Outdoors
Trails and recreation areas near Evansville open to biking and mountain biking.
Good to know: Wilderness areas are closed to bikes; check each area’s trail rules and yield to hikers and horses.
50 mi east · 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.
52 mi east · 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.
55 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Patoka Lake: two pairs of bald eagles established nests during the spring of 1992 through 1997.
Map of 16 places loads as you scroll.
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.
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.
Patoka Lake: two pairs of bald eagles established nests during the spring of 1992 through 1997.
Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nolin River Lake has an average annual visitation of over two million and maintains one of the lowest drowning rates in the State.
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.
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…
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.
"Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in Capitals on the maps of our United Country..." Brigadier General Ulysses S.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Evansville. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
A WALK AROUND TOWN
Walking Tour Evansville Indiana USA. A film shared by Roadside Perspectives.
Watch on YouTube ↗Tipsaw Lake (USDA Forest Service), about 50 miles east of Evansville as the crow flies. Next are German Ridge Campground (52 mi) and Patoka Lake (55 mi).
Based on Evansville’s average highs, February–May, September–December. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.