Watching Wildlife within the Hoosier National Forest

You can see wildlife along roads and highways throughout the Hoosier National Forest. You can see wildlife near the Forest edges, grass fields, farm fields, and wetlands while driving through the roads and highways. You can also view wildlife while hiking through the Forest. All these areas offer unique opportunities to view wildlife in their natural homes. Part of the excitement is not knowing what wildlife you may see.

These areas are homes to a diverse number of animals, any of which you may encounter during your visit. If you choose to take a hike through the Forest, a good way to improve your chances of seeing wildlife is to walk quietly and slowly into the wind, come early in the morning, or late afternoon, and above all be patient.

There is an abundance of wildlife within the Hoosier National Forest, 142 bird species, 50 species of mammals, 28 amphibian and 36 reptilian species, 125 fish and more species are being found all the time.

The Forest is a collage of ecosystems. Each ecosystem is unique in the types of animals who make their home there. Make sure you bring your camera and binoculars. Enjoy viewing the animals who are the real owners of the Forest.

Hunting information within the Hoosier National Forest

The State of Indiana hunting laws are enforced within the Hoosier National Forest land. An array of hunting experiences can be found, from easily accessible lands near roads to remote walk-in areas. Hunting is allowed in all Hoosier National Forest lands except for designated recreation areas and Pioneer Memorial Forest south of Paoli, Indiana.

You may not discharge a firearm or bow and arrow in or within 150 yards of a developed recreation site, residence, or any place where people are likely to be. Shooting across bodies of water is also prohibited.

Private land is interspersed with public land and you must have written permission from the private land owner to hunt on their property. You must have this written permission on you while hunting private land. It would be a good idea to get a Forest map to make sure you are on Hoosier National Forest while hunting.

Fishing within the Hoosier National Forest

The Hoosier National Forest in beautiful southern Indiana offers some of the best fishing locations in the state. The warm climate of southern Indiana provides anglers with several more fishing days than the northern parts of the state. Numerous lakes, ponds, and streams within the Forest provide anglers with the opportunity to pursue largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, and other sport fish.

The state of Indiana manages and regulates the fish populations within the Hoosier National Forest. Fishing within the Hoosier National Forest requires a current state on Indiana fishing license, resident or non resident license's are available online and at many stores in Indiana.

Fishing waters range in size from 1 to 10,000 acres and are scattered throughout the Forest. They include former farm ponds and wildlife watering holes. Some have easy, drive-in access and others are accessed by walk-in trails. Forest maps can help you locate these ponds and lakes.

Here are some of the popular fishing holes.

Lake Monroe has 10,750 acres with several boat ramps. This lake has several miles of lake shore fishing. Gasoline motors are allowed on Lake Monroe.

Tipsaw Lake has 131 acres with a boat ramp. Only electric trolling motors are allowed. Tipsaw has camping sites, picnic areas, a beach for swimming, and hiking. This is an excellent area for a weekend of family fun.

Celina Lake has 164 acres and Indian Lake has 152 acres. These are two adjacent lakes with a variety of facilities, boat ramps, camping areas, picnic areas, and hiking trails. Celina and Indian lakes only allow electric trolling motors.

Saddle lake has 41 acres with fishing from a boat, Sadle Lake only allows electric trolling motors. You can fish along the bank as well.

Lost River and Little Blue River are within the Hoosier National Forest. There is Hoosier National Forest and Private land that these rivers run through, make sure not to trespass on private land. Forest maps can help you designate Forest from private. These rivers offer many miles of awesome fishing.

Scenic driving through the Hoosier National Forest

There is some amazing scenery throughout the Hoosier National Forest. Make sure to bring your camera and binoculars and drive the roads through the Forest to see for yourself.

Fall and spring in southern Indiana are always beautiful. Fall color in southern Indiana normally begins in mid-late September and peaks the second or third week in October.

In Fall, the yellow and golds of tulip poplars, locust and redbuds add vibrant color to the Forest canopy and roadsides. There are also red from the blackgum trees and sumac, and burnt orange maples and sassafrass.

Fall flowers including yellow black-eye susans, purple iron weed and bright yellow goldenrods add color to fields and roadside ditches. Croplands also add their own beauty as fields come alive with fall harvests.

Geese heading south and walnuts falling, making autumn an interesting time to visit the Forest. The peak of fall color is normally the second week of October.

In Spring, Spring colors creeps gradually into the Forest, with the trees along openings and roadsides the first to don spring color. The purple pink of redbud and the creamy white of dogwood make spring many visitor's favorite time to drive Forest roads. The Forest floor is also bright with trilliums, anemones and a host of other spring wild flowers. Come visit the Forest during the Wildflower Foray in the spring.

Here are two routes for viewing the fall and spring colors through the Hoosier National Forest.

One route loops through the northern part of the Forest southeast of Bloomington. Highlights include Lake Monroe and breath-taking views of the hills around the lake and the sparkling lake itself with speedboats and sailboats.

Another route is to take highway 66 starting in Tell City and then head south along the New Ohio River Scenic Byway through Magnet. Visit the communities of Derby, Magnet, Fredonia, Artist point, Alton, and stop by Buzzard Roost overlook. The route is relatively remote, with spectacular panoramic vistas, and your chances of seeing wildlife are good.

There are numerous roads that branch off the roads you will be driving on that also go through the Forest with breath-taking views.

I personally love to drive all the roads through the Forest year round. All the seasons have their own beauty to them.

Recreation information within the Hoosier National Forest

The Hoosier National Forest is within a 2-hour drive of Cincinnati Ohio, Evansville Indiana, Indianapolis Indiana, and Louisville Kentucky. 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. ATV's are not allowed on the Forest trails. Trail systems may be open to more than one type of use, so please yield to other users.

Trail tags are required for mountain biking and horseback riding. Tags can be purchased at vendors around the area or at the Hoosier National Forest office in Bedford or Tell City. Private and public land is scattered within the Forest boundary. Visitors must take care to stay on the National Forest Lands and respect private property.

Nature study, camping, picnicking and scenic drives are all available at Hoosier National Forest. Campgrounds are located adjacent to large lakes and in conjunction with some of the trail systems. Five horse camps are available associated with equestrian trails.

Water recreation is available in several locations. Hardin Ridge Recreation Area is popular with boaters and anglers alike because of easy access to Lake Monroe. Other recreation areas are located on Celina Lake, Indian Lake, Saddle Lake, and Tipsaw Lake. Tipsaw Lake also has a sand beach area designated for swimming and there is playground equipment for children and  several picnic areas as well as a shelter house for group activities. No gasoline motors are allowed on Celina, Indian, Saddle, and Tipsaw lakes, electric motors only. The Little Blue and Lost River offer opportunities for seasonal float trips through the Forest.

Pan fish, catfish, and bass fishing opportunities are available throughout the Forest. Man Point provides boat access to the Ohio River.

Dispersed Camping in Hoosier National Forest

There are dispersed sites throughout the Hoosier National Forest. Primitive or roadside camping is allowed on National Forest land away from developed campgrounds, and anywhere your camping equipment and or vehicle does not block developed trails or road rights-of-way. Roadside camping should be done at established sites if any are provided but must stay within 125 feet of the road. There are not maps for where these sites are located, but if you drive most Forest roads, you are likely to see them in the more popular areas of the Forest.

It is not necessary to check in with the Forest Service when you camp overnight, but for safety concerns I would make sure that someone is aware of where you plan to camp as well as the activities you plan to do.

Camping is NOT allowed within designated special areas, at day use trailheads including Grubb Ridge and Blackwell Pond, or the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower site. Camping is also not allowed within 300 feet of trailheads. The exceptions are Hemlock Cliffs and Buzzard Roost, and the horse camps where camping is allowed.

Parking is prohibited on Tower Ridge Road except at designated trailheads. Otherwise vehicles can be parked within one vehicle length or within a specified distance up to 30 feet of a designated road.

Make sure you bring enough water for the duration of your stay. Leave a clean campsite by packing out all your refuse. No garbage service is provided and leaving your trash is illegal and can result in steep penalties.

There is no charge for primitive camping, although a 14-day limitation is in effect. If you set up camp, personal property must not be left unattended overnight. In the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, group size is limited to 10 people. In other parts of the Forest, groups larger than 75 people require a permit.

Bringing in un-certified firewood is prohibited. You should check for current restrictions such as fire bans before heading out to camp and please practice Leave No Trace Principles.



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General information about the Hoosier National Forest

The Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy. Rolling hills, back country trails, and rural cross road communities make this small but beautiful Forest a favorite! Forest managers work with the public to develop a shared vision of how this 202,000 acre Forest should be managed. They strive to provide outstanding stewardship by restoring, maintaining, and interpreting our public's culture and natural resources. They offer high quality, resilient and rare ecosystems that provide diverse outdoor recreational experiences.


The Hoosier National Forest is part of the United States Forest Service under the Department of Agriculture. The US Forest Service manages 153 national forests and grasslands across America.The Forest Service mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forest and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.