TRAIL CLOSURES: Trails 7 and 8 at Shades State Park are currently closed due to damaged trail structures.
TRAIL UPDATE October 2026: Trail #7 at Shades State Park is currently closed.
TRAIL CLOSURES: Trails 7 and 8 at Shades State Park are currently closed due to damaged trail structures.
Shades State Park, IN
Description
The beautiful sandstone cliffs overlooking Sugar Creek and numerous shady ravines provide the backdrop for your journey through this nature lover's paradise.
Also on the property is Pine Hills Nature Preserve, which affords spectacular topography for those willing to take a fairly long hike.
Status: Open year round.
Book a Campsite at Shades State Park, IN
123 site(s) found
123 site(s) found
Footnotes: (applicable only where specifically marked above)
*** Some sites may be available only from the campground on a first-come-first-served basis.
*** Some sites may be available only from the campground on a first-come-first-served basis.
Overview
Description
Shades State Park is that peaceful place you've sought. Located about 17 miles southwest of Crawfordsville (off S.R. 47), it is a favorite for hikers and canoeists.
The beautiful sandstone cliffs overlooking Sugar Creek and numerous shady ravines provide the backdrop for your journey through this nature lover's paradise.
Also on the property is Pine Hills Nature Preserve, which affords spectacular topography for those willing to take a fairly long hike.
Booking Window
Non-Electric
Sat Oct 17 2026 - Sat Apr 17 2027Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 6 Month(s) in advance.
Primitive
Sat Oct 17 2026 - Sat Apr 17 2027Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 6 Month(s) in advance.
Shelter
Mon Oct 19 2026 - Sun Oct 17 2027Reservations must be made 2 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Youth Tent
Sun Oct 18 2026 - Sat Apr 17 2027Reservations must be made 1 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 Month(s) in advance.
Services and Amenities
Within Park
- Amphitheater
- Bath House
- Bicycling
- Bird Watching
- Camping, Primitive
- Dump Station
- Fire Rings
- Fishing
- Frost Free Water Hydrant
- Grills
- Hiking
- Hiking Difficult
- Hiking Moderate
- Hiking Trail
- Jogging/Running
- Office / Ranger Station
- Parking
- Photography
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Pavilion
- Picnic Shelter
- Picnic Tables
- Picnicking
- Playground
- Programs, Nature
- Programs, Recreational
- Recreation Programs
- Restrooms
- Retail, Drinks
- Retail, Firewood
- Retail, Ice
- Retail, Seasonal Concessions
- Shelters
- Showers
- Sightseeing
- Stargazing
- Toilet, Pit/Vault
- Trails, Difficult Hiking
- Trails, Hiking / Walking, Easy
- Trails, Hiking, Moderate
- Viewing Platform/Overlk
- Walking
- Water Drinking
- Water Fillup Station
- Waterfall
- Waterfall Access
- Wildflower Viewing
- Wildlife Viewing
Within 10 Miles
- ATM/Cash Machine
- Boating
- Boating, Canoeing
- Boating, Kayaking
- Boating, Power
- Cabins
- Canoe Rental
- Canoeing
- Dining
- Fishing, Park Lake
- Fuel, Vehicles
- Golf
- Golfing
- Jet Skiing
- Park Lake
- Propane
- Rentals, Boats, Canoe
- Rentals, Boats, Kayaks
- Restaurant
- Retail, Snacks
- Scenic Driving Routes
- Skiing - Water
- Swimming - Park Lake
- Water Access, Park Lake
- Water Skiing
Greater Than 10 Miles
- Antiquing
- Art & Museum
- Boating, Jon(Paddle)
- Boating, Pedal
- Campground Host
- Church
- Dump Station, Camper
- Emergency Services
- Fishing Pier
- Fishing, River / Stream
- Historic Sites
- Horse Rentals
- Horseback Riding
- Hospital
- Interpretive Center
- Interpretive Exhibit/Display
- Interpretive Trails
- Kennel
- LODGING, GROUP FACILITIES
- Laundry
- Lifeguards (Seasonal)
- Lodging, Cabins
- Maintenance, Vehicle
- Medical Clinic
- Meeting Space
- Motel
- Musical Performances
- Nature Center
- Newspapers
- Pier, Fishing
- Putt-Putt
- Putt-Putt Course
- Recycling Station
- Rentals, Boats, Jon(Paddle)
- Rentals, Boats, Motorized
- Rentals, Boats, Pedal
- Reservoir
- Retail, Bait & Tackle
- Retail, Store/Gift Shop
- Seasonal Festivals
- Shopping
- Swimming - Pool
- Swimming - Reservoir
- Tennis
- Tennis Court
- Volleyball
- Volleyball Net
- Water Access, Reservoir
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Special Policy Applicable to this Facility
Indiana DNR Reservation Policies
Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
General Season
Oct 17 2026 -
Oct 17 2027
Oct 17 2026 -
Oct 17 2027
Youth Tent
$20.00
Shelter
$30.00-$35.00
Primitive
$14.00-$16.00
Non-Electric
$16.00-$28.00
*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
Getting There
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
39.92957, -87.07253
39°55'46"N, 87°4'21"W
FROM THE NORTH: U.S. 41 S. TO SR 234, THEN EAST ON SR 234 TO THE ENTRANCE. FROM THE SOUTH: U.S. 41 N. TO SR 234, THEN EAST ON SR 234 TO THE ENTRANCE. FROM THE EAST: I-74 W. TO EXIT 52 (JAMESTOWN / ADVANCE). S. ABOUT 3 MILES TO SR 234. CONTINUE W. FOR APPROX. 25 MILES TO THE ENTRANCE. FROM THE WEST: I-74 EAST TO EXIT 15 (VEEDERSBURG/U.S. 41). S. ON U.S. 41 ABOUT 12 MILES TO SR 234, THEN E. ON SR 234 APPROX. 18 MILES TO THE ENTRANCE.
39.92957, -87.07253
39°55'46"N, 87°4'21"W
FROM THE NORTH: U.S. 41 S. TO SR 234, THEN EAST ON SR 234 TO THE ENTRANCE. FROM THE SOUTH: U.S. 41 N. TO SR 234, THEN EAST ON SR 234 TO THE ENTRANCE. FROM THE EAST: I-74 W. TO EXIT 52 (JAMESTOWN / ADVANCE). S. ABOUT 3 MILES TO SR 234. CONTINUE W. FOR APPROX. 25 MILES TO THE ENTRANCE. FROM THE WEST: I-74 EAST TO EXIT 15 (VEEDERSBURG/U.S. 41). S. ON U.S. 41 ABOUT 12 MILES TO SR 234, THEN E. ON SR 234 APPROX. 18 MILES TO THE ENTRANCE.
Nearby Parks
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[13.03 miles*]
[32.31 miles*]
