.jpg)
Charles C. Deam Wilderness as viewed from the Hickory Ridge fire tower
The Charles C. Deam Wilderness is a pocket wilderness in the Hoosier heartland. When one thinks of the word “heartland” they think the Midwest, cornfields, flat, and in adventure travel terms boring. A large part of Indiana fits this description geographically, but the Charles C. Deam Wilderness is the exception to this rule.
Indiana is the last place travelers think of when it comes to adventure travel. The state is synonymous with flat and cornfields thanks in part to maybe the state’s most famous citizen John Mellencamp. When thinking of Indiana the songs “Small Town,” “Scarecrow,” “Jack and Diane,” and “Pink Houses” all come to mind. These songs illicit memories, thanks to MTV, of videos showing flat stretches of land dominated by farmland and cornfields.
It is ironic that possibly the best hiking and primitive camping within a five hour driving radius from Chicago can be found in Indiana and very close to Mellencamp’s home town of Seymour, Indiana. The Charles C. Deam Wilderness is located about 20 miles southeast of Bloomington, Indiana off of Indiana 446 in the middle of the Hoosier National Forest.
Chicago Backpackers disappear into a fiery labyrinth of fall color
The park has over 35 miles of hiking and horse riding trails and well over 20 primitive camping spots and best of all admission to the park and the cost for overnight camping is free. Kettle Moraine in Wisconsin has some good camping closer to Chicago, but charges $12.00 a night to stay in rustic shelters.
The Peninsula Trail is probably the most popular trail in the park, which is why almost half of the camping spots are found off this trail. All of these camping sites along this trail are on the beautiful Monroe Lake with great views of the surrounding bluffs and a great view of the sunset.
Another nice aspect of the trails in the park is there are a lot of loop trails. This makes planning a hiking trip easier as it is more fun and interesting to do a loop than a simple out and back. This way the hiker does not double up on scenery and gets to see other areas of the park.
Sun sets over the beautiful Monroe Lake
With so many places to camp it really spreads the hikers out, so it does give a true appearance of a wilderness. The Chicago Backpackers hiked out to the Peninsula on Halloween weekend and there was very little hiker traffic and the group had the Peninsula virtually to themselves.
Next time planning an adventure travel getaway for the weekend and not looking at going too far do not over look our neighbor Hoosier state. The Charles C. Deam Wilderness is a perfect weekend hiking trip with some beautiful primitive camping sites.
Subscribe to my articles with the button at the top of this page. Examiner does not share or sell your email address and there is no spam. Other e-follow options are listed below. Just click on the icons and they will take you there.
Ted Nelson was recently named one of the top 101 Adventure Travel twitterers on twitter. http://abroadening.com/161 Click on the icon below to follow me there.
.png)
Comments
Your articles are always fun to read, Ted, even for lazy louts like me.
Great sunset photo
That's an interesting angle re: how Mellencamp and MTV have biased our view of Indiana adventure travel. So true!
I thought I'd drop in to say Hey~ and try to subscribe again since they apparently worked on that component on the system recently We shall see...
a combination of humor, inspiration, and information. Well done.
There are reasons thousands of people flock to Indiana each fall to view the leaf change: it is beautiful. Thanks for your insight on one of my favorite states.
i think i'd opt for a $12 shelter. reminds me of my days as a cub scout leader.
Y'know, Ted, it would be enough if you were simply a very engaging travel writer. Your photographs, however, add immeasurably to the satisfaction of reading you regularly. I've added you as a fave. That sunset photo, especially, gets a WOW!
Lake Monroe is a wonderful recreational spot just south of Indiana University's Bloomington campus. Southern Indiana is rich in rolling forested hills. Your photos really do portray the area as a scenic destination.
Ted, I think this park would be my favorite. The photos are great. I love the vistas, and just the vibes of the place. Excellent article!
You sure make Indiana look a lot better than the state i've driven thru many times. Generally it's flat and non-descript, but your adventure travels have a way of finding the best spots to explore.
Beautiful sunset photo.
"Labrynth" is spelled "labyrinth".
Hugo,
Thank you for the spell check. Word has been changed. Thank you for reading and the correction.
Cheers,
Ted
I went to Indiana University in Bloomington and was pleasantly surprised with the beauty of the area. The Deam Wilderness was a short drive from campus for me, and I really enjoyed the hiking. Thanks for a great article and reminder that I need to get back there soon!
Hey Robert,
Thanks for reading and hope your Hoosiers get back to prominence in college basketball. I was really surprised by the beauty and remoteness of the area.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!