SALAMONIE RIVER STATE FOREST
The name Salamonie was derived from the Native American word O-sah-mo-nee, which means yellowpaint. Native Americans made yellow paint from the bloodroot plant which grew in great abundance along the winding banks of the river. Salamonie River State Forest was created as a demonstration riverside forest for the reclamation of eroded land. The state forest was established in the mid 1930s when local people assisted the state in purchasing the hilly land and bluffs along the Salamonie River. Most of the land's topsoil was eroded away, making reclamation of the area a major challenge. To deal with this challenge, a 200 member Civilian Conservation Corps CCC camp was created. The CCC designed and planned the forest and recreation facilities and opened a stone quarry. Several hundred acres of land were reforested and many recreation facilities were built, including Hominy Ridge Lake and the large stone shelter house that stands near the lake. Today the forest encompasses 850 acres and offers many recreational opportunities to its visitors.
GeneralLand, acres850
Day-UseFishingyes
Huntingyes
Hiking Trail, miles9
Picnickingyes
Picnic Shelters, #1
Swimming Beachyes
Bike Trailsyes
Bridle Trailsyes
BoatingBoating Limits-1
Launch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitive, #32
Electric Sitesyes
Horsemen Campsites, #15
AccommodationsGolf Courseyes
Salamonie River State Forest offers 2 primitive class C campgrounds family campground with 32 campsites and a horseman's camp with 15 sites. Pit toilets and drinking water are available near sites.