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Recreation
Peninsula Trail Closed
The Peninsula Trail and Campsites 12 and 21 will remain closed until further notice. A severe storm in June 2024 caused significant damage.
The Hoosier National Forest is within a 2-hour drive of Cincinnati, Evansville, Indianapolis, and Louisville. The Forest offers people a tranquil setting to explore, fish, hike, hunt and reconnect with nature. There are over 260 miles of trails on the forest for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. Trail systems may be open to more than one type of use, so please be courteous to other users.
Please note: To reduce our paper use, printed trail maps will no longer be available at trailhead kiosks when current supplies run out.
Quick Links
Current Recreation Conditions
| Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Birdseye Trail | Open | Due to forest management activities involving heavy equipment, a short section of the Birdseye Trail north of Governor’s Trace Rd. and east of Riceville Rd. will be temporarily closed to the public for safety until further notice. |
| Charles C. Deam Wilderness | Open | Closures:
|
| German Ridge Recreation Area | Open | Alcohol ban in effect. |
| Hardin Ridge Recreation Area | Open | Effective Oct 21, 2024 at noon eastern until late-March/early April, 2025â Eads, Southern Point, and Pine Loops CLOSED (shower houses will be closed, no electric available).
Effective Oct 31, 2024 at noon eastern until late-March/early April, 2025âWhite Oak, Bluegill, and Holland Loops CLOSED (shower houses will be closed, no electric available). There will be no day-use fee charged, free access to day-use of the boat ramp and trails, vault toilet available at boat ramp. Beach will remain closed and tentatively open Memorial Weekend 2025. |
| Hickory Ridge Fire Tower | Open | Parking is limited. Have a plan to visit another site or trail if this site is full. We recommend planning your visit during non-peak times such as mornings, and weekdays. |
| Hickory Ridge Trail | Open |
|
| Indian-Celina Lakes Recreation Area | Open | Effective Oct. 16, 2024, at noon central time until late-March/early April, 2025- No day-use fee charged, free access to day-use of the boat ramps, trails, parking, and fishing pier.
North Face Loop - Effective Oct. 16, 2024, at noon central until late-March/early April, 2025â North Face Loop campground open under Forest Service management - use of the self-service pay station located at the entrance to the campground loop is required. Camping fees during this time are: $15 for electric, $10 for electric with senior pass or access pass, $10 for non-electric, $5.00 for non-electric with senior pass or access pass. Limited electric sites. The shower house will be closed but vault toilets and centralized water will be available. This loop is open year-round. South Slope Loop -Effective Oct. 16, 2024, at noon central until Dec. 2, 2024 - At noon central â South Slope Loop campground open under Forest Service management - use of the self-service pay station located at the entrance to the campground loop is required. Camping fees during this time are: $15 for electric, $10 for electric with senior pass or access pass, $10 for non-electric, $5.00 for non-electric with senior pass or access pass. All shower houses will be closed but vault toilets and centralized water will be available. Effective Dec. 2, 2024, at noon central until Late March 2025 â South Slope Loop is CLOSED until late-March/early April, 2025 |
| Lick Creek Trail | Open | |
| Rainbow Lake Recreation Area | Open | Alcohol ban in effect |
| Saddle Lake Recreation Area | Open | |
| Springs Valley Trail and Boat Launch | Open | |
| Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area | Open | Effective Oct. 31, 2024, at noon central until late-March/early April, 2025- Campground and Shower Houses Closed, no day-use fee charged, free access and day-use of the boat ramp, parking, and trails. Tipsaw Beach will remain closed until Memorial Day Weekend, 2025 |
| Two Lakes Loop Trail | Open |
Spotlights
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.
Rickenbaugh House
This sandstone block house was built in 1874 by Jacob Rickenbaugh. The house has been renovated and is open periodically. Please check our social media events for upcoming programs.
A downloadable flier with information is available - click here.
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.
