Water Trail Camping

If you like boating on Indiana streams and want to add camping to your adventure, this site can help with locations to camp. All of the sites listed below allow boaters to access and use campsites from the water. Most sites have a fee involved. Before visiting any of these sites, it is recommended that you check with the managing entity to confirm availability and current condition.

Camping without permission at locations that are not dedicated campsites could be considered trespassing. Many people believe that islands and other land along streams are owned by the state and are open for public use and camping. This is not necessarily true. Unless listed below, publicly owned access sites, parks and other areas along streams do not allow camping. On waterways not listed as navigable, islands and lands along the streams are generally privately owned and should not be used. Even on navigable waterways, only land below the normal high water mark is considered held in public trust by the state. Additional information about navigability and rights to public use, including a navigable waterway roster, is at www.IN.gov/nrc/2390.htm.

All camping, in both campgrounds and in natural areas, should follow the Leave No Trace principals.

These locations offer camping to the public along streams in Indiana. They are all accessible from the water and canoeists are welcome.

It is recommended that you check with each site before visiting to confirm availability and current condition.

Blue River
Harrison-Crawford/Wyandotte Complex
7240 Old Forest Road SW
Corydon, IN 47112
812-738-8232
Stagestop campground offers a canoe ramp for access to the Blue River. 50 sites available, no reservations accepted. $8 per night, primitive camping only.

Recreation Unlimited
6885 W. Ray
Depauw, IN 47115
812-347-2743
Long term camping with some overnight site available. Call for availability

Chain O’ Lakes
Chain O’ Lakes State Park
2355 E. 75 South
Albion, IN 46701
260-636-2654
4 campsites available. Reservations are available from the online
Indiana Department of Natural Resources On-Line Reservations Page

Driftwood River
Blue’s Canoe Livery
6700 W. Lowell Road
Columbus, IN 47201
812-526-9851
About 40 primitive sites available, $8 per person. Modern restrooms and facilities available. Reservations recommended.

Eel River
Millers Cool Running Canoe Rental - Formerly J&J Canoe Rental
3723 E. Chili Mill Rd.
Denver, IN 46926
765-985-9800 or 765-473-1377
6 primitive sites available on a first come first serve basis. No charge

Flatrock River
Hidden Paradise Campground
802 E. Jefferson St.
St. Paul, IN
765-525-6582

Kankakee River
laportecountyparks.org/kankakee.html
Coordinates: Latitude - 41° 15’ 59.71”; Longitude - 86° 51’ 8.54”
Phone: 219-325-8315
A primitive campsite accessible by river only. Hiking, walking, or other travel away from the designated camping area is prohibited. The campsite is on the north bank of Kankakee River, 1.5 miles downstream of the Yellow River DNR Public Access Site. See laportecountyparks.org/kankakee.html for rules and regulations.

Trading Post Canoe Rental
Box 132
Mongo, IN 46771
260-367-2493
www.tradingpostcanoe.com
65 sites, primitive and electric on a first come first served basis. Cost is $19 per night.

Sugar Creek
Shades State Park
Route 1 Box 72
Waveland, IN 47989
765-435-2810
Camping is available on a first come, first serve basis. Rate is $10 per night and wood can be purchased from night ranger on site. Site is approximately 2.5 miles downstream from the Deer’s Mill Bridge on Sugar Creek. Primitive camping only.

The Canyon - Deer’s Mill Inc.
8295 W. State Road 234
Waveland, IN 47989
765-435-7270
25 primitive sites. $10/person in summer Cabins are also available Reservation for all camping is recommended.

Sugar Valley Camping Cabins & Primitive Camping
1467 E SR 47
Marshall, IN 47859
765-597-2364
Cabin available by reservation only for $25 - $40 Call 765-597-2355 to make reservations. 10 primitive tent camping sites are also available for $12 per night on a first come first served basis.

Tippecanoe River
Rising Sun Campground
7510 N 250 E Rd
Monterey, Indiana 46490
574-542-4780

Tippecanoe River Run
1417 W 375 N
Rochester, IN 46975
574-835-3363

Tippecanoe River State Park
4200 N. U.S. 35
Winamac, IN 46996
574-946-3213
10 campsites available. Reservations are available from the online
Indiana Department of Natural Resources On-Line Reservations Page

Tippe-Canoe Float Trips
4903 N. 750 W.
Rochester, IN 46975
574-542-2777
Camping is $5 per person

Wabash River
France Park
4505 West US 24 West
Logansport, IN 46947-9083
574-753-2928
Regular public campsites are a little over one-half mile from access site. Normal fees apply.

Wolfe’s Leisure Time Campground
7414 State Road 25 North
Lafayette, IN 47905
765-589-8089
Many campsites, primitive and full hook-up. See website for pricing. Reservations recommended for holiday weekends.

White River
White River Campground
11299 E. 234th Street
Cicero, IN 46034
317-984-2705
6 primitive sites available. 10 water/electric sites available. Reservation recommended.

Romona Canoe Rental
2444 Romona Road West
Spencer, IN 47460
Phone 812 829 0120
Located near McCormicks State Park. Riverside primitive camping available, boat ramp access to white river

Riverbend Campground
21695 State Road 37 North
Noblesville, IN 46060
317-773-3333
Reservations are not required, but recommended when events are happening at Ruoff Music Center.

Whitewater River
White Water Canoe Rental
RR 1
Metamora, IN 47030 and
Whitewater Valley Canoe Rental
PO Box 2, US Hwy 52
Brookville, IN 47012
765-647-5434 or 1-800-634-4277

To have a campground added to this list, please contact:

Allen Hurst
Trails Coordinator
ahurst@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-4070