Did you know that Clark State Forest is Indiana’s oldest state forest? Located in Henryville, Indiana, about 22 miles north of Louisville, KY, it was originally named The State Forest Reservation and Experiment Station. In its early years, the Reservation experimented with different methods of forest cleaning, pruning, and planting while also growing millions of seedlings and attracting visitors from far and wide. More than 150 experimental tree plantings were established between 1905 and 1935. Cucumber magnolia and chestnut trees can still be found in a few places. Keep an eye out on your next visit because these plantings and others can still be observed today!  

Clark State Forest

For decades, Clark State Forest has offered recreational activities to both Hoosiers and visitors. Keep reading to learn about the forest’s top features. 

Top 3 features:

  • Camping 
  • Boating & Fishing 
  • Hiking 

Hiking at Clark State Forest is a must. There are 3 dedicated hiking trails: White Oak Nature Trail (0.9-mile loop, self-guiding), Resource Trail (1-mile, self-guiding) and the Knobstone Trail (59 miles of backcountry trail, with 32 miles in Clark State Forest and 27 miles in Elk Creek and Jackson-Washington State Forest). Click here for more information on the Knobstone Trail, including trail condition. Hikers can also hike the more than 70 miles of horse trails into the rugged knobs and valleys of Clark State Forest. 

Clarks State Forrest

Clarks State Forrest

Before or after your hike, be sure to visit the lookout area. To the left of the Henryville Fire Tower, you’ll see a picnic area that offers great views of the Louisville skyline on clear days. For more scenic views, download our FREE Scenic SoIN digital passport.  

Click the links below for hiking maps.  

 

Camping 

Clark State Forest

Give yourself plenty of time to explore the grounds when you make it an overnight stay! Camping at Clark State Forest is a great way to connect with nature. Clark State Forest offers two non-electric campgrounds available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each comes with picnic tables and fire rings. A newly opened Comfort Station with bathrooms and showers is available in the Equestrian Campground to campers from either campground. Whether you choose the Family Campground or the Equestrian Campground, both offer a peaceful setting for a night under the stars. Wake up to fresh air and easy access to hiking trails and outdoor activities, making it a great way to extend your adventure and experience more of the forest. 

  • Family Campground: $18 per site/night, located east of I-65 (40 campsites)
  • Equestrian Campground: $21 per site/night, located west of I-65 (26 campsites with hitching posts) 

Click here for more camping information.  

 

Hunting & Fishing

Clark State Forest

Cast your reel at Clark State Forest, where seven lakes open to boating and fishing offer ample opportunities for water-based recreation—whether you're fishing from the shore or cruising the waters.  

  • Schlamm Lake (18 acres) 
  • Franke Lake (12 acres) 
  • Bowen Lake (7 acres) 
  • Oak Lake (2.5 acres)  
  • Pine Lake (2 acres) 
  • Shaw Lake (13 acres)  
  • Wilcox Lake (5 acres) 

Boat launch ramps are available in Oak, Franke, Schlamm, and Bowen; boat motors are limited to electric trolling motors only. Indiana DNR typically stocks Oak Lake in Clark State Forest with 405 trout in mid-late October. Other fish that can be found at Clark State Forest include walleye, channel catfish, blue gill and more.  View the Indiana Fish Stocking Plan.  

Check out Indiana Free Fishing Days here.  

Note: All require a DNR lake permit for the use of a boat, canoe or kayak. All are trolling-motor-only, and swimming is not permitted. A valid Indiana fishing license is required, and all fishing regulations apply.  

Additional Recreational Activities:

Geocaching

Geocaching is a sport where individuals hide small containers, called “caches.” Caches usually contain a logbook and pencil, and maybe a few small trinket items. They are placed in a specific location and the hider submits the coordinates online to be approved. Once approved, seekers use the coordinates and clues to find it. Once found, they can sign the logbook and swap trinkets if they desire. Click here to read more about geocaching at Clark State Forest.  

Horse Trails

Clark State Forest offers 70 miles of horse-riding trails. Trail locations and descriptions can be found in the maps linked below.   

Hunting

White-tailed deer, wild turkey and rabbits are commonly hunted at Clark State Forest. A valid hunting license and the necessary permits are required. Designated trails are available for hunters with disabilities. Hunting and trapping regulations can be found here.  

Mountain Biking

Clark State Forest and Deam Lake State Recreation Area offer 20+ miles of trails open to mountain bikers. The Overland Trail uses parts of several horse trails, the Lake Vista Trail and the Deam Lake Loop. The Overland Trail offers opportunities to make loops or travel between campgrounds. The trail winds through upland forests and travels along bottomlands and creeks,  offering numerous spectacular views into ravines and valleys, including a vista of Deam Lake from a high ridge. Visitors will also see evidence of tornado aftermath left behind by the 2012 tornado that impacted communities in Southern Indiana and Eastern Kentucky. Trail locations and descriptions can be found in the maps linked below 

Maps 

Contact

P.O. Box 119
Henryville, IN 47126 
812-294-4306 
ClarkSF@dnr.IN.gov 

Getting There

From the North (Indianapolis, IN): 

  • Head south on I-65 S toward Louisville. 
  • Take exit 19 for State Road 160 toward Henryville. 
  • Turn left (east) onto State Road 160. 
  • Turn left (north) onto US-31. 
  • Travel ~1 mile to the entrance of Clark State Forest on your left (west). 

From the South (Louisville, KY): 

  • Head north on I-65 N toward Indianapolis. 
  • Take exit 19 for State Road 160 toward Henryville. 
  • Turn right (east) onto State Road 160. 
  • Turn left (north) onto US-31. 
  • Travel ~1 mile to the entrance of Clark State Forest on your left (west). 
  • The State Forest is just off US-31, so it’s easy to access from the north or south. 

For more information on Clark State Forest and for up-to-date safety regulations check out the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website

View our other Southern Indiana Parks Guides: