Potato Creek State Park advisories
- The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has adjusted services, events and operations to protect Hoosiers and prevent further spread of COVID-19. Please visit on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19 for a listing of what is open, closed, restricted and canceled.
- MASKS REQUIRED IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS. St. Joseph County, where Potato Creek is located, has issued an order requiring masks to be worn in public buildings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The St. Joseph County Health Department has extended its mask requirement through Dec. 31.
- Blue-Green Algae: Found in lakes year-round. More information.
- Description
Potato Creek is in north-central Indiana about 12 miles southwest of South Bend. The park features a wide array of activities and facilities for year-round enjoyment. Making reservations is advisable to enjoy some of the facilities at this very popular park.
A variety of natural habitats await, including the 327-acre Worster Lake, old fields, mature woodlands, restored prairies and diverse wetlands. Each offers unique opportunities for plant and wildlife observation.
Native peoples used the area for hunting and fishing. The area’s first people of European descent settled here in the 1830s.
- Activities
- Nature Center/Interpretive Services
- Picnicking/Shelters
(Shelter Reservations) - Bicycle Trail / 3.2 miles
- Boat Launch Ramps / 2
- Boat Motor / Electric trolling only
- Bridle Trails
- Cabins / 17
- Cross-Country Skiing / No Ski Rental
- Fishing / Ice Fishing / Fishing Pier
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Hiking Trails
- Mountain Bike Trail / 6.6 miles
- Playground Equipment
- Rentals
- Bicycle
- Canoe, Paddleboat, Rowboat, Kayak, Trolling Motors
- Recreation Building
- Swimming / Beach (Policy)
- Tubing Hill
- Wildlife Observation Area
Camping - See campground maps under MAPS tab
- Electric / 287 sites
- Horsemen's Electric / 70 sites
- Youth Tent Areas
- Camp Store
- Dumping Station
INFORMATION
- Trails
Note: For trail locations, view the property map under the MAPS tab.
1. MODERATE (2.2 miles)—Skirts Worster Lake, passing through old fields and Maple and Oak Hickory forest. Returns to Nature Center area.
2. RUGGED (2.0 miles)—Accessed either from Trail 1 or Trail 4. Winds through woods, up and down hills, to highest point in park.
3. MODERATE (1 mile)—Travels along ridge overlooking Worster Lake, passing through Beech Maple forest and down to lake observation deck. Wonderful spring wildflower trail.
4. MODERATE (2.5 miles)—Scenic path along stream through Beech-Maple woods, past the lake and old farm sites.
5. EASY (1 mile)—Rolling trail cuts through old fields. Has small wetland observation deck.
6. EASY (.5 mile)—Short loop passes wetland and woods.
PEPPERMINT LOOP TRAIL (.9 mile), EASY—Starts at Nature Center following Trail 1 on old Peppermint Road along the lake. Cuts through a young woods and rejoins the end of Trail 1.
BICYCLE TRAIL (3.3 miles), MODERATE—Trail starts at boat rental and ends near Tulip Poplar shelter. It winds up and down wooded hills, above the creek bed, and then onto flat land passing wetlands and through forests.
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL (6.6 miles), BEGINNERS—Developed through a partnership between the Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association and Potato Creek State Park. Please obey posted signs and ride safely. For increased safety, bikers should ride in the direction indicated and hikers should walk in the opposite direction. Bikers should always yield to hikers. Helmets recommended.
PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS.
- Maps
