Clark State Forest, IN

Clark State Forest, established in 1903, is the oldest state forest and DNR property in Indiana. Clark State Forest offers a wide array of recreational opportunities from primitive camping, hiking, picnicking, geocaching, foraging, and hunting as well as the outdoor shooting range.

Clark State Forest is located in Henryville, Indiana. The forest is situated along the Knobstone escarpment in southern Indiana. A majority of Clark State Forest’s almost 26,000 acres is composed of high hills and knobs, dominated by Central Hardwoods forest.

Camping
Primitive (class C) camping is available for a fee. Family camp sites are $18 per site per night. Horse camp is $21 per site per night, complete with a hitching rail. All sites are first come, first served; no reservations necessary. There is a self-registration station located at the forest office at 2 Service Rd. Henryville, IN 47126 where you can pay and get a tag for your site. Both campgrounds have pit toilets and spigots for drinking water available year-round. The horse camp offers modern restroom amenities to campers of both campgrounds. There is a picnic table and grill located on each site. The Horseman's Campground offers 28 (Class C) sites for those visitors who are camping with horses. The family campground offers 40 (Class C) sites. A dump station is available in the horse campground.

Fishing

The lakes at Clark State Forest are open to fishing with a valid Indiana fishing license. There are seven lakes: 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) and Wilcox Lake (5 acres). Boat launch ramps are available at Oak Lake, Franke Lake, and Schlamm Lake. To boat, you must have a valid boat launch permit. Boat motors are limited to electric trolling motors only. Swimming is not permitted in any of the lakes. A summary of fishing regulations is available online at the Division of Fish and Wildlife's webpage.

Hunting
Clark State Forest is a popular destination for hunting white tailed deer, squirrel, and turkey. Make sure to consult the properties’ hunting map to review which areas are huntable and off limits. The map is available in office during office hours or online at Clark State Forest’s official DNR page. To hunt at Clark Stae Forest, a valid hunting license is required. Hunting and trapping regulations are available online at the Division of Fish and Wildlife's webpage.

Shooting Range
Clark State Forest’s outdoor shooting range provides users of firearms a place to hone their skills. A valid $5 day pass or $25 annual pass is required for every person, 18 and older, who visits the range. Range passes can be purchased at the forest office. Users of the range must sign in at the forest office as well. Be sure to review the Gun Range Regulations for rules of use and hours of operation. The regulations are posted on Clark State Forest’s official DNR webpage or outside the forest office in the kiosk.

Picnicking
Several picnic areas in the forestry are available for first come, first served use. In addition, Clark State Forest offers reservations for seven open air outdoor shelters and one enclosed recreation building, the White Oak Center. Shelters are equipped with signs designating them as “reserved” or “available”. If a shelter is not reserved (available side of sign is showing), use is first come, first served. All shelters and the White Oak Center are available for day use only.

Property open year round, 7am-11pm; Office hours are 8am-4pm, Monday through Friday

Season Schedule

• General Rules