Summit Lake Campground

Prairie Creek Reservoir is only about 15 minutes' drive north of Summit Lake Campground. Prairie Creek Park borders the lake, with a lot of recreational activities available. On the north side, you will find a hiking trail that winds through the woods, where you can see over 26 species of trees and flowers. This is a nature study area, where you can also enjoy bird watching and photography. On the lake, there are many water sports available, from fishing to swimming and boating. In the park, you can have a picnic, and go camping, hiking, and bicycling. Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge is an incredible natural area covering over 50,000 acres of land, approximately a 90-minute drive away from the campsites at Summit Lake State Park. The refuge is habitat to more than 200 species of birds and over 40 species of mammals, including Henslow's sparrows, cerulean warblers, river otters, and so much more. Caves and caverns, flatwoods, and grasslands make up the refuge's terrain; it's perfect for hiking and exploring. If you like hunting, here you can find deer and turkey. Fishing is also available, as well as interpretive tours and wildlife and nature viewing. Hoosier National Forest is a little over two hours' drive from the campground. Over 200,000 acres of land offers wonderful views of rolling hills, forests, and rural areas. Here you can go hiking, camping, biking, and exploring while enjoying waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and creeks. Some of the most popular activities here include horseback riding, hunting, fishing, scenic driving, camping, and picnicking. There are interpretive tours available in the learning center, as well as wildlife watching, nature observing, and bird watching tours for kids and adults. The forest has a rich natural and cultural history, and it has been continuously inhabited for the past 12,000 years.