Lake Monroe

Lake Monroe is a reservoir in Indiana that sits between Monroe and Brown counties and serves as a popular spot for outdoor recreation. The shoreline is lined with wooded areas, the coves offer quiet places for fishing or swimming, and the open water provides space for boats and sailboats.

The reservoir was created in the early nineteen-sixties by building a dam on Salt Creek, mainly to control flooding along the river. After completion, the area quickly became a popular destination for recreation and water sports in the region.

The Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area on the south shore represents Indiana's only federally protected wilderness zone, spanning 13,000 acres of natural terrain.

Several boat ramps provide easy access to the water, and campsites with electric hookups are scattered along the shore. Hiking trails wind through forested terrain that offers shade in summer and turns especially colorful in autumn.

The reservoir supplies drinking water to nearby Bloomington and keeps the region supplied even during dry summer months. Part of the southern shore belongs to the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, the only federally protected wilderness area in Indiana.

Location: Indiana

GPS coordinates: 39.05870,-86.44640

Latest update: December 16, 2025 04:27