Indian-Celina Lake
Recreation Area
The Indian and Celina Recreation Area is a tranquil get-away in the midst of the
Hoosier National Forest. The recreation area contains Celina Lake (164 ac.) and Indian
Lake (152 ac.). It is located 3 miles south of Interstate 64 off State Highway 37. The
recreation area offers camping, electric motor boating, fishing, and hiking, as well as a
interesting historical site.
This area is operated by a concessionaire who leases
the area from the U.S. Forest Service.
Do not bring firewood into
Forest picnic areas or campgrounds! Firewood could transport emerald
ash borer. Only local firewood should be used.
Click here for more information.
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Camping:
Indian-Celina includes 63 individual sites divided into two loops. Each loop contains
centralized water, flush toilets, hot showers, and a recharge table for electric boat
motors. A selection of single or extra large, electric or non-electric sites are available
in this shady campground. (See the diagram below for a detailed map of campground.) All
the sites in South Slope are electric, and sites 6, 28, and 30 in North Face are
electric.
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South Slope Loop is open from 4/15 to 10/15
with all services. However, the North Face Loop is open year-round,
although there are no showers 10/16 through 4/14. Vault toilets are available. South Slope Loop is closed
during the winter months. A maximum of 2 vehicles (1 parks free) and 8
persons are allowed in single sites and 4 vehicles (2 park free) and 16
persons in double sites. An additional $5/day per vehicle fee is charged
for extra vehicles.
Some campsites may be reserved through the reservation system.
Camping sites may be reserved from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Camping is otherwise
available on a first come basis.
Camping Fees: Camping fees are $17.00 for non-electric sites, and $20 for electric sites.
One vehicle is included in site fees. Extra
vehicles are $5/day each.
With the America the Beautiful senior and access passports a single family non electric site is
$8.50, and an electric site is $11.50. |
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|
Double sites are $31 for
non-electric and $36 for electric. With passports double sites
are $15.50 for non electric and $18.50 for electric. Call for
availability of sites after 10/16. During the winter months
Northface Campground is open and fees are $5 for non-electric sites and
$8 for electric units. Fees increase to the regular amount on about
April 1 when the concessionaires return.
Campers who come during the week may also be
entitled to free camping days between 4/15 and 10/15. Those who pay for any two days Sunday
through Wednesday, get
their campsite free on one day (excluding Friday and Saturday). (Not valid with
reservations!)
The length of campsite spurs vary. The chart here shows relative
lengths. All sites are wide enough to accommodate two vehicles or an RV
and a pull vehicle.
|
North Face
|
|
Site # # |
May be Reserved |
Spur Length
|
Site # |
May be Reserved |
Spur Length
|
|
1 |
No |
46 |
19 |
No |
44 |
|
2 |
No |
37 |
20 |
No |
46 |
|
3 |
No |
55 |
21 |
No |
42 |
|
4 |
No |
42 |
22 |
No |
56 |
|
5 |
No |
50 |
23 |
No |
50 |
|
6 |
E -No |
45 |
24 |
No |
38 |
|
7D |
No |
41 |
25 |
No |
43 |
|
8 |
No |
56 |
26 |
No |
47 |
|
9D |
Yes |
45 |
27 |
No |
41 |
|
10 |
No |
48 |
28 |
HOST
|
56 |
|
11 |
No |
W/I |
29 |
No |
41 |
|
12 |
No |
W/I |
30 |
HOST
|
41 |
|
13 |
No |
W/I |
31 |
Yes |
45 |
|
14 |
Yes |
48 |
32 |
Yes |
42 |
|
15 |
No |
42 |
33 |
No |
44 |
|
16 |
No |
43 |
34 |
No |
41 |
|
17 |
No |
60 |
35 |
No |
46 |
|
18 |
Yes |
50 |
36 |
No |
45 |
|
South Slope |
|
Site # |
May be Reserved |
Spur Length
|
Site # |
May be Reserved |
Spur Length
|
|
1 |
E -No |
46 |
15 |
E –No |
42 |
|
2 |
E -No |
48 |
16 |
E –No |
38 |
|
3 |
Host
|
50 |
17 |
E –No |
45 |
|
4 |
E -Yes |
40 |
18 |
E –No |
50 |
|
5 |
Host
|
50 |
19 |
E –Yes |
42 |
|
6 |
E -No |
48 |
20 |
E –Yes |
42 |
|
7 |
E -Yes |
50 |
21 |
E –Yes |
42 |
|
8 |
E -No |
45 |
22 |
E –Yes |
44 |
|
9D |
E -No |
63 |
23 |
E –Yes |
42 |
|
10D |
E -No |
56 |
24 |
E –Yes |
45 |
|
11 |
E -No |
59 |
25 |
E –Yes |
43 |
|
12 |
E -No |
46 |
26 |
E –Yes |
63 |
|
13 |
E -No |
50
|
27
|
E -Yes |
48
|
|
14 |
E -No |
50 |
|
|
|
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See the map below for relative location of sites by loop.
Locally cut firewood (1 cubic foot/bundle) is available for
$5.
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Day Use:
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All visitors must purchase a daily parking permit during the recreation season and
whenever the gatehouse is staffed. The permit is $5/vehicle and buses are $25. Annual
passes for day use are $35 (America the Beautiful passports are honored for day use and annual passes). The annual pass is honored at Hardin Ridge, Tipsaw Lake and
Indian-Celina Lake recreation areas.
A variety of activities are available for day visitors. A scenic picnic area on the
shores of Indian Lake, a watchable-wildlife site, fishing, boating, and hiking are all
interesting day activities at this site.
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Trail:
Rickenbaugh Interpretive Trail is approximately 1 mile in length. This trail is
located at the Celina boat ramp area, directly behind and related to the historic
Rickenbaugh House. It has approximately 12 interpretive stops which are related to the Rickenbaugh family and the historic stone house and post office. It is an easy 30 minute
walk. The layout of the trail is also shown on the topographic map for the Two Lakes Loop
Trail.
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Two Lakes Loop National Recreation Trail is a 12
mile trail which encircles both Indian and Celina Lakes. This trail winds through many
acres of natural and peaceful forests. With connecting trails, the total trail is 16 miles
in length. |
|
The main trail is marked in white, with spur trails marked in orange to offer short,
day hikes. Much of this trail is on steep slopes and could take 4-5 hours to hike half the
distance. Along the trail's routes wildlife openings are maintained where deer, turkey,
quail, and songbirds are commonly seen. One of the Hoosier's Watchable-Wildlife areas are along this
trail.
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| Picnicking: Picnic
tables are provided near the boat ramp on the shore of Indian Lake. Additional picnic
tables are provided at the Rickenbaugh House
site. Both picnic sites are available on a first-come basis. |
|
| Boating
and Fishing: |
| Indian and Celina Lakes are two of four fishing lakes along State Highway
37. Celina Lake, the larger of the two, is shown here. Indian Lake is only two miles away and equally beautiful. According to
those who fish there, these lakes are some of the best fishing in Indiana. Only
electric motors are allowed to maintain the tranquility of the area. Boat ramps are open
year-round.
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| These lakes also offer many miles of shoreline and coves to fish for pan
fish. Bring a pole and a pail of bait and spend an enjoyable afternoon. |
| An accessible fishing pier, shown here, is available on Celina Lake near
the parking area. Many fish and birds may be seen from this pier.
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In addition, volunteers
are always needed to help with a variety of projects at the site. For more information,
suggestions or comments contact us at
r9_hoosier_website@fs.fed.us
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