The closest state park to Fort Wayne, Chain O' Lakes is about 30 minutes from the Fort Wayne Zoo, and at more than 2,700 acres, Chain O' Lakes is also the largest state park in the region. The park provides access to nine interconnected kettle lakes and about 10 miles of hiking trails around the shoreline. These quiet waters are perfect for boating -- only electric motors and non-motorized craft are permitted -- and you can rent canoes, kayaks, rowboats and paddle boats in the park. Fishing for bass, panfish and other species is excellent, and many locals make their way to the park in winter for ice fishing. If you'd like to spend the night, Chain O'Lakes State Park includes more than 400 campsites, including both electric and non-electric sites for tents and RVs.
Ouabache State Park sits just shy of an hour due south of Fort Wayne and encompasses 1,100 acres of lush forest around Kunkel Lake. The park's name is actually pronounced "Wabash," which is also the name of the river that forms its southern boundary. The Wabash River is fairly slow-moving, making it perfect for canoeing, and both the river and the lake offer fishing opportunities. As with all waters across the state, a current Indiana fishing license is required, and you can obtain a license through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website. Other attractions at Ouabache State Park include the 6-mile Ouabache Trail, which encircles the property, and a campground with more than 100 electric and non-electric sites for tents and RVs.
Nestled among a cluster of ancient glacial lakes near the Michigan border, Pokagon State Park was founded in 1925, making it one of Indiana's oldest state parks. Pokagon has a reputation as one of the state's best winter parks, with cross-country ski rentals, sledding hills, a 1/4-mile toboggan run and excellent ice fishing on several lakes. The warmer months provide plenty of recreational opportunities as well, with nature trails, a swimming beach, picnic areas, sand volleyball courts, playgrounds, non-motorized boat rentals, tent and RV camping and several easy to moderate hiking trails within this 1,260-acre park.
Though not technically a state park, Mississinewa Lake is home to four state recreation areas, which offer many of the same attractions found in the region's state parks. Located an hour southwest of Fort Wayne, the land contained within Miami, Red Bridge, Frances Slocum and Pearson Mill State Recreation Area totals more than 14,000 acres, with ample access to 3,200-acre Mississinewa Lake. Boating is permitted with unlimited horsepower on the lake, and the recreation areas offer four launch ramps and a full-service marina. Year-round fishing is available for bass, catfish and crappie; two fishing piers provide access. Accommodations include more than 300 standard electric campsites, along with a handful of non-electric sites and full-hookup sites, which include electricity, water and sewer. Other attractions include hiking trails, a Frisbee golf course, radio-control airplane flying field, picnic areas and a swimming beach.
