Frances Slocum State Forest

Frances Slocum State Forest is 516 acres of natural land managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Located near Kokomo, Peru and Wabash, in Miami County, Indiana. Some nearby attractions include the Mississinewa Reservoir, Asherwood Nature Preserve and Salmonie River State Forest.

Roughly triangular, the park runs beside the Mississinewa River. Frances Slocum has 516 acres.

In 2019 a group called Friends of Salamonie Forest asked for the Indiana Natural Resources Commission to designate the Frances Slocum State Forest as a state park along with Salamonie Forest. The petition, which received over 850 signatures, argued that turning these areas into state parks would establish old forests, increase wildlife diversity and bring more visitors to northeast Indiana. Another main point of the petition was that it would stop logging plans from being enacted. In addition, the group called for better trails, to stop erosion that has started to occur through the forests.

At the time Huntington Mayor Brooks Fetter stated, "We want an extension to give us here in northeast Indiana an opportunity to see what can be done to save these trees and save these parks for ourselves and for our posterity."

People who opposed the petition said that it would limit recreational activities taking place at the park. They also said that the logging that is being proposed would not hurt the natural environment.

The commission unanimously voted to deny all parts of the petition, keeping Frances Slocum State Forest a place where logging, hunting and fishing can take place.

Some activities that people can do while at Frances Slocum State Forest includes, equestrian trails, hiking trails, hunting, fishing, foraging, and there is access to the Mississinewa river. There is no camping available at Frances Slocum State Forest, this park is a day use only park.