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The Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area is located on the shores of its namesake lake in south-central Indiana's Hoosier National Forest. It offers camping, picnic areas, boating, swimming, hiking, biking and educational programs. Visitors enjoy the scenic views of the forest and all it has to offer.
Boating, fishing and swimming in the lake are popular activities. Electric motors are allowed, and fishing for pan fish is considered excellent. The boat ramp and parking area is open year-round.
A beautiful swimming beach with playground equipment and a modern bathhouse is also available. The beach offers a combination of sand and sun or a shady, grass-covered hillside.
A 5.9-mile trail for hiking and mountain biking runs from the day-use area around the lake. The trail includes scenic overlooks of the lake and valley and traverses a variety of forest types. A trail permit is available for purchase and is required for mountain bikers age 17 and older.
The area offers dozens of individual, double and group campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Group sites can accommodate up to 65 people.
Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided. A beach area is fully accessible and is equipped with washing stations and changing rooms. Electric and water hookups are available at some sites and parking surfaces are paved.
A day-use area is also available and provides access to the beach and picnic areas and shelters, as well as the boat ramp. Horseshoe pits and and open areas for games are nearby.
The campground is adjacent to 131-acre Tipsaw Lake, in a hardwood and pine forest. Situated at an elevation of 380 feet, the campground is composed of five loops that offer dozens of campsites. Some sites are shaded and the roads are paved.
From St. Croix, Indiana, travel south on State Route 37 about 5 miles to the Tipsaw Lake sign. Turn right and continue about 3 miles to the campground. Tipsaw Lake is only 3 miles from Interstate 64.
Each campsite fee includes one vehicle (single) and two vehicles (double). There is a $5.00 charge per day for the second vehicle, and $5.00 charge per day for any additional vehicle. Maximum two vehicles per single site, and four vehicles per double site.
There is a surcharge for the site with electric and water.
Love this lake. Its always clean. The staff from Michigan were great people and hope they make it back next year. They have great camping tent and r.v.. They have trails to hike with family and friends. At the lake they have clean bathrooms and changing rooms. The also have shelter houses available. Boat ramp for non motorized boats or battery operated. Pets are allowed, just not on the beach area.
Such a beautiful place that words are not enough you have to visit for yourself.
Tipsaw Lake is small but a perfect swimming hole for the family. A couple weeks ago we ran into this little guy, pictured below. Slightly terrifying but he is apparently harmless.
Great sandy beach area with pic-nic tables, play ground, restrooms, shady trees, good parking lot. Also has camping areas. Never too crowded. This is a Federal park so your Indiana park pass doesn't work here. $5 per car load day pass for beach access.. well worth it. Enjoy!
