Shakamak State Park
🏕️ Indiana’s CCC Masterpiece — Three Depression-Era Lakes, Hand-Cut Stone Bridges, and a Time Capsule of 1930s Park Architecture — Shakamak State Park near Jasonville, Indiana with 1,766 acres, three CCC-built lakes (Lakes Lenape, Shakamak, Kickapoo), rustic stone bridges and shelters (Civilian Conservation Corps 1930s), family cabins, camping, swimming pool (Olympic-size), fishing (bass, bluegill, catfish), hiking trails, rowboat/kayak rentals, coal country heritage — Clay/Greene Counties, IN
Shakamak is a living museum of Depression-era park architecture. In the 1930s, Civilian Conservation Corps workers — young men from the region’s struggling coal mining communities — built three lakes by hand, carved stone bridges from local limestone, and constructed the rustic shelters and trails that still define the park today.
The name “Shakamak” comes from the Lenape (Delaware) word for “river of the long fish” — an eel. The park sits in Indiana’s coal country, where strip mining once scarred the land. The CCC transformed it into something beautiful.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Fishing | Three lakes — Lake Lenape, Lake Shakamak, Lake Kickapoo. Bass, bluegill, channel catfish, redear sunfish. Electric motors only |
| Swimming | Olympic-size swimming pool (not lake swimming). Lifeguarded in summer |
| Boating | Rowboat and kayak rentals. Electric motors permitted |
| Camping | Campground with electric sites. Family cabins available (CCC-era and modern) |
| Hiking | Multiple trails through hardwood forest. Pass CCC stone bridges, shelters, and dam structures |
| CCC Architecture | Hand-cut stone bridges, picnic shelters, dam structures — all built 1930s. National Register eligible |
The CCC Legacy
During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps employed thousands of young men across America to build parks, trails, and infrastructure. At Shakamak, CCC workers dammed three creeks to create the lakes, quarried and hand-cut limestone for bridges and shelters, and planted the forests that now shade the campground. The craftsmanship is remarkable — these structures have lasted nearly a century.
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | 🎣 Bass and bluegill active. Wildflowers. Dogwood blooming |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | Hardwood color. Quiet fishing. CCC stone bridges in autumn light |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Pool open, full cabin and camping season. Kayak rentals |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Quiet hiking. Bare trees reveal CCC stonework |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Shakamak” mean?
“River of the long fish” — the Lenape (Delaware) word for eel. The park is named after a creek that runs through the area.
Can I swim in the lakes?
No — swimming is in the Olympic-size pool, not the lakes. The pool is open and lifeguarded during summer season.
What is CCC architecture?
The Civilian Conservation Corps (1933–1942) was a Depression-era program that employed young men to build parks, trails, and public infrastructure. Shakamak’s stone bridges, shelters, dams, and lakes were all hand-built by CCC workers in the 1930s.
🏕️ Depression-Era Masterpiece
Three hand-built lakes, hand-cut stone bridges, and a time capsule of 1930s CCC craftsmanship — in Indiana’s coal country, where the Civilian Conservation Corps turned scars into beauty.
Wildlife & Nature
Shakamak SP — 1,766 acres — in the reclaimed coal mining region of southwestern Indiana. The park’s three man-made lakes, hardwood forest, and wetlands support white-tailed deer, great blue herons, and wood ducks. Built by the CCC in the 1930s.
Nearby Attractions
Jasonville — adjacent. Greene County — surrounding.
