Richard Lieber State Park
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Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Richard Lieber State Park is a 1,740-acre park located in Cloverdale, Indiana.
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Summary
It is named after the founding father of Indiana state parks and is known for its hiking trails, camping facilities, and recreational opportunities.
There are many reasons to visit Richard Lieber State Park, including its beautiful natural scenery and diverse wildlife. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as fishing, swimming, boating, and birdwatching. It also has several picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields for visitors to enjoy.
One of the main points of interest in the park is the Cataract Falls, which is the largest waterfall in Indiana. The park also has several historic structures, including the Lieber Log Cabin and the Hilltop Shelter House, which provide insight into the park's history.
Interesting facts about the park include its designation as a National Natural Landmark for its unique geological formations and diverse plant and animal life. The park also has a historical connection to the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal program that provided work for young men during the Great Depression.
The best time of year to visit Richard Lieber State Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers seasonal activities such as sledding and ice fishing during the winter months.
Overall, Richard Lieber State Park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities and natural beauty, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
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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
Lieber State Rec Area
Campground Entrance
Cataract Void Campground
Rattlesnake - Owen Putnam State Forest
Horseman's Campground
Owen Putnam State Forest