Frances Slocum State Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Frances Slocum State Recreation Area is located in northeastern Indiana and spans over 2,000 acres of woods, lakes, and marshes.
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Summary
It is named after Frances Slocum, a young girl who was kidnapped by Native Americans in 1778 and later found living with the Miami people in Indiana.
There are several good reasons to visit Frances Slocum State Recreation Area, including hiking, fishing, boating, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park has several trails that allow visitors to explore the woods and wetlands, including a wheelchair-accessible trail. The two lakes in the park are popular for fishing, and visitors can rent boats and kayaks from the park office.
One of the main points of interest in Frances Slocum State Recreation Area is the Frances Slocum Nature Preserve, which covers over 200 acres and is home to several rare and endangered species. The preserve features a boardwalk that takes visitors through a wetland area and offers views of the surrounding forest.
Other notable features of the park include a swimming beach, picnic areas, and a campground with over 200 sites. There are also several historic buildings in the park, including the Frances Slocum Inn and the Shelter House, which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
The best time of year to visit Frances Slocum State Recreation Area depends on the activities visitors are interested in. Spring and fall are popular times to hike and enjoy the changing foliage, while summer is ideal for swimming and boating. Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Frances Slocum State Recreation Area offers a range of outdoor activities and natural beauty that is worth exploring.
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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.
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