Summary
The area covers over 4,800 acres and boasts a diverse array of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
One of the main reasons to visit Marion County Wildlife Management Area and State Forest is for its abundant wildlife. Visitors may spot deer, turkey, bobcats, and many species of birds, including bald eagles. The area is also home to several rare and endangered species, such as the Indiana bat and the eastern hellbender.
There are several points of interest within the area, including the Lee Creek Reservoir, which offers fishing and boating opportunities, and the historic Penn's Store, which is one of the oldest country stores in America. Visitors can also explore the network of hiking trails, horseback riding trails, and mountain biking trails within the forest.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it was once home to the Shawnee Native American tribe, and that the forest was established in the 1930s as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal programs.
The best time of year to visit Marion County Wildlife Management Area and State Forest depends on the visitor's interests. Fall is a popular time for foliage viewing and hunting, while spring and summer offer the best opportunities for birdwatching and fishing.
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