INDIANA— The Indiana State Parks system is set for a massive expansion in the northern part of the state. Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have announced that more than 1,400 acres of protected public land will transition into the state parks portfolio starting next month.
Effective July 1, the management of both the Salamonie River State Forest and the Frances Slocum State Forest will shift away from the DNR’s Division of Forestry, officially incorporating them into the Indiana State Parks infrastructure.
Rather than operating as standalone entities, the two properties will be absorbed by neighboring reservoir and park systems to streamline operations and enhance visitor experiences.
- Salamonie River State Forest: Will be absorbed and managed through the nearby Salamonie Lake operational system.
- Frances Slocum State Forest: Will be absorbed and managed through the nearby Mississinewa Lake system.
State officials have confirmed that the management transition will not result in any service cuts. Both properties will fully maintain their current staffing levels, and existing recreational opportunities—including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding—will remain open and accessible to the public.
Changes to Campground Bookings
For outdoor enthusiasts and campers, the transition brings a major operational change to overnight stays. Beginning in August, the primitive and horseman’s campsites located at the Salamonie River property will officially migrate to the centralized, online Indiana State Parks reservation system. Campers will be able to book these sites online for stays starting September 1.
“Our state parks are some of Indiana’s most cherished places,” Governor Braun said during the announcement. “Expanding Indiana State Parks to include Salamonie River and Frances Slocum state forests will help more Hoosiers and visitors experience these special places while preserving them for future generations.”
DNR Director Alan Morrison mirrored the sentiment, noting that integrating these properties under the state park banner provides a more cohesive, “warm welcome” for travelers looking to explore Indiana’s natural woodlands.
This 1,400-acre acquisition marks another aggressive push for public land expansion under the state’s recent conservation initiatives. Earlier this spring, the DNR used its Next Level Conservation Trust to secure an additional 122 acres for Yellowwood State Forest in Brown County, pushing state-funded land preservation milestones even higher.
The absorption of these two northern forests expands the massive footprint of the Indiana State Parks system. The division’s statewide infrastructure is vast, providing recreation areas across every corner of the state:
| Property Type | Total Managed Units |
| State Parks | 24 |
| Reservoir Properties | 8 |
| Small Satellite Locations | 7 |
| State Forest Recreation Areas | 2 |
| Off-Road Riding Areas | 2 |
State officials hope that bringing the specialized resources, trail maintenance protocols, and interpretive programming of the State Parks division to these two historic forests will boost local tourism and preserve regional biodiversity for decades to come.
