Kayaking Hoosier National Forest
Hoosier National Forest has 5 large lakes, Indian, Celina, Spring Valley, Tipsaw, and Saddle lake. It also borders parts of lake Monroe these bodies of water are great for short paddle trips. These lakes offer day paddles and back county camping. We find these lakes great places to build skills, test out our gear, and check the capabilities of our boats before heading to bigger water.
Key Features:
-Saddle Lake & Tipsaw Lake do not allow back country camping
-Indian, Celina, & Springs Valley lakes all allow back country camping
-Patoka Lake requires a paid camp site
-Parts of Lake Monroe shoreline allow backcountry or campground
-Forest service lakes don't require a DNR sticker on your boat, but Monroe does
-Easy access to boat ramps
-A great way to bring a "little extra" into back county campsites
-Saddle Lake & Tipsaw Lake do not allow back country camping
-Indian, Celina, & Springs Valley lakes all allow back country camping
-Patoka Lake requires a paid camp site
-Parts of Lake Monroe shoreline allow backcountry or campground
-Forest service lakes don't require a DNR sticker on your boat, but Monroe does
-Easy access to boat ramps
-A great way to bring a "little extra" into back county campsites
Kayaking on Celina Lake
Kayaking Lake Celina- Hoosier National Forest
Lake Celina
Key Features:
-Allows back country camping
-Forest service lakes don't require a DNR sticker on your boat
-Easy access to boat ramps
-Short, quick paddles
-Allows back country camping
-Forest service lakes don't require a DNR sticker on your boat
-Easy access to boat ramps
-Short, quick paddles
Kayak camping on Lake Celina
|
Our young paddler on Lake Celina
|
Sunsets by boat on Lake Celina
|
Scouting our great sites on Lake Celina
|
Kayak camping lets you splurge
|
Kayak Camping on Celina Lake
Loading the boats with your camping gear and hitting the waters of lakes in Hoosier National Forest is another great way to access Indiana's wilderness. Easy gate check-ins, low fees, and clean facilities make a day or two on the water a very pleasant and easy going experience.
Celina is not the largest of lakes, but the fingers and open main area build confidence of new kayak campers and provide plenty of easy paddling for a low key weekend or day out. Back country camping allows you to set up in numerous places, but most of Hoosier National Forest lakes have 4-5 keystone spots with nice clear area for tents and established rock fire rings. Firewood can be tricky to find in peak season in the more popular spots, but we can always seem to rustle up enough wood for a good burn. To find the best spots on Celina, explore each of the fingers and look for access points on the east or west facing shorelines that offer the best access to the lake. There you will likely find one of Celina's hidden gems. Another lesser known spot is to follow the first finger on the right (north) to the creek entry and paddle pack as far as your boat can float. There you will find a secluded campsite on the creek with interesting rock formations and plenty of flat ground.
Celina takes about 15 minutes to paddle from one end to the other in light wind, and 1 1/2 to 2 hours to circumnavigate (obviously dependent on boat style and conditions). The lake is a very popular place for fishermen and you will seldom have the lake to yourself. Backpackers and kayakers tend to compete for the most popular spots on high traffic weekends, so pack up early and have a Plan A and B prepared in case your spot is taken. Click here to read about our experiences with Plan B "2nd Best Campsites" on Celina.
Celina is not the largest of lakes, but the fingers and open main area build confidence of new kayak campers and provide plenty of easy paddling for a low key weekend or day out. Back country camping allows you to set up in numerous places, but most of Hoosier National Forest lakes have 4-5 keystone spots with nice clear area for tents and established rock fire rings. Firewood can be tricky to find in peak season in the more popular spots, but we can always seem to rustle up enough wood for a good burn. To find the best spots on Celina, explore each of the fingers and look for access points on the east or west facing shorelines that offer the best access to the lake. There you will likely find one of Celina's hidden gems. Another lesser known spot is to follow the first finger on the right (north) to the creek entry and paddle pack as far as your boat can float. There you will find a secluded campsite on the creek with interesting rock formations and plenty of flat ground.
Celina takes about 15 minutes to paddle from one end to the other in light wind, and 1 1/2 to 2 hours to circumnavigate (obviously dependent on boat style and conditions). The lake is a very popular place for fishermen and you will seldom have the lake to yourself. Backpackers and kayakers tend to compete for the most popular spots on high traffic weekends, so pack up early and have a Plan A and B prepared in case your spot is taken. Click here to read about our experiences with Plan B "2nd Best Campsites" on Celina.
Fire Pink, Celina Lake shore, Hoosier National Forest
|
Boats "parked" for the night
|
Spider wort, Lake Celina shore, Hoosier National Forest
|
Kayaking Lake Monroe
Lake Monroe built in 1964 by the Army Corps of Engineers is the largest? Reservoir in the state. It is bordered in areas by Hoosier National Forest and the Deam Wilderness. These areas keep sections of the lake wild and open to back country adventures. Some of these sites are ranked among the best in Indiana.
Crossing Lake Monroe on our way to a great campsite
Lake Monroe Kayak Camping
Key Features:
-Multiple marinas / put-ins
-Large section of lake is a no wake zone
-Back country camping limited to federal lands
-Some campsites are ranked among best in Indiana
-Short 1-2 mile paddles
-Multiple marinas / put-ins
-Large section of lake is a no wake zone
-Back country camping limited to federal lands
-Some campsites are ranked among best in Indiana
-Short 1-2 mile paddles
Lake Monroe campsite
|
Lake Monroe camping
|
Winter kayaking Lake Monroe
|
December Lake Monroe kayak
|
Great Blue Heron, Lake Monroe
|
Kayak Camping Lake Monroe
Lake Monroe makes a great kayak camping destination. If you're looking for mile after mile of paddling, this is not your place, but if you are looking for a short 1-3 mile paddle to a great campsite, then Lake Monroe is for you. The Cutright State Recreation area on the south side of the lake provides boat ramp and marina access to a large part of the lake that is a no-wake zone and has shore line campsites on the federal lands that adjoin the lake. A short (1 mile) paddle to the east will bring you the Deam Wilderness, a part of Hoosier National Forest and numerous opportunities for back country camping. There are several marked campsites that located right on the water. Some are only paddle in while other can be reached form the Peninsula Trail.
Camping on the water's edge in other places is discouraged; however, camping is allowed anywhere if you are at least 100 yards from the lake. These campsites are well-used and have nice fire rings, and some times stone benches. Many of the campsites fill up during boating season as power boaters take to the lake. They also can fill up on nice spring and fall weekend with paddlers and backpackers. While these sites are secluded, don't be surprised to wake up to a fisherman or two on the lake. Do watch the weather, as high winds on the lake can make it unsafe to paddle. We have only seen this occur once in many years of camping / paddling in this area, but there were actually waves crashing on the shore. We have never had a bad time on the water at lake Monroe.
Camping on the water's edge in other places is discouraged; however, camping is allowed anywhere if you are at least 100 yards from the lake. These campsites are well-used and have nice fire rings, and some times stone benches. Many of the campsites fill up during boating season as power boaters take to the lake. They also can fill up on nice spring and fall weekend with paddlers and backpackers. While these sites are secluded, don't be surprised to wake up to a fisherman or two on the lake. Do watch the weather, as high winds on the lake can make it unsafe to paddle. We have only seen this occur once in many years of camping / paddling in this area, but there were actually waves crashing on the shore. We have never had a bad time on the water at lake Monroe.
Sunset on our kayaks, Lake Monroe
|
Lake Monroe kayaking
|
Lake Monroe kayak camping
|
Lake Monroe winter kayaking
|
Kayaking Indian Lake
Bald eagle with a fish in its talons, Indian Lake, Hoosier National Forest
Indian Lake Kayak Camping
Key Features:
-One campsite, only accessible via paddling
- Can camp anywhere along lake, all federal lands
-No DNR boat permit required
-Easy access to several sites along backpacking trail
-Short, quick paddles
-One campsite, only accessible via paddling
- Can camp anywhere along lake, all federal lands
-No DNR boat permit required
-Easy access to several sites along backpacking trail
-Short, quick paddles
Paddling, Indian Lake, Hoosier National Forest
|
Turtle sunning, Indian Lake, Hoosier National Forest
|
Paddle in campsite, Indian Lake, Hoosier National Forest
|
Father and son floating, Indian Lake, Hoosier National forest
|
Campsite overlooking Indian Lake, Hoosier National Forest
|
Kayak Camping Indian Lake
Indian Lake is a little less used than nearby Celina Lake, as a result it is a little more private and little more quiet. This lake has a large campsite on the north end of the dam that can fit several tents, and several sites above and below the bluffs on the far end of the lake. All of these sites can be reached by backpackers making them somewhat competitive on a busy weekend. However, if you can find the paddle in campsite on Indian Lake, you will be rewarded with one of the most private sites in the area, and you will likely not have to compete with others for it and will not have to hike for miles to reach it. Indian Lake is popular with fishermen, so don't be surprised if you can see them on the lake through the trees from you campsite.
Cookining dinner, Indian Lake, Hoosier National Forest
|
Small cliff overlooking the paddle in campsite, Indian Lake, Hoosier National Forest
|
Sunset, Indian Lake, Hoosier National Forest
|
