Clark State Forest and Deam Lake State Recreation Area : bringing recreation & science together

Abstract

Clark State Forest and Deam Lake State Recreation Area contain thousands of acres of forests and lakes. These lands attract visitors from all over Indiana and neighboring states. Clark State Forest was the first state forest created in 1903. Clark State Forest was used for experimental plantings and research projects for multiple decades before it became a popular recreation destination. Some recreational development took place before the 1930s, and then the CCC expanded the development of recreational resources. Today the forest is used for hiking, hunting, in season, camping, and fishing Deam Lake State Recreation Area was created to provide an outdoor recreation area for the public from a portion of Clark State Forest. It was founded in 1964 and is one of the most popular horseback riding properties in Indiana. Currently the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is having a hard time convincing the public that the state forest is meant for forestry projects and that recreation purposes come secondary.