Interlake: New ORV Park Opening In S.W. Indiana

[Junk Yard Genius]

On 23-Aug-08 there is a new ORV park opening in S.W. Indiana called 'Interlake'.
Wheeling will be free for a while, as they are looking for people to pack down trails.

This is 'Spoil Bank' land.
If you don't know what a 'Spoil Bank' is...
Before about 1965 strip coal mines didn't have to replace the 'Over Burden' on coal deposits when they were done extracting the coal.

A 'Spoil Bank' is that overburden that has been there for at least 40 years.
You will find dirt hills, both clay and rocky sand, shale hills, rock piles, mud pits, trees everywhere, and about every other kind of ground you can think of...

The area has been privately held for some time, has changed hands several times, and is now operated by the state of Indiana, so they are busy building facilities for loading/unloading, parking lots, cutting & marking trails, and even installing outhouses & shelter houses.

The 'Official' Link, which is always outdated,
http://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/2915.htm

Another link with pictures of construction,
http://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/2920.htm

Another 'Official' link,
http://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/2930.htm

A Map, The highway shown is Interstate 64, S.W. Indiana.
http://www.midwesttrailriders.com/atv/images/lynnville.jpg

SO, Much of what you see on the map EAST of Lynnville,
North of Highway 68 & Interstate 64 up to country road 1200 is all riding area!
This is a BIG place!

The main entrance is supposed to be about 2.5 miles EAST of Lynnville on Highway 68 (Right off the interstate) so it's going to be easy to find!

[pankake]

I missed out on a couple special events there the last couple years and from those I've talked to that have been there, their comments are this is the place to wheel.

Since it is a state run property, they can only charge by the vehicle and not by the person. The other state property is Redbird State Recreation Area western Indiana. We went there the last weekend last year, the trails are narrow there and full-size trucks/SUV's are discouraged.

[Junk Yard Genius]

Redbird is just north of Hwy. 54, just about 2 miles east of Dugger Indiana, and it's a nice place.
The trails are narrow, but they don't discourage Full Size vehicles, it's just too hilly, steep and tight turns for the super large full size vehicles.

Lots of 'XJ's (aren't they the 'Chrysler' version of Full Size Jeeps?) and blazers wheel there, and the park uses a full size Bronco... But if you intend to do a 'Most Difficult' with a full size, you WILL be damaged before you get out!

I've been to RedBird several times this year, and it was a Hoot every time!
Early on, Red Bird was under water!
In June, they got the equivalent of 6 MONTHS rain up there in about 5 days, and it rained several times after that!
One night it rained 12 inches in 8 hours!
(Lots of flooding, you may have seen it on the national news)

Made things a REAL mess!
It's somewhat dried out now and pretty well back to 'Normal', The back side of trail 3 still goes into a lake and comes out the other side where you could drive straight through last year, but other than lots of washed out lanes in the trails and some horrendous ruts now, and some down trees and tree tops from the tornadoes that went through, it's pretty well back to 'Normal'...

I live pretty much straight south of there, and there are still three state highways washed out between here and there, so I have to go out on 41 in Vincennes with the 'Tourists' to get there!
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ANYWAY,
INTERLAKE is supposed to 'OPEN' on 23-Aug-08, and it should be close to 3 times the size of Red Bird if I have my calculations right...
I understand they have lots of Jeep trails, but I can't swear for sure.

There won't be a charge for the off roaders for the rest of this year since they are trying to encourage people to come and help pack down and establish trails...

I understand there is supposed to be some 'Freebies' the first weekend, (23rd & 24th) and I hear BF Goodrich may be bringing some 'Goodies' later in the year...
If it is like it was last year at Red Bird, they sold TA Radial AT Tires (cosmetic blemishes) for $30 each, mounted and balanced on site!
I got a set for my FSJ and for $30 each, they couldn't be better!

Anyway, I'm going down on the 23rd to 'GET ME SOME!'
If you all are there, I'll be the stupid old fat guy with the grin you can't slap off my face!
If I find camping, I might be there on the 24th too!

[pankake]

I'm working on getting a couple buds of mine that have yet to get their tires dirty to come down. I also have to see if I can get Saturday night off and if I can, my boy and I will be there.

[notarubicon]

i will have to check that place out one weekend when i am home in michigan

[Junk Yard Genius]

OK, so Interlake is a pretty good place!
Lots of trails, lots of lakes...

Cut two tires on the first day.
The place is new, and the rocks are still sharp!

Popped my Dana 30 front diff on Sunday.

Going back in two weeks with a full take of gas and Kevlar jock strap!

The place is BIG for Indiana!
About 50 miles of current trails, and they are making new ones as we loaf on the forum!

The place is OPEN, camping on site, good fishing (If you can catch a fish with a Jeep...) and LOTS of trials.
The 'Street Pounder' TJ's will have lots of trails that they can traverse, and there are even a few challenging 'Most Difficult' trails out there too!

Anyway, If you want to show up, it's free, no gate fees.
Off of Highway 61, the entrance is County Road 1200, turn east.
There are NO markings for Interlake yet, you will have to watch for the road signs.

Off of highway 68, the entrance is only marked with two small 'DNR' black on white signs.
The south entrance is about 2.5 miles East of Lynnville on 68, and turn north off the highway in the gravel drive way.

If you are coming from Lynnville traveling east, and you see the big cranes, you went too far.
Plenty of room in that driveway/road to turn even the largest trailers around.

If you are coming from the east, and you see the cranes, start slowing down, the turn will be on your right.

[pankake]

You weren't driving the white Renegade were ya? We were there opening day. I cracked the corner of my windshield on a low tree branch.