POTATO CREEK STATE PARK New Road Family 25601 State Road 4 • P.O. 908 • North Liberty, 46554 Campground 4.6 (574) 656-8186 3,840 acres Established 1969 Vargo Hill 2 Property Steam Potato Manager's • Residence 4.0 Hill LOCATION MAP Creek CT State Steps Park To 6.2 1 CT South 5 1 Bend Well 5.9 CT House CT 2 PL 1. 4 23 31 Indianapolis 4 • 4 North Gate Entrance PL 23 Liberty Main St. SWAMP North 1 2 B 1 ROSE t a t o Campground Oficef & B P o C r e General Sledding NATURE e Emergency Call Box 0.6 k Store Hill Visitor PRESERVE PL

Visitor Cabins 7.4 Nature Red Center CT PICNIC SHELTER AREAS Youth 4 Tent 0.0 Quaking Aspen Area Tulip Poplar Rec Building Red

Whispering Winds East B Spring Mt. Bike House Whispering Winds West Treatment Yellow Head

Plant oad Orchard Shores West CT CT Beach house Orchard Shores East & Vending

CT R Oak Peppermint Hill Rec Building 4 CT WORSTER TRAIL TABLE Red LAKE 4 Dam Porter Rea TRAIL MILEAGE TRAIL TYPE Cemetery CT 2.2 Moderate 2 Rugged West Lot 1 Moderate East CT CT Boat Campground 2.5 Moderate Launch Gatehouse 1 Easy Visitor .5 Easy Parking Friends .75 Easy Horsemen's Horsemen's B .5 Easy Day-Use Campground West Boat 3 Parking 3.35 Bridle Trail Launch 3 1.5 Bridle Trail 2.5 Bridle Trail Green Bicycle 3.3 Moderate Mt. Bike 7. 4 Easy Green 2.8 Easy Assistant Service Property .9 Easy Area Manager's Residence L EGEND Boundary Accessible Blue CT Road Campground Main Gatehouse Hiking Trail Playground t o Paved Bike Trail General Store t a o C P r Horse Trail Shelter e e k 'S T Mt. Bike Trail Vault Toilet o Hor POND Nature Preserve Emergency Call Box 6 se T 0.0 Mileage Marker Dumping Station 0 ¼ ½ rails i l CT Connectors Beach r a s T F r i e n d Approximate Scale in Miles PL Peppermint Loop Pier Park Office Visitors Center e Parking Boat Rental 6 To Main Gat Restroom Water Fill Station Please carry out all trash you produce Fish Cleaning Stn. Campfire Circle North Liberty in order to keep your park clean and U.S. 31 3 miles beautiful for others to enjoy. 4 miles * All restrooms and comfort stations are accessible 2/2021 • • • • • • • • • • REGULATIONSRULES AND Pick up an Indiana Recreation Guide for more information. DNR PROPERTIES NEARBY For acomplete andregulations, listofrules inquire office. atpark • • • • for today’s visitors park andfor future generations to enjoy. provide homes for awidearray ofotherwildlife andplants oftheirlife cycle.some part designation isbestowed onareas to critical birds during Bird as an Important Area (IBA) in 2006. This international of natural variety habitats,rich Potato Creek was named European settlers arrived inthe1830s. Because ofthe what was recorded asbeinghere before the first is afavored locationfor beavers. The nature preserve also has several unusual plants and originates inthiswetland andflows into Worster Lake. of years, become awetland. A scenicsmallstream This meansthatalake hasslowly, over hundreds section, offersnortheast a look at the eutrophic process. including songbirds, raccoon, fox, coyote andturkey. are wildflower the spring displays ofwildlife, anda variety into hardwood forests. Among the highlights of the forests display. meadows putonacolorfullate summerflower and grass will be maintained by controlled periodic burning. These Creek landscapethrough plantings. areasThe prairie andfall spring during bird migrations. Worster Lake. These areas aboundinwildlife, especially a square iscovered mileofthepark by wetlands and marshes, swamps andbeaver ponds. Today, more than include saturatedtypes soil sedge meadows, shallow habitat for ofplantsandwildlife. avariety The wetland presettlement days of theearly 1800s. is to re-create conditionsresembling thoseofthe natural areas, suchasitsnatural wetlands. The goal efforts seekto restore andmaintain someofthepark’s program atPotato started Creek. The program’s ongoing area becameapark. by decadesoffarming andotherlandusesbefore the

ranges, trapping, wildlife watching inside cars orcampers. Roll upcar windows tightly. danger to themselves. Pleaselock upallfood andcoolers depend on handoutsbecomea nuisance to visitors anda toresult both animalsandpeople. inharm Animals who Feeding deerisprohibited. Feeding ofwildanimals can Please let wild animals remain wild. ramps, dogtraining areas, fishing, hunting, target bird platform, hikingtrail observation trapping, wildlife watching an activity authorized byan activity written permit. within avehicle, except in whenowner isparticipating unloaded or un-nocked and stored in a case or locked or spearguninpossessionastate must be park water istested regularly for purity. hydrants orfountains provided for thatpurpose. This waterDrinking shouldbetaken only from pumps, ofNatural Resources.by theDepartment islimited to placesandtimesdesignated only indesignated areas, notongrass. Motorists posted shallobserve speedlimits, andpark in receptacles provided for thatpurpose. in allday-use areas. Overnightguestsshallputwaste Please comply Outtrash In/Carry withtheCarry policy Fires shallbebuilt only indesignated places. groups permitted inthefamily campground. Camping ispermitted only inthecampground. Noyouth prohibited. is Department ofNaturalResources Vending withoutpermission oradvertising of the on aleashnolongerthan6feet. Dogs and cats must be attended at all times and kept BB gun,airCO Any (except firearm lawfully possessedhandguns), the natural humus. (either deadoralive) for firewood becausethey rebuild bird or wild animal. Do NOT gather limbs, or trees brush Do notinjure ordamageany structure, rock, tree, flower, their sites between thesehours.their sites between exceptin thepark, campers andcabinguests using Park is closed from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. No one is allowed manager.from theproperty Labor Day Day andMemorial with written permission Metal detectors are allowed on main beachbetween ongrass.Do notpark Snowmobiles are prohibited. All motorized vehicles shallremain onpaved roadway. to office. lostorfound thepark Report articles Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area Chamberlain LakeNature Preserve Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area Potato Creek’s varied natural communities also This blend ofwetlands, andforests prairies reflects Swamp Rose Nature Preserve, located in the Other areas are ofthepark beingallowed to grow Native to alsoisbeingreturned prairie thePotato Several areas are beingrestored to provide valuable In theearly 1990s anactive resource management For alist of park events, visit interpretiveservices.IN.gov 2 gun,bow andarrow, paintgun -fishing, hunting, -archery, boat -

CAMP InterpretiveServices.IN.gov. Friends of Potato Creek. For more information, see Potato Creek’s facilities andprograms, jointhe condition for thepublic’s useandenjoyment. namely, to preserve aprimitive landscapeinitsnatural fulfill thepurpose for whichstate were parks established, Inn-operated cabinscanbemadeonlineorby phone. Reservations for theIndianaState Park Innsand BECOME A PARKBECOME A VOLUNTEER THIS IS YOUR PARK park. Listoffees available inthemainoffice. help defray theoperation andmaintenance costsofthe Receipts charges from are admissionandservice usedto SPECIAL NOTE FOR MOREINFORMATION CENTRAL RESERVATION SYSTEM are available through the Central Reservation System. Occupancy limited to 14 consecutive nights. Reservations rented together therest oftheyear. Pots/pans provided. and Saturday orSaturday andSunday nightsmust be rentals canbemade30days inadvance ifavailable. Friday mid-June through mid-August. Two consecutive-night screened porch. Cabins are rented Saturday to Saturday, bedrooms,are two bath,kitchen,diningarea and rental ishandicapaccessible. Hours call. vary—please at InterpretiveServices.IN.gov or(574) 656-8186. attheNature Center.on duty Program schedules available interpretive andrecreational programs. Full-time naturalist ice fishingare also available. miles oftrails whensnow-covered. Tubing, sleddingand ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIESACTIVITIES AND through theCentral Reservation System. horses must have tags. Reservations are available is available—all campers must have horses, andall station are available. A separate horsemen’s campground Tent andtrailer sites, adump station andwater-filling accommodate sixpeople. Nowater orsewage hookups. Occupancy is limited to 14 consecutive nights. Sites is availableforanominalfee. batteries, orhandpropulsion,isallowed. Amooringarea trolling motors,poweredbynomore thantwo12-volt available through the Central Reservation System. equipped with electricity. Reservations for allshelters are No rentals available. bicycle. Helmetsrecommended onmountain bike trail. rentals are available, orvisitors may theirown bring beginner-level mountain bike trail. Standard bicycle CENTRAL RESERVATION SYSTEM If you would like andenhance to help support Visitors the rules,which are shall observe designedto Resources, Executive Office, 402 W. Washington Street, W256, Indianapolis, IN46204,(317) 232-4020. above,facility asdescribed orifyouinformation pleasewrite to: desire further ofNatural Department sex, ordisability. Ifyou believe thatyou have beendiscriminated against inany program, activity, or available to everyone. DNR prohibits on the basis of race, discrimination color, age, national origin, The programs, facilities, ofNatural services, Resources andactivitiesoftheIndianaDepartment are See everything IndianaState Parks hasto offer at @ . CAMP STORECAMP INTERPRETIVE NATURALIST SERVICE NATURALIST INTERPRETIVE BOAT LAUNCH BICYCLING CAMPING , , PADDLEBOATS, KAYAKSBOATS, CANOES, & the world of naturalthe world resources whileenjoying vary—please call. vary—please equipment isnotprovided. There are more than8 required; 14-inch minimum largemouth basslimit. allowed. toilets, hotwater, showers andelectricity. TROLLING MOTORS TROLLING be launchedonlyatboatramps.Only electric playground equipment, playfields, andpicnic shelters campground. Horses permitted only . onbridle with some hilly and curvy stretcheswith somehilly anda7.4-mile andcurvy CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING FAMILY CABINS PICNIC AREAS HORSE TRAILS HORSE FISHING andreservoirs INdnrstateparks Reservations for ofcamping, alltypes family Call: toll-free. and forests can be made online or by calling cabins, and shelters at state parks, reservoirs th Liberty, IN46554 Online:.O. on.IN.gov/potatocreeksp Box 908 Call: (574) 656-8186 Write: Potato Creek State Park Online: Call: Cabins accommodate eightpeople. There Visit toSubscribe OutdoorIndianamagazine today,

— Online: camp.IN.gov 1-866-6campIN 1-877-lodges1 (1-877-563-4371) —Campground isequippedwithflush beautiful for others to enjoy! in order to keep your cleanand park outalltrash youPlease carry produce Nor P 2560 — Bass, bluegill, etc. State license IndianaInns.com

OutdoorIndiana.org — There isbotha3.3-milepaved trail —Private boatsorsailboatsmay Open May through October. Hours 1 State Road 4 — — — @indianadnr Tables, grills, toilet facilities, Trails begin at horsemen’s Open year-round. — Day orhourrental. Boat

(1-866-622-6746) — orcall Cross-country ski Cross-country

@INDNRstateparks stateparks.IN.gov.

317-233-3046 — No pets Explore .

© 1/2020 Indiana Department of Natural Resources PLEASE STAY ONMARKED TRAILS. DESCRIPTION OFHIKING TRAILS may require beachclosingbefore LaborDay. before Day Memorial andnolater thanLaborDay. Conditions Passes three wetland decks. observation opposite direction. Helmets recommended. the direction indicated andhikers shouldwalk inthe State Park. For increased safety, bikers in shouldride Indiana Mountain Bike Association and Potato Creek Developed theNorthern through between apartnership and through forests. creek bed,and then onto flat landpassing wetlands shelter. Itwindsupanddown wooded hills, above the Trail atboatrental andendsnear starts Tulip Poplar woods andrejoins theendof Trail 1. Peppermint Road alongthelake. Cutsthrough ayoung atNature CenterStarts following Trail 1onold Short looppasseswetland andwoods. Short Trail 6 deck.observation Rolling trail cutsthrough oldfields. Hassmall wetland Trail 5 past thelake andoldfarm sites. Scenic path along stream through beech-maple woods, Trail 4 deck.observation passing through beech-mapleforest anddown to lake Travels overlooking alongridge Worster Lake, Trail 3 woods, upanddown hills, to highestpointinpark. Accessed eitherfrom Trail 1or Trail 4. Winds through Trail 2 area. maple andoak-hickory forest. to Returns Nature Center WorsterSkirts Lake, passingthrough oldfields and Trail 1 TRAIL &DESCRIPTION Peppermint Loop TrailPeppermint FriendsWetland Trail Mountain Bike TrailMountain Bicycle Trail accessible area. BeachhouseandbeachopenSaturday SWIMMING stateparks.IN.gov of natural areas. Mostwere drastically altered Potato Creek offers, visitors willfinda variety addition to the many recreational facilities that for Potato Creek’s clever early supporter. In The park’s 327-acre Worster Lake isnamed mile (3,840-acre) area was formally dedicated. reality onJune 6,1977, whenthe6-square- onState Road 4,becamea Liberty of North to in1969. becomeapark succeeded whenthearea was designated “bug” them about creating a park. His efforts his hand-crafted insectsto state officials to Worster kept thatdream alive by sending Their project was halted by World War II. reservoir onPotato Creek inthelate 1930s. club members first proposed aman-made Creek. was “wild potato,” hencethename “Potato” for thenamethosepeoplegave thatplant banks. The early settlers’ Englishtranslation with potato-like roots onthisarea’s creek Native oncecollectedAmericans plants Potato Creek State Park, 3miles east Darcey Worster andfellow conservation — Free beach, with handicapped 2 mile DISTANCE .75 miles 3.3 miles .9 mile 7.4 miles .5 miles 1 miles 2.5 miles 1 miles 2.2 miles

P C

otato reek Easy Moderate Easy Easy Moderate Easy Moderate Moderate Rugged DIFFICULTY Moderate