SOUTHEASTERN TILL PLAIN BEECH-MAPLE DIVISION

COUNTIES LOCATED WITHIN REGION:                                                                              -Jennings, Fayette (portion), Ripley, Dearborn , and Jefferson

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:                                                                                                             The Southeastern Till Plain Beech-Maple Division is largely composed of bedrock.  The soils are very acidic and thus low in fertility.  The western part of this region has broad, flat divides with deep valleys.  The dominant tree types are sugar maples and beech trees, but pin oak and sweet gum trees are also common.

P ROTECTED AREAS:

-Jackson-Washington State Forest

This forest is located two and a half miles southeast of Brownstown.  It consists of more than 16,500 acres, most of which was purchased between the 1930’s and the 1950’s.  There are three lakes and two ponds on the grounds and used to house peach tree orchards.  Chestnut oak is a common tree species on the ridge tops.  Yellow poplar is found in old-field sites and valley bottoms.  Red oak, sweet gum, cedars, morel mushrooms, and white oak are also found here.  Activities available include camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking, archery, hiking, biking, horseback riding and hunting for animals such as Whitetail deer, ruffed goose, turkey, squirrel, fox and raccoon.

-Selmier State Forest

This forest is located two miles northeast of North Vernon.  Acres of trees such as pine, black locust, black walnut, sycamore, and tulip trees were planted between 1921 and 1934.  Fishing is a possibility at this forest.  There is a small pond along with the Muscatatuck River.  Species of fish that can be found here are largemouth bass, small mouth bass, blue gill, perch and catfish.  Hunting for animals such as Whitetail deer, turkey squirrels and raccoon is also available.  Trails for hiking can also be found throughout the forest.

-Versailles State Park

This park sits in southeast Indiana in the middle of a farming region.  Versailles is Indiana’s second largest state park with two nature preserves within it, Laughery Bluff, known for its wildflowers, and Dogwood.  The park also contains a 230 acre lake.  Activities of interest at the park include fishing, biking, camping, horseback riding, hiking, picnicking, canoeing, and swimming.  

-Clifty Falls State Park

Photo from Clifty Falls State Park (courtesy of USFWS)

Located near Madison, IN, this park is home to one of Indiana’s highest waterfalls.  The park also includes woods and a canyon and in the spring there is an abundance of wildflowers.  Activities available at the park include camping, hiking, a Nature Center, picnicking, swimming, and tennis.