USDA Forest Service · Indiana
Saddle Lake Campground
USDA Forest Service · Indiana, United States
- Sites
- 13
- Hookups
- 13 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 676 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- SADDLE LAKE CAMPGROUND (NFSR 1121.040) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Hoosier National Forest
- Nearest town
- Gatchel
- Phone
- Tell City Ranger District Front Office: 812-547-7051
- Activities
- Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Non-Motorized Boating
13 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
The Saddle Lake Recreation Area was one of four that was associated with flood control lakes built along the Middle Fork of the Anderson River. Saddle Lake has a primitive campground, a boat ramp, and a hiking trail. This scenic, somewhat remote lake is an excellent place to get away from crowds and you will often have the place to yourself!
Recreation
A 13 site campground, 2.4 mile hiking trail around Saddle Lake, and a boat ramp are available within this Recreation Area.
Facilities
A single vault toilet, garbage can, and a near-by boat ramp area available.
Natural Features
Views of Saddle Lake, hardwoods and conifers, and nature viewing.
Fees
All sites are First Come, First Served. Cash or check is the only accepted payment for a site. The self-service pay station located within the campground.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39° | 26° | 1° | 66° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 46° | 29° | 3° | 70° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 58° | 40° | 18° | 79° | 6 of 11 |
| April | 68° | 49° | 31° | 82° | 2 of 11 |
| May | 77° | 61° | 43° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 85° | 67° | 52° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 87° | 71° | 64° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 85° | 70° | 61° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 84° | 64° | 53° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 50° | 35° | 83° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 54° | 39° | 15° | 75° | 4 of 10 |
| December | 46° | 31° | 4° | 67° | 9 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Saddle Lake Rec. Area · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Tipsaw Lake · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 50 sites
- Tipsaw Dogwood Loop · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Tipsaw Jackpine Loop · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Tipsaw Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
All public campgrounds in Indiana · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-04-15. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.