Tippecanoe River State Park

05/31/2026

Here’s What’s Happening at the Park!!!

Thursday, June 4th
1:00pm Story Time: This week’s title is “Tale of a Tadpole” by Karen Wallace. This is a short, illustrated children’s book. Bring a blanket to sit in the shady grass behind the Nature Center. 30 minutes.
3:00pm Fishing Game: Which fish species can I eat, and which ones should I put back? Meet the Naturalist for this informative game about some of the fish in the Tippecanoe River. If you bring your gear, you might even drop a line! Nature Center Patio. 30 minutes.
6:00pm Tepicon Hall Tour: Is history your cup of tea? Well, do I have a tour for you!!! Come tour and chat about the history of this National Historic Landmark and the park as a whole!!! Parking Lot at Tepicon Hall, 1 hour.

Friday, June 5th
1:00pm Fishing Poles: Let’s make a fishing pole! Free fishing day is tomorrow so we need to get our gear around. This is for kids 12 and under. Nature Center Patio, 30 minutes.
3:00pm Camp Craft Trip Planning Basics: Do you have a group you would like to take fishing, but you don’t know where to begin? We will look at the size & ages of your group and help you get started planning your fishing adventure!!! Nature Center, 45 minutes

Saturday, June 6th
9:00am Free Fishing Day: Join the fun across the street at the Fish and Wildlife Area’s West Pond. Try your hand at fishing! The Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park will provide live bait, poles, and gear for the kids to try out! No fishing license is required for this weekend only. Come on over learn how to tie the best fishing knot and how to clean a fish properly!!!!
Winamac Fish & Wildlife Area, West Pond, 4 hours.
3:00pm 5 Senses Hike: This is a hike around the Wetland Prairie. Learn about the 6 habitats you will enter and use all 5 of your senses to explore them. Meet the Naturalist at the bridge at the NC, bring bug spray!!!! 1hour easy hike!

Sunday, June 7th
1:00pm Leather Stamping: The Naturalist will provide directions and tips for you to create your own leather Stamping Project for a $5 donation to the Friends Group. NC Patio, 1 hour.

05/24/2026

What’s Happening at the park!!!

Thursday, May 28th

1:00pm Story Time: This Week’s title is “Once upon a Springtime” by Jean Marzollo and illustrated by Jacquline Rogers. This is a short children’s book so bring a blanket to sit on in the shady grassy area behind the Nature Center! 30 minutes.

4:30pm Our Wildlife Heritage: Come see some pelts of our local wildlife and take the opportunity to touch their fur. Community Fire Ring in Electric Camp, 1 hour.

5:45pm Prairie Hike: Please come join the Naturalist on the part of trail 8 most people miss. We will talk about the grease and flowers, habitats and animals that make the prairie their home. This is a closed toe shoe, bug spray required hike, that is short and easy. Tepicon Hall Parking Area, 1 hour.

Friday, May 29th
1:00pm Our Wildlife Heritage: Experience some of our local wildlife pelts and take the opportunity to touch their fur. Nature Center Patio, 1 hour.
3:00pm Pocketknife Safety 101: Bring your own pocketknife or borrow one from the Nature Center to learn about pocketknife safety and how to make a fuzzy stick to help start tonight’s campfire. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts can use this program to earn their Whittling Chip or their Tot’n Chip. Nature Center Patio, 1 hour.

Saturday, May 30th
1:00pm Bird Houses: Norman Saul is a woodworker and a bird lover! He has created a couple different bird houses for you to decorate and hand in your yard. We ask you to make a $10 donation to our Friends Group for his supplies. Nature Center Patio, 1 hour.
3:00pm Fire! Friend or Foe? Let’s talk about fire, what Smokey Says, and how you can do your part! Stop by the Nature Center and learn how to make your own fire starter and how to use fire safely! Nature Center Patio, 1 hour.

Sunday, May 31st
1:00pm Wood Burning Program: This is a short program followed by the opportunity to create your own wood burned coster for $5 donation to the Friends Group for providing the tree cookies. The Naturalist will provide directions, ideas, and safety tips. Nature Center, 1 hour.

05/12/2026

Looks like something survived those high flood waters! That's right, Tippecanoe River State Park is having a Spring Egg Hunt. Provided by the Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park, the Spring Egg Hunt will be this Saturday, May 16th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Nature Center. Join us for prizes and treats as well as crafts and games. This event is free with park admission. for park information please visit on.IN.gov/tippecanoeriversp

05/08/2026

Tippecanoe River State Park was recently featured in an episode of the podcast “IN State Parks”, link below. The host, Allison Martin, did a great job and it has some very good information about the park. Check it out if you want to learn more about Tippecanoe River or any other Indiana State Park.

an Indiana state parks podcast

04/17/2026

The DNR Division of State Parks has a dedicated group of employees on our Division Maintenance Crew who operate the Division’s specialty equipment. They travel from park to park, helping with projects like trenching, excavator work, and transporting large materials and equipment. Their hard work plays a big role in keeping our State Parks great places to visit.
Pictured below is Division Maintenance Crew member Rob, who recently visited Tippecanoe River State Park to remove about 100 tree stumps. Thanks to Rob and the whole crew for everything they do!
on.IN.gov/TippecanoeRiverSP

04/03/2026

Due to the active flood warning and forecast for more rain in the coming days, the Nature Center and the surrounding area will be closed this weekend. Unfortunately, this means we are also cancelling our Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday.

03/27/2026

Be prepared for trees down on trails as you come out to hike or ride during this early Spring! All of the park trails are open, and all of the trails have some number of obstacles left behind by winter storms. The staff is working quickly to improve accessibility and clear downed trees. If you would like the most current trail conditions, be sure to stop by the office before heading out into the park. The park office is open Mon - Sat 8:30a - 4:00p.
Park maps and additional info at: on.IN.gov/tippecanoeriversp

03/26/2026

We have "egg sighting" news. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is right around the corner. Join us April 4 at 11:00 a.m. at the Nature Center for games, crafts, and an egg hunt for all ages. The Easter Egg Hunt is sponsored by the Friends of Tippecanoe River State Park.
For maps and more information visit: on.IN.gov/tippecanoeriversp

03/20/2026

A big thank you to the Garden Club of Indiana for their generous donation of native plant seed to support the Black Oak Savanna restoration at Tippecanoe River State Park! 🌱🌾
Wanda Zahrt, President of the Garden Club of Indiana, visited the park to personally present the donation, and we are incredibly grateful for her leadership and support. This donation represents Phase 1 of their commitment and includes enough native seed to restore one acre. The Garden Club plans to contribute additional seed as park staff are able to prepare more plots for restoration.
Black Oak Savannas are among Indiana’s rarest and most ecologically important habitats. These open woodlands—characterized by widely spaced black oaks and a diverse, sun-loving understory—support an exceptional variety of native plants, pollinators, birds, and wildlife. Once widespread across the Midwest, they now exist only in small, treasured remnants.
Thanks to this generous gift, we can continue restoring and strengthening this unique ecosystem. The contribution of native seed helps ensure the savanna remains healthy, diverse, and thriving for generations to come.
Thank you again to Wanda Zahrt and the Garden Club of Indiana for their dedication to conservation and their support of Tippecanoe River State Park! on.IN.gov/tippecanoeriver