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Indiana
421

Indiana State Parks

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USA Parks
Indiana
Southern Region
Jackson-Washington State Forest
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Jackson-Washington State Forest Bridge © Michael E. Ruby
Bridge over the dam for Knob Lake
Jackson-Washington State Forest Sign © Michael E. Ruby
Entrance sigh
Jackson-Washington State Forest At the bottom © Michael E. Ruby
Standing at the bottom of the dam for Knob Lake
Jackson-Washington State Forest Bridge © Michael E. Ruby
Bridge over the Knob Lake dam.
Jackson-Washington State Forest Dam © Michael E. Ruby
Overflow dam for Knob Lake
Jackson-Washington State Forest Knob lake © Michael E. Ruby
Looking toward the damn
Jackson-Washington State Forest Knob Lake © Kurt Bauer
Jackson-Washington State Forest © Kurt Bauer
Jackson-Washington State Forest © Kurt Bauer
Jackson-Washington State Forest © Kevin Bell
Jackson-Washington State Forest In the distance © Michael R. Johnson
View from a vista on Skyline Drive.
Jackson-Washington State Forest Vista © Michael R. Johnson
View from a vista on Skyline Drive.
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JACKSON-WASHINGTON STATE FOREST
JACKSON-WASHINGTON STATE FOREST
1278 Indiana 250
Brownstown, Indiana   47220
(lat:38.8613 lon:-86.0086) map location

Phone: 812-358-2160
Jackson-Washington State Forest encompasses more than 16,500 acres in Jackson and Washingtoncounties in the heart of Indiana. This part of the state contains unique topography known as the "knobs"region, and affords scenic views from Skyline Drive and some breathtaking hiking trails. The main forestarea, including the forest office and campgrounds, is located 2.5 miles southeast of Brownstown on St.Rd. 250.

The majority of the land that now makes up the state forest was purchased by the state of Indiana in the1930s and 1950s. The Heritage Trust program, using funds from the sale of environmental license plates,has made possible the acquisition of additional state forest land.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
GeneralLand, acres16,500
Day-UseFishingyes
 Huntingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Picnickingyes
 Picnic Shelters, #5
 Mountain Bike Trails, miles12
 Bridle Trails, miles14
BoatingBoating Limits-1
 Launch Ramps, #2
CampingPrimitive, #62
 Youth Group Campyes
Camping
Primitive(class C) camping is available for a fee; campers must self-register for camping at the gatehouse. Campsites are available on a first come, first serve basis. Knob Lake Campground, located north of the forest office, has pit toilets and seasonal drinking water available. There is a picnic table and grill located on each of the campground's 62 sites. Campsite 11 and campsite 62 are wheelchair accessible sites. Firewood is available near the forest office.

A Youth Tent Campground is available for scouts or other groups. The Youth Camping area is located at the trailhead for Trail 3. Backcountry camping is available in the backcountry area and along the Knobstone Trail.
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Boating
Boat ramps are located on Knob Lake and Spurgeon Hollow Lake; boat motors are limited to electrictrolling motors only. Plattsburg Pond and Potter Lake are walk-in lakes.


Location
Jackson-Washington State Forest is located near Scottsburg, Seymour

Picnicking
Several picnic areas and picnic shelters are available for day use. The Museum Shelterhouse is located justnorth of Knob Lake; the Pinnacle Shelterhouse is located in the campground; the CCC Shelterhouse islocated in the north playground; and the White Oak Shelterhouse is located next to the playgroundnortheast of the forest office. Skyline Shelterhouse, rebuilt by local volunteers after the originalshelterhouse was destroyed by arson, is located on Skyline Drive. Use of all shelterhouses is on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations are not accepted. There is no charge to use the shelterhouses.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
August 1 Large bugs everywhere by R Smith
park review stars; one to five It is August 1st, 2019. Drove 3 hours to Jackson-Washington State Forest today to camp for the night. When we got there, it was big bugs swarming everywhere we went. About an inch long with brownish yellow and white bodies. I mean they were everywhere. Got out of the truck and got pelted with them. Turned around and came back home. We have been camping before there and have never seen anything like that, but it may be the last time we go.
February 13 memories by morgan frazier
park review stars; one to five My family used to go camping here every summer. My dad would take us fishing and mom would cook. some if my fondest memories of my dad were made here.
October 29 Excellent Forest by Forest Hiker
park review stars; one to five This is an excellent actively managed State Forest. They provide recreation and sustainable timber harvesting at the same time.
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