Mr. And Mrs. Harry Lee Carter State Natural Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
The Mr.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter State Natural Area is a 100-acre park located in Hamilton County, Indiana. There are several good reasons to visit this natural area, such as hiking, bird-watching, and fishing. The park's trails are well-maintained and offer scenic views of the surrounding forests and wetlands. Visitors can also see a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, and a variety of bird species.
One of the main points of interest in the park is the White River, which runs along its western border. Fishing is a popular activity here, with anglers catching bass, crappie, and catfish. The park also features a picnic area, restrooms, and a shelter house for group events.
An interesting fact about the park is that it was named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter, who were lifelong conservationists and dedicated to preserving natural areas in Indiana. The park was established in 2005 and has since become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The best time of year to visit the Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter State Natural Area is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, visitors can enjoy the park year-round as it offers different activities and scenery during each season.
Weather Forecast
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
Franklin Marion State Forest
Russell Cave National Monument
Grundy State Forest