Starke County: Lakes, Trails and Railroad Experiences

A natural lake on a hill makes Bass Lake an unusual landscape feature. Starke County also offers a range of experiences for your stay: places by the water, trails in nature, rides at the railroad museum and a drive-in theater. You can plan around whether you are more interested in the water, outdoor activity or railroad history.

Lakes with different points of access

Bass Lake is a natural lake on a hill. On its southwest side, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources maintains a public boat launch. This makes the location a combination of an unusual landscape feature and a practical access point for boats.

At Koontz Lake, visitors can use the county-owned beach area. It is at the end of Cherokee Road, east of Tippecanoe Drive. The mention of a beach area puts the focus on something different from the boat launch at Bass Lake.

When planning, it is worth distinguishing between these two waterfront features: Bass Lake has a public boat launch, while Koontz Lake has a beach area that visitors can use. This can help you decide which location is a better fit for your planned stay, rather than assuming both lakes offer the same activities.

Trails, wetlands and multi-use paths

Starke County Forest combines a trail network with a distinctive landscape. It has 5 miles of hiking trails that provide access to approximately 22 acres of ponds and marshes. Migratory birds are present in the forest in spring and fall. Both the trails and the seasonal presence of migratory birds can help you plan your visit.

The Erie Trail is a free public multi-use path for hikers and cyclists. It passes through hardwood forests, sand prairies and wetlands. This combines use as a trail with several landscape types that shape the route's character.

A separate unpaved equestrian trail also follows the Erie Trail corridor from Starke Road 100 West to Starke County Road 700 East. The distinction is useful when planning routes: the Erie Trail is for hikers and cyclists, while the additional trail is for horseback riders. Both share the stated corridor, but they are designated for different uses.

Railroad experiences and regional history

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum offers rides in open cars through the rural landscape around North Judson. The museum has also preserved railroad history in northwest Indiana since 1988. So, in addition to the ride itself, the region's railroad history is a focus. If you would rather explore the area on a ride than on foot, this offers an experience different from the hiking trails or the Erie Trail.

Another distinct destination is the Melody Drive-In Theatre. It has been in operation since 1949 and is located near US 35 on a 13-acre site.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Knox, Marion, Knox County, Grant County, Noble County, Ripley, Floyd County, Tipton County.

For the main travel overview: Indiana.