Deam Lake State Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deam Lake State Recreation Area |
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 Deam Lake State Recreation Area
Location in Indiana
Deam Lake State Recreation Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Clark County, Indiana, United States |
| Area | 1,300 acres (5.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 535 ft (163 m) |
| Established | 1965 |
| Named for | Charles C. Deam |
| Governing body | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Deam Lake State Recreation Area |
Deam Lake State Recreation Area is a fun place in Clark County, Indiana. It's a big park, about 1,300 acres, and sits high up at 535 feet. This park is open all year for different activities. However, the camping area closes from late November until early March.
Most of the fun happens around Deam Lake. The park is named after Charles C. Deam, who was Indiana's very first state forester. Deam Lake State Recreation Area is right next to Clark State Forest. The park and its lake were built in the 1960s and opened in 1965. It's designed for many uses, like hiking, fishing, swimming, and camping.
Contents
Discover Deam Lake
Deam Lake is a large, man-made lake covering 194 acres. It was created in 1965. The lake helps control floods and stores water for the area. It's also a great spot for recreation.
The lake is part of the Ohio River system. It sits on Big Run, which flows into the Muddy Fork River. The lake is held by the Deam Lake Dam. This dam is made of earth and is 59 feet tall and 1,200 feet long.
Boating and Swimming at Deam Lake
You can go fishing, swimming, and boating on Deam Lake. Only boats with electric motors are allowed. You can also use kayaks, canoes, and other boats powered by people. Jet-skis are not allowed on the lake.
The beach at Deam Lake is open from 8:00 AM until sunset. This is usually from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There are no lifeguards on duty, so be careful! You'll find a beach house and a place to buy snacks and rent boats.
Camping Adventures
Deam Lake State Recreation Area has two different places to camp. Both offer a great way to stay close to nature.
Regular Campground
The "regular campground" has 116 campsites. Each site has a picnic table, electric hookups, a fire ring, and a parking spot. There's also a dump station for RVs and shower facilities.
Horse Campground
The park also has 68 "horse campground" sites. These sites come with stalls for horses. They also give you access to many trails within the park and the nearby Clark State Forest.
Explore the Hiking Trails
The park has four main hiking trails. It's also a starting point for the 80-mile Knobstone Trail. This is the longest hiking trail in Indiana!
Trail 1: Easy Walk
- Trail 1 is an easy trail, about 0.6 miles long.
- It starts near the campground and ends at an old playground.
- This trail is used for special events throughout the year.
- These events include "A Walk in the Woods" for families.
- The annual "The Haunted Trail" also takes place here around Halloween.
Trail 2: Short and Challenging
- Trail 2 is very short, only 0.2 miles long.
- Access to this trail has been limited since 2008 and 2009.
- Severe wind and ice storms caused many Virginia Pines to fall.
- Much of the trail is still covered by these fallen trees.
Trail 3: Long and Multi-Use
- Trail 3 is the longest trail in the park, at 3 miles.
- It starts at the campground and is covered with gravel.
- This trail is used by hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers.
- It goes around the north end of Deam Lake.
- You can connect to the Knobstone Trail from here using side trails.
Trail 4: Lake Vista Trail
- Trail 4, also called Lake Vista Trail, is 2.5 miles long.
- It follows the edges of the lake and goes through wet areas.
- The trail also climbs over rolling hills.
- It leads to a beautiful view from a rocky spot over the lake.
Learning About Nature
Deam Lake State Recreation Area offers many chances to learn about nature. An education center is run by a full-time naturalist. A naturalist is someone who studies nature.
The naturalist leads different educational programs all year.
- They host a fishing derby for children.
- They lead a digital camera scavenger hunt.
- You can join a tree identification program.
- There's also a group hike on Trail 4 to Lookout Rock.
- Many other fun nature activities are offered too!
