball court, firetower and public gun range. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing:
Seven lakes are open to fishing; a valid Indiana fishing license is required. Schlamm Lake (18 acres), Franke Lake (13 acres), Bowen Lake (7 acres), Oak Lake (2.5 acres) Pine Lake (2 acres), Shaw Lake (13 acres) and Wilcox Lake (5 acres). A boat launch ramp is available; boat motors are limited to electric trolling motors only. Swimming is not permitted in any of the lakes. A summary of fishing regulations is available on line at the Division of Fish & Wildlife's web pages.
Hunting:
Whitetail deer, ruffed grouse, turkey, squirrel, fox, woodcock and raccoon. A valid hunting license is required. Hunting and trapping regulations are available on line at the Division of Fish & Wildlife's web pages. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| | | B&Bs / Inns | | Central Park Bed & Breakfast - Central Park is 'a statement in casual elegance'. The perfect destination for accommodations outside the ordinary, whether for business or pleasure. Conveniently located in the heart of Old Louis |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Horse & Mule Trail Guide USA: Trails, Campgrounds, Overnight in Indiana - This page is for the state of Indiana and is a subpage of Horse Mule Trail Guide USA. | | Clark - Clark State Forest. Location: From I-65 in southeastern Indiana, take the SR 160 exit to Henryville, then go one mile north of Henryville on US 31 to the forest entrance. The main part of the... | | Knobstone Trail - Knobstone Trail. Location: The terminal points of the trail are in Jackson-Washington State Forest and Deam Lake State Recreation Area. To reach the northern, Jackson-Washington Trailhead at... | | Knobstone Trail in Indiana - Complete information for the Knobstone Trail in Indiana. Often compared to the ... -a 58-mile backcountry hiking trail passing through Clark State Forest, Elk Creek Public Fishing Area, and Jackson- ... |
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