SALAMONIE RIVER STATE FOREST
The name Salamonie was derived from the Native American word "O-sah-mo-nee," which means "yellowpaint." Native Americans made yellow paint from the bloodroot plant which grew in great abundancealong the winding banks of the river. Salamonie River State Forest was created as a demonstration riverside forest for the reclamation oferoded land. The state forest was established in the mid 1930's when local people assisted the state inpurchasing the hilly land and bluffs along the Salamonie River. Most of the land's topsoil was erodedaway, making reclamation of the area a major challenge. To deal with this challenge, a 200-memberCivilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was created. The CCC designed and planned the forest andrecreation facilities and opened a stone quarry. Several hundred acres of land were reforested and manyrecreation facilities were built, including Hominy Ridge Lake and the large stone shelter house that standsnear the lake. Today the forest encompasses 850 acres and offers many recreational opportunities to itsvisitors.
Salamonie River State Forest is a state forest located in Huntington and Wabash counties in the state of Indiana, United States. It covers an area of about 850 acres along the banks of the Salamonie River. The history of the forest traces back to the early 20th century.
In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, the Salamonie River region was severely affected by the economic crisis. To address the issue, the federal government initiated various programs to provide employment opportunities, one of which was the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a public work relief program that employed young unemployed men for conservation and development of natural resources across the country.
In 1934, Camp Davis, a CCC camp, was established at the present-day Salamonie River State Forest. The camp housed CCC Company 1582, which mainly consisted of young men from the Dayton area. The CCC workers at Camp Davis were involved in various conservation projects, including reforestation, erosion control, trail construction, and wildlife habitat improvement. They planted tens of thousands of trees to reclaim the eroded and deforested land, built roads and bridges, and created recreational opportunities within the area.
By the late 1930s, the CCC camp was disbanded, but the work done by the CCC workers had a lasting impact on the region. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of a state forest in 1949, designated as the Salamonie River State Forest, to recognize the importance of the area's natural resources and provide recreational opportunities for the public.
Salamonie River State Forest offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors, including hiking, bird watching, hunting, fishing, and camping. It also features a network of trails that allow visitors to explore the forest and enjoy its natural beauty. The forest continues to be managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to preserve its ecological integrity and provide a unique outdoor experience for future generations.
GeneralLand, acres850
Day-UseFishingyes
Huntingyes
Hiking Trail, miles9
Picnickingyes
Picnic Shelters, #1
Swimming Beachyes
Bike Trailsyes
Bridle Trailsyes
BoatingBoating Limits-1
Launch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitive, #32
Electric Sitesyes
Horsemen Campsites, #15
AccommodationsGolf Courseyes
Salamonie River State Forest offers 2 primitive(class C) campgrounds: family campground with 32campsites, and a horseman's camp with 15 sites. Campsites are available on a first come, first servebasis. Please self-register for camping at the campground entrance. Pit toilets and drinking water areavailable near sites.