Indian-Celina Lakes Recreation Area
The Indian-Celina Lakes Recreation Area contains Celina Lake (164 acres) and Indian Lake (152 acres) and is encompassed by the 12 mile Two Lakes Loop Trail The recreation area offers camping, electric motor boating, fishing, and hiking, as well as the interesting historical Rickenbaugh House.
Two Lakes Loop National Recreation Trail is a 12 mile hiking trail which loops around Indian (152 ac.) and Celina Lakes (164 ac.). The white blazed trail passes through hardwoods, open medows and has beautiful views of both lakes. Designated one of Indiana's Watchable Wildlife sites, you stand a good chance of catching a glips of deer, turkey, quail, and many songbirds.
The trail has a 2 mile connecting trail (Orange Blaze) that cuts the outer loop in half. The following description will detail the western half of the Two Lakes Loop Trail, beginning at the Trail head parking area and finishing at the connecting trail parking area.With connecting trails, the total trail is 16 miles in length.
West Section
0.00 Two Lakes Loop Trail head. Orange trail markers lead you down hill to the right.
0.10 Trail levels out.
0.24 Trail begins to ascend
0.33 Trail levels out again. Small pond to the left.
0.54 Trail enters a stand of pine trees,
0.78 Larger pond on the left
0.81 Trail head junction. Left continues to Celina Lake, right continues to Indian Lake. Follow white trail markers to the right. Trail begins moderate accent.
0.90 Trail levels out and continues to the left.
1.02 Trail begins accent leveling off with briar brush on both sides. Trail continues left.
1.10 A small pond can be seen to the left during the winter months.
1.17 Trail begins a moderate climb again.
1.20 Trail levels off and continues along the ridge.
1.27 Trail marker indicates to continue to the left.
1.32 Trail continues to the right and begins to descend
1.36 A tree fall across the trail (Picture right) marks your location. Continue on under the tree.
1.45 From here you can see the lake to your right, trail continues to the left.
1.50 Trail winds to the right and begins to descend toward the lake.
1.60 Indian Lake Dam. Continue across the dam.
1.77 Trail descends to the right entering the woods along the lake shore.
1.85 Trail crosses small drainage.
1.92 Trail climbs to the left and then back down toward the lake shore.
2.04 Boat ramp to Indian lake is directly across the lake. There is a good camping site near the water hear.
2.18 Trail continues to a low area that could be swampy during wet weather.
2.22 Trail crosses drainage and continues up hill. Old logging road forks to left, continue right crossing several more small drainage creeks.
2.39 Trail begins moderate accent away from the lake to the left before leveling out.
2.53 Cross drainage. Trail descends through briar brush and tall grass.
2.85 Bridge crosses creek, logging road continues north toward Uniontown, continue right. 100 feet past the logging trail the trail forks again. Continue up to the left.
2.98 Cross drainage and continue up to the right crossing more drainage creeks.
3.11 Enter a stand of pine trees, lake can be seen to the right in winter.
3.30 Trail merges with a creek bed and continues decent.
3.36 Waterfall on left. (Pictured right) Unfortunately there is a lot of trash in this area.
3.52 Good camp site on left with some rock over hangs. Trail forks, right is old logging road that leads to the mouth of Tige creek. It is wide and would be difficult to ford during high water. Continue left up around the camp site.
3.59 Moderate accent takes through another stand of pine trees.
3.71 Trail moves through area where wind has damaged a large number of trees on both sides of the trail.
3.76 Trail descends to the right.
3.86 Trail climbs to the left before switching back to the right and then descending left again.
3.89 Trail descends away from the drainage on the right.
4.02 Ford creek (picture)
4.10 Ford Tige Creek (picture13) It is easier to cross down stream from the trail. This could be difficult during high water.
4.37 Trail parallels creek on the right.
4.41 Ford another creek and enter another stand of pines.
4.52 Trail passes rock over hang on the right. Nice camp site on the right in this area.
4.60 Trail leaves pines a creek is on your right. The trail switches back to the right above the rock overhangs and begins ascent.
4.67 Trail continues to ascend to the left.
4.78 Trail levels out.
3.90 Trail begins difficult long accent toward top of the ridge.
3.95 Trail begins to level out.
5.11 Trail Junction. Left follows white markers to Celina Lake. Continue right following orange markers through some more pines.
5.16 Trail forks. Right continues along road. Good camping about 100 yards on ridge to the right. Left leads to parking area.
Car Camping
Indian-Celina includes 63 individual sites divided into two loops (North and South). Each loop contains centralized water, flush toilets and hot showers. All the sites in South Slope are electric. The campground is open with all services from 4/15 to 10/15, then closes for the Winter. North Face Loop is open year-round, with no electric hookups or water available from 12/1 through 4/1. Vault toilets are available. A maximum of 2 vehicles (1 parks free) and 8 persons are allowed in single sites and 4 vehicles (2 park free) and 16 persons in double sites. An additional $4/vehicle fee is charged for extra vehicles. Some campsites may be reserved through the reservation system. Camping sites may not be reserved after 10/15. Camping is otherwise available on a first come basis. Click here for fees.
Trail Camping
Camping is allowed along the Two Lake Loop trail, but must be 300 ft from the trail. There are several nice sites around the lake and within the stands of pine trees.
Tell City Ranger District
248 15th Street
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 547-7051
Fax (812) 547-6144
Indian-Celina Lakes Recreation Area is located near Tell City Indiana. Take I-64 t0 (Exit 79). Proceed south on Indiana 37 about 2 miles to The Indian-Celina Lakes Recreation Area located on the right. Turn right into the park and take the next left to proceed to the North and South Slope campgrounds which will be located on the right.
More information about Indian-Celina Lakes
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