Day Hiking

Day Hiking Areas

• Birdseye Trail
• Buzzard Roost Recreation Area

  A scenic location for walking, picnicking and camping.  Parking areas are available at the first trailhead access and at the picnic/camping spur. Tables, grills, and a portable toilet are available at the picnic area. Benches are located on the bluffs overlooking the Ohio River. Water is not available on site.

• Buzzard Roost Trail
• Charles C. Deam Wilderness

  The Charles C. Deam Wilderness offers 36 miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, and horse riding through scenic hardwood forest and varied terrain with views of nearby Monroe Lake. The area was designated a wilderness in 1982 and encompasses nearly 12,953 acres of the Hoosier National Forest. Wilderness designation places this area in a special legal status (subject to the 1964 Wilderness Act). It is managed to preserve a natural condition and provide opportunities for solitude.

  Since its designation as a wilderness, visitor use in the area increased to a point that significant damage was occurring. Special restrictions are in place to protect the wilderness character. Visitors to this special place are asked to follow these restrictions to lessen your impact and share responsibility in preserving this unique natural resource.

  Visitors should be aware that due to Monroe Lake’s purpose of flood control, water levels fluctuate and some campsites may experience flooding and be unusable for periods of time.
• Sycamore Trail
• Fork Ridge Trail
• German Ridge Recreation Area

  The German Ridge Recreation Area includes a campground, a 24-mile multiple use trail, a short hiking trail around a scenic lake, a day use area for swimming and picnicking, and several historic buildings. It was established during the Civilian Conservation Corps days and has long been a popular get-away for people in southern Indiana.

• German Ridge Lake Trail
• Hardin Ridge Recreation Area

  Hardin Ridge Recreation Area is located on Monroe Lake south of Bloomington, Indiana. This recreation area offers​ six campground loops, two picnic areas and three shelterhouses,​ two of which are available for reservation, a three​ lane boat launch, a swim beach with shelter and showerhouse,​ hiking trails, and two rental cabins on the lake. The​ campground loops offer modern restroom and shower​ facilities. This area is operated by a concessionaire under a​ special use permit issued by the Forest Service from mid-​April through mid to late October.

• Hardin Ridge Trail
• Ted T. Turtle Trail
• Hemlock Cliffs Special Place and Trail
• Hickory Ridge Trail
• Indian-Celina Lakes Recreation Area

  Indian-Celina Lakes Recreation Area is located two miles south of Interstate 64 off Indiana 37. It offers​ opportunities for both overnight and day use, with two camping loops and two lakes that offer paddling,​ fishing and boating (electric motors only), and two​ trails for hiking. This area is operated by a​ concessionaire under a special use permit issued by​ the Forest Service from mid-April through late​ October.

• Celina Interpretive Trail
• Two Lakes Loop Trail
• Lick Creek Trail
• Mogan Ridge East Trail
• Mogan Ridge West Trail
• Nebo Ridge Trail
• Oriole East Trail
• Oriole West Trail
• Pate Hollow Trail
• Pioneer Mothers' Memorial Forest
• Saddle Lake Trail
• Shirley Creek Trail
• Springs Valley Trail and Boat Launch
• Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area

  

  Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area is located six miles south of Interstate 64, off of Indiana 37. It offers opportunities for both overnight and day use, with three camping loops, two group camping areas, a picnic area with two shelters available for reservation, a beach with modern bathhouse, Tipsaw Lake, which offers paddling, fishing, and boating (electric motors only) opportunities, and a 5.9 mile trail around the lake for hiking and biking. A boat launch with large parking area is provided. This area is operated by a concessionaire under a special use permit issued by the Forest Service from mid-April through late October.

• Tipsaw Trail