Deam Lake and Starve Hollow State Recreation Areas

09/15/2026

We have extended the deadline to get a race shirt when you sign up for the Deam Lake Loop Trail Run on October 3rd! You now have until September 20th to register for the race and add a shirt for a small additional fee. Otherwise, registration for the race is open through race day morning.

Registration for the race is only $30. We are offering the shirt as an optional giveaway this year as another way to reduce our footprint - we know that not all folks want or need another race shirt, but we still want to make it available. And look at that cool design below!!

We can't wait to run with you on October 3rd!

For more information and to sign up, go to https://ow.ly/S6uY50ZMH0K

09/15/2026

Love Halloween? Want to help your community? Starve Hollow SRA is looking for volunteers to help with our Halloween activities & Haunted Trail!

Volunteers can help set up the park for Halloween or help scare others on our Haunted Trail. Interested? Just call out Park Office or Main Gate at (812)358-3464 & leave your contact information!

We can't wait to see everyone real soon, Happy Halloween!

For more information & the Starve Hollow Events Calendar, please visit on.IN.gov/starvehollow

09/15/2026

The arrowhead spider (Verrucosa arenata), often called the triangle orb weaver is a common woodland spider found in Indiana. It is one of the few spiders known to sit upright in its web and can use its own strands of web to reel in its prey. This arrowhead spider came for a visit just outside the nature center this morning. While spiders and spider webs are sometimes found to be annoying, they are indicators of a healthy environment since they are sensitive to pollution, pesticides, and habitat loss. As fall arrives, the seasonal activity of spiders becomes even more beneficial as they support natural pest control and ecosystem balance. More information about common Indiana spiders can be found here:
https://aurascience.blog/identify-spiders-found-indiana

09/11/2026

The sand sculpture contest at Deam Lake Beach is always a fun way to enjoy the last few days of the summer. Even though the Labor Day weekend has come and gone, and the water is closed for swimming, the kayak/boat rentals and the concessions will still be available for the next two weekends. It would be a great time for some late summer boating and a picnic!
Learn about other activities and events during September and October here: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/deam-lake-sra/deam-lake-sra-events/

09/05/2026

See below for Starve Hollow SRA's September Interpretive Program Calendar! Stop by the Nature Center to learn about the events & fulfill one of the requirements to get your Explorer Pin!

Recurring Events:
Saturdays: 1-1:30pm Box Turtle Time - See our Box Turtle Ambassadors up close!
Sundays: 10:30-11am Aquatic Turtle Time - Get a chance to feed our Red-eared & Painted Turtle Ambassadors!

September 2026:
FRIDAY 4TH
1-1:30pm Scavenger Hunt - Show off your seeking skills at the Nature Center!
3-3:30pm Bird Bingo - Test your bird knowledge & win some prizes!

SATURDAY 5TH
3-3:30pm Squirrel Social - Learn about squirrels & look for them at the Nature Center
7pm Labor Day Concert - Listen to the talents of Tim Jackson & Chess Ruddick outside the Nature Center!

SUNDAY 6TH
8:30-9:30am Women's Morning Hike - Meet at Trail 6. Closed shoes recommended.
1-2pm National Read a Book Day - Join the Naturalist for "Story Hour" at the Nature Center

MONDAY 7TH - LABOR DAY HOURS (Nature Center open 10am-3pm)
10:30-11am Busy Beavers - Learn about beavers & their unique adaptations.
1-1:30pm See the C.C.C. - Learn about the Civilian Conservation Corps & how they've helped Starve Hollow!

FRIDAY 11TH
1-3pm Plein Air Painting on the Porch - Get creative & paint outdoors on the Nature Center Porch!

SATURDAY 12TH
2-2:30pm Playing Opossum - Learn about opossum antics & their unique defense mechanisms!

SUNDAY 13TH
1-2pm Paw Paw Hike - Meet @ Nature Center. Closed shoes recommended.

FRIDAY 18TH
1:30-2pm No it's NOT Bamboo Talk - Learn about a common misconception within nature

SATURDAY 19TH
11am-2pm Archaeology Day - Stop by to learn about archaeology & how we can learn about the past with it!

SUNDAY 20TH
1-2pm Lakefront Hike - Meet @ Nature Center. Easy level hike.

FRIDAY 25TH
All Day: National Doodle Day - Stop by the Nature Center for doodling supplies & ideas!

SATURDAY 26TH
All Day: Free Fishing Day & Free Public Lands Day! - Indiana Residents can enjoy a day of FREE FISHING without a fishing license. Celebrate being outdoors for Free Public Lands Day!
10:30-12pm Family Health & Fitness Day Hike - Meet @ Nature Center. Closed shoes recommended. Bring your families!

SUNDAY 27TH
1-1:45pm World Pet Walk Day - Bring your pets & get outdoors! Pets must be on a 6' leash.

All Nature Center events are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit on.IN.gov/starvehollow

09/03/2026

We are excited to reveal the shirt design for the Deam Lake Loop Trail Run on October 3rd! Remember to register by September 15th to get your race shirt for a small additional fee.

Both 10K and 5K race distances are only $30 this year. Sign up and snag your shirt at https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Borden/DeamLakeTrailRun.

09/03/2026

Thursday, September 3: Group Training Run, 6:00 PM
Meet at the Forest Education Center at 6:00 PM to see some of the trail before our 5k/10k trail race in October.

Saturday, September 5: Group Kayak Tour. 8am to 10am
Join the Naturalist for a guided kayak tour around Deam Lake. Kayaks are available to the first 8 participants who sign up free of charge (6 single and 2 tandem kayaks are available). Additional participants are welcome to join but must bring their own non-motorized watercraft (kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, etc.). Please note that a $5 non-motorized launch permit is required for all personal boats and are available for purchase at the Main Gate. All participants must also have life jackets with them on the water. Plan to gather at the beach house at 8am; we will launch by 8:15am. This event is weather permitting.

Sunday, September 6: Sand Sculpture Competition, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Deam Lake Beach
Would you like to end the summer testing your creativity in the sand with your family or your friends? Plan your best sculpture idea and bring your sand tools, flip flops and sunscreen to the beach for a fun afternoon! Sign up starting at 12:30 PM at the concession stand at the beach or at the Forest Education Center. This is for kids AND for adults!! You can design and build your family friendly design anytime between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Prizes for the top three sculptures will be awarded at 3:00 PM. This event is weather-permitting.

Saturday, September 12: Dry Fork Loop Guided Hike. 9:00 AM Day Parking.
The Deam Lake Summer Guided Hike Challenge Series will continue with a hike around the Dry Fork Loop from the Day Parking trailhead inside the park. Participants are encouraged to bring enough food, water, sunscreen, and appropriate hiking attire for the full 7.6-mile loop. Bug spray and maps will be provided. We will hike at about a 30-minute per mile pace; participants can hike slower or faster but are responsible for staying on the trail and making their way back to the trailhead on their own if necessary. This hike is moderate to rugged. This event is weather permitting. Our Dry Fork Adventure Challenge patch will be available for purchase if desired.

Saturday, September 19: Group Kayak/Lake Cleanup Tour: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
See the information for the Group Kayak Tour above.

Saturday, September 19 : Forest Bathing Exercise: 9:00 AM
Forest Bathing is an exercise designed to immerse participants in nature, which can improve mental and physical health while enjoying and enhancing artistic and observational skills. Meet Elliott at the campground overflow lot at 9:00am for a quiet and relaxed hike into the woods. After the activity, participants may return to the parking lot or continue hiking on their own. Bug spray and maps will be provided. All ages and skill levels welcome. This event is weather permitting.

Sunday, September 20: Group Training Run 8:00 AM
Two, Four, and Six mile options. See information above.

Saturday, September 26: Full Moon Hike: 8:00 PM
Plan to join us from 7:30 to 9:00 PM at the Buzzard Roost/Knobstone Trailhead Parking Lot for a short guided hike to celebrate the Harvest Moon. The hike to the dam is .25 miles, where a small, amateur telescope will be set up to take a closer look at the moon. For those interested, a continuation across the dam to the dark woods to listen for night sounds will occur. Participants are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes and bring water and headlamp/red flashlight, if available. This event will take place even if it is cloudy, but will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/deam-lake-sra/

09/03/2026

The Deam Lake Loop Group Training run for tonight, Thursday, September 3rd, is CANCELLED due to the severe heat advisory. Stay safe in the heat out there!

Want to join us for our last group training run? It is scheduled for Sunday, September 20th at 8am - meet at the Forest Education Center. We are hoping for cooler weather!

More info on our training runs at https://www.facebook.com/share/1Jg5nNy5Xk/

Still need to register for the Deam Lake Loop Trail Run on October 3rd? Sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Borden/DeamLakeTrailRun
Registration is only $30 for all distances. Sign up by September 15th to get a race shirt for an extra cost.

The Deam Lake Loop Trail Run is on Saturday October 3, 2026. It includes the following events: 10K Trail Race, 5K Trail Race, 10K Trail Walk/Hike, and 5K Trail Walk/Hike.

09/02/2026

🚨Tonight's training run for September 3rd has been CANCELLED due to the severe heat advisory🚨 Our next and last training run will be Sunday, September 20th at 8am. For more info, visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CEEoqJhkf/

Beat the heat with trail running in the shade! Join us this coming Thursday, September 3rd at 6pm for our next group training run in preparation for the Deam Lake Loop Trail Run, which will take place on Saturday, October 3rd. For more info, visit the Facebook event page at https://ow.ly/kWaK50ZIjy3.

Approximate 2, 4, and 6 mile distance options are available. Meet at the Forest Education Center. Show your proof of race registration at the gate to get free entry into the property.

Still need to register for the race? Sign up at https://ow.ly/yNhG50ZIjy4
All distances are $30. Sign up by Sept. 15th to get your race shirt for an additional cost.