The Charles C. Deam Wilderness is a 12,472-acre protected backcountry area in southern Indiana within Hoosier National Forest, designated in 1982 and named for Indiana’s first state forester. Near Lake Monroe, its rugged karst landscape includes ridges, geode-filled streambeds, and occasional caves, supporting wildflowers, birds, deer, turkey, raccoon, and small numbers of timber rattlesnakes and copperheads. Unlike many wilderness areas, it grew out of former settlement and marginal farming that began in 1826, leaving old roadbeds, foundations, fences, plants, and cemeteries. After Depression-era depopulation, the U.S. Forest Service and Civilian Conservation Corps restored the land. Today, trails and limited maintenance reflect both recreation and preservation.