Ouabache State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- in.gov260-824-0926
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Water quality BLUE GREEN ALGAEFound in lakes year round. Don't drink the water. Shower after you swim. More information.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Wells County, about 3 miles southeast of Bluffton, Ouabache State Park covers about 1,058 acres.
The park supports historic sites, boating, swimming, fishing, and biking. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle daily gate fee: $7 Indiana plates / $15 out-of-state at state parks and state-managed lakes; exceptions Indiana Dunes ($7/$20), Prophetstown ($8/$16), Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center ($9 adult/$7 child); $2 per person age 5+ on foot, bicycle or horseback.
Statewide fee rule from Indiana's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Indiana park passes
- Annual Entrance Pass — $50. Noncommercial vehicle, driver and passengers at DNR properties that charge a gate fee Details
- Non-resident Annual Entrance Pass — $120. Non-Indiana resident noncommercial vehicles Details
- Golden Hoosier Passport — $25. Indiana residents 65+ or eligible for SS disability; vehicle, driver and passengers Details
- Disabled Hoosier Veteran Pass — $25. Persons eligible for a Disabled Hoosier Veteran plate Details
- SSDI Pass — $25. Indiana residents receiving or eligible for SSDI Details
From the Indiana state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (Indiana State Parks) for camping, cabins, shelters, group camps; separate inn reservations
- Phone
- 1-866-622-6746 (camping, cabins, shelters, group camps); 1-877-563-4371 (inns and Brown County cabins)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
- Electric
- Youth Tent
- Dumping Station
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
PicnickingFishingBoatingHikingBikingHistoric sites and toursSwimming
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail 1 | 1 mi | Easy | Circles wildlife exhibit, starting at exhibit parking lot. |
| Trail 2 | 1.5 mi | Easy | Begins at north end of campground. Winds north through pine plantation, then south along tennis & basketball courts and back east to campground. |
| Trail 3 | 1.5 mi | Easy | Begins at north end of campground, travels east through magnificent stand of oak and hickory, passes a woodland marsh, and winds back to the point of origin. |
| Trail 4 | 3 mi | Moderate | Begins at wildlife exhibit, branches north through heavy pine plantations, then west through more pines, hawthorn, etc., and back east along the southern edge of Kunkel Lake to the point of origin. |
| Trail 5 | 6 mi | Moderate | The “Ouabache Trail” begins at the wildlife exhibit and circles the entire property, using portions of all trails. Trail 5 may be started and finished at any trail entrance. The trail will take you through virtually all types of trees and terrain available in the area. Several interesting footbridges dot the trail. |
Trail descriptions from the park
1. EASY (1 mile)—Circles wildlife exhibit, starting at exhibit parking lot.
2. EASY (1.5 miles)—Begins at north end of campground. Winds north through pine plantation, then south along tennis & basketball courts and back east to campground.
3. EASY (1.5 miles)—Begins at north end of campground, travels east through magnificent stand of oak and hickory, passes a woodland marsh, and winds back to the point of origin.
4. MODERATE (3 miles)—Begins at wildlife exhibit, branches north through heavy pine plantations, then west through more pines, hawthorn, etc., and back east along the southern edge of Kunkel Lake to the point of origin.
5. MODERATE (6 miles)—The “Ouabache Trail” begins at the wildlife exhibit and circles the entire property, using portions of all trails. Trail 5 may be started and finished at any trail entrance. The trail will take you through virtually all types of trees and terrain available in the area. Several interesting footbridges dot the trail.
Swimming
Swimming beach. Check office for hours. Mobility mats for easy beach access are available.
Boating and paddling
Fishing / Boating
Fishing
Fishing / Boating
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Playground
- Nature center or museum
Water
- Swimming beach
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Swimming beach. Check office for hours. Mobility mats for easy beach access are available.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Nearest town
- Bluffton — about 3 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 40.7248, -85.1224
- Phone
- 260-824-0926
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Indiana State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Indiana State Parks 'Find A Park' property list + DNR ArcGIS site layers (coordinates)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Ouabache State Park September 2018.jpg — CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), Jstuby
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology