You might not think that the Hoosier State has great places to dive, but in fact, there are a few places that offer more than just an opportunity to get wet while you wait for the opportunity to take a trip to the Maldives or the Cocos Islands. Located west of the north central town of Logansport, France Park features the Old Kenneth Stone Quarry, which was a limestone mining operation that filled with water when operations ceased. Today, it is home to a fantastic seven acre dive site where lots of surprises await. Let's take a peek.
France Park Features and Highlights
A fantastic site for all divers, France Park features maximum depth at just 30 feet, and offers great visibility during spring and autumn - often, divers can see for as far as 50 feet or further. During the summer, the water is a lot warmer, but visibility is often about ten feet or less. Either way, there is plenty to see here.
Surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs that were formed during quarry operations, and with a sandy sloping area on its fourth side, the lake covers about seven acres. Not only are the rock walls themselves intriguing to see, there are a number of underwater attractions. Remnants of the mining days include massive train wheels and tracks, and some new additions include a school bus and a pickup truck, a communications station, and a fish habitat.
Besides these attractions, there are about thirty paddlefish in the lake, plus there are crappies and bluegill, along with catfish and bass.
Southeast of the park, in the town of Kokomo, you'll find the Diving Den, which offers air fills and a nice selection of rental gear. While the park is owned by the county, the Diving Den's operators maintain and supervise the dive site.
For non-divers, and for your enjoyment after diving, France Park offers amenities like mini golf and disc golf, plus nice restrooms and change rooms. There are plenty of opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, and biking here, too. There is also a campground and convenience store, with some campsites offering water and electric hookups; plus, there are hot showers available. There is even a swimming beach, which is vacant during the cool seasons when water temperatures are in the 30's; however, it can be busy during the summer, since the water often warms up into the 70's or 80's.
Helpful Information
There is a small entrance fee to get into France Park itself, plus there is a small fee to dive. Diving is only available when there is a divemaster present, and no solo diving is allowed. The lake is open for diving during April through November, depending on the weather; at other times, it is possible to make an appointment through the Diving Den.
To get to France Park from Indianapolis, you'll take US Highway 31 north to northbound US Highway 35. Next, you'll take US Highway 24 west, then drive three miles. France Park is located to the left.
A fun place to spend a day, a weekend, or even longer, France Park has something for everyone. Pack your gear and head to Indiana - convenient, inexpensive diving fun awaits!