Can you reserve a site at Tipsaw Lake?

Yes, Tipsaw Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Tipsaw Lake have?

50 sites in total, of which 49 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Tipsaw Lake?

102 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Tipsaw Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Tipsaw Lake.

Are campfires allowed at Tipsaw Lake?

Campfires are allowed at Tipsaw Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Tipsaw Lake, Indiana — 49 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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

Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower

Initial Point

Lick Creek African American Settlement

The Jacob Rickenbaugh Homestead

Wesley Chapel Gulf

The facts

49 bookable sites
50 sites in total, including non-bookable
2 sites for day use only
4 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 102 ft
Up to 100 people per site
Loops: CATB, Dogwood, ESHL, GGRP, JackPine, PGRP, WEST

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Sewer hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

50 campsites at Tipsaw Lake

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
001	CATB	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	44 ft	8	🐾
002	CATB	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	53 ft	8	🐾
003	CATB	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	58 ft	8	♿ 🐾
004	CATB	Rv Electric	Pull Through	Paved	102 ft	8	🐾
005	CATB	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	50 ft	8	🐾
006	CATB	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	55 ft	8	♿ 🐾
007	CATB	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	65 ft	8	♿ 🐾
008	CATB	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	54 ft	8	🐾
009	CATB	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	72 ft	8	🐾
010	CATB	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	49 ft	8	🐾
011	CATB	Rv Electric	Pull Through	Paved	70 ft	8	♿ 🐾
024	Dogwood	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	16	🐾
025	Dogwood	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	16	🐾
026	Dogwood	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
027	Dogwood	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
028	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
029	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	16	🐾
030	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
031	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	16	🐾
032	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
033	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
034	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
035	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	25 ft	8	🐾
036	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	25 ft	8	🐾
037	Dogwood	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
GS1	ESHL	Group Shelter Electric	—	Paved	—	50	🐾
GS4	GGRP	Group Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	35 ft	50	🐾
001	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Gravel	20 ft	8	🐾
002	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
003	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Gravel	20 ft	8	🐾
004	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
005	JackPine	Management	—	Gravel	20 ft	8	🐾
006	JackPine	Rv Electric	—	Gravel	20 ft	8	🐾
007	JackPine	Rv Electric	—	Gravel	20 ft	8	🐾
008	JackPine	Rv Electric	—	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
009	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Gravel	20 ft	8	🐾
010	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Gravel	20 ft	8	🐾
011	JackPine	Walk To	—	Gravel	10 ft	8	🐾
012	JackPine	Walk To	—	Gravel	10 ft	8	🐾
015	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Paved	35 ft	16	🐾
016	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Paved	35 ft	16	🐾
017	JackPine	Rv Electric	—	Paved	35 ft	8	🐾
018	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Paved	35 ft	8	🐾
019	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Paved	35 ft	8	🐾
020	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Paved	35 ft	8	🐾
021	JackPine	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	35 ft	8	🐾
022	JackPine	Standard Electric	—	Paved	35 ft	8	🐾
023	JackPine	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	35 ft	16	🐾
GS5	PGRP	Group Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	35 ft	50	🐾
GS2	WEST	Group Shelter Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	100	🐾

Getting there

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.

38.13306, -86.63306 · 38°7'59.0"N 86°37'59.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	3.7	3.4	4.8	5.2	5.7	4.7	4.3	3.0	3.5	3.7	3.9	4.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Tipsaw Lake

Can you reserve a site at Tipsaw Lake?: Yes, Tipsaw Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Tipsaw Lake have?: 50 sites in total, of which 49 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Tipsaw Lake?: 102 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Tipsaw Lake?: Yes, pets are allowed at Tipsaw Lake.
Does Tipsaw Lake have hookups?: Electric, Water, Sewer.
Are campfires allowed at Tipsaw Lake?: Campfires are allowed at Tipsaw Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Tipsaw Lake

Indian Celina Lake 4.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Saddle Lake Campground 5.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Buzzard Roost Campground 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
German Ridge Campground 12.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Primrose Loop 0.1 mi · Campground
Goldenrod Loop 0.3 mi · Campground
Catbrier Loop 0.3 mi · Campground
Dogwood Loop 0.6 mi · Campground
Jackpine Loop 0.6 mi · Campground
South Slope Loop 4.4 mi · Campground
North Face Loop 4.7 mi · Campground
Mano Point Fishing Area 8.8 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 812-843-4891
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Tipsaw Lake