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Indiana
52

Indiana State Parks

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USA Parks
Indiana
Eastern Region
Chain O''Lakes State Park
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Chain O'Lakes State Park © Tosha Marie Harris
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Tosha Marie Harris
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Yevheniya Dean
Chain O'Lakes State Park Nature Center © MM Photography
Chain O'Lakes State Park Finster Lake © MM Photography
One of the many small lakes in the park
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Angie Felkner
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Angie Felkner
Chain O'Lakes State Park Waterways Walkways © MM Photography
One of the many channels through Chain O Lakes
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Angie Felkner
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Angie Felkner
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Angie Felkner
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Kelley Schaper
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Tron Artavatkun
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Tron Artavatkun
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Tron Artavatkun
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Tron Artavatkun
Chain O'Lakes State Park Spring at the cabin © Annemarie Drummond
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Annemarie Drummond
Chain O'Lakes State Park rain on the lake © Annemarie Drummond
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Yevheniya Dean
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Michael Etter
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Michael Etter
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Angie Felkner
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Angie Felkner
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Kelley Schaper
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Tron Artavatkun
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Tron Artavatkun
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Tron Artavatkun
Chain O'Lakes State Park © Michael Etter
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CHAIN O''LAKES STATE PARK
CHAIN O''LAKES STATE PARK
2355 E 75 S
Albion, Indiana   46701-9507
(lat:41.3335 lon:-85.3813) map location

Phone: (260) 636-2654
Toll Free: 800-457-8283
Reservations: 260-636-2654
This is lake country and a small boater's paradise. Eight connecting lakes will be the center of your adventures at Chain O'Lakes State Park in Noble County. Paddle through the chain, hike the trails, or attend a nature program in the park's 'old schoolhouse' nature center. At nearby Rome City, you can visit the Gene Stratton-Porter Home, State Historic Site.
Nature of the Area
The land making up Chain O Lakes State Park is chiefly fresh waterbog over deep peat deposits. The river bluff areas and gently sloping morainal hills rise to 200 feet, and were deposited by Illinois' last glacier.

Chain O' Lakes has a mixture of oak and hickory hardwood timber. The park also contains cherry, elm, birch, sumac and spruce with rich colors that attract numerous visitors each fall, plus some scattered pine plantings.

Nature lovers will find a rich assortment of wildflowers in the spring, summer and fall.

Grass Lake once was almost entirely covered with American Lotus each summer, and attracted great crowds including tour boats, annually. The lake still contains some areas of lotus.

Two hundred acres of restored native prairie provide nesting habitat for grassland bird species.

Some of the wildlife you are likely to encounter within the park are white-tailed deer, rabbits, ground squirrels, chipmunks, mink, opossum, skunks, raccoons, gophers, fox, badgers, beaver, coyotes, and groundhogs. A check-list of the nearly 200 birds that have been identified in the park is available at the park office.
History of the Area
The Chain O Lakes area was inhabited by central Algonquian Tribes when Europeans first arrived in the Mid-1600's. The predominant tribes in the region at that time were the Miami, Mascouten and Potawatomi. These Native American groups led a semi-mobile lifestyle and grew corn, hunted, fished and gathered wild plant foods.

Joliet and Marquette passed through what today is Chain O Lakes State Park in 1673, as they traveled the Fox River during their Illinois explorations. French trappers and traders were the first Europeans to explore the area. The first European settlement was at Fort Hill, near Mundelein, a large mound rising out of the prairie, formerly a lookout point for the Indians.

Chain O Lakes became a state park in 1945, when the State of Illinois made an initial purchase of 840 acres. In the 1930's a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp became the Chain O Lakes Conservation Area. This land was incorporated into the state park in 1957. The farm at the park was purchased by the Department of Conservation in 1969. The property was originally owned by the Stevens family, farmers who received the land under a land grant in 1843.
Passes
State park permits can be purchased at any of the state park property locations across Indiana. State park permits can also be ordered online by visiting the INDINIA ENTRANCE FEE web page.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Picnickingyes
 Picnic Sheltersyes
 Swimming Beachyes
 Nature Centeryes
 Nature Programsyes
BoatingBoat Rentalyes
 Boating Limits-1
 Launch Ramps, #1
CampingPrimitive, #82
 Electric Sites, #331
 Flush Toiletsyes
 Dumpstationyes
 Showersyes
 Camp Commissaryyes
 Camper Cabinsyes
 Group Campyes
 Youth Group Campyes
WinterCross-Country Skiingyes
 Ice Fishingyes
 Activitiesyes
Cabins
Enjoy a family cabin with your loved ones in an Indiana State Park this year. The cabins offer privacy and comfort with bedrooms, living areas, kitchens and modern bathroom facilities.
Camping
* Electric / 331 sites * Non-Electric / 49 sites * Primitive / 33 sites * Rally Camp / 4 sites * Canoe Camp * Youth Tent Areas * Campground Reservations * Camp Store * Dumping Station
Boating
There is no charge to launch boats at the park, nor is there any horsepower limitations on boats using any of the Chain O' Lakes. Electric trolling motors only are allowed on boats on Turner Lake, a 44 acre lake in the park. A user fee is required for all boats using the Chain O Lakes charged by the Fox Waterway Agency. Stickers are available at the park concession stand/boat launch.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in nine connecting lakes, home to bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and northern pike. Boat rentals are available.


Location
Chain O''Lakes State Park is located near Columbia City, Fort Wayne and Kendallville

Picnicking
The park features seven picnic areas with tables, water fountains, grills and toilets. Oak Grove, Maple Grove and Oak Point have playground equipment. Oak Pont, Deer path, Oak Grove and Catfish Cove have picnic shelters. Reservations and a $25 fee are required for shelters. Groups of 25 or more must secure advanced written permission for picnics from the Park Office.
Trails
Chain O Lakes has four trail systems. The Nature's Way hiking trail starts at Oak Grove Picnic Area and is 2 ? miles in length. The Pike Marsh North Picnic Area has a trail especially designed for disabled users that is ? mile long. The park also contains an equestrian trail with three loops and a total length of 8 miles. Visitors can bring in their own horses for enjoyment on the trail. A parking lot for horse trailers with access to the equestrian trails is located near the park entrance. A biking/hiking trail, 6 miles in length can be accessed at any picnic area between the concession stand and the park office. In the winter all trails can be used by cross-country skiers with the park office doubling as a warming house on weekends with 3" of snow; hours are 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Bicycling
Biking enthusiasts can explore nine lakes connected by an intriguing network of trails. However, caution is advised.

The park's terrain varies greatly, offering both challenging and easy routes for cyclists of all levels.

Remember that some paths are shared with hikers; be mindful to avoid accidents or disturbing wildlife in the area.

There aren't any bike rentals available on-site so visitors must bring their own equipment if they plan to cycle around the park.

During wet weather conditions, biking could become hazardous due to slippery surfaces - it's best avoided during these times.

Night-time cycling isn't permitted as visibility becomes poor which increases risk factor significantly.

Always wear a helmet while riding through this scenic landscape - safety should never take a backseat!
Birding
The park offers diverse birding opportunities with over 100 species recorded. It features eight interconnected lakes, marshes and forests which attract a variety of waterfowl and songbirds. Birders can explore nine trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty levels for different viewing experiences. The Sand Hill Nature Preserve within the park is particularly popular among birdwatchers.
Area Attractions
At nearby Rome City, you can visit the Gene Stratton-Porter Home, state historic site.

* Boat Launch Ramp * Boating / Elect. motor only * Nature Center/Interpretive Naturalist Services (Seasonal) * Shelters (Shelter Reservations) * Rental-Canoe, Paddleboat, Kayak and Rowboat. Canoe rental on weekends & holiday by the hour only. * Cross-County Skiing / No Ski Rental * Fishing / Ice Fishing * Hiking Trails * Swimming / Beach

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
June 19 Ozzie by Maria_
park review stars; one to five
August 8 This is one of our favorite parks by CATHI Boyer
park review stars; one to five We love coming here they trails are kept clean and clear. The only major complaint is the restroom and showers. Even after they have cleaned them they are still dirty. The walls are or would be easy to clean if they ran a large scrub brush over walls. But only use power washer on walls that are on one side. So any dirt, bugs, spiders, or other things are left. This is the worst part and I am staying during the week and it is slow.
August 18
park review stars; one to five Can something be done about the beaver dam on the inlet off of Long Lake. The dam is preventing water to go into the waterway. You have to drag your boat halfway through the canal.
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Indiana State Parks

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