- Region
- IN, USA
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- No permit is required for backpacking. Hor…
- Managed by
- U.S. Forest Service, Hoosier National Forest
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Photos of Charles C. Deam Wilderness
How to get there
Tower Ridge Road crosses the wilderness, separating its northern and southern sections. Use designated parking only; roadside parking along Tower Ridge Road is prohibited. A posted alert identifies a temporary safety closure on part of the road, so confirm access with Hoosier National Forest before departure. Monroe Lake also provides an approach by nonmotorized boat, but motorized boats may not be shored along the wilderness boundary.
- Tower Ridge Road
An access corridor through the wilderness, not a single trailhead. Park only in designated areas and verify the status of the posted partial road closure before traveling.
- Monroe Lake
The wilderness’s northern boundary can be approached by nonmotorized boat. Motorized boats may not be shored along this boundary. Fluctuating reservoir levels can affect shoreline campsites.
Sources: fs.usda.gov · University of Montana / federal agency partners · Wilderness Connect / federal wilderness boundary inventory. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
IN, USA · United States
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
Hardwood forest shaped by farms and recovery
Charles C. Deam Wilderness is Indiana’s only designated wilderness, a hardwood-forest landscape in Hoosier National Forest with 36 miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, and horse riding. Designated in 1982, it occupies land that still carries evidence of farming and roads. Eighty-one farms once dotted the area, with corn or hay planted on ridges and roads crossing the higher ground. Today, the thickening forest supports flycatchers, scarlet tanagers, red-eyed vireos, hawks, and woodpeckers. Tower Ridge Road divides the wilderness into a smaller northern section and a larger southern section. Monroe Lake forms the northern boundary, adding lake views to the varied terrain. Plan for a forest trip rather than continuous open scenery, with the recovering landscape as much a part of the experience as the lake.
Backpacking and camping near Monroe Lake
Backpacking does not require a permit, and dispersed camping has no charge, but campsite selection is tightly regulated. Within half a mile of Monroe Lake’s water’s edge, camping is allowed only in Forest Service designated campsites. Elsewhere, camps must be at least 200 feet from trails, trailheads, roads, water sources, rock shelters, caves, and historic structures unless using a designated campsite. Groups are limited to 10 people. Camping stays may not exceed 14 days within a 28-day period or 28 cumulative days in a calendar year. Monroe Lake is a flood-control reservoir, so changing water levels can flood campsites and make them unusable. Do not assume a shoreline site will be available or dry; check conditions and identify a lawful alternative before committing to an overnight plan.
Access limits, trail status, and field preparation
Travel inside the wilderness is nonmotorized: bicycles, carts, wagons, and mechanized equipment such as generators are prohibited. Horse riders need a permit and must remain on designated trails. Park only in designated areas, never along Tower Ridge Road. Posted alerts identify the Peninsula Trail as closed and a section of Tower Ridge Road as temporarily closed for safety; confirm their status before choosing an approach. Summer visitors should prepare for ticks, chiggers, and poison ivy, using protective clothing and checking for ticks after travel. Timber rattlesnakes and copperheads also occur here; watch where hands and feet go and give snakes space. For lake access, use a nonmotorized boat: shoring a motorized boat along the wilderness boundary on Monroe Lake is prohibited.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Charles C. Deam Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 39.0451, -86.3387
- Latitude (DMS)
- 39° 2′ 42.3″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 86° 20′ 19.3″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Charles C. Deam Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
Settlers first arrived in Indiana's only Wilderness in 1826. This was one of the last pieces of the state to have its steep hills and narrow ridge tops tamed by humans. As recently as half a century ago...
Key takeaways
- Region: IN, USA
- Country: United States
- Good for: hiking
- Coordinates: 39.045, -86.339
Intended uses
hiking
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Charles C. Deam Wilderness
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
- Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.
- Horseback Riding
Stock-legal trail and forage rules.
Animals around Charles C. Deam Wilderness
Wildlife guideBlack bearUrsus americanus
Big gameWhitetail DeerOdocoileus virginianus
GamefishBrook TroutSalvelinus fontinalis
Wildlife guideNorth American beaverCastor canadensis
Big gameBlack BearUrsus americanus
GamefishSmallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu
Wildlife guideSnowshoe hareLepus americanus
Big gameWild HogSus scrofa
Hardwood forest shaped by farms and recovery
Charles C. Deam Wilderness is Indiana’s only designated wilderness, a hardwood-forest landscape in Hoosier National Forest with 36 miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, and horse riding. Designated in 1982, it occupies land that still carries evidence of farming and roads. Eighty-one farms once dotted the area, with corn or hay planted on ridges and roads crossing the higher ground. Today, the thickening forest supports flycatchers, scarlet tanagers, red-eyed vireos, hawks, and woodpeckers. Tower Ridge Road divides the wilderness into a smaller northern section and a larger southern section. Monroe Lake forms the northern boundary, adding lake views to the varied terrain. Plan for a forest trip rather than continuous open scenery, with the recovering landscape as much a part of the experience as the lake.
Backpacking and camping near Monroe Lake
Backpacking does not require a permit, and dispersed camping has no charge, but campsite selection is tightly regulated. Within half a mile of Monroe Lake’s water’s edge, camping is allowed only in Forest Service designated campsites. Elsewhere, camps must be at least 200 feet from trails, trailheads, roads, water sources, rock shelters, caves, and historic structures unless using a designated campsite. Groups are limited to 10 people. Camping stays may not exceed 14 days within a 28-day period or 28 cumulative days in a calendar year. Monroe Lake is a flood-control reservoir, so changing water levels can flood campsites and make them unusable. Do not assume a shoreline site will be available or dry; check conditions and identify a lawful alternative before committing to an overnight plan.
Access limits, trail status, and field preparation
Travel inside the wilderness is nonmotorized: bicycles, carts, wagons, and mechanized equipment such as generators are prohibited. Horse riders need a permit and must remain on designated trails. Park only in designated areas, never along Tower Ridge Road. Posted alerts identify the Peninsula Trail as closed and a section of Tower Ridge Road as temporarily closed for safety; confirm their status before choosing an approach. Summer visitors should prepare for ticks, chiggers, and poison ivy, using protective clothing and checking for ticks after travel. Timber rattlesnakes and copperheads also occur here; watch where hands and feet go and give snakes space. For lake access, use a nonmotorized boat: shoring a motorized boat along the wilderness boundary on Monroe Lake is prohibited.
Route options
- Wilderness trail network
Choose a hiking or backpacking itinerary within the hardwood-forest trail system, which totals 36 miles across varied terrain with views of Monroe Lake. This is a network total, not a single route distance. Horse riders must use designated trails and have a permit; confirm current trail status before selecting an itinerary.
- Peninsula Trail
A posted closure alert identifies this trail as closed. Do not build an itinerary around it unless Hoosier National Forest confirms that it has reopened.
Sample itineraries
- Hardwood forest day hike · 1 day
Explore part of the wilderness’s 36-mile trail network through hardwood forest and varied terrain. Watch for woodpeckers, hawks, and traces of former farms. Choose an open trail after checking current alerts, use designated parking, and do not park along Tower Ridge Road.
- Forest backpacking overnight · 2 days
Plan an out-and-back backpack through the forest, choosing mileage to suit the group. Camp at a compliant inland location or a Forest Service designated campsite. Near Monroe Lake, designated sites are required within half a mile of shore; fluctuating water can make some sites unusable. Check closures before choosing a route.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Check Monroe Lake water levels before planning a shoreline overnight. This flood-control reservoir fluctuates, and some campsites can flood. Keep an inland camping alternative that meets wilderness setback rules.
Summer
Summer
Expect chiggers, ticks, and poison ivy. Pack insect protection, wear clothing that limits skin exposure, and check for ticks. Lake levels can affect campsite availability, so do not rely on a single shoreline site.
Fall
Fall
Plan around current weather, trail alerts, and lake levels rather than assuming shoreline campsites will be usable. The forest’s varied terrain calls for footwear with reliable traction and layers suited to the forecast.
Winter
Winter
Check the forecast and road and trail alerts before departure. Carry insulating layers and weather protection appropriate to conditions. Confirm access along Tower Ridge Road rather than assuming every section is open.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Check Monroe Lake water levels before planning a shoreline overnight. This flood-control reservoir fluctuates, and some campsites can flood. Keep an inland camping alternative that meets wilderness setback rules. |
| Summer | Summer | Expect chiggers, ticks, and poison ivy. Pack insect protection, wear clothing that limits skin exposure, and check for ticks. Lake levels can affect campsite availability, so do not rely on a single shoreline site. |
| Fall | Fall | Plan around current weather, trail alerts, and lake levels rather than assuming shoreline campsites will be usable. The forest’s varied terrain calls for footwear with reliable traction and layers suited to the forecast. |
| Winter | Winter | Check the forecast and road and trail alerts before departure. Carry insulating layers and weather protection appropriate to conditions. Confirm access along Tower Ridge Road rather than assuming every section is open. |
Permits, fees & closures
No permit is required for backpacking. Horse riders must have a Hoosier National Forest Trail Use Permit and stay on designated trails. Wilderness groups are limited to 10 people; outfitting and guiding are not permitted.
Fees: Dispersed camping is free.
Official source: Hoosier National Forest | Rules and Regulations · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Monroe Lake water levels fluctuate for flood control. Some shoreline campsites can flood and become unusable; have a compliant alternative.
- Timber rattlesnakes and copperheads occur here. Watch where hands and feet go, give snakes space, and never handle them.
- Summer brings ticks and chiggers. Use insect protection and check skin and clothing after travel through vegetation.
- Poison ivy occurs here, particularly noted in summer. Learn to recognize it and avoid contact.
- Closure alerts include Peninsula Trail and a section of Tower Ridge Road. Check current status before choosing a route or driving approach.
- Hiking and horse riding share the trail network. Stay attentive around horses and give riders room to pass safely.
What to pack for Charles C. Deam Wilderness
- Trail map showing wilderness boundaries and designated trails
- Current road and trail closure information
- Campsite plan with an alternative away from fluctuating lake water
- Headlamp and first-aid kit
- Footwear with traction for varied terrain
- Insect repellent
- Long pants and protective clothing for ticks, chiggers, and poison ivy
- Weather protection and forecast-appropriate layers
- Shelter and sleeping system suited to the forecast
- Drinking water and water-treatment equipment
- Backpacking stove
- Trash bags for packing out waste
Charles C. Deam Wilderness FAQ
- What distinguishes Charles C. Deam Wilderness?
- It is Indiana’s only designated wilderness, with 36 miles of trails through hardwood forest and varied terrain beside Monroe Lake. Tower Ridge Road divides the smaller northern section from the larger southern section. Traces of former farms remain as the forest recovers.
- Where is camping allowed?
- Unless using a Forest Service designated campsite, camp at least 200 feet from trails, trailheads, roads, water sources, rock shelters, caves, and historic structures. Within half a mile of Monroe Lake’s shoreline, camping is allowed only in Forest Service designated campsites. Do not camp in parking areas.
- How long can a camping trip last?
- Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days within a 28-day period and 28 total days per calendar year. Occupy the campsite the first night after setting up. Do not leave personal property unattended overnight.
- Can visitors bike, use drones, or arrive by motorboat?
- Bicycles, carts, wagons, motorized travel, and mechanized equipment are prohibited. Launching or landing drones is prohibited. Motorized boats cannot be shored along the wilderness boundary on Monroe Lake. Lake access to the wilderness must be by non-motorized boat.
- Are campfires allowed?
- Small open fires are allowed except during fire bans. Use a provided fire ring or grill, and keep wood within it. Collect only dead, downed wood; never cut standing trees. Imported firewood must meet forest restrictions. Fires and camping are prohibited in or on rock shelters.
- Can visitors collect mushrooms, geodes, or other minerals?
- Mushroom hunting is allowed for personal use. Gold panning and mineral collection, including geodes, are prohibited in Charles C. Deam Wilderness. Geocaching is also prohibited.