In Starke County Forest, hiking trails lead to ponds and wetlands; Bass Lake has a publicly accessible boat launch. These two natural attractions offer different ways to explore the landscape: on foot along forest trails or on the water. Other highlights include the Erie Trail for hikers and cyclists, railroad history in northwest Indiana, and a drive-in theater. When planning your trip, you can consider nature, outdoor activities, and culture as distinct themes.
Forest, Wetlands, and Seasons
Starke County Forest has 5 miles of hiking trails that provide access to approximately 22 acres of ponds and wetlands. The trails offer opportunities for physical activity on foot, while the accessible ponds and wetlands add other landscape features to your visit. Migratory birds can be found in the forest in spring and fall. If you’re interested in them, you can take both seasons into account when planning your trip.
Two Lakes, Two Ways to Access the Water
Bass Lake is a natural lake on a hill. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources maintains a publicly accessible boat launch on its southwest side. At Koontz Lake, visitors can use the county-owned beach area at the end of Cherokee Road; it is east of Tippecanoe Drive. The two lakes offer clearly distinct experiences: Bass Lake centers on the boat launch, while Koontz Lake features the beach area. If you’re planning an outing on the water, you can choose the destination that suits your interests based on these differences.
Trails for Different Interests
The Erie Trail is a free, publicly accessible multi-use trail for hikers and cyclists. It passes through hardwood forests, sand prairies, and wetlands. This brings together two interests: getting active on the trail and enjoying the changing landscapes along the route. A separate unpaved bridle trail runs alongside the Erie Trail corridor from Starke Road 100 West to Starke County Road 700 East. The bridle trail and the multi-use trail serve different users: the Erie Trail is for hikers and cyclists, while the separate trail is for horseback riders.
Railroad, Movies, and a Festival
Since 1988, the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has preserved railroad history in northwest Indiana. It offers rides in open cars through the rural landscape around North Judson. This provides two ways to experience the railroad theme: historical preservation and a ride through the surrounding countryside. The Melody Drive-in Theatre has been in operation since 1949 and is located near US 35 on a 13-acre site. Its long history offers a different focus than the railroad museum: movie history is also part of the cultural scene here. The Yellowstone Trail Festival takes place on the third weekend in August. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festival, check the current event dates before making arrangements.
Discover more destinations: Knox, Porter, Miami County, Dubois County, Scott, Lawrence, Fulton County, Marshall County
Return to the main travel overview: Indiana.
