MORGAN MONROE STATE FOREST
Morgan-Monroe State Forest encompasses more than 24,000 acres in Morgan and Monroe counties insouth central Indiana. The forest land encompasses many steep ridges and valleys, and is forested withsome of the state's finest hardwoods.The original settlers of the area cleared and attempted to farm the ridges, but were frustrated by rocky soilunsuitable for agriculture. The state purchased the eroded, abandoned land to create Morgan-MonroeState Forest beginning in 1929.
GeneralLand, acres24,000
Day-UseFishingyes
Huntingyes
Hiking Trailyes
Picnickingyes
Picnic Shelters, #4
BoatingBoating Limits-1
Launch Ramps, #2
CampingPrimitive, #32
Camper Cabins, #1
Youth Group Campyes
Draper Cabin is a primitive, wooden-floored log cabin that takes visitors 100 years back in time to thedays before electricity, vehicles and modern plumbing. Reservations for the cabin are accepted for anynight from the first weekend in April to the weekend before Thanksgiving. The cabin may be rented on aday by basis, depending on weather conditions, during the winter. Click here for rental information,reservation form, and a picture of the cabin.
Primitive camping is available for a fee; campers must register for camping at the forest office. MasonRidge Campground, located behind the fire tower north of the forest office, has vault toilets and seasonaldrinking water available. There is a picnic table and grill located on each of the campground's 21 sites. Onbusy weekends, overflow camping is available at Oak Ridge Campground. Oak Ridge has 11 sites andthe same facilities as Mason Ridge.Scout Ridge Youth Tent Campground is available for scouts or other groups . Sites in Scout RidgeCampground are larger than regular campground sites and there are several picnic tables and grillsavailable. Scout Ridge Nature Preserve is located in this area.
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Boat ramps are located on Bryants Creek and Cherry Lakes; boat motors are limited to electric trolling motors only.
Three forest lakes, Bryant Creek Lake (9 acres), Cherry Lake (4 acres) and Prather Lake (4 acres) are all open to fishing; a valid Indiana fishing license is required.
Whitetail deer, ruffed grouse, turkey, squirrel, fox, and raccoon. A valid hunting license is required. Hikers are advised to wear hunter orange or other bright clothing while on trails during hunting season.