Clark State Forest Timber Ridge Loop

Clark State Forest’s Timber Ridge Loop follows old logging roads through 24,000 acres of mixed hardwood forest in southern Indiana, where you’ll navigate seasonal creek crossings and encounter the occasional black bear. The 12-mile main loop starts from the forest office and connects several fire roads that climb through mature oak-hickory stands, with a technical detour around Schlamm Creek that gets interesting during spring snowmelt. The route passes several old Civilian Conservation Corps work sites from the 1930s and offers glimpses of the forest’s active timber management operations.

Stock high-clearance vehicles can handle most of the route, but the creek crossings require careful line choice and possibly a tow strap during wet seasons. The forest allows dispersed camping along designated roads, making this perfect for a weekend basecamp. Best traveled May through October when the roads aren’t churned into Indiana clay soup. Cell service is spotty at best. You’ll appreciate the solitude and get a real look at working forest management — this isn’t a park, it’s a timber operation that happens to welcome responsible recreationalists.