Chain O Lakes State Park

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Albion, IN
Chain O Lakes State Park

The official Indiana DNR page for Indiana's Chain O' Lakes State Park. This is lake country and a small boater’s paradise.

Nine connecting lakes will be the center of your adventures at Chain O’Lakes. Paddle through the chain of serene kettle lakes, hike the 23 miles of forested trails, fish the electric-motors-only lakes, stay overnight in a forested hillside family cabin, visit the park’s historic one-room Stanley Schoolhouse, or explore the Nature Center. Other facilities available for visitors to enjoy include a campground, beach and picnic shelters. This property is in the Eastern Time Zone.

05/29/2026

Have YOU paddled the Chain?

The 9 Lake Challenge will take you 5 miles across the park via nine connected kettle lakes. Take in this small boater’s paradise while enjoying the natural landscape from the unique vantage point of your boat. Bring your own canoe or kayak or rent one at the park's Boat Rental. Take photos described in the challenge brochure and then show your photos to the staff at Park Headquarters (or at the Campground Gatehouse when Park Headquarters is closed.

Upon completion, you can get a free sticker, purchase your 9 Lake Challenge merchandise, and be able to proudly say… "I paddled the Chain!"

Download the 9 Lake Challenge Map & Brochure at https://ow.ly/o4EV50YJUJ4

05/28/2026

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Join us at Chain O'Lakes State Park for an interpretive program. Here is our weekend schedule.

Thursday, May 28
2:00pm.-Turtle Walk (Nature Center)

Friday, May 29
11:00am.-Reptiles Alive (Nature Center)
9:30 pm.-Full Moon Walk (Schoolhouse Parking Area)

Saturday, May 30
11:00am.-Leave it to Beavers (Schoolhouse)
2:00pm.-Tree Cookies (Nature Center)

You can also complete our self-guided interpretive trail (trail 8.) starting at the Stanley Schoolhouse.

For more programs and events visit us at on.IN.gov/chainolakes

05/27/2026

Welcome to Wildlife Wednesday! Today we'll wrap up our month of fungi with chicken of the woods. this edible polypore fungus (also called bracket or shelf fungi) grows on trees and is best foraged from hardwoods when it is young and tender. Watch out for the toxic jack o'lantern mushroom that looks similar though! The easiest way to tell these two apart is to look at the bottom of the mushroom. Chicken of the woods has small pores on its underside, where the toxic jack o'lantern has orange gills. Remember to always triple check that you have properly identified a mushroom before eating it!

For more information, and a fun chicken of the wood recipe to try, visit https://ow.ly/ztPH50WO8QK

You can find our Common Mushrooms of Indiana State Parks brochure at: on.IN.gov/INStateParkPublications

Photo by Brent Drinkut.

05/24/2026

*Stanley Schoolhouse Holiday hours*

The Stanley one room schoolhouse was built in 1915 and is on the National Historic Register. Stop by the Historic Stanley Schoolhouse today (May 24) between 10-4 and tomorrow (May 25) between 11-2 to learn about early education in our local area.
on.IN.gov/ChainOLakesSP

05/21/2026

Going camping? Follow this easy checklist to earn yourself the title of Awesome Camper! ⛺🌳

Learn more at: on.IN.gov/INStateParkRules

05/20/2026

Welcome to Wildlife Wednesday! Today we continue our month of fungi with dryads saddle also called pheasant's back mushroom. This large, tan shelf mushroom can be identified by the dark "feathered" pattern on the top portion of the shelf and the large pores on its underside. The mushroom also has a distinct cucumber-like smell. This mushroom is an important decomposer and has recently begun to attract attention for its nutritional value.

For more information visit https://ow.ly/5oNa50YSxUT

Always make sure you're 100% positive in your identification and how to safely prepare any foraged food before you consume it.

05/19/2026

POKER PADDLE! Mark your calendar for our annual Poker Paddle which will take place Saturday June 20th. Registration will begin at 9:30 am at Boat Rental and you will have until 1:00 pm to get your 5 “cards”. Prizes will be awarded for 1st-3rd place and will include free boat rental certificates. You can bring in your own boat (don’t forget your non-motorized lake permit) or rent one of ours for this family friendly fun.
on.IN.gov/chainolakessp

05/18/2026

Join us on the beach at 6:00pm THIS Saturday (5/23) as we kick off the season with our first floating fire of 2026! on.IN.gov/ChainOLakesSP

05/15/2026

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Join us at Chain O'Lakes State Park for an interpretive program!

Saturday, May 16
10:00am-4:00pm - Stanley Schoolhouse is Open
10:00am - Stewardship Saturday (Nature Center)

Sunday, May 17
11:00am-2:00pm - Stanley Schoolhouse is Open

You can also complete our self-guided interpretive trail (trail 8.) starting at the Stanley Schoolhouse.

For more programs and events visit us at on.IN.gov/chainolakes

Address

2355 E 75 S
Albion, IN
46701

Telephone

+12606362654

Website

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/chain-o-lakes-state-park/

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