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Winter Camping at Indiana State Parks

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2023-24 winter season

Camping is available year-round at Indiana State Parks. Reservations can be made year-round so you can see what camping loops and sites are open for winter camping and reserve a site if you choose to. Walk-in registrations are still accepted and can be made at the park office or the gate. Some campground loops may be closed. Check with the property office when planning your visit.

  • Primitive camping sites remain available at all state park campgrounds throughout winter, offering full exposure to the elements for hardy, experienced campers.
  • Reservations can be made year-round so you can see what camping loops and sites are open for winter camping and reserve a site if you choose to. Walk-in registrations are still accepted and can be made at the park office or the gate.
  • At most properties, the number of campsites open for reservations is reduced to sites in one or two loops, which helps us manage cleaning and site care more effectively.
  • Electricity is available in most modern campgrounds, but water may not be or may be found only at a single source, so prepare accordingly.
  • Most dump stations are closed or have no water available for rinsing. Contact properties for specifics.

Roughing it, with heated restrooms and water

Several campgrounds offer heated modern comfort stations (restrooms and showers) and/or a single water source through all or part of winter. Most have, at minimum, unheated vault toilets available.

  • Brookville Lake (Mounds SRA): Water source available. Modern comfort stations closed.
  • Brown County: One modern comfort station and water source available all winter in family campground only.
  • Chain O’Lakes: One modern comfort station open through Thanksgiving Weekend. Water source available.
  • Charlestown: Modern comfort stations closed. Water source available at campground gatehouse.
  • Clifty Falls: One Modern Comfort Station. Water Source Available at Non-Electric Comfort Station. No Water Source at Campground Gate house.
  • Deam Lake SRA: Water source available at the property office. Modern comfort stations closed.
  • Hardy Lake: Water source available at site 98.
  • Harmonie: One modern comfort station open all winter. Water source available all winter.
  • Indiana Dunes: One heated modern family restroom open all winter. Water source available.
  • Lieber SRA (Cagles Mill Lake): Water source available. Modern comfort stations closed.
  • Lincoln: Water source available in two locations in Class A campground. Family restroom in non-electric campground available for all campers.
  • McCormick’s Creek: Campground and water source is closed indefinitely due to tornado on March 31, 2023.
  • Mississinewa Lake. Water source available at the property office. Modern comfort stations closed.
  • Monroe Lake: Water source available. Modern comfort stations closed.
  • Mounds: Water source available. Modern comfort stations closed.
  • O’Bannon Woods: One modern comfort station open all winter.
  • Ouabache: Only one heated comfort station open. Water source available at campground gate. Sites 1-75 (loop A) are closed November through January for “Wonderland of Lights”.  All sites are reservable year-round except for the Wonderland of Lights closure.
  • Patoka Lake: Heated modern comfort station in Modern Campground Section A open all winter. Water source available at the front of the camp store.
  • Pokagon: Campground 3 open all winter with one heated comfort station and water fill station available.
  • Potato Creek: Water source available at main gate. Heated comfort stations in Loop C and Horsemen’s Campgrounds open until November 30. Horsemen’s Campground has a dump station, vault toilet and water available for winter camping. Family Campground has vault toilet available.
  • Prophetstown: Comfort station with heated shower and family restroom open until December 6. Full-hook-up sites have water available.
  • Raccoon SRA (Cecil M. Harden Lake): Water source available at property office and at campground gate. One non-heated comfort station open through Thanksgiving Weekend in modern campground, weather permitting.
  • Salamonie Lake: Water source available. Modern comfort stations closed.
  • Shades: No modern restrooms, pit toilets only. Water source available in campground.
  • Spring Mill: Water source available at 4-way stop in campground. Modern restrooms closed.
  • Shakamak: Water source available. Modern comfort station closed.
  • Starve Hollow SRA: Water source available in Class AA campground and at property office. Modern comfort stations closed.
  • Summit Lake: Water source available at main and campground gates. Modern campground comfort stations closed. North ramp restroom open and heated (no showers).
  • Tippecanoe River: Water source available in modern and horse campgrounds. Modern comfort stations closed.
  • Turkey Run: Water available. Modern comfort station in south loop open all winter.
  • Versailles: Water source available at main gate and campground gate. Modern comfort station closed. Vault toilet available in campground loop A (Sites 1-96).
  • Whitewater Memorial: Water available. Modern restrooms closed.

Need a remedy for cabin fever? How about a real cabin?

  • Cabins are a place to start for those inexperienced at braving the cold. Some cabins are open all winter.
  • Check the Indiana Recreation Guide (on.IN.gov/recguide) for properties offering winter cabin usage.

Just not sure you want to camp or try a cabin? State Park Inns are great alternatives!

  • Indiana State Park Inns offer a winter 2-nights-for-the-price-of-1 deal from late November through the end of February on Sunday – Thursday nights. (Weekends and holiday weeks excluded.)
  • Spend your days out in the park enjoying winter hikes and come back to a warm room and comfortable chairs in the lounge next to the fireplace.
  • Make your reservations at indianainns.com or call 1-877-LODGES1.

Tips for winter camping

When it comes to winter camping, failing to plan is a plan to fail. Always:

  • Check the forecast.
  • Make sure someone knows where you will be camping and when you will return.
  • Bring more food, water, clothes and firewood than you think you’ll need.
  • Make sure sleeping bags are rated for the conditions you will be in.
  • Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
  • Layer your clothing, beginning with a wicking (or perspiration-removing) layer, followed by insulating garments, topped off by a wind and/or waterproof shell.
  • Drink plenty of water. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the cold.
  • Prepare warm, hearty meals.

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