Deam Lake State Recreation Area
Rate this placeNearby: Speed Park Mosley Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Deam Lake State Recreation Area is a popular outdoor destination located in the state of Indiana.
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Summary
It spans over 1,300 acres and offers a wide range of recreational activities.
Some good reasons to visit Deam Lake State Recreation Area include camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and swimming. The park has three campgrounds that offer both primitive and modern camping facilities. Hiking trails are available for visitors to explore the natural beauty of the area. The lake provides opportunities for fishing and boating, while the beach is a great spot for swimming and sunbathing.
Specific points of interest to see at Deam Lake State Recreation Area include the lake itself, the campground facilities, the beach, and the hiking trails. The park also has a nature center that provides educational programs and exhibits about the local flora and fauna.
Interesting facts about Deam Lake State Recreation Area include that it was named after Charles Deam, a famous Indiana botanist who advocated for conservation efforts. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Deam Lake State Recreation Area is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lake and beach are open for swimming. However, the park is open year-round and offers opportunities for winter sports such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Deam Lake State Recreation Area is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a variety of recreational activities in a beautiful natural setting.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Deam Lake State Rec Area
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Deam Lake Campground
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Clark State Forest
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Charlestown State Park
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Speed Park
Mosley Park
Silver Creek Township Park
Clark State Forest
Four-H Club Park