A camping we will go

After a seven-month-long hiatus, the sun is out again in Bloomington. So once again it is time to say farewell to your sweatpants and TV screen and say hello to your shorts and sunscreen. There are plenty of things to do outdoors in and around Bloomington. So hop on your bike, strap on your hiking boots and don't forget your tent, as we take a look at where Indiana is hiding the best bits of nature.\nBloomington\nLake Monroe\nAt 10,750 acres, Monroe Reservoir is Indiana's biggest lake. Originally built as a means to control flood damage, the lake has become a major destination for students and Bloomington locals alike. Whether it is swimming, hiking, camping or fishing, Lake Monroe has what you need for some outdoor fun.\nGriffy Lake Nature Preserve\nLocated inside Bloomington city limits, this lake offers plenty of ways to get your kicks outside. There are almost 3 miles of hiking trails to discover. Or if you would prefer to cruise the lake, canoe rentals are $5.\nLeonard Springs Nature Park\nDedicated in 1999, Leonard Springs is one of the newer parks in the Bloomington area, but according to Angie Smith of the Bloomington Parks Department, it is also one of the better places for nature lovers to go and love nature. \n"Leonard Springs is a beautiful park," said Smith. "It is really one of our best."\nClear Creek Trail\nClear Creek trail is a 2.4 mile trail spanning from Tapp Road to Church Lane, just south of Bloomington. This multi-use trail is another new addition from the Bloomington parks department, which was just completed in 2003. According to Smith, "it is a good place to walk your dog, ride your bike or just go for a hike."\nWapehani Mountain Bike Trail\nUp for a little more excitement than hiking or canoeing can offer? The five miles of dirt trails at the Wapehani Mountain Bike Trail may be the place for you. Wapehani was the first mountain bike trail in Indiana, and it remains one of the best places for students to go when they are looking for a place to try and imitate all of the tricks they have seen at the X Games. Hey, if Dave Mirra can do it, why can't you?\nOutside of Bloomington\nMorgan-Monroe State Forest\nThis large park just to the north of Bloomington boasts dozens of camp sites, three lakes and over 20 miles of trails of varying difficulty. Although there are primitive campsites available for a fee, the truly daring may opt to pack up a backpack and head down Low Gap Trail to camp in their Back Country Area. Although camping in the Back Country Area is free, campers are still required to register with the forest office.\nMcCormick's Creek State Park\nMcCormick's Creek State Park offers something that the other places on our list don't, spelunking. One of McCormick's Creek's main attractions is Wolf Cave a natural underground cave ready to explore. McCormick's Creek also offers horse rides, fishing and 17 miles of hiking trails.\nBrown County State Park\nBrown County State park is the biggest and arguably most famous park in Indiana. They offer trails for hiking and mountain biking, camping, horse back riding and one of the most scenic drives to be found in the state. \nDeam Lake State Recreation Area\nDeam Lake is one of the favorite spots for Indiana students and Bloomington locals to go for their camping and hiking. The biggest draw is that it is not patrolled and there are relatively few visitors.\n"Deam Lake is my favorite," said Ryan Minton, Bloomington Local and IU graduate. "Nobody is there. You can walk for miles and not see a person"\nThere are plenty of places around Bloomington to have some outdoor fun, it is just a matter of packing a lunch and over coming the crippling fear of the sun you developed during the cloudy Bloomington winter.