Dream Lake, Indiana

Southeast of Indianapolis, not far from Interstate 74 is Dream Lake, a quarry that's part of Hidden Paradise Campground near St. Paul. "Welcome to Paradise," as the family that operates it likes to say. They promote the quarry and campground as an enjoyable outdoor experience. Pine trees surround the campground's 75 acres, and winding Flat Rock River runs through it. The river offers wading, swimming, fishing, and canoeing on mild rapids. The most intriguing qualities of the quarry are the 100 paddlefish and freshwater jellyfish that occupy it. You'll also find a school bus, motorcycle, coal rail car, and some lawn furniture. While an air station is available, there is no gear for rent and no dive shop. There are four docks with ramps that enable divers to enter and exit the water easily. At each dock are underwater platforms conducive for open-water training.
A dive buddy and a C-card are required.

Depths to: 35 feet (11 m)

Visibility: 15-25 feet (3-7.5 m)

Water temperature: 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius)

Aquatic life: Includes about 100 paddlefish and freshwater jellyfish.

Fees: $10 per dive per day

On-site amenities: The lake is part of Hidden Paradise Campground, a full-service campground with 168 sites for daily, weekly, monthly or seasonal camping. In addition, there are hot showers, shelter houses, a game room, canoe rental, paddleboats, modern cabins, a playground, tube rental, firewood, and hiking trails.

More info: Call (765) 525-6582 or visit www.hiddenparadisecamp.com.

Open: Year-round beginning 9 a.m. Sundays and 8 a.m. every other day. Divers must be out of the water
by midnight.

Getting there: Dream Lake is part of Hidden Paradise Campground, which is a half hour east of Indianapolis and one hour west of Cincinnati. From either city, take Interstate 74 to St. Paul Exit 123. From there follow the blue camping signs. The site is southwest of the interstate.