Situated about 12 miles southwest of South Bend, Potato Creek State Park is the crown jewel of The Bend's nature areas. It's home to bountiful wildlife, many activities and is a popular place for camping in Northern Indiana. Before you pack the tent or get the camper ready, here are the things you should know about camping at Potato Creek.
Potato Creek Camping and Cabins
Potato Creek features camping sites for any type of outdoor enthusiast. There are 257 camper sites with electric and a length of up to 60 feet. There are another 67 electric sites in the Horsemen's Campground, where visitors can bring their horses in to ride the trails. These sites are extremely popular — the campground is sold out most weekends in the summer — and generally need to be booked weeks or months in advance.
In addition to the camper sites, there are a couple other ways to camp at Potato Creek.
Cabins are available year round by reservation and sleep up to eight. They include baseboard heat, a wood-burning stone, ceiling fans, an outdoor grill, etc. Like the camper sites, cabins are usually booked in advance during peak season. Tent campers can also secure one of 17 dedicated sites. Some of them include electricity.
Hiking Trails in Potato Creek
What would camping be without some hikes? Trails at Potato Creek range from easy to somewhat rugged as they work their way through woods and wetlands. Trail 2 is one of the favorites as it takes hikers to the highest point in the park. Trail 3 winds its way along a ridge that overlooks Worster Lake.
Other trails include a 3.3-mile paved bicycle trail, which features some moderate hills through the woods and flat ground as you pass wetlands. There is also a 7.4-mile mountain bike trail that caters to beginners. Developed in partnership with the Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association, this trail is a great way to get into mountain biking.
Potato Creek Map
Potato Creek is one of The Bend's largest natural areas, covering a total area of nearly 4,000 acres. Its centerpiece is the 327-acre Worster Lake. Paddling or fishing the lake are among the favorite activities for visitors — there is also a beach.
With miles of trails and several habitats to explore, make sure to grab a Potato Creek map either in advance or upon entering the park to find all the sites from your camping spot.
