The Hoosier National Forest
The Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy. Rolling hills, back-country trails, and rural crossroad communities make this small but beautiful Forest a favorite! Forest managers work with the public to develop a shared vision of how this 202,000 acre Forest should be managed. We strive to provide outstanding stewardship by restoring, maintaining, and interpreting our public's cultural and natural resources. We offer high quality, resilient and rare ecosystems that provide diverse outdoor recreational experiences.
The Hoosier National Forest is part of the United States Forest Service under the Department of Agriculture. The US Forest Service manages 153 national forests and grasslands across America. The Forest Service mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Special Places
Our entire Forest is a special place! Visit the Hoosier National Forest to:
- enjoy nature, tranquility, and beautiful scenery
- fish or hunt
- hike, backpack, ride horses, or mountain bikes
- camp or picnic
- watch birds and see wildflowers
- drive a scenic byway or canoe down a river
- build a campfire and visit with friends
There's something for almost everyone. The Hoosier has two scenic byways and many historic sites. South central Indiana communities offer hospitality, festivals, and attractions to compliment your visit. Whatever interests you in the great out-of-doors, there's bound to be something on the Hoosier National Forest for you. Come out and explore America's Great Outdoors!
Links below highlight some popular and interesting sites on the Hoosier National Forest. Some areas were identified to manage and protect unique ecosystems, for example Clover Lick Barrens. Rockshelters, bluffs, and coves provide interesting places on the Forest and are home to many rare plants. The attached map (269 KB, keyed to the numbers found below) gives the general area where each of these sites are located.
Mission:
"Caring for the Land and Serving People." The Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture has a 100+ year history of public land management. The national forests were established in 1891 to ensure the proper care, protection, and management of public forests and watersheds. Congress later decreed that the national forests would be administered for outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, minerals, and wildlife and fish habitat. A series of laws have continued to guide national forest policies and ensure that public participation is a cornerstone of the agency's management.
Goals:
The Hoosier National Forest has eight interrelated goals as a framework for forest management:
- Conservation of Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat
- Maintain and Restore Sustainable Ecosystems
- Maintain and Restore Watershed Health
- Protect our Cultural Heritage
- Provide for Visually Pleasing Landscape
- Provide for Recreation Use in Harmony with Natural Communities
- Provide a Useable Landbase
- Provide for Human & Community Development
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