Vista Overlook to 160

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Hike-a-bike · Views

Using the IN-DNR maps is a necessity.

E-Bikes: Class 1 & 2 allowed everywhere but Lake Vista Trail and it's connector to Tree Lane, which only allow class 1.

Permits: IN-DNR requires an ORC (off-road cycling) permit.

If going to Deam Lake, there is a vehicle entrance fee.

Trail Heads:
Deam Lake - Southern terminus, several parking areas
Tree Lane - Small grass area for a few cars
Jackson Rd - Quite a bit of room
Flatwood Rd - Decent sized lot
Pixley Knob Rd - only room for 2 or 3 cars - There are 2 trailheads on this road, searching in Google will take you to the KT trailhead, you want one farther North for the horse/bike trail, use these coordinates in Google: 38.54723847437417, -85.84286789537106

Restrooms: The only ones are at Deam Lake

This is a designated route by the IN-DNR allowed for bikes. Almost the entirety of the route is shared with horse traffic and is either about 4ft wide fine gravel/cinder or doubletrack gravel. There are few technical areas, but several places where you'll be hiking your bike.

Finding the trail from Lake Vista Trail:
At the vista point will be a small rock cliff about 8' high. The connecting trail is completely unmarked and not obvious. There is barely a trail around the left side of cliff face. It will be more of a bike carry than a hike-a-bike.

From the Vista at the top of the Lake Vista Trail, if the leaves are off the trees you should be able see Deam Lake out in the valley to the SE.

Getting to Lake Vista Trail from Tree Lane:
There are no signs and the connecting trail itself it not prominent. It will be about 500ft passed the junction for Three Hills Trail (green/orange blazes). There is a small cairn (stack of stones) marking the trail. Slow down, it's very easy to miss.

The route connecting Hill Top Rd to the Jackson Rd Trailhead is an unmarked one-lane gravel road that feels like a driveway.

The section of Mountain Grove Loop between Flatwood Rd and junction 18 is another one-lane gravel road that feels like a driveway.

Shortly before reaching Pixley Knob Rd there will be very steep switchbacks down and back up. The gravel surface made descending unnerving. At the bottom is an unmarked junction, you'll want to turn left to stay on the route.