Evansville weatherWhat’s on in Evansville →Events →

Get out of town

Day trips from Evansville

4 nearby parks, towns and places to explore, ordered by straight-line distance.

National park site

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

48 miles north · straight-line distance

National Historical Park of the United States in Indiana.

HistoryPicnickingAgency site ↗

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

National park site

Mammoth Cave National Park

96 miles southeast · straight-line distance

U.S. national park in Kentucky.

BikingCampingFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingAgency site ↗

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Driving times are typical estimates from the city center without live traffic, Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Distances are measured in a straight line from the city, not by road. Some older drive-time estimates have no reliable date and do not reflect current traffic; routes to large parks or waterfronts may vary. Check the destination entrance before leaving. Place descriptions come from Wikidata. Photo credits include capture dates when available; photos may not show current conditions.

Outdoor places near Evansville

40 recreation areas and campgrounds within 108 miles, from Recreation.gov. Filter by what you want to do.

Recreation area

Ohio River - Newburgh Pool

10 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

One of the projects essential in maintaining the Ohio River navigational channel. This area is along the Lewis and Clark route.

BoatingPicnickingWater sports

Recreation area

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area

26 miles northeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

The Patoka River in Southwest Indiana had long been recognized for its wetland and wildlife values on a local, statewide and regional basis.

BirdingBoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNon-Motorized Boating

Recreation area

Ohio River - John T. Myers Lock and Dam

28 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Located on the Ohio River about 3 miles downstream from Uniontown, Kentucky, at mile 846.0 below Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The navigation locks are located on the right bank or Indiana side of the river.

BoatingPicnickingWater sports

Recreation area

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

31 miles east · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Abraham Lincoln grew from youth to manhood on this southern Indiana soil. Many character and moral traits of one of the world's most respected leaders was formed and nurtured here.

HikingHistory

Recreation area

Ohio River - Cannelton Pool

46 miles east · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Provides a usable pool for commercial boat traffic on the Ohio, and is popular with recreational boaters. This area is along the Lewis and Clark route.

BoatingFishingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Campground

Camp Cadiz Campground

48 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 35 min by car (72 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

This campground is the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work camp. Somewhat off the beaten path Camp Cadiz is usually quiet and rarely do the campsites fill up; with the exception of turkey and deer hunting seasons.

CampingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingHunting

Recreation area

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

48 miles north · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark.

HistoryPicnicking

Campground

Saddle Lake Campground

48 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 20 min by car (79 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The Saddle Lake Recreation Area was one of four that was associated with flood control lakes built along the Middle Fork of the Anderson River. Saddle Lake has a primitive campground, a boat ramp, and a hiking trail.

BackpackingCampingHikingNon-Motorized Boating

Campground

Tipsaw Lake

50 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 10 min by car (72 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area is located on the shores of its namesake lake in south-central Indiana's Hoosier National Forest. It offers camping, picnic areas, boating, swimming, hiking, biking and educational programs.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingSwimming

Campground

German Ridge Campground

52 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 25 min by car (65 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The German Ridge Recreation Area includes a 20 site campground, a 24-mile multiple use trail, a short hiking trail around a scenic lake and cliff area, a seasonal day use area for swimming and picnicking, and several historic buildings.

BackpackingBikingCampingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingMountain BikingPicnicking

Campground

Indian Celina Lake

53 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 5 min by car (67 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

The Indian-Celina Lake Recreation Area is a tranquil getaway in the midst of the Hoosier National Forest.

BoatingCampingHikingHistoryHunting

Recreation area

Patoka Lake

55 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Patoka Lake: two pairs of bald eagles established nests during the spring of 1992 through 1997.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingNature educationPicnickingWater sports

Recreation area

Shawnee National Forest

58 miles west · straight-line distanceUSDA Forest Service

CampingClimbingFishingHikingHorseback ridingPicnickingSwimming

Campground

Buzzard Roost Campground

59 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 30 min by car (84 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

A scenic location for hiking and camping. Parking areas are available at the first trailhead access and at the picnic/camping spur. Tables, grills, garbage can, info board and a vault toilet are available at the camping area.

CampingHikingObservation Site

Recreation area

Rough River Lake

62 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The 5,100 acre Rough River Lake provides a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. The U.S.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnickingSwimming

Campground

Axtel

64 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (88 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Axtel Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky.

BoatingCampingFishingSwimming

Campground

Cave Creek

64 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (86 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Cave Creek Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky.

BoatingCampingFishing

Campground

Laurel Branch

65 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 45 min by car (89 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Laurel Branch Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky.

BoatingCampingFishingSwimming

Campground

North Fork (Ky)

65 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (88 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

North Fork Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky.

BoatingCampingFishingSwimming

Recreation area

Hoosier National Forest

66 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUSDA Forest Service

Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy.

BikingBoatingCampingFire Lookouts/Cabins OvernightFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback riding

Campground

Shirley Creek Campground

68 miles northeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 50 min by car (97 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

Shirley Creek is a primitive campground. There is no use fee at this site. Recreation Shirley Creek Campground offers access to the Shirley Creek Trail system for horseback riding, mountain bike riding, and hiking Facilities A primitive…

BackpackingBikingCampingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingMountain Biking

Campground

Youngs Creek Campground

68 miles northeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 45 min by car (96 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

A primitive campground with vault toilets, hitching racks, and a picnic shelter is available. Around 12 and half miles of trails are available for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

BackpackingCampingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingMountain BikingPicnicking

Campground

Old Kuttawa

72 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (97 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Old Kuttawa Recreation Area is on the northern shores of Lake Barkley, near the narrow canal linking it to Kentucky Lake. Together, these two reservoirs combine to create one of the greatest freshwater recreation areas in the country.

BoatingCampingFishingSwimming

Recreation area

Ohio River - Smithland Pool

75 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The Smithland Navigation Project is located on the Ohio River 918.5 River Miles below Point Bridge, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and 62.5 miles upstream of the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

FishingPicnicking

Campground

Eureka

76 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 45 min by car (103 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Eureka Campground sits on Lake Barkley among wooded rolling hills and abundant wildlife. Fishing is a well-loved sport here; Kentucky's largest yellow bass was caught in these waters, and anglers flock with hopes of breaking the record.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingSwimmingWater sports

Campground

Gun Creek

76 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (106 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Gun Creek Campground is located on the eastern shore of Rend Lake— the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land.

BikingBirdingBoatingCampingFishingPicnickingWater Access

Recreation area

Barkley Lake

77 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Lake Barkley was named for former Vice-President Alben Barkley. Land Between the Lakes (US Forest Service) and Fort Donelson National Military Park are on Lake Barkley?s western shore.

BikingBoatingCampingClimbingFishingHikingHistoryHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned

Campground

North Marcum Day Use Area

77 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 45 min by car (109 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

North Marcum Day Use Area— the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land.

ArcheryBikingBirdingBoatingCampingCanoeingFishingHiking

Recreation area

Rend Lake

78 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Rend Lake, IL, located in the heart of southern Illinois, is a natural haven for wildlife and a recreational haven for visitors. Rend Lake consists of 18,900 acres of water and 20,000 acres of land.

BoatingCampingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnickingWater sports

Recreation area

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

83 miles west · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 5, 1947. The refuge is made up of 44,000 acres of land with a great diversity of flora and fauna.

BackpackingBikingBirdingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback riding

Recreation area

Nolin River Lake

86 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Nolin River Lake has an average annual visitation of over two million and maintains one of the lowest drowning rates in the State.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnicking

Recreation area

Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

89 miles southwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

In 1998, Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge became the 549th National Wildlife Refuge in the Country. Located in far western Kentucky, the refuge encompasses of one of the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forest in the region.

BikingBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingNature education

Recreation area

Mammoth Cave National Park

94 miles southeast · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World…

BikingCampingFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback ridingPaddlingSwimming

Recreation area

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

96 miles southwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge was authorized on June 26, 1990 under the Emergency Wetland Resources Act of 1986. The refuge will eventually encompass 35,000 acres.

ArcheryBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNon-Motorized Boating

Recreation area

Ohio River - McAlpine Pool

98 miles east · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Provides a navigational channel between Louisville and Cincinnati that is an integral part of Ohio River navigation.

HikingPicnicking

Recreation area

Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge

104 miles south · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Established on Nov. 9, 1962, Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge lies within the floodplain of the Cumberland River which is now Barkley Lake. The refuge was established as a result of mitigation proceedings with the U.S.

ArcheryBikingBirdingBoatingFishingHorseback ridingHuntingMotor Boat

Recreation area

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

105 miles east · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.

HistoryPicnicking

Recreation area

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

106 miles south · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

"Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in Capitals on the maps of our United Country..." Brigadier General Ulysses S.

BikingHikingHistoryWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Barren River Lake

108 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The Barren River was the historic route for westward traveling pioneers. They would travel down the Barren River to a trading post at present-day Bowling Green, Kentucky, where their journey would proceed by land.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnickingWater sports

Recreation area

Carlyle Lake

108 miles northwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Water-oriented outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hunting. Expecially attractive to sailboaters. Illinois' largest lake.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnicking

Recreation areas and campgrounds from Recreation.gov's directory, checked October 28, 2026. Listings are not live availability: check Recreation.gov or the managing agency for open dates, fees, reservations and conditions. Directions go to the listed coordinates, which may not be the entrance. Campground driving times: Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Questions

What day-trip ideas are near Evansville?

This guide includes George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, Mammoth Cave National Park, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Places are ordered by straight-line distance. Confirm visitor access, opening hours and current travel conditions before choosing a trip.

How far is George Rogers Clark National Historical Park from Evansville?

Approximately 48 miles north in a straight line. This is not current traffic or a route to a confirmed visitor entrance. Check your route before leaving.

How far is Mammoth Cave National Park from Evansville?

Approximately 96 miles southeast in a straight line. This is not current traffic or a route to a confirmed visitor entrance. Check your route before leaving.

How far is Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park from Evansville?

Approximately 107 miles east in a straight line. This is not current traffic or a route to a confirmed visitor entrance. Check your route before leaving.

Where can I camp near Evansville?

Recreation.gov lists 16 campgrounds within 77 miles, including Camp Cadiz Campground (48 miles southwest), Saddle Lake Campground (48 miles east), Tipsaw Lake (50 miles east). Check Recreation.gov for current availability, seasons and reservations.

Evansville AI

Your Evansville local guide
Hey there!

I'm Evansville AI. Ask about neighborhood food, independent shops, local history or planning a visit.

AI recommendations may be inaccurate. Verify hours and prices. Questions are processed by Cloudflare. Privacy