Visit Van Bibber Lake Putnam Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the quiet and idyllic seaside resort Van Biber Lake in Indiana! Enjoy the beach or experience the beautiful nature during a boat tour. The nearby camping is perfect for families with children.
Honestly, if you think Indiana is just corn fields and endless highways, then you haven't seen Van Bibber Lake yet. The lake is located in the heart of Clinton Township, Putnam County, and has its roots in late 19. Century, as a few brave settlers decided to stow the water to water the surrounding farms. Today the water is no longer the main theme of conversations, but history still floats over the gentle waves – a bit like an old friend who still laughs too loud when you call it.
I don't quite understand the hype about the “perfect photo scenery”, but the small wooden bridges that wind around the lake are really great for a spontaneous Instagram shot, and that without the usual crowd stress. When you arrive by car, take the State Road 75 – it will take you directly to the parking spaces that barely offer more than a few tapped benches, but that's just the certain something. If you prefer to travel by bike, you can use the old field road from Greencastle; He's a little bumpy, but that makes the charm. A short trip to the adjacent picnic area is worth it, because the local families are unpacking their barbecue arts – no joke, that is the true Indiana experience. And yes, if you ask yourself what else you can do here: “Van Bibber Lake Sights” include, in addition to the water, of course, the small, almost forgotten paths that lead you to viewpoints where you hear the whipping of the larks about the noise of the traffic. So, grab the snacks, grab the car or the bike and let this underestimated jewel surprise you.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Clinton Township is not some hip-café, but the most vivid Van Bibber Lake – yes, the glittering piece of water that the locals lovingly call our little oasis. When you arrive there for the first time, you will be greeted by a simple parking lot, which usually offers enough space, except on Saturdays, when the families with grill accessories and strollers flood the field. The lake itself is not huge, but it just makes it charming: a short walk around the waterfront is enough to calm the soul, and the quiet stroller is a better soundtrack than any Spotify playylist algorithm.
Directly next to the water, Van Bibber Lake Park, a little paradise for children and parents, who honestly don't want digital distractions. The playground is made of sturdy wood, so you can see the squeaking of the swings as a nostalgic background noise. I once observed my niece climbing while I tried to shoot a few photos – the result was a shaky picture that now serves as proof that I am not the next Ansel Adams. Practical: There are a few picnic tables that you can use for free, and a barbecue area that is almost always occupied in the summer, so be ready to wait a few minutes.
A short trip from the main road leads you to Van Bibber Lake Fishing Pier. I don't quite understand the hype around fishing, but here it's kind of relaxing if you just want to watch the water while others are walking around with their rods. The pier is well maintained, the railing is stable and the view of the lake is undisturbed – perfect to turn a few Instagram stories without anyone asking why you are there. Parking here is a Klack, and the sign “Please no motorboats” ensures that the water is not disturbed by loud motors.
If you are looking for the feeling of freedom, try Van Bibber Lake Boat Launch. Here you can push a kayak or a small inflatable boat into the water – motors are strictly forbidden, so everything remains quiet. I once rented an old, slightly sloppy kayak and I turned a few rounds while a swarm duck curiously annoyed me. The access is free, the water is flat enough for beginners, and the best: you can just leave on the shore after paddling and enjoy a cool drink from the nearby kiosk (the kiosk is not just a gourmet spot, but a cold beer is worth gold here).
Another secret tip I like to mention is the Van Bibber Lake Trail. The route is hardly longer than half a kilometre, but it leads you through a small piece of forest that is surprisingly well preserved. I once saw a fox there, which apparently did not feel disturbed by the many walkers – a short moment that reminded me that nature is still a bit wild here. The path is well marked, the grass is not too high, and you can pause at any time at one of the benches to enjoy the silence (or to check your phone because we do not live in the 19th century).
For the dog owners among you there is the Van Bibber Lake Dog Park, a small, fenced field right next to the main park. My dog, an energy-charged Labrador, got more out there than in any other urban park I know. The facility is clean, there are drinking water for four-legged persons and a few benches for the people who want to watch their dogs while reading a book themselves. Parking is also uncomplicated here as long as you are not there at the same time as the weekly dog training staff – then it can become narrow.
Last but not least a short trip to Clinton Township Community Center. The building is not just an architectural miracle, but it regularly hosts local events, from yoga courses to small art exhibitions. I once took part in a “Coch Course for Beginners” where we learned how to prepare a simple chili – the result was not Michelin‐Stern – worthy, but the company was great. The center is just a few minutes' walk from the lake, and parking is usually easy, except when a large community event takes place.
So next time you think about where you can experience a little “real Indiana” in Clinton Township, think about the Van Bibber Lake Sights. They are not exaggerated glamorous, but that's exactly what makes their charm – a bit of rest, a touch of nature and the ability to lose yourself a bit without having to spend a fortune on it.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Shades State Park, a piece of forest that lays like a green curtain over the road as soon as you leave the highway. I have to admit that I cannot fully understand the whole “forld-and-wooden” hype, but the narrow paths that wind through ancient beech have something soothing – almost as if you were strolling through a living painting. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with a horde family from the Greater Indianapolis; then the small car park valley becomes a battlefield quickly.
A short detour to the south leads me to the legendary Turkey Run State Park. There are no snorkels, only steep canyons formed by the water of Sugar Creek. I remember the day I tried to force the famous Box Canyon Trail, just to see that my hiking boots had more dirt than style. Nevertheless, the panorama from the viewpoint over the deep gorge is an image that you do not forget – and that is the only thing I can really praise here, because the rest of the facilities sometimes seem like an improvised camp for outdoor beginners.
Back to the east, almost like a small detour, this is Monteith Historic Site. The property is a relic from the time when the railway was still the backbone of the region. I spent a few hours there because I thought a bit of history could wipe my trip. The restored buildings and the small museum tell of the early settlers, and the terrain is surprisingly well maintained – a real secret tip if you have enough patience to follow the signposted roundabouts. Parking is practically directly at the house, but the sign “Only for visitors to the museum” makes you sometimes doubt if you don’t want to park the car further away.
A short jump over the city border Greencastle ♪ DePauw University Art Museum. I was skeptical because I usually associate art museums with dusty halls and stiff curators, but the museum surprises with a mixture of modern art and regional works that are surprisingly accessible. The leadership I randomly had with a student was loose, funny and gave me the feeling that I was not just a tourist, but a part of the campus life. Parking is a little tricky here – the campus parking lot fills up quickly, especially during the lecture period, i.e. better to come early.
Only one cat jump further Putnam County Historical Museum. I have learned more about the local history than I have ever thought possible – from the establishment of the city to the scrupulous anecdotes over the first farmers who put their pigs in the river to cool them. The museum is small, but the exhibitions are lovingly curated, and the staff is so friendly that you almost feel like visiting old friends. Parking is available directly in front of the building, and this is a rare luck in this area.
A little further south, along the Wabash Riverthe Wabash River Trail. I explored the trail in a lukewarm afternoon while the sun glittered over the water – an image that is almost too beautiful for a blog post. The path is well marked, and the bike rental system in Greencastle makes it easy to get rid of spontaneously. The only Manko: On hot summer days, the shore can be quite overrun, so you have to fight a bit through the crowd to find the peace.
At the end of my small tour I must not be the charming Greencastle Downtown forget. The small shops, the café, which always smells of freshly brewed coffee, and the occasional street musicians give the place an almost nostalgic atmosphere. I found an old book in an antiquariat that I never expected, and that was the highlight of my day. Parking is a bit of gambling here – public parking is limited, but this is part of the adventure, right?
If you ask yourself what the surroundings of Van Bibber Lake really have to offer, then these are Van Bibber Lake Sights a good start – from woody state parks to historical sites to lively neighborhoods that have more to tell than one would suspect at first glance.
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