Park Features
Summit Lake State Park has a well-equipped campground with water at every site. There are over 100 electric campsites and youth tent camping as well. Many of the campsites are right up along the lake with great views. There’s also privacy between sites which many people appreciate.
There are six trails, and they're all fairly easy, plus one is ADA accessible. Trail 1 is an ideal spot for viewing wildflowers in the summer. Trail 3, the ADA-friendly trail, has great views of the water, benches along the path, storyboards, and it pops out by the beach. I really appreciated the park's intention to make the property accessible to people no matter their age or mobility needs. They have an ADA fishing dock at the south ramp, too.
The big draw at Summit Lake is the lake itself. They have the first interactive kayak trail challenge. It's two 5K loops which take you to eleven different spots. The lake is also an excellent birding spot where you’ll spot migrating white pelicans or ospreys. On the north side of the park, just outside the property line, you’ll also find a bald eagle nest!
Get Hooked on Fishing
For park property manager, Nicole LeCrone, Summit Lake is the ideal spot to work because of her favorite hobby. She said, “I have a passion for fishing. That's what we do. My husband and I, we have a boat, and we go fishing… And this is the first place that I ever caught a bass in Indiana.” Summit Lake has been well-stocked for decades. Nikki explained what makes it so great, “The plant aquatic guys are reporting that we have a wide variety of species of plants, so it makes our lake really nice and clean.”
Nikki was really proud of how well-maintained Summit Lake is. She told me the lakes are reviewed regularly by the state aquatics and fisheries departments. The good news is, “Each year, this lake comes back as a pristine lake, a super high-quality lake for the central region. In 2016, it was one of the best fishing lakes in the country.” She even shared a few general areas of the lake where you’ll likely catch fish. She recommends the various coves, especially the one near the north ramp.
Fishing isn't something I grew up doing, but as someone who enjoys the water, nature, and a little solitude, I can see the appeal. Nikki was very encouraging to anyone interested in trying. She said, “You can definitely start fishing at any age. You can do it for cheap. The annual fishing license is $24, and that gets you up for the entire year.” If you don’t catch anything, Nikki still considers it a good day. She said, “You get that time to just think, and you're not sitting on your phone and texting. You're not sitting in the office being stuck. You actually just get to go out there, and maybe the osprey is going to catch a fish before you do. And that's okay! He shows me up all the time.”
Nikki also told me how to introduce your kids to fishing. One idea is to come to the Summit Lake Youth Fishing Derby in June. Last year, they gave away 100 tackle boxes to the first kids to arrive. They also award prizes like Biggest Fish, Best Catch, and Smallest Fish. Kids need to bring their own poles, but the park staff are on hand to help kids get their rods set up.
Nikki said, “A lot of the kids will actually be able to get to hold their fish and take that epic photo of the kid holding their first fish… You'll see the light shine when they do catch that fish. And it can be a two inch fish or it could be a 12 inch bass. They don't care as long as they bring something up, and they're having a good time. That's what it's about on that day.” Whether you’re a 5-year-old or 55, a day fishing on the water at Summit Lake sounds perfect!
Getting High in Indiana
While many lakes in Indiana constantly deal with flooding, Summit Lake doesn't usually have this issue because this part of the state is at a higher elevation. Summit Lake gets its name because it's one of the highest places in the state, and it's not too far from the actual highest point in Indiana. Hoosier Hill is the spot that gets to claim the highest honors, literally. It’s a whopping 1,257 feet above sea level!
Nikki told me what to look for if I wanted to take on the climb. I wavered a bit, but in the end, I wanted the bragging rights. I drove about 20 minutes to Lynn, Indiana, and found Hoosier Hill. It’s a humble but sweet little spot. There's a stone marker on the road next to a gravel drive, so you know you're in the right place. I climbed the slight hill and signed the registry in the mailbox, surprised to discover I was the third visitor that day. I looked out over the farm below, and that was it. Simple and unassuming.
Hoosier Hill is also only 10 minutes from the Levi and Catherine Coffin House in Fountain City, which is now an Indiana State Museum property. The Coffins were Quakers and abolitionists. Their home was called the Union Depot of the Underground Railroad, and they helped over 2,000 enslaved people find their way to freedom. I also kept seeing signs for the Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum in nearby Hagerstown. It would all take a little driving, but it would be worth it to make your lake visit a full weekend. What a treasure this area is!
Planning Your Visit
I’ve been to the park in the spring and summer and enjoyed Summit Lake in either season. Both the water and trails are fun to explore! Heather had a great tip for everyone visiting, no matter when. Be sure to time your visit to catch a view from the appropriately named Sunset Shelter. She said, “I always recommend people, if they're coming out here and want to stay that late in the day, to definitely check a sunset out on the lake.”
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Want to join my IN the Parks journey? Check out the podcast, follow along on Instagram and Facebook, and be sure to share with a friend. Now, go make some of your own memories, and I hope to see you in the parks!
