From Wikitravel

Chain O' Lakes is a state park in the state of Indiana in the United States of America. 2355 E. 75th St., Albion. +1 260 636-2654. [1]

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

Before being settled by pioneers, the Miami Indians lived in the area. The north shore of Bowen Lake was the home to about 30 wigwam homes. In the 1830's pioneers started settling in the area, and one of them, William Bowen, built a cabin in this area. The park was invited into the State Park system in 1960.

Prior to human habitation, the lakes in the chain are kettle lakes, formed 10,000 years ago from blocks of ice that melted, carving the channels that connect the 11 lakes.

[edit] Landscape

Steep rolling hills and bogs surround the area consisting of 11 connected lakes of all shapes and sizes. Areas can get a little muddy near the lakes. Bowen Lake is the deepest lake at 65 feet deep, and the shallowest is Dock Lake at 22 feet deep.

[edit] Flora and fauna

Birding is very popular in the area with sightings of woodpeckers, wrens, warblers, veros, barred owls, woodcock, sparrows, pheasants, chats and more. Deer are heavily populated in the area and once in the while they host controlled hunts to monitor the population.

Locust and pine are just two of the many flora found in the park.

[edit] Climate

Winters are chilly and snowy, summers are hot and muggy near the lakes. Spring and Fall are moderate and pleasant!

[edit] Get in

From the North: From I-80/90 head south on IN-9 then turn east on CR-75S into the park.

From the South: Take I-69N from Fort Wayne onto US-33N then go north on IN-9 then north onto CR-75S into the park.

[edit] Fees/Permits

[edit] Basic gate fees

• Weekdays - $4 (Indiana plates)
• Weekends (Fri-Sun, Holidays) - $5 (Indiana plates)
• Non-Indiana Residents - $7
• Pedestrians, bikes, by horse - $2

[edit] Get around

Driving into the park is your best option! Once you arrive you can hike and boat around the park.

[edit][add listing] See

• Indian Burial Mound on trail 2 on the north shore of Bowen Lake.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Take a hike on one of 8 easy to moderate trails. Explore the lakes, swamps, burial mounds, and learn about the kettle lakes. Over 10 miles of trails.

• Go boating or canoeing by the hour, you can also rent paddleboats. A great way to see the park.

• Go fishing you can buy a license at the park office and fish for bass, bluegill and other fish.

• Have a picnic at one of the many areas featuring tables, shelters, toilets, playgrounds and greenspace.

• Swim! enjoy the most popular activity at the park, it's free!

• Visit the naturalist center and listen to talks and take hiking tours. You can also learn about the history and wildlife of the area.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• The park has a small grocery and camping store on grounds. You can get goods cheaper outside the state park though!

[edit][add listing] Eat

• The park has a refreshment stand serving drinks, ice cream and snacks.

[edit][add listing] Drink

No booze is allowed, but the park provides refreshments.

From http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/6287.htm "Alcohol: is strictly forbidden at Indiana Dunes State Park and in all youth camps. At other properties, both daily visitors and campers are asked to be responsible when drinking alcohol. Possession of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 is against the law in Indiana; and this will be enforced."

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

[edit] Camping

• Camping is available at the park with over 400 sites - primitive, electric and non-electric. Canoe camps and youth tenting areas are available too and they have a camp store too.

[edit] Backcountry

[edit] Stay safe

Be advised that there is a minimum security state prison on the eastern part of the State Park, housing around 150 minimum security prisoners that are deemed not to be a threat; there are no fences around the prison. Having lived in the area for years, I do not remember any incidents of prisoners causing any types of issues, and generally want to be there, and don't want to do anything to mess up their time there.

[edit] Get out

• Black Pine Animal Park 1426 W. 300 N. Albion Rd, Albion. +1 260 636-7383. [2] Black Pine is an animal sanctuary that takes in rescued and retired animals. It's a simple, authentic sanctuary that is raw and real. Their tours offer a chance for you to pet, experience, and observe these animals upclose and personal. Big cats, primates, bears, camels, birds, snakes and more. It's quite a nice experience, local and friendly, and the animals are well kept and maintained! (The park moved to an all-new 18 acre, beautiful site in late 2006, but it's still close by, just 1.5 miles west of the stoplight in Albion.)

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