Deam Lake State Recreation Area
1,300 acres
Clark County
Borden, IN
Deam Lake is forest property designed for recreational activities. Under the multiple use concept, a variety of compatible activities are available. These include fishing, boating, swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking and hunting in designated areas. The 194-acre lake was constructed in 1965 and was named in honor of Charles Deam, Indiana's first state forester. Deam is best known for his book, Trees of Indiana, a comprehensive study of trees throughout the state. He was also instrumental in getting land set aside for what is now the Department of Natural Resources.
Deam's books Trees of Indiana and Shrubs of Indiana are available from the Historic Hoosier Hills RC & D. Books are $16 plus $3 shipping. To order, contact:
Historic Hoosier Hills Woodland Committee
P.O. Box 407
Versailles, IN 47042
Camping
Deam Lake has 116 class "A" campsites and an additional 68 class "A" sites in the horsemen's campground. The horsemen's campground has two short lead-outs to connect to the 80 miles of horse trails in Clark State Forest. Class "A" facilities include electrical hookup, modern restrooms/showers (at least one shower station wheelchair accessible), picnic table, fire ring and parking spur. Drinking water and a dump station are also available in the area.
Class A campsites will be available for reservation up to six months in advance by simply calling a toll-free telephone number or logging onto the Internet. Campers will be able to make reservations by calling, toll free, 1-866-6CAMPIN (1-866-622-6746) Monday through Thursday from Noon to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday between 8 a.m. and noon E.S.T. They may also log onto the Internet 24 hours a day at http://www.camp.in.gov/.
Fishing/Boating/Swimming
194 acre lake; a valid Indiana fishing license is required. Boat launch ramp; boat motors are limited to electric trolling motors only. Rowboat rental is available from mid-April through October. The swimming beach is available from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Restrooms, dressing facilities, showers and food concessions are available to visitors. A wheelchair ramp allows access to beach area. Rowboat rental is available.
Picnicking
There are picnic areas and a picnic shelterhouse available for day use. Picnic tables and grills are located at the picnic sites. There is a playground area near the beach.
Hiking
Deam Lake State Recreation Area is home to four hiking trails, which range from easy to rugged. Most of our trails still have some storm damage in the form of downed trees that may make it difficult at certain points. All trails are marked with white paint blazes. At certain points on Trails 3 and 4, you may encounter trees with two white paint blazes. Two blazes means that there is a split in the trail (horse trails and rogue trails often confuse hikers), and that you should locate the next white paint blaze before continuing. Descriptions of each trail can be found below. Hikers are advised to wear hunter orange or other bright clothing while on trails during hunting season. Should you have any further questions regarding difficulty, trail updates, or problems, please contact our Naturalist, Rocky Brown, at (812) 246-5421 during regular operating hours, or via cell phone at (812) 459-6313.
Trail 1 (approximately six-tenths of a mile)
Trail 1 is the easiest available trail at Deam Lake State Recreation Area. The entrance is located just to the east of the campground gatehouse. Trail 1 will lead you in a loop through a Virginia pine dominated forest with very little storm damage. An easy hike that takes about 30-45 minutes to complete, Trail 1 is also the home to our “A Walk In The Woods” Family Nature Hikes (check our weekly schedule of events for dates and times), as well as “The Haunted Trail,” which takes place around Halloween each year. The end of the trail will put you in the old playground just north of the entrance of the trail.
Trail 2 (approximately two-tenths of a mile)
Due to storm damage, Trail 2 is currently impassable. Leading from the lawn north of the lake shelter house (just north of the boat ramp), and into the campground, Trail 2 has been nearly covered in Virginia pine trees since the wind storm of late 2008 and the ice storm of early 2009. Efforts are currently being made to extend Trail 2 to the north to meet with Trail 1 and make it a longer loop. It is not suggested that Trail 2 be attempted at this time due to the extensive damage. Check back this fall to see if any changes or improvements have been made.
Trail 3 (estimated three miles)
Trail 3 is the only “multi-purpose” trail at Deam Lake State Recreation Area, as well as the longest. The entrance to the trail is not well-marked, but it begins across from Pine Barn near the “A” section of the campground. This scenic hike will take you around the north end of the lake, and eventually out onto Wilson Switch Road, outside the Deam Lake SRA property. Small rogue trails which are not shown on the map and near the end of the trail will lead you through a small patch of woods and onto the dam. The entire trail is graveled, and you may encounter horse riders and mountain bikers, as it is a “multi-purpose” trail. It is very important to follow the white paint blazes, as Trail 3 intersects with many different horse trails, and even runs relatively close to the Knobstone Trail.
Trail 4 or Lake Vista Trail (estimated two and one-half miles)
Trail 4, also known as the Lake Vista Trail, is the most scenic, but also the most rugged trail at Deam Lake State Recreation Area. Beginning about 500 yards north-west of the campground gatehouse, the entrance is marked with a large wooden sign noting it as such. The trail will lead you through bottomlands which can be muddy or even submerged in water during wet times or after a heavy rain. The trail then runs up onto steep and rolling hills which overlook the lake. At the apex of the trail, a large rock cutout is encountered from the top of which you can see the lake. On the down-slope of the trail, a rope has been installed due to the steep nature of the hill. On the back end of the loop, heavy storm damage can at times make the trail difficult, so only the most experienced of hikers should attempt the last half. Be sure to pay close attention to the white paint blazes, as several small rogue trails have been established due to both foot and unauthorized horse traffic. Again, if you come upon a tree with two white paint blazes, you should locate the next white paint blaze before continuing.
*****A Note to all hikers*****
You are welcome to report to the office, Forest Education Center, or to our Naturalist personally before and after your hike if you feel it may be safer. None of the trails are extremely difficult, but changing weather scenarios can make traversing some areas a challenge. Be sure to pack plenty of water before any extended hike. Additional supplies such as a compass are suggested, but not necessary as all trails have been marked. If any horse riders are encountered on any trail except for Trail 3, please report their presence to the office, Forest Education Center, or our Naturalist. We also ask that you carry out all supplies and trash that you carry into the trails, as we are not staffed adequately to do regular trail cleanup. Lastly, poison ivy is extremely prevalent on Trails 1 and 4, so long pants and closed shoes are advised.
Mountain Bike Trails
Deam Lake S.R.A./Clark S.F. offers 5 miles of mountain bike trails. Mountain bikes are only permitted on those designated trails. View our publications page for further details and a trail map.
Forest Education Center
The Forest Education Center at Deam Lake is managed by a full-time naturalist who provides a variety of forestry-related programs throughout the year, as well as several special events, field days, and other field trip opportunities. Prior registration is required for groups of 10 or more, and all programs and field trips are free of charge with admission to Deam Lake. The Forest Education Center is wheelchair accessible, and is now open from 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday. For more information, please contact Deam Lake Naturalist Rocky Brown at (812) 246-5421 during regular operating hours.
Hunting
Whitetail deer, ruffed grouse, turkey, squirrel, fox and raccoon. A valid hunting license is required.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are several volunteer opportunities at Deam Lake, spanning a broad range of knowledge, experience and skill sets.
Opportunities include:
- Trail Clean-Up –If you can safely and skillfully use a chainsaw, we can certainly use your help in the continuing clean-up effort from the storms over the course of the past year.
- Forest Education Center Clerk/Naturalist Aide - Assist the Naturalist with the development of new exhibits and helping visitors in the Naturalist's absence. Woodworking skills greatly appreciated!
- Smokey Bear – If you enjoy children, you’ll really enjoy wearing the Smokey Bear suit during special events and occasionally on the weekends for programs.
- Programs Assistant - Assist the Naturalist with developing and presenting new and/or improved programs. Experience with children preferred.
To apply or inquire about any of the volunteer opportunities listed above, please contact Deam Lake Naturalist Rocky Brown at (812) 246-5421, or email at rbrown@dnr.in.gov
Address & Directions
Walt Zak, Property Manager
Jana Gold, Assistant Property Manager
Deam Lake State Recreation Area
1217 Deam Lake Road
Borden, IN 47106
(812) 246-5421
DeamLakeSRA@dnr.IN.gov
Located five miles southeast of New Providence (also known as Borden) on State Road 60; or nine miles northwest of Sellersburg on State Road 60.
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