Hoosier National Forest

Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy. Rolling hills, back-country trails, and rural crossroad communities make this small but beautiful 204,000 acre Forest

a local treasure. Enjoy scenic rides, hunting, fishing, shooting, camping, horseback riding, outdoor science, picnicking and water activities.

• Biking: Roads near the Hoosier are where the classic bicycle film “Breaking Away” was filmed – and nearby in Bloomington, Ind., is where Indiana University annually holds the Little 500 bike race. Bicycling is a popular sport in this part of the world and bikes frequently share roads and trails.
• Climbing & Caving: Rock climbing is permitted on most National Forest land with the exception of sections of Hemlock Cliffs and East Rainbow Lake. However, if you are not an experienced climber, we suggest you obtain training from a qualified source.
• Hiking: There are over 260 miles of trails available for hiking on the Hoosier. Hikers can go cross-country almost anywhere on the national forest. Please use a map and verify that you are on national forest land since our boundaries are not clearly marked and much of our ownership is interspersed with private lands. See our trail systems flier, which outlines basic rules, safety information and a vicinity map for trail system locations.
• Off Highway Vehicles: Although responsibly enjoyed by many people, off-highway vehicles (OHVs) are also a major cause of natural resource damage on public lands. OHVs are prohibited on the Hoosier National Forest (Hoosier) and may not be operated on any National Forest System land, road or trail, including campground roads.