Escape To Greene-Sullivan State Forest For A Beautiful Indiana Nature Scene
By Tori Jane|Published February 23, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Sometimes Hoosiers – especially the adventurous types – feel like we’ve seen everything there is to see in Indiana. We’ve done all the things-to-do, and we know all the things-to-know. And then, sometimes, something amazing happens: we hear about a spot we’ve never heard of before, and suddenly, that sense of adventure within us is ignited again. Greene Sullivan State Forest in Indiana is one such place: once you discover it, you’ll never want to leave, and it rivals the hippest spots you know.
Commonly, in articles about Indiana all around the web, you hear about all the same places: Cataract Falls, Indiana Dunes State Park - the people's favorites.
There is so much more to this state than the most popular spots, though! If you've never heard of Greene Sullivan State Forest in Indiana, we don't blame you; it's a totally underappreciated gem hidden in Dugger, and it's downright stunning.
Greene-Sullivan State Forest isn't new to Indiana at all; it was founded in 1936 when local coal companies donated over 3,000 acres of land to the Division of Forestry.
The landscape is very unique for an Indiana park. Usually, one doesn't expect so much environmental diversity! Don't let the little-known status fool you, though, because there's a lot to do here besides simply marveling at the landscapes.
There are over 100 family campsites around Greene-Sullivan State Forest, plus 20 horse-camper-friendly sites as well. Not into the primitive campground kind of thing? That's alright: there are 15 Rent-A-Camp cabins up for grabs, too.
Each cabin has a front porch with a swing on it - perfect for watching the natural world at its most beautiful at this underappreciated little slice of heaven.
If fishing is more your thing, you can laze the day away with your line in the water. The lakes are stocked with all kinds of tasty and interesting fish, including bluegill, largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish, crappie, and many more.
Each lake is stocked with slightly different varieties of fish, so make sure to check the forest's official website for the full list of where to find what.
Interestingly, the Indiana state record-setting bluegill was caught at Reservoir #26 in 1972. It weighed in at an impressive 3 pounds, 4 ounces. Reservoir #26 happens to be a wheelchair-friendly campsite as well, so the entire family can enjoy the great fishing here without worry and with ultimate accessibility.
Some of them include Lakes Alder, Chapel, Airline, Ellis, Star, and Ladder. Some of the names are even more creative than that. You'll have to visit each one to really appreciate the Greene-Sullivan State Forest in its entirety.
Do you think you could visit each of the 120 lakes at Greene Sullivan State Forest in Indiana in one camping trip? It’s worth a shot! If you’d like more information about the park, including campsite and/or cabin reservations and fees, as well as the aforementioned list-o-fish species in the lakes, check out the forest’s webpage on the Indiana Department of Natural Resources site.
If you’re looking for more ideas for amazing Indiana nature spots, check this article out!
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