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Events
Property Map (PDF)
Directions
- Potato Creek State Park Alerts (2)
- Temporary Closure: The property will be closed to the public for deer management hunts on Nov. 18-19 and Dec. 2-3, 2024. The property will close on the evening before the hunt and reopen the morning after. Only individual licensed hunters selected from the draw may participate at any site. Information about these deer management hunts can be found at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.
- BLUE-GREEN ALGAE: Found in lakes year round. Don't drink the water. Shower after you swim. More information.
Description
Potato Creek is in north-central Indiana about 12 miles southwest of South Bend. The park features a wide array of activities and facilities for year-round enjoyment. Making reservations is advisable to enjoy some of this popular park's facilities.
A variety of natural habitats await, including the 327-acre Worster Lake, old fields, mature woodlands, restored prairies, and diverse wetlands. Each offers unique opportunities for plant and wildlife observation.
Native peoples used the area for hunting and fishing. The area’s first people of European descent settled here in the 1830s.
This property is a stop on the
Learn more at www.indianabirdingtrail.com.
A new lodge for Potato Creek State Park
The 120-room lodge and conference center - Indiana State Parks' first facility constructed from the ground up since 1939 - will sit on Worster Lake’s southern shore, in the Whispering Winds Picnic Area. This large area, not far from the park entrance but away from the main road, provides a beautiful view of Worster Lake, access to the paved bike trail and a small boat launch, room for parking and plenty of space to relax in the outdoors. Opening is targeted for 2026 or 2027.
Learn More
- Activities
- Nature Center/Interpretive Services
- Picnicking/Shelters (Shelter Reservations)
- Paved Bicycle Trail / 3.2 miles
- Boat Launch Ramps / 2
- Electric Trolling Motors Only
- Bridle Trails
- Cabins / 17 (Cabin Floor Plans)
- Cross-Country Skiing / No Ski Rental
- Fishing / Ice Fishing / Fishing Pier
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Hiking Trails
- Mountain Bike Trail / 7.4 miles
- Playground Equipment
- Rentals
- Bicycle
- Canoe, Rowboat, Kayak
- Recreation Building
- Swimming / Beach (Policy). ADA sidewalk runs from the parking lot to the water’s edge for accessible beach access.
- Tubing Hill
- Wildlife Observation Area
Camping - See campground maps under MAPS tab
- Electric / 287 sites (Electric Map)
- Horsemen's Electric / 70 sites (Horseman's Electric Camp Map)
- Youth Tent Areas (Youth Tent Map)
- Camp Store
- Water Fill Station/Dump Station
INFORMATION
- Trails
Note: For trail locations, view the property map under the MAPS tab.
Potato Creek State Park offers a motorized wheelchair that can be taken on trails and around facilities.
1. MODERATE (2.2 miles)—Skirts Worster Lake, passing through old fields and Maple and Oak Hickory forest. Returns to Nature Center area.
2. RUGGED (2.0 miles)—Accessed either from Trail 1 or Trail 4. Winds through woods, up and down hills, to the highest point in the park.
3. MODERATE (1 mile)—Travels along ridge overlooking Worster Lake, passing through Beech Maple forest and down to the lake observation deck. Wonderful spring wildflower trail.
4. MODERATE (2.5 miles)—Scenic path along the stream through Beech-Maple woods, past the lake and old farm sites.
5. EASY (1 mile)—Rolling trail cuts through old fields. Has a small wetland observation deck.
6. EASY (.5 mile)—Short loop passes wetland and woods.
PEPPERMINT LOOP TRAIL (.9 mile), EASY—Starts at Nature Center following Trail 1 on old Peppermint Road along the lake. Cuts through a young woods and rejoins the end of Trail 1.
PAVED BICYCLE TRAIL (3.3 miles), MODERATE—Trail starts at boat rental and ends near Tulip Poplar shelter. It winds up and down wooded hills, above the creek bed, and then onto flat land passing wetlands and through forests.
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL (7.4 miles), BEGINNERS—Developed through a partnership between the Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association and Potato Creek State Park. Please obey posted signs and ride safely. For increased safety, bikers should ride in the direction indicated and hikers should walk in the opposite direction. Bikers should always yield to hikers. Helmets recommended.
FRIENDS WETLAND TRAIL (.75), EASY – Looped Trail passes by multiple wetlands and observation decks.
PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS.
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