Tipsaw Recreational Area

The Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area is located on the shores of the 131-acre Tipsaw Lake. It offers camping, picnicking, boat launching, swimming, hiking, biking, and some interpretive programs. There is a $5/vehicle/day use fee for the area or $35 annual permit for  the Indian-Celina Lake Recreation Area. The fee is only required 4/15 - 10/31. A permit is required for riding mountain bikes on the Tipsaw Trail which is within the recreation area. Firewood is available in 1 cu. ft bundles for $5. Canoes rent for $7.00/hour. A beautiful sandy swimming beach and modern bathhouse are open Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.  A play area is featured for children next to the beach which offers a combination of sand and sun, or shady grass-covered hillside. There are no lifeguards but a fully-accessible beach and swimming area is provided. This recreational complex has abundant wildlife, birds, amphibians and part of the fun of visiting is to see what you might find there. Roads through the native hardwood forest mixed with pine provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Woodland songbirds are common in this area. Winter viewing is especially good in the pine plantations. High probability of seeing deer along the roads and trails, and beside the lake in early morning. Hawks and turkey vultures are often seen soaring above the lake. Bald egles and osprey are seen occasionally perched in shoreline trees during winter. Hike the trails in April and May to see an abundance of spring wildflowers. Overlooking the lake near the beach are 15 picnic sites and 2 shelter houses. Horse shoe pits and an open area for games are near the picnic shelters. Shelters may be reserved though a $25 use fee is charged when making reservations for the beach shelters (5/15-10/3). They are otherwise available on a first-come basis. Vehicles are still subject to the $5 charge (with the exception of the person making the reservation). Tipsaw includes 35 individual sites divided into two shady campground loops. Each loop contains centralized water, flush toilets, hot showers, and a recharge table for electric boat motors. Sites vary from walk-in sites, to single or extra large, electric or nonelectric. Catbrier Loop offers ten sites with electricity and water for larger RVs. A chart on the back details the lengths of each site as well as which sites provide electricity or may be reserved. A maximum of 2 vehicles and 8 people are allowed in single sites, and 16 people and 4 vehicles are allowed in double sites. If more than a single vehicle is present (or 2 vehicles for double sites), an additional $5/vehicle per day is charged. The campground is open April 1 through October 31 (weather dependent). Camping fees for single sites are $27/night with electricity and $20 without electricity. Double sites are $43 with electricity and $40 without. Catbrier sites are $27/night. Campsites must be occupied every night. Senior and Access passport holders receive a discount on campsite fees. No hardwood firewood may be brought into the campground unless it is IDNR or USDA certified.