Deam Lake and Starve Hollow State Recreation Areas

06/12/2026

Leave No Trace is the practice of minimum-impact ideas designed to protect natural environments and wildlife during outdoor recreation. This movement applies anywhere from deep backcountry hiking trails to small town parks, and includes Seven Core Principles. Here at Deam Lake SRA, we occasionally find trash deep in the woods, and even burning campfires where they are not allowed. In recent weeks, staff has also had to clean ornaments and homemade projects from trees, often with shiny tinsel and pipe cleaners that attract birds and other wildlife. If eaten, this can cause digestive upset and even death. Please pack everything out with you when you hike, mountain bike, ride your horse, trail run, camp, or take your children on outings. https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/recreation/trails/backpacking/backpacking-etiquette/

06/11/2026

The Deam Lake State Recreation Area boat rental is open Thursday and Friday from 1pm to 6:30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm! We have single and tandem (double) kayaks as well as several flat-bottomed row boats. Rates are $11 hourly and $32 for the day (per boat).

A photo ID is required for rental. Guests must be on-site to rent boats and advanced reservations are not available. Guests are required to have life jackets with them at all times while on the lake.

In addition to our boat rental operations, we also sell snacks, beverages, charcoal and lighters, ice, and even small beach toys and accessories. New this year to our food items are hot snacks, including hot dogs and full pizzas!

Plan your next visit at: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/deam-lake-sra/

06/09/2026

The National Trails Day 4-mile hike at Deam Lake SRA was a huge success! This also marked the beginning of our Summer Trail Series highlighting the hiking trails that are a part of the new Deam Lake Adventure Challenge. Activities that can be completed as a part of this challenge include hiking, paddling, and cycling.

The network of trails connected to Deam Lake vary from easy to rugged (moderately challenging) in terms of difficulty level - there is something for everyone! Our next hike in the series is planned for June 27 on the Three Hills Trail (5.5 miles), which is a moderate-to-rugged trail.

Find more Indiana State Park events at https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/events/

06/09/2026

The 3rd Annual Christmas in July Extravaganza will take place July 24-26 at Deam Lake State Recreation Area. Campers staying the weekend are highly encouraged to decorate their cabin or campsite for Christmas! Prizes will be awarded for best decorated site.

Holiday-themed activities will be taking place in the Forest Education Center and throughout the park for campers and non-campers! More details to follow. All activities are free with park admission. Make your reservations now at: https://indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com/

06/08/2026

We are happy to announce that Starve Hollow’s swimming beach is now open for the season!
Visitors may notice an increased amount of aquatic vegetation and algae within portions of the lake and swimming beach area this year. Severe spring flooding and equipment issues interrupted our normal early-season lake management efforts. As a result, vegetation growth is more noticeable than in previous seasons.
We want to reassure visitors that current water quality testing indicates that the beach area is safe for swimming. The lake passed both E. coli and blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) monitoring standards.
Additional vegetation management efforts are scheduled to begin next week and will continue, as conditions allow, to help improve the appearance and recreational use of the swimming area. Treatments will be performed by licensed property staff in accordance with approved aquatic management practices and are not expected to require any swimming, boating, fishing, or other recreational use restrictions.
While we recognize that conditions are not as aesthetically pleasing as we would like at this time, the health and safety of our visitors remain our top priority.
Routine water quality testing will continue throughout the swimming season, and we will provide additional updates as needed. You can always find the latest testing results for all Indiana State Park reservoirs and lakes at https://www.in.gov/idem/algae/indiana-reservoir-and-lake-sampling-update/
The attached photos show current conditions within the swimming beach area, as well as an example from a previous year following aquatic vegetation management efforts.
While environmental conditions, water levels, and vegetation growth vary from year to year, the comparison demonstrates the significant improvement that can be achieved through ongoing aquatic vegetation management.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve conditions throughout the swimming area and prepare for a great summer at Starve Hollow State Recreation Area.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at the lake!

06/05/2026

Deam Lake SRA is celebrating National Pollinator Week June 18-21! Join us for hands-on-learning activities designed to raise awareness about pollinators, how to protect them, and why we need them. Stop by the Forest Education Center to watch the butterflies and bees in our native garden, to learn how pollinators transfer pollen, and create an age-appropriate pollinator-themed activity. All needed materials will be provided.

on.IN.gov/deamlakesra

06/04/2026

See below for our June Interpretive Programming at Deam Lake!

Deam Lake SRA is hosting 2 guided hikes, a kayak tour, and Pollinator Week activities during June. Read about our events or even just plan to join us for a program, or to hike, swim, or camp!

Email the Naturalist at [email protected] or call the Main Office (812-246-5421) for more information.

See our complete listing of events at https://events.in.gov/deam_lake_state_recreation_area

05/29/2026

BEACH UPDATE:

The beach at Deam Lake State Recreation Area is now open for swimming and boat rental! Swimmers must still stay within the swim lines in the swimming area. Boat rental operations are open Fridays from 1pm until 6:30pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm.

The beach at Starve Hollow State Recreation Area is unfortunately still closed due to high water levels. We are monitoring this daily and will provide updates as soon as they become available.

Send a message to learn more