Tipsaw Lake
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.
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.
Need to Know
- First-come, first-served sites may be available
$8 fee will be charged to vehicles using the day use area
- Only electric motors are allowed on the lake
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.
- Click here for more information on the Hoosier National Forest
- Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
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
Lick Creek African American Settlement
The Jacob Rickenbaugh Homestead
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.
Contact Information
Mailing
BA Services Inc. 1257 Hammond St. Bangor ME 04401
Physical
20250 Tipsaw Lake Access Road Branchville IN 47514
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 812-843-4891
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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.
Available Campsites
- Site 003, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 030, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site GS2, Loop WEST, Type Group Shelter Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 011, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 018, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site GS4, Loop GGRP, Type Group Standard Electric
- Site 010, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 008, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 003, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 019, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 007, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 010, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 024, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Electric
- Site 023, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 026, Loop Dogwood, Type Walk To
- Site 004, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 031, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop JackPine, Type Rv Electric
- Site 002, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 006, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 029, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 001, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 025, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Electric
- Site 005, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 027, Loop Dogwood, Type Walk To
- Site 037, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 015, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 034, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop JackPine, Type Rv Electric
- Site 001, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site GS1, Loop ESHL, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 033, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site GS5, Loop PGRP, Type Group Standard Electric
- Site 020, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 021, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 009, Loop CATB, Type Rv Electric
- Site 028, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop JackPine, Type Rv Electric
- Site 036, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 022, Loop JackPine, Type Standard Electric
- Site 035, Loop Dogwood, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop JackPine, Type Walk To
- Site 011, Loop JackPine, Type Walk To
