Facility Overview
The Graveyard/More Lake parking area is a rural open-air surface access area situated along an unnamed access lane in rural Carlisle, Indiana (Sullivan County). Serving outdoor enthusiasts visiting the reclaimed strip mine waters of Graveyard Lake and More Lake, this unpaved gravel lot provides direct access to local fishing, boating, and nature observation points. Because the facility is entirely open-air and at grade level without overhead canopies or garage height restrictions, it offers unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it exceptionally well-suited for full-size pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, boat trailers, kayak haulers, and high-clearance country vehicles.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Located in the heart of southwestern Indiana\'s reclaimed coal-mining lake district near Carlisle and Dugger, this access site is a preferred destination for outdoor recreation. Key nearby attractions and points of interest include:
- Graveyard Lake & More Lake: Direct access to serene, strip-pit waters widely known among anglers for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish.
- Minnehaha Fish & Wildlife Area: Located just a short drive to the north, offering over 8,000 acres of hunting, fishing, and hiking opportunities.
- Greene-Sullivan State Forest: Situated approximately 15 minutes to the east, featuring over a hundred lakes, primitive camping, and horse trails.
- Downtown Carlisle: Located roughly 10 miles west, offering local diners, fueling stops, and basic rural conveniences.
- Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area: Located approximately 20 minutes southeast, celebrated as a premier Midwest birdwatching and wetland conservation destination.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Access to the Graveyard and More Lake parking area is via local county and access roads branching off major regional thoroughfares such as Indiana State Road 58 and State Road 159, with connections onward to US Highway 41. The access route consists of gravel and compacted dirt lanes, requiring moderate driving speeds, particularly after rainfall or winter freezes. Public mass transit options do not service this remote wilderness destination, making private vehicles, trucks, and SUVs essential for transit and boat transport.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Open, level gravel staging and turnaround area suited for vehicles towing trailers.
- Direct walking or launch proximity to water edges at Graveyard Lake and More Lake.
- Unrestricted vertical overhead clearance accommodating roof-mounted canoes, kayaks, and tall recreation gear.
- Free public access with no automated gates or parking meter tariffs.
- Natural, unlit rural environment ideal for early morning angling and dusk wildlife observation.
Ideal For
- Anglers launching small johnboats, kayaks, and belly boats for freshwater fishing.
- Waterfowl and seasonal game hunters accessing surrounding public lands and water corridors.
- Birdwatchers and wildlife photographers seeking secluded wetland and lake habitats.
- Outdoor adventurers looking for tranquil, off-the-beaten-path day-use nature spots in Sullivan County.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Because this is a rustic rural parking area, no paved stalls or marked bays are present; visitors are asked to park considerately along the perimeter to ensure ample turnaround space for vehicles hauling boat trailers. There are no on-site trash disposal containers or lighting, so visitors should plan ahead by packing out all personal waste and bringing headlamps or flashlights if arriving before dawn or staying past sunset. Cellular data coverage may vary among carriers, so downloading offline maps prior to leaving the main state highways is strongly advised.
