Tipsaw Lake

Besides picking the only weekend where the camp had plumbing issues… my 4 year old daughter and I loved this place. This was my first time camping in Indiana and it did not let me down! The rangers were very nice and was pleased to answer any of my questions, the lake and bathrooms were clean and the place was nice and quiet. I’ll be back again.

Very nice place. Updated facilities. Pass very nice. Cell service is awful.

The playground at the lake is perfect for Littles. The beach had a lot of debris washed up, however we were there in late winter. Part of the park was closed due to our time of visit so I can't comment on the amenities. Th trails are clearly marked and fun little streams for the kids to play in. We'll visit again.

Great place to be

Primrose Loop at Tipsaw Lake Recreation area Hoosier National Forest has six sites grouped in twos and would be perfect for a group get together. It’s very basic, no phone signal and a pit toilet. There are nice showerhouses in the adjacent campgrounds.

Tipsaw Lake is in short walking, bike riding or vehicle driving distance and the beach area is very family oriented with small picnicking pavilions a play area near the beach and a sand beach. No dogs allowed though.

We enjoyed the Tipsaw Lake 5.9 mile Trail. I kept thinking Trail Run event! I’m not sure if there’s an active group in Branchville, In area though. The trail is not difficult, it’s hilly and technical, but an enjoyable excursion. 

The trail and picnic area needed some maintenance as in being cut back and down, this and the recent rain made ticks bad so pack your bug stuff and pants if you plan to hike. The mosquitoes weren’t bad when we visited , they might get worse as the summer progresses with all the stagnant water. 

Next visit I’m packing the kayak because Tipsaw Lake looked awesome!

Tipsaw Recreation Area Hoosier National Forest is the place to visit if you have a large group or family event planned.

We had a good time doing basic camping activities while here, nothing flashy just fun water sports, campfire activities and hiking. ( no signal so appreciate the quiet :)

5 camping areas which are mostly group based and reservable. Catbrier Loop is the more wide open campground with large RV sites, a pit toilet, pavilion and small field for group events and a path to the beach. Goldenrod (camping side by side) and Primrose (camping around the loop)offer more shade and area to spread out with pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Dogwood has double RV sites and some singles, and you feel more “in the woods” with full canopy coverage. A showerhouse and pit toilet, picnic tables and fire pits. The largest area is Jackpine Loop, good shade, showerhouse and more privacy. 

The beach area on Tipsaw Lake is very family oriented, nice bathhouse facility, small picnic pavilions on cement walkways and a nice beach with play area for the kids. We did not visit the beach because dogs are not allowed. Adjacent is the boat ramp which is ramp, dock, pit toilet and parking. The dogs had fun here playing in the water along the ramp, not much shore to speak of. 

The Tipsaw Lake Trail is 5.9 miles of technical rolling hills with complete tree coverage. We hiked it and I noticed that it is a little overgrown but overall a nice trail. With all the rain the trail was muddy and several of the small streams still had water in them. Ticks are bad with the rain and overgrowth so apply your bug spray liberally! 

In addition to the recreation area there is the Mogan Trailhead in the area which is shared with horses. A zip line Eagles Wing and Citgo gas station. Tell City to the south has the usual stores and fast food for any needed amenities, the ranger station is also located there but closed on the weekends.

I spoke with several of the camp hosts and they were very informative about the area and took good care of their areas. They also have the firewood if you need some.

Tipsaw Lake Hoosier National Forest is a nice quiet family/group oriented area. There is a basic boatramp with dock, parking and pit toilet. It wasn’t busy so I took the dogs down to the ramp to enjoy a dip in the cool lake water when the Tipsaw Lake Trail ended I thought at the edge of the roadway to the dock. Apparently I missed the turn off :( I later discovered. The trail traverses the lake area. It’s a nice 5.9 mile tromp through the woods but I noticed it was a little unkept. 

The beach is the main attraction to this area of Hoosier NF . A very nice set up on the shore of Tipsaw with sand to get in all those cracks and a play area for the kids. Small pavilions on cement walkways and a picnic area with a pit toilet. Also in need of a good mow, we may have just visited between mowing rotations and with the excess of rain everything is growing well. No dogs allowed in the beach area. There was one pavilion on the far side of the parking lot that was not in the dog restriction area. When I visit again I’m inviting my daughter and granddaughter along because who ever set this area up had kids in mind.

Nice clean has swimming, fishing, hikeing

Located in the beautiful rolling hills of southern Indiana not far from I-64 (exit 79). This is a small loop separate from a couple other loops near a small lake that allows boats with electric motors only (nice for kayaks). Paved roads with sloped, hard packed sites having W/E (50A). We stayed on site 7 and friends on site 9. Boat launch and nice swim area kept the weekend kids busy some during the day. Dump station across the road near the Branchville Correctional Facility (use this address for directions). Verizon is a little weak and used our mobile dish for tv. The camp host next to T&D was very informative and told us about nearby Hemlock Cliffs which was a beautiful hike in the woods to a cool canyon with sandstone rock formations. We all enjoyed this rugged hike of more than a mile amongst the rock outcroppings, overhangs, cliffs, rock shelters and ravines along the shady stream.