Tipsaw Recreation Area
The Tipsaw recreational
complex is located on the shores of the 131-acre Tipsaw Lake. The area is 6 miles south of
Interstate 64 off State Highway 37. It offers camping, picnicking, boat launching,
swimming, hiking, biking, and some interpretive programs. The area is operated
under a concessionaire permit.
Beginning November 30, 2009, the Tipsaw Lake
Road will be closed for approximately 45 days for resurfacing. The road
will be closed to all traffic from milepost 2.0 to the lake. The Tipsaw
Trailhead and campground access road will remain open.
The road will reopen around
January 15, 2010.
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.
Vicinity Map
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Family Camping:
Tipsaw includes 35 individual sites divided into two shady campground
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. The campground
opens between April 1 and April 15 and remains open through October 15 (weather dependent).
| A maximum of 2 vehicles and 8 people are allowed in single sites, and 16 people and 4
vehicles are allowed in double sites. |
 |
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. Special RV sites in the Catbrier loop with
electricity and water are $23
(The price with an America the Beautiful senior and access passport is $14.50). With passports a single family non electric site is $8.50, and an electric
site is $11.50.
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. Campers who come during the week may also be
entitled to free camping days. 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!) Some campsites may be
reserved through the reservation system from
April 1 through Labor Day. The
chart below shows:
- sites that can be reserved (highlighted in light blue)
- double sites (indicated with an "D")
- where the campground HOST is located for help needed or information
- and which sites are walk-ins (WI).
Jackpine Loop
|
Site # |
Elec. |
May be Reserved |
Spur Length |
|
1 |
Yes |
No |
48 |
|
2 |
Yes |
No |
56 |
|
3 |
Yes |
No |
43 |
|
4 |
Yes |
No |
56 |
|
5 |
Yes |
Host |
52 |
|
6 |
Yes |
No |
52 |
|
7 |
Yes |
Host |
52 |
|
8 |
Yes |
No |
52 |
|
9 |
Yes |
No |
52 |
|
10 |
Yes |
No |
51 |
|
11-W/I |
|
No |
25 |
|
12-W/I |
|
No |
25 |
|
15-D |
Yes |
Yes |
49 |
|
16-D |
Yes |
Yes |
53 |
|
17 |
Yes |
Yes |
55 |
|
18 |
Yes |
Yes |
50 |
|
19 |
Yes |
Yes |
51 |
|
20 |
Yes |
Yes |
53 |
|
21 |
Yes |
Yes |
56 |
|
22 |
Yes |
Yes |
46 |
|
23-D |
Yes |
Yes |
56 |
Dogwood Loop
|
Site# |
Elec. |
May be Reserved |
Spur Length |
|
24-D |
Yes |
Yes |
35 |
|
25-D |
Yes |
Yes |
36 |
|
26 |
No |
No |
24 |
|
27 |
No |
No |
24 |
|
28 |
No |
Yes |
43 |
|
29-D |
No |
Yes |
40 |
|
30 |
No |
No |
43 |
|
31-D |
No |
No |
46 |
|
32 |
No |
No |
53 |
|
33 |
No |
No |
47 |
|
34 |
No |
No |
46 |
|
35 |
No |
No |
46 |
|
36 |
No |
No |
50 |
|
37 |
No |
No |
50 |
Goldenrod
Loop
|
Site # |
Elec. |
May Be Reserved |
Spur Length |
|
10 |
No |
Yes |
50 |
|
11 |
No |
Yes |
49 |
|
12 |
No |
Yes |
44 |
|
13-D |
No |
Yes |
36 |
|
14-D |
No |
Yes |
45 |
Primrose
Loop
|
Site # |
Elec. |
May Be Reserved |
Spur Length |
|
15 |
No |
Yes |
49 |
|
16 |
No |
Yes |
49 |
|
17 |
No |
Yes |
49 |
|
18 |
No |
Yes |
48 |
|
19 |
No |
Yes |
47 |
|
20 |
No |
Yes |
50 |
Catbrier Loop
|
Site # |
Elec. |
May Be Reserved |
Spur Length |
| 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
44' |
| 2 |
Yes |
No |
53' |
| 3 |
Yes |
Yes |
35' |
| 4 |
Yes |
No |
102' |
| 5 |
Yes |
Yes |
50' |
| 6 |
Yes |
No |
55' |
| 7 |
Yes |
Yes |
65' |
| 8 |
Yes |
No |
54' |
| 9 |
Yes |
Yes |
72' |
| 10 |
Yes |
No |
49' |
| 11 |
Yes |
HOST |
70' |
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Group Camping:
Two group camps are offered with capacities up to 65. Group camps contain water and
vault toilets. Showers are available in the main campground. Group camps are open
by
4/15 through
10/15. Special arrangements may be made for groups to camp later in the
fall.
Reservations may be made through the reservation system.
There is still a $5/vehicle per day charged for these sites after the first vehicle.
Goldenrod Group Camp has one 30-amp electrical hookup available and rents
for $40. Primrose Group Camp rents for $35.
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Day Use:
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. The $5/vehicle (4/1-10/15) parking fee per day is charged past the entrance
gate, except to campground occupants.
The beach and picnic area is open from 5/25 - 9/15. The boat ramp is open all year. In addition, for horse and bike riders on forest trails, a
trail permit is required for anyone 17 years of age or older. The cost of
the trail permit is $35 for an annual permit, or $5 for a daily permit.
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Picnic Sites and
Shelters:
Overlooking the lake near the beach are 15 picnic sites and 2 shelter houses. Horse
shoe pits and an open area for games are near the picnic shelters. Shelters may be
reserved by calling the 877-number above. A $25 use fee is charged when making reservations
for the beach shelters (4/15-10/15). They are otherwise available on a first-come
basis. Vehicles are still subject to the $5 charge even if a campsite is reserved (with
the exception of the person making the reservation).
Boating and Fishing:
 |
Electric motors are allowed, and fishing for
pan fish is considered excellent. The boat ramp and parking area is open year-round. |
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Beach:
A beautiful swimming beach and modern bathhouse are open Memorial Day through Labor Day
weekends. This beach offers a combination of sand and sun, or shady grass-covered
hillside.
| There are no lifeguards but a fully-accessible beach and swimming area is provided. |
 |
| No glass containers or pets are allowed on the lawn or beach areas. |
 |
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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|
