Take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life in Starke County, where you’ll find friendly communities and outdoor amenities just 90 minutes southeast of Chicago. Highlights include Bass Lake and Koontz Lake, the Erie Trail, Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, the Starke County Forest, the Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area, Round Lake Nature Preserve, the Melody Drive-In Theatre and more.
Pay your respects to the local men and women who’ve served in our nation’s armed forces with a stop at the Veterans Memorial on the courthouse lawn in downtown Knox. It is within walking distance of Wythogan Park, which hosts events ranging from concerts, cruise-ins and movies in the park to fireworks and sports tournaments. Bring your pickleball racquet and enjoy the court or cool off in the splash pad.
Head south on U.S. 35 to the Erie Trail for a walk, jog, or bicycle ride through the idyllic countryside. It lies in the bed of the former Erie Lackawanna Railroad and is part of the trans- American routes for the Great American Rail Trail, the American Discovery Trail, and US Bike Route 35. The trail ends at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, which celebrates the community’s heritage as a railroad boomtown. Stop at The Point for an ice cream cone or at Fingerhut Bakery for a sweet treat. Enjoy them at Norwayne Field on a bench or the stone bleachers built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal.
If water sports are your speed, Bass Lake and Koontz Lake are your destinations. They offer boating, fishing, swimming, and camping, along with a variety of dining options. Whatever your desire, make Starke County your destination.
For more information visit: www.facebook.com/StarkeCountyCVC
