Lake Monroe offers chance to see beauty of Indiana fall

Located less than 12 miles from the heart of campus, Lake Monroe covers nearly 11,000 acres of Monroe County and is the largest lake in the state.
 
Graced by the autumn season, the surrounding undeveloped land bordering the lake is thick with vibrant, colorful trees and the average water temperature at this time of year is in the high 60s.

Yet the lake’s beauty and proximity are often forgotten by IU students.

“I would definitely say if you can manage to get a hand on a boat — renting a boat, a friend’s boat — seeing the trees on the water, seeing all the colors of leaves changing, that’s the best part of the lake in the fall,” said Paul Hatley, employee of Lake Monroe’s Fourwinds Resort and Marina.

The process of renting a boat is fairly simple, Hatley said. A boating license is not required; however, Fourwinds requires the primary renter attend a short seminar on boating safety.

“I would say any nice weekend we probably have two or three groups of students on the lake,” Hatley said. “I don’t think people realize that there’s a beach on Lake Monroe. I mean, I myself am a 22-year-old college student, so I totally understand the appeal of a beach. I think a lot of people don’t really know about it. I think it is kind of neglected.”

Even without getting in or going on the water, Lake Monroe and its surrounding area have plenty to offer in fall, such as the Hickory Ridge fire tower.

Standing 110 feet tall, the steel structure was once part of a fire-watch center built in 1939. Today, its 123 steps are climbed by anyone who wants to enjoy the view over the lake.

“It’s this giant, like, seeing tower, and you can go climb up on it and overlook Lake Monroe and all the trees,” freshman Mark Edlin said. “It was late at night (when I went), so it was really pretty. I honestly didn’t know about it, so I think people should take more initiative to go out there. It was awesome.”

When it comes to enjoying what the lake has to offer, Edlin said he definitely believes it is about the journey just as much as it is about the destination.

“Crossing over Lake Monroe, just the really long bridge to the other side to where the tower is, was really, really pretty,” Edlin said. “When we were at the top it was really, really pretty. It was the high life, you know? I can’t wait to go again.”

If heights do not sound appealing, hiking the winding paths around the lake provides just as much color.

Teena Lignan, public affairs representative for Hoosier National Forest, said she recommends the Pate Hollow trail for students making the short trip from Bloomington.

“It’s the one right there at Paynetown,” Lignan said. “Paynetown is a state recreation area, but you park on the state parking lot. Then, you walk onto the national forest.
Now, that’s got a couple loops where you can go different distances, and if you go the longer route it winds back around to Lake Monroe, and it’s very pretty. The colors there would be as nice as anywhere.”

Take precautions when hiking the trails this time of year. Wear bright colors in consideration of hunting season, Lignan said. She also urges anyone interested in viewing some of Indiana’s finest vistas to make haste before the season is over.

“There are still a lot of pretty trees out there, and some that haven’t even started to turn yet,” Lignan said. “So, I think we will have a couple weeks of pretty colors. It’s a great time of year to be out.”