Morgan-Monroe State Forest

Morgan-Monroe State Forest
6220 Forest Rd.
Martinsville, IN 46151
(765) 342-4026



Morgan-Monroe State Forest encompasses more than 24,000 acres in Morgan and Monroe counties in south central Indiana. The forest land encompasses many steep ridges and valleys, and is forested with some of the state's finest hardwoods.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest is located southwest of Indianapolis, 35 miles south from Interstate 465 via State Road 37. Morgan-Monroe State Forest is 5 miles south of Martinsville or 16 miles northeast of Bloomington-follow signs 8 miles east of State Road 37.

Camping
Mason Ridge Campground
Oak Ridge Campground
Scout Ridge Youth Tent Campground

Lakes
Bryant Creek Lake
Cherry Lake
Prather Lake

Gold Panning

Hunting

Picknicking

TRAILS

Hiking Trails
The following trails are near the Forest Office and Mason Ridge campground.

Scout Ridge Nature Preserve

Trail -1/2 mile
Pathfinder Trail - 2/3 mile
Tree Identification Trail - 2/3 mile
Tree Identification Booklet



Rock Shelter Loop - 3 miles (moderate)
Scenic trail. Departs from the Low Gap Trail parking area.
Mason Ridge Loop - 2.7 miles (moderate)
Trail circles the main forest road. Pick up trail at the Orcutt Road parking area near the Forest Office, or at the Low Gap Trail trailhead.
Three Lakes Trail - 10 miles (rugged)
Connects Cherry, Beanblossom and Bryants Creek Lakes. Trailheads are located at the south end of Cherry Lake and at Bryants Creek Lake shelter.
Low Gap Trail - 10 miles (rugged)

Loops through the Back Country Area, east of Low Gap Road, where overnight backpack camping is permitted. The trailhead is located along Forest Road just east of the turn for Beanblossom Road and the Wall Picnic Shelter. Although there is no fee for camping, you must register at the forest office before camping in the Back Country Area. For a detailed map of the back country area, obtain a Morgan-Monroe State Forest trail map or purchase a topographical map of the Hindustan quad.

DRAPER CABIN

Draper Cabin is a primitive, wooden-floored log cabin that takes visitors 100 years back in time to the days before electricity, vehicles and modern plumbing. Reservations for the cabin are accepted from the first weekend in April to the weekend before Thanksgiving. The cabin may be rented on a day by day basis, depending on weather conditions, during the winter.

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