The Hoosier State
Indiana
Hardwood hollows, sandstone canyons, and the most rugged terrain in the flattest state most people write off.
Indiana at a Glance
Hardwood Forest
Hoosier National Forest protects 198,000 acres of oak-hickory forest in the rugged hills of southern Indiana
Caves and Springs
Southern Indiana sits on a limestone karst landscape, with springs, sinkholes, and cave entrances throughout the forest
Knobstone Escarpment
The Knobstone Trail follows a 58-mile ridge across southern Indiana, the longest hiking trail in the state
Spring Migration
Indiana's forests lie directly on migration routes for warblers, thrushes, and other neotropical migrants each May
Charles C. Deam Wilderness
Indiana's only wilderness area covers 13,000 acres in Hoosier National Forest, with hardwood hollows and ridgelines above Lake Monroe
Wildflowers
The spring ephemeral wildflower season in Indiana's hollows is among the best in the Midwest, with trillium, bloodroot, and Dutchman's breeches peaking in April
When to Visit
April through June and September through November. Summer can be hot and muggy but the shade of Hoosier National Forest is significant. Spring wildflowers (April through May) are exceptional in the hollows and creek drainages.
Top Activities
Gateway Cities
Bloomington
Indiana University town adjacent to the Charles C. Deam Wilderness and Lake Monroe, with easy access to the best hiking in the state.
Tell City
Small Ohio River town at the southern edge of Hoosier National Forest, near the German Ridge Recreation Area and the Tell City Ranger District.
Did You Know?
Hoosier National Forest is bisected by the scenic road over Brown County State Park, the largest state park in Indiana.
Lake Monroe, adjacent to Hoosier National Forest, is the largest inland lake in Indiana and was created by damming the Salt Creek in 1965.
The Deam Lake area of Hoosier National Forest was named for Charles C. Deam, Indiana's first state forester and a renowned botanist.
Indiana's Yellowwood State Forest near Nashville is known for its yellow poplars that turn brilliant gold in October.
The Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest within Hoosier National Forest is a 88-acre old-growth preserve that was never logged.