| Clark State Forest is located on US 31 about one mile | | | | the fire tower. On the left, just before the fire |
| north of Henryville, Indiana and about ten miles south | | | | tower is a picnic area with a very impressive view. |
| of Scottsburg, Indiana. This is Indiana's oldest State | | | | On a clear day, the skyline of Louisville, Kentucky, |
| Forest, established in 1903. It is also one of the | | | | twenty miles to the south can be visible against a |
| prettiest of the State Forests. | | | | background of trees and sky. There are two |
| Clark is very hilly, and the narrow, one lane asphalt | | | | unmarked trails here. One, descending down the hill to |
| system of roads which wind their way through the | | | | west of the picnic shelter, is a one quarter mile loop |
| Forest makes a very scenic drive, especially in the | | | | which affords some nice views in the fall and winter |
| autumn when the leaves are turning. There are eight | | | | when the leaves are down. Another trail, little used, |
| sheltered picnic areas, the nicest ones overlooking | | | | leads down the hill. A hike on this one is not for the |
| Franke Lake. There is Old Franke, probably the best | | | | unprepared. It is steep, slippery, and finally dies away |
| one, and New Franke, on the southwest side of the | | | | in the forest. A return up the hill is then necessary. |
| lake. | | | | This is a very pretty trail with some nice views, but |
| Clark State Forest, like all Indiana State Forests, is a | | | | not for the inexperienced hiker. |
| mixed use facility. Hunting and fishing is permitted on | | | | The fire tower is the next item of interest on this |
| the property. There is a popular gun range near | | | | road. Ninety eight steps to the top, the tower is |
| Bowen Lake on the west end of the Forest. The | | | | about one hundred feet tall. Unlike most fire towers, |
| State Of Indiana also sells timber from the Forest. | | | | access to the lookout is permitted. An unfettered |
| Sales from the State Forest provide funds which help | | | | look at the surrounding countryside here makes it |
| administer the State Forest system. | | | | well worth the climb up. Again, Louisville is visible to |
| There are about one hundred miles of horse trails | | | | the south, as well as some Indiana villages in other |
| here, as well as six parking lots for day users. Horse | | | | directions. |
| riding among the wooded hills of Clark State Forest is | | | | You can complete the loop around the Forest by |
| a popular activity and the weekends will find a lot of | | | | turning right at the satellite dish antennae, right again |
| horse riders on the trails. | | | | on Bloomington Trail. This leads back to US 31. Maps |
| The Forest boasts a forty five site primitive camp | | | | are available at the State Forest Office, which is just |
| ground. There are seven public lakes ranging in size | | | | off US 31, the entrance about a quarter mile north of |
| from thirteen acres to two acres. Franke Lake, at | | | | the entrance to Clark State Forest. |
| thirteen acres, is on the southeast side of Clark, the | | | | There are only two marked hiking trails at Clark, the |
| main road winding past it and its two picnic areas. | | | | .9 White Oak Trail, trailhead on the right before the |
| Fishing is permitted, with an Indiana Fishing License in | | | | turnoff to Old Franke. The Forest Resource Trail, a |
| any of these lakes. | | | | one mile loop, is located near the main entrance. The |
| This road then climbs a rather impressive hill up to | | | | trail head is near the Pine Lake picnic area. |