Ohio River - Newburgh Pool
10 mi southeast · US 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.
Outdoors
Boating and kayaking near Evansville
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Evansville for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
28places to boat and paddle
10 mito the closest
3within 30 miles
April–Octoberbest months
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Closest picks
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area
26 mi northeast · Fish 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.
Ohio River - John T. Myers Lock and Dam
28 mi southwest · US 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.
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Within 30 miles (3)
Ohio River - Newburgh Pool
One of the projects essential in maintaining the Ohio River navigational channel. This area is along the Lewis and Clark route.
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area
The Patoka River in Southwest Indiana had long been recognized for its wetland and wildlife values on a local, statewide and regional basis.
- Birding
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
Ohio River - John T. Myers Lock and Dam
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.
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Water sports
30 to 75 miles (12)
Ohio River - Cannelton Pool
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.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Saddle Lake Campground
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.
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Non-Motorized Boating
Tipsaw Lake
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.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Indian Celina Lake
The Indian-Celina Lake Recreation Area is a tranquil getaway in the midst of the Hoosier National Forest.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Hunting
Patoka Lake
Patoka Lake: two pairs of bald eagles established nests during the spring of 1992 through 1997.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Rough River Lake
The 5,100 acre Rough River Lake provides a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. The U.S.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Swimming
Axtel
Axtel Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
Cave Creek
Cave Creek Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
Laurel Branch
Laurel Branch Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
North Fork (Ky)
North Fork Campground is located on the shore of Rough River Lake in south central Kentucky.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
Hoosier National Forest
Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
Old Kuttawa
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.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
75 miles and farther (13)
Eureka
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.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Water sports
Gun Creek
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.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water Access
Barkley Lake
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.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
North Marcum Day Use Area
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.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
Rend Lake
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.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
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.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
Nolin River Lake
Nolin River Lake has an average annual visitation of over two million and maintains one of the lowest drowning rates in the State.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
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.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
Mammoth Cave National Park
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…
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Paddling
- Swimming
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
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.
- Archery
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
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.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Barren River Lake
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.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Carlyle Lake
Water-oriented outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hunting. Expecially attractive to sailboaters. Illinois' largest lake.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
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.
Get outside around Evansville
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Questions
Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Evansville?
Ohio River - Newburgh Pool (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 10 miles southeast of Evansville as the crow flies. Next are Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area (26 mi) and Ohio River - John T. Myers Lock and Dam (28 mi).
When is the best time for boating & paddling near Evansville?
Based on Evansville’s average highs, April–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.