Tipsaw - Hoosier NF - IN

There is a dump station at the turn off from Indiana 37.

These are fairly simple campgrounds. Most sites don't have electricity.

That said, I love the place. Usually pretty quiet and a beautiful setting.

jkwilson, according to recreation.gov website 16 out of the 18 sites, not counting group sites, are electric. Although only 5 are "RV" electric. I take it that according to their site a "RV electric" is 50 amp. We only need 30, which should be the remaining 11 standard sites, so we should be fine. But I've never been there and that's why I asking for advice.
Also is there a fee to use the dump station if you are a registered camper?
Thanks a bunch for your input.

garmp1 wrote:
jkwilson, according to recreation.gov website 16 out of the 18 sites, not counting group sites, are electric. Although only 5 are "RV" electric. I take it that according to their site a "RV electric" is 50 amp. We only need 30, which should be the remaining 11 standard sites, so we should be fine. But I've never been there and that's why I asking for advice.
Also is there a fee to use the dump station if you are a registered camper?
Thanks a bunch for your input.

Hmm. Been a few years and things may have upgraded. There are multiple loops in the area. Last time I was there it was more like 2 electric sites and the rest non.

Dump station didn't have an attendant so I'd expect no fee, but that may have changed as well.

I'd call the Tell City ranger district or the HNF office in Bedford to be certain. What I see on my HNF paperwork and their website agrees with my recollection, but recreation.gov doesn't.

Called the HNF Bedford office and it's totally confusing. Example: I ashed about the Catbrier Loop. USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) website says 10 sites with electricity and water and vault toilet. Recreation.gov shows that loop with 5 electric sites and showers and flush toilets.
The lady said 10 sites but only 5 are reservable. Makes sense I guess.
I then explained that the USDA says vault toilets and the Rec.gov shows showers and plumbed toilets. She replied "Yes". I asked which and she said "both". I stopped my questions at that loop, rather than ask about the other two. Then asked her if she thought we should make reservations for our given time table and she said she wouldn't, there'll be plenty of openings. Especially as we're not sure as when we'll get there.
thanks for all the input and glad I finally got things sort of straightened out.

garmp1 wrote:
Called the HNF Bedford office and it's totally confusing. Example: I ashed about the Catbrier Loop. USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) website says 10 sites with electricity and water and vault toilet. Recreation.gov shows that loop with 5 electric sites and showers and flush toilets.
The lady said 10 sites but only 5 are reservable. Makes sense I guess.
I then explained that the USDA says vault toilets and the Rec.gov shows showers and plumbed toilets. She replied "Yes". I asked which and she said "both". I stopped my questions at that loop, rather than ask about the other two. Then asked her if she thought we should make reservations for our given time table and she said she wouldn't, there'll be plenty of openings. Especially as we're not sure as when we'll get there.
thanks for all the input and glad I finally got things sort of straightened out.

A simple google query using "Tipsaw Campground, Indiana" turned up this pdf, which likely has all the information and a detailed map of the campground, including which sites are electric, which are reservable, and the location of the shower houses/flush toilets.
Link here
While the campground itself has 2 shower buildings (at Jackpine and Dogwood loops), it appears that the Catbrier and Primrose loops have only vault toilets. Images on Google earth seem to confirm this.

There are other campgrounds in the forest there as well. Either Indian or Celina lake has a camping area. Harden Ridge has an area. I believe there are others, so if you get there and can't find a site that works you'll have options.

dewey02, don't know how I missed that, but I did. Thanks a ton. Seems to answer all my questions and even shows the dump station.
This should not have been this hard.

Thanks again every one!!!

Check out this not so positive review:http://www.themoderndaymom.com/2016/07/tipsaw-lake-recreation-area-campground.html?m=1