Chain O’ Lakes

Hiking, canoeing, biking, camping and picnicking.
Take a hike around Sand Lake, or a shorter loop around Bowen, or string several trails together to make a several hour or full day of it.
Rent a canoe (or bring your own) and spend several hours exploring the chained lakes. I am noticing some spots of invasive milfoil which I hope they take care of before it takes over.
Biking is limited to the roads, but the hills (yes, the hills) make it an enjoyable trip around the park.
I prefer the campsites that have no improvements over the campground area where people pull in their campers. But each to their own.
Drop a blanket on a grassy area and enjoy lunch this weekend at the park. Or wait until fall when the trees start to turn. It is beautiful.

This place, this tiny Valhalla in Indiana, is a great place for camping and canoeing. For a nominal fee you can rent a canoe or a kayak and go and spend all day meandering around the 8 interconnecting lakes that make this park so great. In some places you will be out on open water, the sun beating down, the wind blowing across the surface of the lake, and it is nice to stop and take a look around. Other times you’ll find yourself in a sort of ‘fern gulley’ where the lakes are connected by a narrow chute, laden with foliage and greenery, with overhanging boughs almost burdened by an abundance of blooming flowers and draping fronds.
When you’re not on the water, the park has a good amount of trails for some hiking and nature walks. The campsites are of a pretty nice size and since you can reserve them online, you can pick one as close to or as far away from any amenities as you choose.