Tipsaw Lake

Overview

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.

Recreation

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.

Facilities

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.

Natural Features

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.

Nearby Attractions

Special Places on the Hoosier National Forest

Brooks Cabin

Buffalo Trace

Carnes Mill Site

Clover Lick Barrens

Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower

Initial Point

Lick Creek African American Settlement

The Jacob Rickenbaugh Homestead

Wesley Chapel Gulf

Each campsite fee includes a camping unit (tent,camper) & one vehicle (single sites) and two vehicles (double sites). There is a $8.00 charge per day for the second vehicle, and $8.00 charge per day for any additional vehicle (must be paid at time of check-in). Maximum two vehicles per single site, and four vehicles per double site.

There is a surcharge for the site with electric and water.

Annual Boat/Day Use Pass: $50.00 each (sticker must be applied to the windshield of the registered vehicle) $30.00 each additional in the same household. May be used at Hardin Ridge, Indian-Celina and Tipsaw Recreation Areas.